Reikland

THEGRANDPRINCIPALITYOFREIKLAND WrittenbyAndrewFawcettforwww.criticalhit.co.uk  WrittenbyAndrewFawcettfor www.criticalhit.co.uk 

TheBannerofAltdorf

TheBannerofReikland

Elector:GrandPrinceKarl-Fra :GrandPrinceKarl-FranzIHolswig-Sc nzIHolswig-Schlies hliestein(age35)whoisalso,of tein(age35)whoisalso,of course,theEmperor course,theEmperor

andsovereignoftheEmpire;namedheirisPrinceWolfgangHolswig-Abenauer,hissister’seldestson. AlthoughKarl-FranzIhasthepowertosettaxes,raisearmiesandissueedicts,heisfarfromhaving tota total l cont contro rol. l. The The prov provin inci cial al Elec Electo tors rs resp respec ect t him him as a figu figure rehe head ad and and not not out out of any any sens sense e of nationalism. ButtheEmperorisfarfromalonewhere ButtheEmperorisfarfromalonewheregovernin governingisconcerne gisconcerned.Toaidinthisrespect d.Toaidinthisrespectisthe isthe Council governmental al bodyincludesthe Grand Grand Theogonist Theogonist anda number number of otherindividuals otherindividuals ofState . This government fromsomeofthemostaristocraticfamilies fromsomeofthemostaristocrati cfamiliesin in theEmpire.Althoughthecouncilhasnoconstitu theEmpire.Althoughthecouncilhasnoconstitutional tional authorityithas authorityithas greatinfluenceovertheEmperor’s greatinfluenceovertheEmperor’s decisions,espec decisions,especially ially when theyareunited.Inthis respecttheGrandTheogonistwieldsenormouspowerasheoftenmanagestoswayopinionhisway. AnyedictsissuedbytheEmperorandtheCouncilofStatearesubjecttoratificationbyawatchdog body called called the Prime was set upa long long time time ago during during Boris Boris the Incomp Incompete etent’ nt’s s reign reign Prime Estates Estates. It was (whe (when n he want wanted ed to make make his his favo favour urit ite e race raceho hors rse e a Duke Duke) ) to curb curb the the Empe Empero ror’ r’s s power power over over the the provincesand provincesand stophim fromimplementingany fromimplementingany edicts edicts theydon’tlike. In thisway theElectorshave almostcompletevetoontheEmperor’srighttoissuecommands.ThePrimeEstatesconsistsofspecial representat representativesfrom ivesfrom eachof theprovinces andfreistadts andfreistadts (Middenheim (Middenheim, , Talabheimetc) Talabheimetc) whomeet in Altdorfto Altdorfto studythe studythe variousedictsissue variousedictsissuedby dby theCouncilof theCouncilof State.Likethe State.Likethe CouncilthePrimeEstates CouncilthePrimeEstates cons consis ists ts enti entire rely ly of nobl noblem emen en and and pries priests ts; ; lack lackey eys s of the Empe Emperor ror are are excl exclud uded ed. . Thes These e Elec Electo tora ral l repre represe sent ntat ativ ives es then then send send repor reports ts back back to the the Prov Provin inci cial al Elec Electo tors rs. . In this this way way the the Elec Electo tors rs have have manipulatedImperialpoliticstograntthemselvesspecialprivilegesovertheyears. TheEmperoralsohashisownwatchdogsthathedespatchestotheprovincesinanefforttoeffectively spyontheElectors.Thesepeopleareknownas ImperialPlenipotentiaries  ImperialPlenipotentiaries.Tomanytheyareseenas courtfavouritesandsycophants,eagertowormtheirwayupintheeyesoftheEmperor,andaccorded little respect.Someare respect.Someare scheming,ambitiou scheming,ambitious,Machiav s,Machiavellian ellian individuals individuals whoare quite dangerousand dangerousand candomoreharmthangood. OtherNobleFamilies :TheReiklandisaveryrichandprosperousplacefullofwealthyandinfluential

noble obless and and thei their r fam familie iliess. The The most ost notab otable le of which hich are: re: Graf Graf Wilh Wilhel elm m von Sapo Sapon nath atheim eim (Bogenh (Bogenhafe afen), n), Graf Graf Sigism Sigismund und von Jungfr Jungfreud eud (Ubers (Ubersrei reik), k), and Barone Baroness ss Ingrid Ingrid von Wittge Wittgenst nstein ein (CastleWittgenstein.)

