The Emperor Karl Franz is said to be the greatest statesman in the Old World. He is acclaimed as a patron of arts and science, as a military innovator, and as a valiant warrior. Thanks to his efforts, the Empire has flourished during his reign. The Imperial Engineers School has grown, the Colleges of Magic have thrived, and the army has marched from victory to victory. The Emperor takes personal command of his army whenever possible, and has earned himself an impressive record of victories and conquest. It was Karl Franz who led the charge of the Reiksguard against the Bretonnians at the battle of Norduin. There was the Emperor's personal valour that finally broke the resistance of the Bretonnian flank guard and drove them from the narrow defile which they had defiantly held throughout the battle. The Emperor was then able to quickly take advantage of the Bretonnians' vulnerability, leading the Reiksguard behind the main Bretonnian army and charging into its exposed rear.