View source for The Principality of Sudenburg

''Simple introductions to Principality of Sudenburg. Mentioning [[Merchant Princes | Merchant Princes]] and [[The Broker | The Broker]] (this is done to generate the appropriate pages to link to for story))

== The Setting ==
The Border Princes is a vast region located in the Old World between the Black mountains and Black fire pass to the North and the shores of the Black Gulf to the south. This region of vast wilderness is home to a large number of petty Human kingdoms that were established by minor nobles and adventurers who sought to create their own empires. In most cases, these have included political or religious refugees from the surrounding larger kingdoms. 

As such, the rule of law normally does not extend far from the walled cities and towns located in these frontier lands. Bandits, cut-throats, mercenaries, pirates and other lawless fugitives make this area their home. 

These rugged and uncivilised lands were home to savage tribes of Greenskins. During the reign of Emperor Sigismund, the Conqueror, colonists from the Empire travelled south to settle the Border Princes. These settlements were mostly later wiped out by the tribes of Greenskins. 

Centuries later, during the time of the Arabyan crusades, Bretonnia sent a massive army of Knights Errants to assist King Louis in 1452. On reaching the Borderlands, this army had to fight countless battles. The journey took over 12 months to reach Barak Varr, the stronghold of the Dwarves. Upon reaching Barak Varr, word was received that the crusades were over, and the forces of Sultan Jaffar had been defeated in a decisive victory at Al Haikk. 

Baron Tybalt, the leader of this army decided to continue fighting and conquering land to bring honour and riches to their lieges and for themselves. The Greenskins were driven to the Blood River and slaughtered all along the
way. The new Borderland lords set about building castles and forts throughout the newly conquered land.

The rulers of this region are collectively known as the Border Princes. They each rule a small realm, with Sudenburg being the only one currently ruled by a council of four Merchant Princes. The Borderlands is a land in constant threat, as a result there are not many settlements, and the larger settlements would count as small towns in the larger kingdoms of the Old World. Even then, each principality has villages and hamlets allied and under the rule of the local lord. These are very different to those found in the other kingdoms, they
are heavily fortified in order to survive the constant threat of attack. 

Many of these communities have many features which are found elsewhere. Homes of varying quality, a temple or shrine to a local favoured god, a marketplace, an inn, probably a mill and so on. The Borderlands are full of perils. War, plague, famine – many of these kill
the inhabitants long before their time. Not only do the monsters hunt the citizens of these lands, but the Border Princes are in constant competition and fighting against each other.

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<!-- Era I - Ancient Origins -->
<!-- Long before Sudenburg rose, the lands were ruled by an ancient Nehekharan king—chosen to protect the territory claimed in the name of Alcadizaar the Conqueror. Though death claimed his body, his duty endured beyond the grave, awaiting the day his realm would rise again. -->
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[[File:Era_i.png|link=Ancient Origins]]
<div style="clear: both">-1200IC - 1470IC</div>
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<!-- Era II - The Crusades -->
<!-- When the Bretonnian Crusade against Araby ended prematurely, many knights turned to the Borderlands in search of glory. As they carved out their own fiefdoms, one would find himself locked in battle with an ancient power that still held sway over the land. -->
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[[File:Era_ii.png|link=The Crusades]]
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<!-- Era III - Rise of Sudenburg -->
<!-- Centuries later, settlers returned to the ruins of the fallen Bretonnian fiefdom and founded Sudenburg as it stands today—scrappy, stubborn, and surrounded by danger on all sides. -->
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[[File:Era_iii.png|link=Rise of Sudenburg]]
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<!-- Era IV - Rule of the Merchant Princes -->
<!-- After fire and madness tore through the ruling bloodline, power passed to a council of ambitious merchants who declared themselves Princes. Prosperity came to Sudenburg—but so too did omens, unrest, and whispers that something old and terrible was stirring beneath the city. -->
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[[File:Era_iv.png|link=Merchant Princes]]
<div style="clear: both">2000IC - 2022IC</div>
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<!-- Era V - Return of the Scarab King -->
<!-- The death of Sir Sebastian set in motion a chain of events that brought a new power to the fore: the Broker and his mysterious Associates. As they reshaped the Principality and ousted the Merchant Princes, the veil between past and present began to thin—and far below the sands of Sudenburg, an ancient threat began to awaken once more. -->
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[[File:Era_v.png|link=Scarab King]]
<div style="clear: both">2022IC - Present</div>
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<!-- Era VI - TBD -->
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[[File:Era_vi.png|link=TBD]]
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== The History of Sudenburg ==
Sudenburg was founded in the year 1470 by Sir Pierre Dominique Durand of Lyonesse. When Sudenburg was founded it was known by the Bretonnian name, Terre du Sud.