GrafWilhemvonSaponatheim“governs”thewealthytownofBogenhafen,whichliesintheBaronyof Saponatheim,fromCastleGrauenburg25milesnorthofthetown.Heisquiteanineffectualruler,ashe preferstoindulgeinhismorefavouredpursuitsofhunting,shooting,andfishing.Heisquitehappyto leavethemoremundanetasksofadministratingBogenhafentothetowncouncilanditsfourpowerful merchantfamilies:the Haagens,Ruggbroders,Steinhagers,andthe Teugens.Theonlythingthe Graf getsinvolvedwithasfarasthetownisconcernedisorganisingtheannualSchaffenfestwherehegets toinvitenoblesfromthroughoutthelandtopartakeinabitoffriendlyjousting.(see ShadowsOver  BogenhafenformoreinformationaboutBogenhafen.) GrafSigismundvonJungfreud isthedirectoppositetohiscounterpartatBogenhafensome100miles north upthe roadfrom Ubersreik,although thishas moreto dowith outside pressureschieflybeing meddling from the Altdorf court. The Emperor sent one of his Plenipotentiaries to the town of Auerswald to keep an eye on the Graf; he suspects that he is after the Hahnbrandt mine and the Plenipotentiary,theambitiousgreasemonkeythatheis,hasbeguntoimposepunitivetaxesonships usingtheRiverTeufel,whichhasbeenmakingthesituationworse.Nowthereisanuneasystandoff between the two towns and skirmishes between the troops of both sides have become increasingly common.GrafSigismundisinfuriatedbytheextrataxesandall-outwaragainstAuerswaldcannotbe faroff.  BaronessIngridvonWittgensteinofCastleWittgenstein,whichislocatednearthebanksoftheRiver ReikroughlyhalfwaybetweenKemperbadandNuln,isreallyquiteaharmlesssortwhoisrarelyever seenthesedays.Rumourhasit thatshehasgoneinsaneandspendsallof hertimepamperingalarge numberofcats.Whatistrue,however,isthatshedespisesandhatescommoners,viewingthemassubhuman and in need of extermination. (See  Death on the Reik  for more information on the Wittgensteins.) Geography:The mightyRiverReikmarksthenorthernboundariesof theReikland;thefamousriver flows750milesfromitssourceintheBlackMountainsandthenpassesthroughthreegreatcities– Nuln, Altdorf, and Carroburg - as it continues its journey to Marienburg. The Reik has many tributaries:theRiverGrissen,whichmarkstheReikland’ssouthernboundaryasitflowsintotheReik atthetownofGrissenwald;theRiverSoll,whichflowssouthfromTheVaults;theRiverAver,which flowsfromtheeastfromtheBlackMountainsandparalleltothat100orsomilestothenorththeRiver Stir;theRiverTeufel,whichflowsfromthesouthwestandintotheReikatCastleReikguard;andthen the River Talabec, which flows from the east all the way from the World’s Edge Mountains. The confluenceoftheT alabecandReik,beginningat Altdorf,providesa bigenoughstretchofriverfrom theImperialcapitaltotheManaansportSeaintheWastelandforocean-goingvesselstonavigate.In facttheReikonthisstretchissowidethatitcontainssmall,rocky,islandsuponwhicharebuiltmany fishervillages,watermen’sinnsandothercommercialstoppingplaces.Butforlongstretchesthebanks oftheReikareheavilyforestedandcanbeverydangerousattimesandattacksfrombandits,aswellas bands of beastmen and mutants, on commercial shipping isnot unknown, which is why the larger vesselshavecrewsoffightingmentoprotecttheircargoaswellastheirlives.

ThesouthwestboundaryoftheReikland,aswellasthatofthewholeEmpire,ismarkedbytheGrey Mountains.T hisnaturalfrontieralsomarkstheeastern borderofBretonnia.Variouspassespenetrate throughthemountainstoofferpassagebetweenthetworealmsbutAxeBitePassisbyfarthelargest. DwarfsstillremainintheGreyMountainsalbeitinonlyafewisolatedscatteredsettlements.Theonly Imperialsettlementof note in the mountains is the village and keep of Helmgart, whichlies in an uplandvalleyalmostupontheAxeBiteroad.YearsagotherewasagreatbattlebetweenImperialand goblinoidforcesin thepass. TheImperials wonthe hardfoughtbattle andprevented thegoblinoids frompouringthroughthepassandinvadingtheReikland.ThustheEmperorinvitednoblesthroughout thelandtobuythelandwoninthebattlefor1GoldCrown–andthenholdontoit.Thenoblewho boughtthelandbuiltakeepandbroughthisserfswithhimwhothenbuiltthefoundationsofHelmgart village,whichisinessencepurelytheretosupportthekeep.TheHelmgartKeephashadanillustrious historyandhasrepulsedbothgoblinoidandBretonnianinvaderalikeinitstime. WithintheReiklandaretwoprominenthillyregions:SkaagHillsandtheHagercrybs.Theformerlies several miles south of the city of Carroburg and the latter dominates the region between the WeissbruckCanalandtheRiverTeufelasthehillsemergefromtheReikwaldForest.BoththeSkaag HillsandtheHagercrybsareriddledwithminesbutovertheyearstheveinsofpreciousmineralshave

dried upandnowonlythemines ofDelfgruder(inthe SkaagHills)andHahnbrandtremain(in the Hagercrybs.) AnotherplaceintheGreyMountainsisBloodKeeplocatedduewestofUbersreik.Itusedtohousethe KnightsoftheHolyOrderoftheDragonwhosafeguardedthewaysthroughtheGreyMountains.They wereoriginally a Sigmarite order but turnedto brigandageduringthe Age ofThreeEmperors. The GrandTheogonistexcommunicatedtheorderandsentanarmyofknightsandwitch-hunterstosiege thekeep. TheOrder of theDragon,although they claimed severalprominentknights,weredefeated andthekeepfellintoruinwhereitstandstothisday.SomeclaimthattheOrderoftheDragonwereall infactVampiresbutifthiswasthecasetheChurchofSigmarhasswiftlycoveredthisup. ThemaindominatingforestoftheReiklandistheReikwald.Onlyintheeastdoesitgivewaytothe mixedoaksoftheGreatForest.TheReikwaldForestis mainlyconiferous,particularlyintheuplands of the Skaag Hills and the Hagercrybs, but there are deciduous stretches along the rivers. Like all forestsintheEmpire,theReikwaldisadangerousplacetobeafterdarkorifoneventurestofarintoits depths.Theonlyplacesthatofferamodicumofsafetyaretheroads,whichare(oratleastshouldbe) patrolledbyroadwardens,andtheoddcoachinginn. HistoricalNotes :ItwastheUnberogenswhosettledintheReiklandregion,thesecondlargesttribein

