Hugeldal
Demographics
The majority of the population of Hugeldal are native Reiklanders. However, the mine attracts a fair number of workers from other areas and races including dwarf's who are prized for their skills underground. Inevitably the mine also attracts the usual mix of suppliers and entertainers including halflings involved in the provision of pies for the miners to take underground and a large camp of Strigany folk who whilst not encouraged to camp in the town are tolerated beyond its walls and who supply various entertainments for the benefit of the townsfolk.
Government
Whilst the town does have a nominal town council consisting of various worthies from the population and skilled artisans responsible for managing the affairs of the town the main control rests firmly with Lord Matthias von Jungfreud, the son of Graf Sigismund von Jungfreud the ruler of Black Rock.
Defences
The town is surrounded by a wooden wall on three sides anchored against the rising slopes of the Grey Mountain to the North. Like the rest of the town the walls are in a poor state of repair and some sections have partially collapsed.
Industry & Trade
Mining and smelting of Iron and Copper
Infrastructure
The main industry of the town is its mine which is a major source of iron and copper ore for the entire Empire.
The mine itself incorporates a smelting yard where raw iron and copper ore is converted into ingots (usually referred to locally as pigs). This is the main responsibility of the dwarven population who specialise in high-quality smelting processes.
The town itself has no other major purpose although it incorporates all the usual amenities of a town of its size including a Temple of Sigmar, a Hospice of Shallya; a Sanctuary of Verena and a Garden of Morr where its dead are protected. The main tavern is called 'The Bucket of Blood' and whilst the town is not on the main coaching route it refers to itself as a coaching inn and has some accommodation and stables attached.
Assets
The town itself is in decline and has been for some time. Visitors will notice its delapidations and numbers of empty houses. The simple fact is that the mine is running out of ore. It has been mined for centuries and the miners are being forced to dig further and deeper to find fresh deposits. The mine is now three levels deep and stretches a long way into the Grey Mountains making if harder to work and slowing production. However, it is still the most lucrative asset in the province of Black Rock since the Emperor made Ubersreik a free town, and so the von Junfreud family are determined to keep the mine operational.
Guilds and Factions
Hugeldal Guild of Mine Workers
History
Hugeldal is a minor mining town south of Ùbersreik. It was founded around 300 (IC) to take advantage of iron and copper deposits in the foothills of the Grey Mountains. The locals claim it was expanded during the reign of Sigismund II to help meet his demands for chainmail and spearheads.
Following the Black Plague of 1112 IC which ravaged the area the then Lord of Hugeldal realised just how important it was to keep iron production sites running, and they sponsored the foundation of a Shallyan temple hospice in the town, for which it has become well known. The hygiene of the miners has therefore improved.
However, the town has been declining for about a century as iron deposits become harder to mine, and the mines themselves are real labyrinths.
The town now has a dilapidated appearance, and only the small dwarven district, the hospice and the Herrenhass (the Lords Manor House) are made from stone.
The town is surrounded by a wooden wall and according to the last census has a population of about 250 families, which implies a total population of fewer than 1000 inhabitants.
The von Jungfreud family currently rule the town and profit from its mines through Matthias von Jungfreud. He is the son of the Graf and is newly married to Agnetha von Bruner who recently gave birth to a boy, Leos.
Architecture
Most of the structures in the town are of wooden construction as are its defences, only the small dwarven district, the hospice and the Herrenhass (the Lords Manor House) are made from stone.
Geography
Hugeldal is located in the foothills of the Grey Mountains and is only accessible by the mountain road from Messingen.
Natural Resources
Iron and Copper Ore
Type
Town
Population
250 Tax-Payers
Location under
Included Locations
Characters in Location
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