Franz Lohner's Chronicle - Gods and Ancestors

An absent-minded man of mysteries, Franz Lohner relies on his bulging journal to keep track of occurrences, intrigues and arguments around Taal's Horn Keep. Sometimes his notes are even useful, believe it or not. The Franz Lohner Chronicles are extracts from that journal.

You know, I’ve never really been sure what to make of Sigmar.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not questioning his importance. Founder of the Empire, and all that – it’s a career achievement that takes a lot of beating. Clobbered his fair share of nasties along the way, too. Big hitters. Nagash, for example. That’s a level of evil that I don’t reckon I can get my head around, but by all accounts Sigmar treated the big old walking ossuary like a child treats a Middenball. No siree, old Franz ain’t one to knock Sigmar’s achievements, not even in jest.

The bit I get a mite suspicious about is the whole ‘Sigmar is a God’ thing. I mean, you take a look at the rest of the pantheons of this world of ours and gods are gods, and mortals are mortals – never the twain shall meet, sort of thing. And the reasoning gets a bit too circular to my mind. Sigmar is a god because he founded the Empire, and the Empire endures because Sigmar is a god. All very well, but if I were to – for example – want to rally an embattled nation with a good bit of propaganda, it’s probably what I’d come up with. Having god on your side’s always been popular, but having god actually be a distant relative? Can’t beat that for hubris.

It doesn’t help that the church has been attributing all manner of kindnesses to Sigmar’s Will for time out of mind. The Sigmarite church, that is. Ulricans have a more weatherworn view of the world. You see, Ulric’s one of those old – note that I didn’t say ‘proper’ – gods, and in some traditions is held to be the deity to whom Sigmar bent the knee. As a result, Ulrican priests don’t much care for others setting Sigmar on a divine pedestal. Then again, priests love hierarchy as much as prayer – more, in some cases – so their motives ain’t exactly pure.

Me? I’m more an Ulrican than a Sigmarite when my back’s against the wall, by which I suppose I mean I’m happier with the idea of an abusive father than an absentee one. Ulric may well have a wild temper and little in the way of sympathy with those who can’t protect themselves, but he does have his sunnier moments. Personally, I’m not sure I’d trust a god who was always on hand to help out in trying times. I’d always be wondering about what was in it for him, if you take my meaning? Then again, down the centuries there have been all kinds of prophecies regarding Sigmar’s return, and nary a sign of the Heldenhammer. Either he’s every bit as uncaring as Ulric, or he’s a little too fond of having a lie in.

Shouldn’t be writing this down, really. Folk have burned for less. I guess I’m a bit on edge, what with Saltzpyre’s praying being loud enough to rattle the roof tiles. His ain’t exactly a booming voice, but it does carry when he has the mind. And there’s certainty enough in the words to make a god take notice, I’ll give him that. And maybe he’ll succeed.

Saltzpyre’s little trip oop North left him with stronger faith in Sigmar than ever before. Maybe his voice’ll tip the scales, and provoke the Heldenhammer to cast off the blankets and pitch in with the battle for the Empire. Me? I’d settle for him sending a herald. A bit of hope, that’s all we need. Give us some hope, and the rest will follow.

Assuming Sigmar really is a god, of course.

Assuming that.

Go to bed, Franz. You’ll feel better after a bit of kip.