thetime of Sigmar (thelargestof course were the Teutognens). TheUnberogens were generallyon goodtermswithmostofthetribesofTheEmpirebutwerecontinuallyatwarwithArtur'sfearsome Teutognens.Theywerealsoahighlysophisticatedtribeforthetimeandwereaccomplishedfarmers andfishermen.TheirprinciplegodswereDyrath,thegoddessoffertility,Karog,godoftherivers,and theOldFaith,aswellasmanyothernaturespirits. Atthe age of fifteen Sigmar displayed great feats of bravery and strength, none more so when he defeatedabandofgoblinsandfreedasmallgroupofcaptiveDwarfs.Amongthecaptiveswasnone other than King Kargan Ironbeard. The King of the Dwarfs gave Sigmar Ghal-maraz, or "Skullsplitter", inreturn for his act of heroism.With this magical hammer Sigmar'salready considerable fightingabilitygrewtosuperhumanlevelsandtribesmenfrommilesaroundwantedtojoinhimandbe part of his victories. However, Artur and his Teutognens remained one of two obstacles against a unitedEmpireofMen:theotherwerethegreenskins.SigmarmetanddefeatedArturinsinglecombat forcingtheTeutognens,atlast,torecogniseSigmarastherulerofMen.Withthecombinedmightof all the human tribes of the Empire, Sigmar defeated a gigantic army of goblins on the plains of Stirland. Then word came from a messenger from court ofKing Karganthat the battle against the greenskinsintheBlackMountainswasgoingill.TheDwarfshadsufferedahumiliatingdefeatandthe remnantsofthearmyretreatedandregroupedatKarak-Varn.Sigmarwastednotimeincomingtothe Dwarfs' aid and at the Battle of BlackFire Pass the greenskins were finally put to the sword. The remaining Dwarfs charged from their strongholds and cut off any avenue of retreat the greenskins might have had. Few Orcs and goblins survived to tell of the slaughter and from this moment on Sigmar was known asthe"Hammer oftheGoblins". InyearzeroSigmarwascrowned Emperorat Reikdorf(thethenAltdorf.) Altdorfhashadtoendureseveralsiegesinitslongandillustrioushistory.Inthe18thCenturytheOrc WarlordGorbadIronclawlaidsiegetotheImperialCapital.ItwasadesperatetimeforTheEmpireas it was riven withplague and civil war leaving bandsof Chaos Warriors, Beastmen, goblinoids and banditstoroamthelandmoreorlessunmolested.Gorbadeasilymadehiswaythroughthesouthern provinceslaying wasteto Averland,Solland,Wissenlandandeventhecityof Nuln.Duringthesiege SigismundtheElectorateEmperorlosthislifetoa terriblebeastbutAltdorfwasnotlost andGorbad hadtoretreat.TheOrcWarlordwastrailedbytheEmperor'sfinestgeneral,theCountof Wissenland andtheirforcesmetattheBattleofGrunburgwheretheCountinflictedaseriouswoundonGorbad. The greenskin invasion, subsequently, routed in disarray back whence they came. Thousands were slainintherout. DuringtheAgeofVampiresBogenhafenwasattackedbyanUndeadarmyledbyVladvonCarstein himself.Thegunnerycaptain,KlausvonRauptmann,orderedasalvoofcannonfireagainstthehordes ofUndeadoutsidethetown.Itmaybeduetoluck,ortoKlaus'sgreatskill,thattheVampireLordwas struckintheheadbyacannonball,takingitcleanoff.WithoutVlad,mostofthearmycrumbledtodust orbeataretreat.

From TEW topresentday : Thepoliticalsituation in the Empire worsenedduring thistime frame (approximatelytenyears)andenemiesboth externalandinternalbesettheEmperor.Chaosgradually wormed its way into many of the electoral courts, including Altdorf’s, and succeeded in not only bringing up old antipathies but also creating new ones. The reinvigorated Tzeentchian Cult of the Purple Hand almost had the Emperor assassinated as he addressed the Council of State in the Volkshalle.ThecultistwasdressedasanUlricanknight,bodyguardtooneoftheassembledUlrican clerics,andashewasabouttostriketheEmperordownhewasoverpoweredandslain.Beforehedied hecried,“Longlivethewolf!”

ButChaoswasmerelythecatalystforwhatwouldhappennext.TheEmpirewasfarfromunifiedinthe firstplaceandtheopportunitytoberidofsomeenemieswastoomuchformanyoftheElectorstopass over, Chaos just encouraged this process. All-out civil war was the inevitable result with many choosingsidesonbasisofreligion,i.e.SigmaritesagainstUlricans.Noonecouldclaimneutrality.You were either for the Emperor or against him. As far as everyone was concerned the Ulricans had declared war on Sigmar’s Empire and the Ulricans and Sigmarites, as history shows, were well accustomedtofightingeachother. Relations with Neighbouring Provinces: There are generally cordial relations with the eastern BretonnianrealmsandtheReikland.Occasionallyanembassyissentto BretonniaandtheOisillon Palace where bothsides exchange (sometimes) overbearing, bootlickingcomplimentsin an effortto givetheimpressionthattheEmpireandBretonniaarebosombuddies.Thegreatnaturalbarrierofthe Grey Mountains makesit difficult for the two toengage inbattle althoughin the norththose great uplandsmergeintotherollinglimestonehillsofthePaleSisterswhereitwouldbepossibleforarmies tomeet.