It is located just north of the Old Silk road and wedged between The Blood River to the south which feeds into the Black Gulf, and to the west the Skull River. The Worlds Edge Mountains lie to the east, and acts as a natural border to what lies beyond. Sir Pierre Dominique Durand was impressed with the abundant wildlife in the region, its natural resources, the easily defensible location and nearby lodes of sulphur and salt.

Terre du Sud prospered and grew. With growth it drew the attention of those with evil intent. In the year 1503, a horde of Orcs from the Iron Rock clan attacked Terre du Sud in a mini Waagh! The once mighty crusaders fought bravely. For every human killed, ten orcs fell and countless goblins. Sir Pierre Durand, now an old man led charge after charge. 

In a crucial moment of the battle, in what has now become known as Dom’s Folly Sir Pierre Durand charged the Orc warboss Gloom Brakka. It was a battle of heroes. His faithful stallion beheaded, he rolled cleared and engaged the Orc. The battle raged for what seemed an eternity when in reality it was but moments. In one quick and true strike his mighty blade Justifier sheared cleanly through the Orcs axe and passed through the Orc. All eyes were on Gloom Brakka, as he stood still, and his body fell cleanly cut through bone and armour.

The humans cheered and as Sir Pierre raised his blade in salute, a nine-foot troll reared itself and with a mighty cry swung its tree branch flattening the brave knight. All hope was lost. 

Sir Pierre’s squire was barely able to escape with the knight’s wife and child. Terre du Sud fell and almost all of its inhabitants were enslaved or eaten by the angry and ravenous Greenskins.

In the 1710, some 200 years of the fall of Terre du Sud. a brave party of colonists from the Empire and Border Princes led by Gustav Karl von Lichtenstein founded Sudenburg on the old ruins of Terre du Sud. Sudenburg is still surrounded by wilderness, hostile human and non-human tribes, the ruins of ancient civilisations, and rumours of untold treasure. Nothing much has changed since 1470. 

In the year 1896 a group of prospectors exploring the hills west of Sudenburg identified a trio of hills as being very rich in iron ore. As a number of mines are cut it becomes clear that the distance to Sudenburg is too great, and so a local population centre is needed. In 1906 the town of Eisendreieck is founded, named for the three hills that brought people to the region. At its peak the hamlet had grown to a thriving village of 300 when disaster struck. Just days after the first sighting of the Twin Tailed Comet the largest mine collapsed, killing many of the miners and damaging the nearby foundry. The superstitious villagers began to leave, believing the place cursed. Many of the farmsteads that had thrived now stand empty.

In 1980 Sudenburg went to war with Zenres, over a caravan of Sulphur. The “war of sulphur” lasted many seasons, and after many battles, Mirstadt was burned down and razed. The Howling River became a natural border separating the Border Prince of Zenres and the Border Prince of Sudenburg. To this day there is enmity.

Sudenburg grows and prospers on trade with the East and its own salt mines. Adventurers continue to flock to the town. 

