The Empire is primarily safeguarded by standing armies composed of common soldiers recruited by the many city-states. Standing above these are the Knightly Orders, nobles who pledge themselves to a life of martial virtue that sets them apart from the rabble.*
There are many famous Orders, but perhaps none are as remarkable as the Knights Panther, a righteous Order whose duty is to protect the Empire free from political bias. They are led by one of the greatest warriors ever to have walked the lands, Harald Gemunsen.
One of the youngest warriors inducted into the Order of the Knights Panther’s inner circle, Gemunsen proved himself a formidable warrior and an eloquent leader. When Chapter Master Otto van Walden was slain by a Ghorgon in the Drakwald Forest, it was Gemunsen who rallied his brothers and slew the beast, elevating him to Chapter Master of the Knights Panther in Middenheim.
From here he forged bonds with important figures all across the Empire, from Ar-Ulric, High Priest of the god of wolves and winter, to Count Sigismund of Middenheim and the Sea Empress Elspeth Magritta VI of Marienburg. Thus, when Grand Master Einricsson fell at the battle of the Midden Moors, Gemunsen was the obvious choice as the successor – a unifying presence immune to the turbulent political strife that mires the Empire.
As Grand Master of the Knights Panther, Harald Gemunsen is proficient in leading scores of heavy cavalry in numerous thundering charges and countercharges that have scattered hundreds of foes over the years, turned the tides of battle, and secured countless victories.
He is also a pre-eminent duellist who has challenged and defeated a vast number of opponents, all of whom have fallen to the keen edge of his axe, Beast Reaver.
Grand Master Of The Knights Panther
Through years of exemplary service, unflinching courage and skill-at-arms, Gemunsen has earned the title of Grand Master of the Knights Panther.
Harald Gemunsen belongs to the Order of the Knights Panther, therefore he may re-roll a single dice that rolls a natural 1 when making a Charge roll, before discarding any dice that are required to be discarded. In addition, Harald may only join a unit that belongs to the Order of the Knights Panther.
Beast Reaver
R
Combat
S
S+1
AP
-1
Special Rules
Armour Bane (1), Killing Blow, Magical Attacks
Notes: When making attacks against Beastmen Brayherds, Harald Gemunsen may re-roll any failed rolls To Wound.
Those of you who have been in the Warhammer hobby for an amount of time that we won’t list in numerals may well remember the original Grand Master of the Knights Panther miniature. The new Harald Gemunsen miniature owes much to this classic, and you’ll even be able to buy the earlier incarnation when the Empire of Man range is released.
He can join any valid Empire of Man army, but is particularly effective in the Knightly Order Army of Infamy, which lets you build an army centred on one of the Knightly Orders. He is made from Forge World resin, and will be available to pre-order soon.
* The Kingdom of Bretonnia might have something to say about the difference in standards between their Knights and those of the unruly Empire.