ManyintheAltdorfcourtregard MarienburgasthoughitwerestillpartoftheEmpireandtheGrand TheogonistandtheCultofSigmarbemoanthefactthatitisn’t.Foralmosttwoandahalfthousand yearsMarienburghadremainedfirmlyinthebosomoftheEmpirebutin2429itgainedindependence andtheCultofSigmarseesthisasagreatfailureasitistheirsacreddutytoprolongtheunityofthe Empire.SinceMarienburg’sindependencemorethanoneaggressiveGrandTheogonisthascalledfora crusadetoreclaimtheWastelandfortheEmpire,butnothinghasevertranspired.Moreovertheyfind the Reformed Cult of Sigmar inMarienburg to be tantamount to heresy and the Grand Theogonist refuses to recognisethese priests whopreach disunity by declaringthat the Wasteland waspurified whenitsecededtheEmpire.TheReiklanddependsupontradewithMarienburgnotleastbecauseitis itsonlyroutetotheseaandmanymerchants,aswellasKarl-Franzhimself,reliesuponthewealthy merchantfamiliesoftheDirectorateforloans. ThereareneutralrelationswiththeGrandDuchyofMiddenland.Religiousdifferences(Reiklandis overwhelminglySigmariteand Middenland isUlrican)preventanythingmore thanthis althoughthe merchants from each province have fewer concerns asMiddenland’s capital, Carroburg, lies a few mileswest upthe Reikfrom Altdorf and tradecanbe quitelucrative.Trade withCarroburg isalso importantwith thewesternReikland; theRiver Bogen carries boats laden with cargo to Weissbruck andBogenhafen. Because of the Grand Duchy of Talabecland’s role in the turmoil known as the Age of Three Emperors,whenGrandDuchessOttiliadeclaredherselfEmpressand outlawedtheCult ofSigmarin Talabecland, there have been neutral (at best) to sour relations. Some Sigmarite friars travel the Reikland preaching about the evils of the Ottilian period and about how the Ulricans tortured and murderedgoodSigmaritemen,women,andchildrenintheirdebauchery.Whilesomeofthestoriesare untruetheSigmariteleadershipdoeslittletostopthem. TheFreistadtof KemperbadisaveryrichautonomoustradingtownontheconfluenceoftheRiver ReikandtheStir.TheEmperorrealisesthatalotofpotentialincomeisbeinglosttotheTradeBarons ofKemperbadandhassentoneofhisPlenipotentiariestothetowntodiscoverifthereisaneasyway ofgettingroundthis.Otherwiserelationswiththetownarereasonablygood. TherearegoodrelationswiththeGrandCountyofStirlandbeinganotherSigmaritestronghold.The provinceholdsacertainkindofreligioussignificancetotheCultofSigmarbecauseitwasinStirland whereagreatbattlewaswonbySigmaragainstahordeofgoblinoids.Somehigh-rankingSigmarite

priests, aswellas somepiousnobles,makethepilgrimage tothe sceneof the battle. The Emperor himselfisalsoconsideringdoingthesame. The Emperor always triesto maintain good relationswiththe Freistadt of NulnandtheCountyof Wissenland.SomesayitisbecauseofNuln’sfineartilleryandgunpowderweaponsthattheEmperor wishes these good relations but others say it is because he fancies the city’s Elector: Countess EmmanuellevonLieberwitz,whoisacclaimedtobethemosteligiblespinsterintheEmpire. Non-Humans:TheReiklandhasstronghistorictiestotheDwarf racesoitcomesasnosurprisethat mostDwarfsintheEmpirewillliveintheReikland.Altdorf,accordingtothe2510census,ishometo over one thousand who in turn comprise ten clans. They mostly live in the Metallschlacke and Niederwind districts at the eastern end of the city,both of which are atthe heart of the metaland stoneworking industries. Thenthere is also a much smaller communityliving in Bogenhafenin the EisenbahndistrictwherethereareMetalworkers’,Carpenters’,Jewellers’,andMasons’Guilds.

EveninaprovinceaspopulousastheReikland WoodElves arestillveryfew.TheReikwaldForest mayhavesupportedacommunityalong,longtimeago,butsincethenthegrowinghumannationhas been clearing the trees away for agriculture to support an ever-expanding population. Nevertheless AltdorfisaverybigcityandtherecouldbeanythinguptoonehundredElvesthere.ButWoodElf settlementsareneverfoundbyotherracessoitcouldjustbethatinthedeepestdepthsofoneofthe Reikland’sforestsacommunityofElvesmaystilllive. Wheretherearelargehumansettlements,especiallyplaceslikeAltdorf,Bogenhafen,andUbersreikto namebutthree,therearecertainlytoberichnobleswhowant Halflingcooksnottomentionthemany innsandtaverns.ButthentherewillalsobeHalflingvendorssellingallkindsoffoodanddrinktothe large human populations. Altdorf canprobably boastthe largest populationof Halflingsoutside the Mootland, especially as the Mootlandsends a smalldetachment of foresters toserve inthe Altdorf armyeachyearalthoughthisismostlyasymbolicgesture. Religion:TheReiklandisthecentreoftheSigmaritefaithandAltdorfiswherethetoweringcathedral st oftheCultofSigmarislocated.Inthe1 centurythefirstGrandTheogonist,JohanHelstrum,laidthe foundationsfor this sacred buildingas well asheralding the beginning ofa new cult, whichwould eventuallysupplantmostoftheothers.Virtuallyeveryvillage,andallthetowns,haveasitededicated toSigmarfromasimpleshrinetoagreattemple.