In 2000 a meteor is seen in the sky – the twin tailed comet of Sigmar. The ground shakes near Sudenburg and Braylong and many buildings collapse with Braylong losing half of its inhabitants in what is now known as the “great day of reckoning”. It was at this time that the ‘great blaze of redemption’ ravaged Sudenburg and burned down almost the entire town. At the same time, Reiner Von Lichenstein, Border Prince of Sudenburg and his son Rutgar both suddenly go insane. The two both die shortly afterwards in mysterious circumstances leaving the throne vacant. At the time Rutger’s son Eric is only but a young boy.

A council of the Merchant Lords (now known as Merchant Princes) take over the rule of Sudenburg.

== Modern History ==
In recent years Sudenburg has become the focus of much more conflict. [Expand]

=== Council relations Break Down ===
[Insert Generalised Lore of this period]

=== Ousting of the Princes and Age of The Broker ===
[Insert Generalised Lore of this period]

=== Return of the Court ===
[Insert Generalised Lore of this period]

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== Settlements of the Principality of Sudenburg ==
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Settlements are dotted across the lands around the town of Sudenburg. These settlements have pledged loyalty to Sudenburg for its protection and trade, forming the Principality of Sudenburg.

=== [[Sudenburg]] ===
Sudenburg is a hub of activity. All kinds of folks now call Sudenburg home. Since the arrival of the desert rose and the virtuous, Sudenburg has seen an influx of migrants from the Empire, Araby and further afield. With growth, guilds have arrived and set up in the secured walled space of the towns centre. Eric and Sebastian are no longer the only Merchant Princes of Sudenburg. Rafaela and Dahliya have also entered the scene, and the four are now positioned as a council of four. Since the mysterious death of the last sole Merchant Prince, Sudenburg has gone through a bloody period, of assassinations, murder, and public executions. With the formation of the council of four, it is the first time in almost 20 years that Sudenburg has known a kind of peace. 

Sudenburg continues to grow with an influx of settlers from the Empire – the vampire wars rage to the north and Sudenburg is as far south as people can move without going to the Badlands. The main tavern in Sudenburg is Kings Head, and this is located in the inner walled area of the town, with Fortune’s Fool and the Shisha den close by and the Town Hall and Guild Hall across the main street. The Cantonia Trading
House is also found in this central space.

A trollball field separates the central square and low town, where only the brave venture to after dark. A wealthy ‘Brimstone’ sulphur mine is located to the north with this mine serving as an avenue of wealth for who ever collects and sells those wares. As the market day approaches, the day which is known as Ascension Day, festivus or just festival day, the Merchant Princes have called all the
burgomeister’s, mayor’s or their representatives and their entourages to attend.

=== [[Kriegstor]] ===
War's Gate.  This is another name for Kriegstor. The village faces no greater challenge than being the last on the road before the wilderness couldn’t be any wilder. From outside its walls come threats of all sorts and from all directions. A somewhat steady population of roughly 160 people is tucked away between the Blood river and the Worlds Edge Mountains to the east. The type of people that calls this village home are hardy folk from all sorts of creeds that have ended up in the furthest place they could run to.

=== [[Stromstadt]] ===
Stromstadt is a budding river village founded in 2014 by Sven Ericsson and settlers from Talabecland, Nordland, and Stirland. Strategically located along the northern road to Sudenburg and the Iron River, it aims to become a trade hub while guarding the region. Though supported by fertile lands and rich hunting grounds, dark rumors of giant wolves and roaming beasts haunt the southern forests, with travelers often vanishing in the wilds.

=== [[Braylong]] ===
Braylong, nestled at the foot of the World’s Edge Mountains, sits at the confluence of three rivers, surrounded by aging stone walls. Once founded by Bretonnian settlers seeking mineral riches, the village now survives on meager farming and occasional prospectors. Connected to Sudenburg by a bandit-plagued road and a small dock for rivercraft, its hub is the Black Cat tavern, where cheap drinks help locals escape their grim reality. Mayor Bjarksson, a retired Norscan, rules from a tower at the river's meeting point, keeping the village divided through constant skirmishes among factions like mercenaries, expatriates, militia, and rumored cultists.

