Lüdingrode
Culture
Some call the Lüdinians a city of vagrants, the Lüdinians laugh at this. Though to some degree crime rates and brigan activity around the city have never truly ever gone down. Indeed the city of Lüdingrode is as violent as it is beautiful, for its joked that Lüdingrode is life at its rawest. A dirty, explosive, wild display of violence and passion, just be sure to have a knife on you at all times. The city has been a haven for smugglers, thieves, and other such lawless activites, though of course the city officals do not boast about that. Indeed most of the nobles time is spent trying to display an image of elegance befitting a noble, all the while of course having many of their fingers in the illict rings and activities themselves.
Due to its reputation, it also attracts some of the races of the world that seem to heed the call of the outlaw the most, or are simply less common in other places due to their "unique" nature. Gnolls for example are somewhat more common than usual, being popular body guards for hire so long as they can keep the coins and meat coming. Ogres (though more specifically half-ogres) are also semi common, being popular sellswords or muscle for thieves guilds.
In a place so famed for its outlaws, it shouldn't be a surprise that adventuerers are a plenty in the city. When the city guard can't solve something, throw adventuers at the problem. Some have taken to calling adventerus from Lüdingrode "Wandering Knaves" for the reputation for illegal activity never really escapes a Lüdinian. Regardless, the people are said to be tough and crafty, and in truth can secure quite a few surprsing items that cannot be found in any other location in the nation of Neundorf. Its also said to have some of the best taverns and beer in the land, though said taverns are rather hazerdous to ones health.
History
To be from the dready place of Lüdingrode, is said to be both blessing and curse. Blessing in that it hardens the soul and mind, curse in that it is a target for jealous rivals, and ceaseless work. However, the place is known for its hardy and adventerous people, if maybe a bit morally warped in some cases. To learn of its history, one would have to go back in time to the founding of Neundorf, as Lüdingrode is unique in not being an established township by the time Neundorf was united. The only settlment near this area was spread out bands of nomadic tribals still living in the ways of their ancestors. However, this would change at around the year 400EC, a man named "Ludolf the Bandit King" was a feared wandering vagabound leading a large bandit stronghold in the land that would eventually become Lüdingrode. It was a decently sized wooden fortress, and helped allow him to go on raids with his band of knaves and cutthroats for the nearby settlements.
It is said that how he become a landed noble is a strange tale, as he apprently won the title by being allowed to marry the daughter of a highly wealthy noble family in Kaiserbruck. To win her hand, he was able to guess the animal a strange pelt had come from as the patriarch was on his deathbed as he swore that he who could name the beast would have his daughters hand. Some speculate that the beast may have been an ancient creature as far back as the Ishtar Empire, which raises quite a number of questions as to how Ludolf knew the damn thing. Regardless, with this marriage he was suddenly thrust into the world of noble politics, and most famalies were none too happy with this new development. However, Ludolf was said to almost have a change of heart with wanting to join the noble famalies, and so began efforts to "clean up his site" and through bribery and other sorts of deals was able to draw more crowds into his fort and begin building a city.
Thus Lüdingrode would begin to be formed, not as large as the other city states, but impressive nonetheless for how little time they had compared to the other city states to develop. It established itself as a haven for some fo the most profitable sellsword guilds and companies, and so Landsknecht companies would march out of the city in droves. However not all is well and good with Lüdingrode, as the city got into a brief trade war with Arnsdorf and while no offical war was declared, there were scattered reports of bands of knaves hitting Arnsdorf caravans and Lüdingrode "convinetly" getting the goods. Either way Lüdingrode still stands as a prosperous, and rather "colorful" city to live in.
Foreign Relations
"So, you're from Lüdingrode? Let me guess, you want my damn coin do ya?" - Ashley Smith, Ashenfeld Merchant
"The time I spent in Lüdingrode perfectly encapsulates everything I hate about Neundorf. The beer tastes like piss, the people smell like piss, and I have to constantly check my pouch in case some knave pocketed the damn thing. Nation of brigands I say." - Casto "The Noseless" Leano, Arditan mercenary
"Look, I don't ask where the stuff comes from, all I know is this stuff goes for a prenium, but im offering a discount. See how nice I am?" - Joseph Honigsmann, Lüdingrode local merchant
As stated previously, Lüdingrode has a somewhat bad reputation as a city born of greed and banditry. In truth it somewhat is, or rather completly is. However, of course not every person is a pick pocket or killer, and in truth no other place can throw a party like a Lüdingrode party. The ale and beer always foams, and their are many activities to lose oneself (and coin) in.
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Alternative Names
The City of Knaves
Demonym
Lüdinian
Parent Organization