InBogenhafenthereareseveraltemplesdedicatedtothegods.Thechieftempleisofcoursededicated toSigmar(whosechiefpriesthasaseatonthemerchantcouncil)buttherearealsotemplestoUlric (the smallest one in the town), Myrmidia, Verena, Handrich, and Shallya. There is also a temple dedicated to the town’s patron saint called Bogenauer. The temple relies heavily on donations and clericsofSigmarwhorunalotofitsadministration,asthetemplehasnopriestsofitsown. WhiletheurbancentresarestaunchlySigmaritetheruralfolkfavourthegodsofnaturealthoughthey still revere the Great Unifier as well; they tend to be more polytheist in their outlook than most Sigmarites.AlongtheriverReikmanyfishingvillagesworshipKarog,andthehunterswhorelyonthe ReikwaldforsubsistenceandtheirlivingworshipTaal,whoisalsoverypopularamongfarmers.The Old Faithtends tobemorepopularinveryisolated regionsas itisa dyingreligion andfew people understanditthesedayspreferringinsteadtoturntoTaal.Therearealsoaverysmallnumberofpeople whoworshipthefertilitygoddessofoldknownasDyrathwhowassaidtobeaprominentdeityamong theancientUnberogens. Asidefromthenormalstatereligionstherearejustasmanyproscribedfaiths,whichtheauthoritiesare desperatetostampout.IncludingtheworshipofthePowersofChaostherearealsodaemoncovens, vampirecults,andothernamelessgroups.Byfarthemostdangerousarethoseorganisationsdedicated totheChaosGodsandespeciallythosewhoworshiptheGreatConspirator:Tzeentch.Thenameofthe CultofthePurpleHandhasreachedtheearsofsomeandtheyshouldbegreatlyfearedbecausetheydo notconquerthroughforce of arms butthroughcunning,intrigueand subtle manipulation. Themore complexthemoreTzeentchrewardsthem.

Military: Few places in the Empire can have a prouder military tradition than the Reikland. It is probably most famous for the  Reiksguard  Knights. It was a secular order incepted by one of the ElectorateEmperorsofNulnseveralcenturiesagoduringtheAgeofThreeEmperorswiththeexpress purpose of protecting the rightfully elected Emperor against their opponents in Middenland and Talabecland. Each knightis a powerful noble in his own right with his own estates to run outside Altdorf and at certain times of the year they are required to accompany the Emperor on state and ceremonial occasions and, of course, to war. The leader of the Reiksguard is known as the Reiksmarshall and the current incumbent is Kurt Helborg. This position also entails being the commanderofalltheEmpire’sarmedforces.

Whilethe Reiksguard knights get all the limelight and attention itis the Reiksguard sergeants who fulfilthe(often)tediousdutiesofguardingtheEmperor’spalaceinAltdorf.Theseare,moreorless, lesser foot knights who wear almost identical armourto the cavalry knights butwieldhalberds. In battletheyformastalwartguardofelitehalberdierswhoarethebaneofcavalryaswellasanylarge foes. ServingtheCultofSigmarandtheGrandTheogonististhefamousorderofholyknightscalledthe KnightsoftheFieryHeart .ItisanancientorderdedicatedtotheCultofSigmarHeldenhammer,the destroyer of the Goblin hordes and founder of the Empire. Its members are charged with fighting religious heresy, Goblinoids, Chaos, and the practitioners of evil magicks. The order is led by the Hochmeister (Grand Master) Heinrich II von Sangershausen and he cuts a very influential figure through Altdorf society (for more information about the Knights of the Fiery Heart see www.criticalhit.co.uk/wfrp). Beinga large, wealthy, and populous province the Reikland can muster large armies whenit needsto and alsoafford tohirelarge numbers ofmercenaries. The formerissubjectto the needsof the people totend totheir landsandthe lattermoretohowmuchdisposableincomethereisavailableinthecoffers,as companies of mercenariescan be extremely expensive even for the Emperor, especiallyina longwar.ThestandingarmyofAltdorfconsistsmainlyofsmall numbersofprofessionaltroops(Knights,sergeants-at-arms,professionalarchers, Greatswords, mercenaries etc) and roughly two or three thousand militia and watchmenofvaryingquality(thenearbyCastleReikguardcanalsobecounted ontoprovideexcellenttroops).Bogenhafenisthecompleteopposite.Theyhave atinystandingforceofmilitiabutarehappytohiremercenariesasandwhen required.However,CastleGrauenburg,residenceoftherulingGraf,hasasmall numberofhighlyprofessionalandwell-equippedtroopsthatcanbemusteredquicklyinanemergency shouldthetownbeunderthreat. Therearemanyprivateretinuesofsoldiersallownedandequippedbythemanywealthynoblefamilies livingintheReikland,whichtheEmperorcan,intheory,calluponwhenhesowishes.However,each city and town is required to train and equip at least a force of watchmen or militia. The Emperor himselfpaysfortherecruitment,training,andequipmentforaregimentoffinearchers,dressedinthe coloursofAltdorf(redandblue).Heisalsointheprocessofrecruitinganorderof knightscalledthe HighHelms,so-calledbecausethe entry requirements arethat those menwishing to joinmustbe at leastsixfootsixinchestall. There is also an exclusive organisation of knights called the ChampionsLeague .ItwassetupprimarilyasaresultoftheReform Crusade where the “do-good” Shallyans actually started to ban the more bloodthirsty martial pursuits in someareas and wereimposing onrulers the need to adhere tocertain regulations to prevent injury and death. The founder, Count Ludwig von Ebenauer, joyously declaredthatnoman,priestorpriestesswillstopthemfromenjoying theirbirthright.Andiftheydidhewouldfighthardtokeepit.Thus theChampionsLeaguewasfoundedconsistingofmanyrichknights andtheirretinues.Atcertaintimesoftheyearanumberofthemmeet at a designatedspot where they holdjousting tournaments.Massive bets are put onto predict the winners and ateachtournament large

