Ludensheim
Ludensheim is a town on the HRUESEN RIVER where one of the ancient bridges spanning the river is. It is located North of the river, and following an influx of wealth during a gold rush it has built on the great works of Unklar's engineers and the city has a magnificent set of defenses.
Ludensheim was designed and laid out in the time of Unklar. It has grown much since those days. Old Ludensheim is the only part of the city which existed during Unklar’s time. The New City stretches out and to the west of the Old City along the Hersonbroodge. The streets coming off the Hersonbroodge are haphazardly designed and constructed, not well paved, and reflect the chaotic nature of recent growth.
There are remnants of an inner wall around the Old City. The inner wall and its towers are no longer used as defensive positions; rather they have become habitations or places of business.
The streets of Ludensheim are busy during the morning and evening, though not so much during the day since most of the inhabitants are busy with their herds or fields or other such business. The same goes for the inns and taverns. The streets are no longer well patrolled, though an occasional troop of guards wanders through.
OLD CITY: The Old City consists of that area once occupied by Unklar’s forces. It is well organized and built on a grid pattern. Many of the more wealthy inhabitants live in this quarter, though certainly not all. The BOORGEGATE, the Baronial Keep, the TEMPLE MOUNT OF LUDENSHEIM, and a few other important places are located in the Old City. The Baronial Guard primarily stays within the Old City, and the City Guard stay outside of it. The Old City is demarcated by a series of old walls and DILLER'S LANE, which wraps around it.
NEW CITY: The New City is that area of Ludensheim outside of the Old City. It is a sprawling affair built along no pattern, as it was settled quickly by miners, gold panners, merchants, and farmers in quick disorder. It consists mostly of twisting lanes, small houses, and farmers or herders houses. The City Guard remains in this area.
The New City is surrounded by a 30–foot-tall stone wall. There are three entries in this wall; one on the south side, one on the east, and one on the west.
SHODFOOT LANE: SHODFOOT LANE is an area within the New City. It houses about a dozen halfling families. They all live in brick houses on the surface (not in delves underground), though some have extensive cellars. One bar, the TIPSY TIN, caters to halflings.
THE BAZAAR OF LUDENSHEIM: This area of the city houses most of the trade establishments and manufacturing houses. It is located in the New City. The area includes the Bazaar, HOUSE OF SILK, LUDENSHEIM, The CROSSED SWORDS BLACKSMITH AND GUILD, and the SHEEP HERDERS GUILD. There is also a brewery, a wood workers’ area, and a tannery here as well.
HAYCOCK LANE LUDENSHEIM: This entire area houses farmers and herders. It is often crowded with cows and sheep in the morning and evening being taken to and from fields outside the city walls.
Ludensheim was designed and laid out in the time of Unklar. It has grown much since those days. Old Ludensheim is the only part of the city which existed during Unklar’s time. The New City stretches out and to the west of the Old City along the Hersonbroodge. The streets coming off the Hersonbroodge are haphazardly designed and constructed, not well paved, and reflect the chaotic nature of recent growth.
There are remnants of an inner wall around the Old City. The inner wall and its towers are no longer used as defensive positions; rather they have become habitations or places of business.
The streets of Ludensheim are busy during the morning and evening, though not so much during the day since most of the inhabitants are busy with their herds or fields or other such business. The same goes for the inns and taverns. The streets are no longer well patrolled, though an occasional troop of guards wanders through.
OLD CITY: The Old City consists of that area once occupied by Unklar’s forces. It is well organized and built on a grid pattern. Many of the more wealthy inhabitants live in this quarter, though certainly not all. The BOORGEGATE, the Baronial Keep, the TEMPLE MOUNT OF LUDENSHEIM, and a few other important places are located in the Old City. The Baronial Guard primarily stays within the Old City, and the City Guard stay outside of it. The Old City is demarcated by a series of old walls and DILLER'S LANE, which wraps around it.
NEW CITY: The New City is that area of Ludensheim outside of the Old City. It is a sprawling affair built along no pattern, as it was settled quickly by miners, gold panners, merchants, and farmers in quick disorder. It consists mostly of twisting lanes, small houses, and farmers or herders houses. The City Guard remains in this area.
The New City is surrounded by a 30–foot-tall stone wall. There are three entries in this wall; one on the south side, one on the east, and one on the west.
SHODFOOT LANE: SHODFOOT LANE is an area within the New City. It houses about a dozen halfling families. They all live in brick houses on the surface (not in delves underground), though some have extensive cellars. One bar, the TIPSY TIN, caters to halflings.