=== [[Bracken]] ===
Bracken, northwest of Sudenburg, is a rugged village nestled between the Slarnek and Howling Rivers, with the southern hills of Zenres to the north. Founded on the ruins of an ancient crusader keep, its origins trace back to a truce between Empire, Bretonnian, and Norscan settlers who united to repel a horde of undead. Governed by a council of the three founding families, Bracken thrives on trade with Sudenburg and sustains itself through grain, livestock, and timber from the nearby Taal’s Teeth forest. Encircled by a palisade and thorny brambles, its centerpiece is the ruined stone keep, still used for governance. The village boasts the Smoking Dragon inn, the Bear’s Honey meadery, and a recently sanctified Sigmarite shrine, the Tower of the Faithful. Mercenaries frequent Bracken, ensuring road safety and guarding the northern route to Sudenburg from raiders and greenskin tribes crossing Mad Dog Pass.

=== [[Handelsdorf]] ===
''Need summary of Handelsdorf'

=== [[Helsreik]] ===
''Need summary of Helsreik''

=== [[Eisendreieck]] ===
Eisendreieck, or the Iron Triangle, is a walled hamlet west of Sudenburg, known for its rich iron deposits and rugged resilience. Once a prosperous mining and farming community, it suffered devastation during the Twin Tailed Comet’s arrival in 2000, when a catastrophic mine collapse drove many settlers away. Today, only the hardiest remain, fortifying their lands and continuing to provide food and iron ore from the sole operational mine. Perched high on cliffs above the Blood River, Eisendreieck now features a watchtower to monitor trade and military activity. Recent developments include the restoration of an old foundry by an engineering school and support from foreign visitors, but the hamlet still contends with bandits, raiders, orcs, and whispered sightings of elves. Regular caravans deliver goods to Sudenburg, with biannual ore shipments heavily guarded by skilled soldiers seeking wealth and adventure.

=== [[Rittenstein]] ===
Ritterstein, a walled hamlet west of Sudenburg, stands as a resilient waystation along the Old Silk Road. Surrounded by hills with ancient catacombs and treacherous cliffs overlooking the Blood River and Black Gulf, its origins trace back to an unfinished fortress built by southern lords envious of Barak Varr. Trade flourishes through periodic dwarven markets, where steel gunships ferry goods across the Blood River. Ritterstein thrives on rare farming produce like pomegranates and dates, as well as weary travelers seeking rest. However, nearby dangers abound, from Beastmen in the eastern forests to orc and goblin tribes in the southern Badlands. With no mayor in power, its leaders eye Sudenburg’s Merchant Princes, hoping to claim favor and secure Ritterstein’s future.

=== [[Nordmoot]] ===
Located in the furthest point north of Sudenburg, lies the smoldering ruins of Nordmoot. Nordmoot was the first line of defence against the Kingdom of Zenres but as of 2024IC it lay in silent ruins. The ancient bridge which crosses this mighty river that was said to have been built by Dwarves prior to the war of the beard that connected Zenres to Sudenburg has also been destroyed along Kingdom's settlement of Vitrolle, that lied on their side of the Howling river. 

Nordmoot acted not only as a barrier from Zenres, but as a way station for merchant caravans and adventurous vagabonds. Those traveling to and from Sudenburg, and from further afield across Mad Dog pass take advantage of the hospitality of the locals. The vineyards and cattle lands have been reduced to ash.

What happened to Nordmoot so far is anyone's guess, but rumours have reached Sudenburg of the [[Companies#Dragon's Vengenace |Dragon's Vengenace]] may have had something to do with it. To raze a settlement full of veterans from the Sea of Claws is no easy feat.
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== See Also ==
* [[Main_Page | Home]]
* [[Merchant Princes | Merchant Princes]]
* [[The Broker | The Broker]]