Aldberg

Overview:

Aldberg, once the second city of the northern Empire, is a place with a highly tumultous history. The principal city of the Lupercal tribe, in its 1000 year life it has born witness to many sackings and wars and has at times eclipsed even Holmgard as principal city in the entire Empire, but its glory days are far behind it. After the events during and after the War of the Broken Crypt, the city was devastated, and never regained its former stature. Now it is little more than a stopping place for travelers on the road to Mannheim and Holmgard, home to a few thousand souls clinging to the grand ruins of the past. 
Its strategic importance lay in its position astride the Gap of Westmark, one of three western routes into the Empire. Although the roads are less travelled in recent decades, Aldberg is still a market town and sees a small influx of foreigners from Rhudaria and even the occasional Barovian Vistani. In addition to foreign travellers, it has one of the largest Halfling populations of any city in the Empire. It was the capital of the former Kingdom of the Westmark, now a semi-independent Duchy that its inhabitants still proudly refer to as "the Kingdom".


History:

The location of the city was a originally a winter gathering place for the Lupercal tribe, who traded with the nearby Thornbury halflings, and it acquired its name - literally "old-town" centuries after it became a permanent village. The Lupercal tribe were rivals for control of the Holmgardian people with the Graelings, and their High Kings often competed for the position of Emperor. And so, in the 1st century HR, the village of Aldberg was refounded as a city by Emperor Siegfried Lupercal "the Usurper", sparking a long history of turmoil that continues to the present day. It was originally intended as a capital city for the Lupercal dynasty who intermittently ruled the Empire during times of strife. Under Deuron Lupercal, Aldberg served as the capital of the Holmgardian Empire, and its population swelled to nearly 60,000. Stout walls were constructed, and a wooden bailey was replaced by a sizeable castle on the Ducal Isle. Yet when the Graelingard dynasty triumphed once and for all, the capital was moved back to Holmgard.

After this 50 year golden age, Aldberg declined to the status of regional capital. Several times in its history, it revolted and was declared capital of the breakaway Kingdom of Westmark, only to be reconquered by Holmgard. Its proud inhabitants still sometimes refer to their ruler as a monarch, much to the chagrin of the Emperor.

In the last few centuries, Aldberg saw a period of relative peace - until now. For many years, it was ruled by the Dunder family. In the 680s, however, Duke Jonah Dunder was overthrown by his wife, a Velantine noblewoman named Sephina Mifflin. The ducal family was slain in a brutal massacre with apparently no survivors.


During the War of the Broken Crypt, the city suffered from both civil strife and invasion. The son of Duchess Mifflin, Villem, was killed in a hunting expedition for the skin-wolf Morvudd, and the city was then sacked by the forces of Dagobert. Though reclaimed by the Empire, the Duchess would herself be overthrown by the Mad Mage, Mordekainen. Mordekainen proved to be an incompetent and tyrannical ruler. Such was his infamy that he was forcibly replaced by Karl Graelingard and exiled to Barovia.   

Notable Locations:

There are several inns in Aldberg, but the two most famous are the Rabid Otter bierhaus and the Halfling's Revenge taphouse. These inns are famous for their rivalry with each other. The owner of the Otter, a hulking barbarian called Siegfried, frequently gets into raging arguments with his most hated nemesis, Brom Bucklebury. The argument is said to date back to a time that Brom spiked Siegfried's pipeweed with cloudcap mushrooms, though the truth has passed into legend at this point.

Bullfyrd College, a notable institution of higher learning in the Empire, is located just outside of the city. It provides education both magical and mundane to those of means, and sends its tutors to the nobility to ensure that the finer children of the Empire can read basic runes.

The Barracks of the Headless Wolf is a compound within the walls of Aldberg used as a gathering place by the Lupercall tribe. It consists of monolithic runestones arranged into a circular formation and decorated with wolf skulls. In winter time, tribesmen flock to this location and roam the streets in search of strong ale and fisticuffs.

The Royal Castle is an impressive edifice that has fallen into disrepair. Though still a formidable stronghold astride a river, many windows lack glass, and the tiled roof has been crudely repaired with thatch. The castle sits on a bluff on Ducal Isle, reminiscent of a ship floating majestically on the water.

Last but not least, Elderbury Hall is a halfling mansion dug into a green hill that appears completely out of place in the Holmgardian city. The small folk that reside here are treated with utmost reverence by the populace, for without them, the city's pipeweed supply would dry up within a fortnight.

Demographics

60% Holmgardian, 18% Lupercal, 15% Halfling, 3% Valmer, 2% Vistani, 2% Other

Government

Aldberg is ruled with an iron fist by Duchess (or Queen, depending on who you ask) Sephina of House Mifflin, who resides in a castle on an island in the middle of the river Thandol. Other important players in the regional government include the Chieftain of the Lupercal tribe, the Elder of the Thornbury Halflings, and the Burgomaster of Coalshire.

Defences

Due to its importance as a site of rebellion against the Mithril Throne, the defenses of Aldberg have been allowed to crumble. The city is surrounded by a crumbling brick wall interspersed with square, tiled roof watchtowers and shored up in places by wooden palisades. The moat has been mostly filled in and provides little barrier to trespass.

The military of Aldberg is not impressive either, consisting mainly of poorly trained watchmen. The Duchy of Westmark maintains a sizeable military, however, consisting of a hardened core of Imperial housecarls supported by Lupercal and Halfling auxiliaries. In times of war, the Duchess of Westmark can rally around 10,000 warriors.

Industry & Trade

The economy of Aldberg relies heavily on the export of raw materials to the rest of the Empire. Coal, lumber and wool are gathered here before being transported on barge and oxcart to Holmgard and beyond. The city supports a cottage industry that produces textiles and furniture as well. Aldberg stout, brewed from barley, is locally renowned.

Infrastructure

The Imperial Highway around Aldberg is poorly maintained, and degenerates into a muddy track in many places. The Nithling road leads south towards Grinstead ,but is seldom frequented due to the risk of Beastmen ambush.

Geography

Alderg is situated along the Thandol river in a region of rugged pine forests and quick-moving rapids, and is divided into west and east halves. In the middle of the city and surrounded by the river is the Ducal Isle, which is home to the Temple of Tyr and the Royal Castle. Aldberg is surrounded by craggy bluffs and coniferous forests broken up by hardy homesteads. To the south of Alberg is the mining town of Coalshire and the Greatwood , while to the west lies the disputed lands of the Dun river valley and the evil realm of Barovia. To the north is Lupenheim: the ancestral homeland of the Lupercal tribe which helped form the Old Empire and was responsible for numerous civil wars. To the immediate east is the home of the Thornbury halflings, while further beyond lies Middenheim and Holmgard itself.

Natural Resources

Aldberg's main resources are lumber, barley, wool, and coal.

Alternative Name(s)

the City of Treachery

Type

City

Population

~20,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Aldbergers

Owning Organization

Holmgardian Empire