sumsofmoneychangehands.Thewinnersofthetournamentstakewiththemlucrativeprizes:gold,  jewellery, precious stones, or even a magical artefact, along with the victor taking his beaten opponent’sarmour(andsometimesevenhishorse!).Thenthereisonelasttournamentconsistingofthe allthewinnersoftheprevioustournamentstodecidetheoverallchampion.Sometimesthesemeetings can degenerate into extreme violence as one side refuses to acknowledge their defeat or accuses anotherofcheatingandthenordertheirassembledbodyguardstoattack.Shouldthingslikethishappen itcanhavedevastatingconsequencesasmanyoftheknightsholdvasttractsoflandandithasbeen knownforrivalstodeclarewaroneachotheruntiloneofthemapologises.However,theleagueshould havegotovertheseproblemsnoweversincetheyagreedupontheideaofhavinganelectedleader who,intheory,candemandarematch,drawlotsforthewinner,orevenchoosethewinner(ifheis particularlybold.)TheChampionsLeagueisonlyopentonoblesofatleastknightstatusandtheymust own all the trappings of a knight: full plate armour, warhorse and caparison, lance, at least three squires,sixservants,andatleastadozenmen-at-arms.Eventhisisthebearminimum.Moreoverall participants must contribute to the proceedings both for the jousting lists and prize money. The ChampionsLeaguehasquiteareputationandknightstravelfarandwidetoevenhavethechanceof attendingameeting. MilitaryColours :ForAltdorftheprimarycoloursareredandblue,whilethe restoftheReiklandiswhite.Altdorfsticksrigidlytotheirheraldictradition but other regions in the Reikland only partly comply with the tradition of wearingwhite.ThoseclosetotheEmperoralwaysdresstheirtroopsinwhite whereasthosewithahistoryofdefyingtheImperialcourt(orarelocatedin moreisolatedplaceswhereAltdorfcannotinterfere)mayrejectthecolourall together.Thenofcoursethere’salwaysthefactthatnoblesthemselveshave theirown heraldictraditions and are loathto change them. However,some nobles endeavourto satisfythe Imperial court byhaving their regiments fly white banners whenever they are required to muster their forces for the Emperor. ReiklandGazetteer: SettlementName Size

Ruler

Imperial Estimated Wealth Census Pop Pop

Sourceof Wealth

Garrison/Militia

Notes

ALTDORF

C

Emperor

15,000

100,000

5

Trade,Govt.

500a/8000c

Imperial Capital.Seatof Emperor KarlFranz.

Autler

V

Emperor

81

81

2

Timber, Fishing

10c

Ferry.

Braunwurt

V

Emperor

52

52

1

Textiles

-

Bundesmarkt

V

Emperor

77

77

1

Agriculture

-

Dorchen

V

Emperor

75

75

1

Agriculture

-

Furtild

V

Emperor

53

53

2

Subsistence

-

Geldrecht

V

Emperor

49

49

1

Timber, Fishing

-

Ferry Fivemilesfrom lies burial mound of Gertar, Sigmar'sfather

Gluckshalt

V

Emperor

72

72

2

Agriculture

-

Grossbad

V

Emperor

69

69

2

Agriculture

-

Hartsklein

V

Emperor

65

65

1

Pottery

-

Heiligen

V

Emperor

58

58

2

Agriculture

-

Hochloff 

V

Emperor

81

81

2

Agriculture

10b

Kaldach

V

Emperor

52

52

1

Subsistence

-

Ferry

Rechtlich

V

Emperor

42

42

1

Subsistence

-

-

Rottefach

V

Emperor

88

88

2

Agriculture, Wine,Fishing

Ferry

Schlafebid

V

Emperor

38

38

1

Agriculture, Wine

-

-

Teufelfeuer

V

Emperor

0

0

2

-

-

Destroyed by Witch-hunter Ferry

52

52

2

Brick-making, Agriculture, Fishing

ST Emperor

2,500

5,000

3

Trade,Ore

50b/400c

Ferry

Dresschler

V

Emperor

63

63

2

Agriculture, Fishing

10b

Ferry

Gladisch

V

Emperor

41

41

1

Subsistence

-

Ferry

Koch

V

Emperor

95

95

2

Agriculture, Ore

20b

Nr Hahnbrandt mine

10c

Coaching inn, best smoked cheese in Reikland

15c

Ferry

Walfen

V

AUERSWALD

Emperor

Sprinthof 

V

Emperor

73

73

2

Agriculture, Smoked cheese

Steche

V

Emperor

61

61

2

Agriculture, Fishing

GRUNBURG

ST Emperor

1,200

2,600

2

Trade, Boat 25b/100c building

Ferry

Aussen

V

Emperor

43

43

1

Subsistence

-

Ferry

Hornlach

V

Emperor

74

74

2

Timber, Fishing

5b

Ferry

Kleindorf 

V

Emperor

35

35

1

Agriculture, Fishing

-

Ferry

Sprinthof 

V

Emperor

85

85

2

Agriculture

10c

STIMMIGEN

ST Emperor

1,750

3,000

3

Trade, Agriculture

20b/250c

Merretheim

V

Emperor

48

48

1

Subsistence

10c

Misthausen

V

Emperor

32

32

1

Subsistence

-

Ferry

Naffdorf 

V

Emperor

52

52

1

Subsistence

10c

Ferry

Pfeiffer

V

Emperor

42

42

1

Subsistence

5c

Ferry

72

2

Trade Transport

BOGENHAFEN T

Graf Wilhelm 4,500 von Saponatheim

11,500

4

Trade, Wine, 500c Timber.

