Rauland

Ruler: Archduke Ulrich Eisenherz As visitors enter Rauland, they notice lumber yards stretching across denuded hills and plains. Eventually, they spy a dark cloud hovering over the mountains of Hermansdatt, only to realize it is a dense plume of smoke from the city on the slopes. This is Stehlenwald, crown jewel of Rauland. Rauland is the seat of the Empire’s arms and crafts industry. People from all over the continent come to Stehlenwald in hopes of learning from its schools of architecture, woodwork, stonecraft, and most of all, smithing. The fortunate few who show talent (and the majority with good social connections) may apprentice under a maestro, eventually founding their own shop in Rauland or elsewhere. Such a craftsperson would find themselves in great demand all over the continent. The loss of the god Galt has brought down the quality of Raulish goods but has not completely tarnished their reputation. Rauland still leads Etharis in terms of craft skill and raw materials. At the Stehlenwald Grand Market, buyers have a choice of fine steel weapons, armor, jewelry, and sundry items—all well crafted and equally expensive. Despite its perennial bustle, a pall hangs over Stehlenwald. Its once majestic buildings are covered in soot, and its weary-eyed citizens stare blankly from their windows at newcomers. Workers trudge joylessly from their shops to their home. And at nightfall, the bells toll to warn others not to loiter after dark. Despite these warnings, guards often find yet another body in the gutter with its face and skin flayed off—the leavings of the Beast and its monstrous spawn.