THE BAZAAR OF LUDENSHEIM: This area of the city houses most of the trade establishments and manufacturing houses. It is located in the New City. The area includes the Bazaar, HOUSE OF SILK, LUDENSHEIM, The CROSSED SWORDS BLACKSMITH AND GUILD, and the SHEEP HERDERS GUILD. There is also a brewery, a wood workers’ area, and a tannery here as well.
HAYCOCK LANE LUDENSHEIM: This entire area houses farmers and herders. It is often crowded with cows and sheep in the morning and evening being taken to and from fields outside the city walls.
Defences
THE CITY GUARD
The City Guard is, as its name indicates, responsible for guarding the city. Traditionally, this has included service to the Baron of Ludensheim, patrolling the city, and acting as the main defensive body for the city.
THE LETNERS
Many of the members of the City Guard are part of an order called the LETNERS (“The Bearers of the Light”).
THE BARONIAL GUARD
The Baronial Guard is a new addition to Ludensheim. It was started by Baron Heimer as his personal bodyguard and now outnumbers the City Guard.
The City Guard is, as its name indicates, responsible for guarding the city. Traditionally, this has included service to the Baron of Ludensheim, patrolling the city, and acting as the main defensive body for the city.
THE LETNERS
Many of the members of the City Guard are part of an order called the LETNERS (“The Bearers of the Light”).
THE BARONIAL GUARD
The Baronial Guard is a new addition to Ludensheim. It was started by Baron Heimer as his personal bodyguard and now outnumbers the City Guard.
History
Ludensheim was once called Geerdes Gag and ruled by evil princes who served the dreadful lord UNKLAR. Geerdes Gag, when initially settled, consisted of little more than a bridge over the Hruesen River and several towers to guard that crossing. Many giants and trolls labored long and hard to make the bridge and towers to the exacting specifications of Unklar’s engineers. Their work was a wonder then and is even now. So well were they made, they stand undiminished 1,000 years later.
Geerdes Gag changed in size and scope over the centuries. After the armies of orc and ungern poured over the Hruesen, the CAPTAIN KINGS OF AUFSTRAG decided to make Geerdes Gag a fortress to oversee the nearby lands, barrack the many troops needed to keep the region under their dominion, and host troops moving through the area. A keep was raised, walls raised round it, and a labyrinth built beneath it.
After the banishment of Unklar, Geerdes Gag was forsaken by all but the most stalwart of Unklar’s soldiery. The crusaders of the Kingdom of New Aenoch eventually made their way to Geerdes Gag and laid waste to it, killing all its inhabitants and pulling the keep and portions of the walls down, though leaving the bridge and towers beside it intact. Thereafter, Geerdes Gag was named Ludensheim after PRINCE LUDEN, the commander of the army who brought the orcs of Geerdes Gag to their knees, and who decided to occupy the towers. A slow trickle of people moving to Ludensheim quickly became a flood once gold was discovered in the Hruesen River, and the place has grown into a walled town once again.
The gold has since given out and fewer and fewer crusaders make their way here, as internal strife in Aenoch is beginning to consume their time and efforts. As a result, the power structure of the town has changed, and those knights and their orders have diminished greatly in power.
Geerdes Gag changed in size and scope over the centuries. After the armies of orc and ungern poured over the Hruesen, the CAPTAIN KINGS OF AUFSTRAG decided to make Geerdes Gag a fortress to oversee the nearby lands, barrack the many troops needed to keep the region under their dominion, and host troops moving through the area. A keep was raised, walls raised round it, and a labyrinth built beneath it.
After the banishment of Unklar, Geerdes Gag was forsaken by all but the most stalwart of Unklar’s soldiery. The crusaders of the Kingdom of New Aenoch eventually made their way to Geerdes Gag and laid waste to it, killing all its inhabitants and pulling the keep and portions of the walls down, though leaving the bridge and towers beside it intact. Thereafter, Geerdes Gag was named Ludensheim after PRINCE LUDEN, the commander of the army who brought the orcs of Geerdes Gag to their knees, and who decided to occupy the towers. A slow trickle of people moving to Ludensheim quickly became a flood once gold was discovered in the Hruesen River, and the place has grown into a walled town once again.
The gold has since given out and fewer and fewer crusaders make their way here, as internal strife in Aenoch is beginning to consume their time and efforts. As a result, the power structure of the town has changed, and those knights and their orders have diminished greatly in power.
Architecture
A combination of Winter Dark stone work, and New Age mixed stone wood structures are found here.
Geography
Located on the banks of the Hruesen River, it lies in the flood plane and is surrounded by low lying meadows and fields that yield rich harvests of food crops and pasturage for animals.
Natural Resources
Agricultural products, Timber, but most of all Gold. Although still not at the rush level can still be found in the area.
Alternative Name(s)
Geerdes Gag
Type
Town
Population
5,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Ludensheimers
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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