Ardlich

V

Graf Wilhelm

72

2

Agriculture

5c

Finsterbad

V

Graf Wilhelm

82

82

3

Wine, Agriculture, Fishing

10c

Grubevon

V

Graf

57

57

2

Agriculture

5c

WEISSBRUCK

ST Emperor

72

72

Toll local centre

Bridge, market

Mining community, Ferry

&

Ferry

Wilhelm V

Graf Wilhelm

73

73

2

Timber

UBERSREIK

T

Graf Sigismund von Jungfreud

3,500

7,000

4

Trade, Ore, 40b/500c Metalworking.

Ferry

Buchedorf 

V

Graf Sigismund

58

58

2

Agriculture, Fishing

10c

Ferry

Flussberg

V

Graf Sigismund

62

62

2

Agriculture, Fishing

15c

Ferry

Geissbach

V

Graf Sigismund

46

46

2

Agriculture

10c

Halheim

V

Graf Sigismund

30

30

1

Subsistence

-

Messingen

V

Graf Sigismund

80

80

3

Agriculture, 20b Metalworking

Wurfel

V

Graf Sigismund

52

52

2

Agriculture

15c

200

4

Govt

50a/100b

Fortress

100a/150b

Fortress. Wolfgang is hair to the Imperialthrone

Herzhald

CASTLE F GRAUENBURG

Graf Wilhelm 200 von Saponatheim

CASTLE REIKGUARD

Crown Prince Wolfgang HolswigAbenauer

F

300

300

4

Govt.

-

Nr. Hugeldal Mine

CASTLE F WITTGENSTEIN

Baroness Ingrid von 250 Wittgenstein

250

3

Govt.

10b/150c

More info can be found in Death on the Reik 

Wittgendorf 

V

Baroness Ingrid

72

72

1

Subsistence

-

See Death on theReik 

CASTLE WATER

F

Baroness vonTeufel

100

100

4

Trade, Magic, Govt.

See Realms of Sorcery Freistadt; Ferry, finest brandy in Empire

KEMPERBAD

T

Kemperbad 3,750 Council

7,000

4

Trade, Wine, 20a/200b Brandy

Berghof 

V

Kemperbad 74 Council

74

2

Agriculture

20c

Brandenburg

V

Kemperbad 87 Council

87

3

Wine, brandy, 20b fishing

"Echte Brandenburger" Emperor's favourite brandy;ferry

Jungbach

V

Kemperbad 68 Council

68

3

Wine,brandy 15b

Ferry

Ostwald

V

Kemperbad 70 Council

70

3

Wine,brandy 15b

Stockhausen

V

Kemperbad 95 Council

95

3

Wine,brandy 30b

Bridge over RiverStir

Key Size:Settlementsareclassedas:(C)City,(CS)CityState,(T)Town,(ST)SmallTown,(V)Village, (F)Fortress,CastleorMonastery. Ruler:Referstothesuzerainofasettlementorsettlementswhoisinrealityundertherulership(often nominal)oftheprovincialElector. ImperialCensusPop :Referstothenumberofpeopleregisteredpayingtaxes. Estimated Pop: Refersto any number of people in a settlement: drifters, visitors, tax dodgers (or peoplewhoareexemptfromtax),beggars,thievesandotherriff-raff. Wealth:Settlementsareratedasfollowers:1impoverished,2poor,3average,4wealthy,5veryrich. Garrison/Militia :Referstothequalityofmenunderarmsinasettlement:(a)Excellent–theseare standingtroopssuchasknightsandtheprivateretinuesofthenobility,(b)Average–thesearegood troops and are generally a mercenary contingent attached to a settlement, (c) Poor – these are the number of able-bodied men available (greatly subject to change) to a settlement in times of war, includedinthisaremilitiaandwatchmenroughlymakingup20%ofthenumber. PlayerCharactersfromtheReikland REIKLANDERWARRIORBASICCAREERCHART

Human Elf 

Dwarf  Halfling Career

01-10

01-10 01-15

01-10

Bodyguard

11-20

-

11-15

Labourer

21-30

11-15 -

-

Marine

31-35

16-30 21-40

-

Mercenary

36-40

31-35 41-45

16-30

Militiaman

41-46

36-40 46

31

Noble

47-55

41-55 47-55

32-41

Outlaw

56-60

-

56-60

-

PitFighter

61-65

56

61-65

-

Protagonist

66-70

57-66 -

-

Seaman

71-75

67-70 66-71

42-60

Servant

76-85

71-85 72-81

61-70

Soldier

86-90

86-95 82-86

71-80

Squire

-

-

87-88

-

TrollSlayer

91-95

-

89-98

81-85

TunnelFighter

96-00

96-00 99-00

86-00

Watchman

16-20

REIKLANDERRANGERBASICCAREERCHART

Human Elf 

Dwarf  Halfling Career

01-05

01-10 -

-

Boatman

06-10

11-20 01-10

-

BountyHunter

11-20

21-25 11-15

01-05

Coachman

21-25

-

06-10

Farmer

-

26-30

26-35 -

11-20

Fisherman

31-35

36-50 16-20

21-30

Gamekeeper

36-45

51-60 -

31-40

Herdsman

46-50

61-70 21-25

41-55

Hunter

51-55

71-75 26-30

56-65

Muleskinner

56-60

76-80 -

-

Outrider

61-65

81-85 -

-

Pilot

66-75

-

31-55

-

Prospector

76-80

-

56-65

66-70

RatCatcher

81-85

-

66-70

71-75

Roadwarden

-

-

71-80

-

Runner

86-90

-

81-85

76-80

Toll-Keeper

91-95

86-95 86-00

81-95

Trapper

96-00

96-00 -

96-00

Woodsman

REIKLANDERROGUEBASICCAREERCHART

Human Elf 

Dwarf  Halfling Career

01-10

01-05 -

01-10

Agitator

11-20

06-10 01-05

11-15

Bawd

21-30

-

06-10

16-20

Beggar

31-40

11-30 11-15

21-30

Entertainer

41-50

31-35 16-20

31-35

Footpad

51-55

36-45 21-25

36-50

Gambler

56-60

-

26-35

51-55

GraveRobber

61-65

-

36-45

-

Jailer

-

46-60 -

-

Minstrel

66-70

61-65 46-50

56-60

Pedlar

71-75

66-75 51-55

61-70

Raconteur

76-78

-

56-60

71-75

Rustler

79-85

76-90 61-75

76-80

Smuggler

86-95

91-00 76-85

81-95

Thief 

96-00

-

96-00

TombRobber

86-00

REIKLANDERACADEMICBASICCAREERCHART

Human Elf 

Dwarf  Halfling Career

01-10

01-10 01-15

01-10

Alchemist'sApprentice

11-15

11-15 16-25

11-25

Artisan'sApprentice

16-20

-

-

-

Druid

-

-

26-40

-

Engineer

21-30

-

41-45

26-30

Exciseman

31-35

16-30 -

31-45

Herbalist

36-40

31-35 -

46-50

Hypnotist

41-50

36-45 46-55

51-55

Initiate

51-55

46-55 56-60

56-60

Pharmacist

56-60

56-60 61-65

61-65

Physician'sStudent

61-70

61-70 66-70

66-70

Scribe

71-75

71-75 71-75

71-75

Seer

76-84

76-80 76-80

76-80

Student

85-89

81-85 81-97

81-95

Trader

90-00

86-00 98-00

96-00

Wizard'sApprentice

ReiklandAdventureHooks TroubleatHelmgart:TheproudhistoryofHelmgartkeepcouldbedrawingtoaclose.Theruling familyofthelittlefiefinAxeBitePass,theDurers,hasalmostrunoutofmoneyandcannolonger affordtoemploythesoldiersneededtoensureitssecurity.Thesoldiersarebeinglaidoffgraduallyand taxeshaveriseninthevillagetohelppayforthecostsoftheupkeepofthefortress.Thereisnowthe distinctpossibilitythattheReiklandcouldbeopentoinvasionshouldHelmgartfall.Thekeepnotonly guardsthepassbutalsoprotectssomeoftheisolatedfarmsteadsinthefoothillsoftheGreyMountains. Obviouslywith Helmgartfalling intoruin theDurers needto start looking for extramuscleand the adventurerscouldbejusttheticket.OncetherethePCsfirsthavetodealwithanincreasinglymilitant anddisenchantedmobofvillagerswhoarestrugglingtopaytheextrataxes,andalsothere’sasmall questionofabeastman/orcinvasion.ButnoneoftheseisprimarilywhythePCsarehere.

Thereasonforthefamily’sdramaticdeclinewasduetotheuntimelydemiseoftheheadoftheDurers, Maximilian,leavingthefortunetothenineteen-year-oldheirJohan.UnfortunatelyJohanhadatastefor Altdorf’shighlifeandfrequentlygambledanddrankcopiousamountsofalcohol.Inthespaceofayear JohanhaddonewhatthemightofBretonniaandalltheOrcsandBeastmenoftheGreyMountains couldn’tandthatwastobringHelmgarttoitsknees.Hehadspent,gambledanddrunkawaytheDurer fortune.ThatisthereasongivenbyeveryoneinHelmgartbutthetruthismorecomplexthanthat.But the real reason why the Durers have been losing their fortune is because of the steward, Gottfried Wurtemberg.TheDurerfamilyhadenormouswealthpasseddownthroughgenerationsfromfatherto sonanditjustisn’tpossibleforJohantohavespentitallwithouthelp.Thesteward,averycunning, Machiavelliantype,has beenmakingfalseaccounts, forging letters,and generallymakingJohanthe scapegoat for the Durer family’s great drain in finances. Often Johan sent letters from Altdorf to Helmgartaskingformoremoney.Truesomeofthemweregenuinebutthemorecostlyonesweren’t. Now that Helmgart is falling to pieces and the peasantsare beginning to revoltGottfried’splan is comingtofruition. But who is Gottfried? Who, if anyone, does Gottfried work for? Is he really working for the Bretonnians? The Bretonnians wouldn’t mindextending theirinfluence through theGrey Mountains andHelmgartkeepwouldbeaperfectstrongholdforanyfurtherexpansion.Orperhapsheisworking forarivalnoblewhowantsHelmgartforsomeotherpurpose?CanthePCsfindoutwhatisgoingon andperhapsrevivetheDurerfamilyfortune?Maybetheycangetthemoneyback?