City State of Uetze
Found on the northern coast of Teutonia, east of Hague and north of its twin city of Uelzen. The City of Uetze is surrounded by high cliffs and sandbars, making it home to treacherous waters but also the bounties of seal and salmon which have made the city rich.
Structure
Each town is expected to be self-governing, being ran by its own town Council. Most sea-faring towns have a Priest or Priestess of Lorelli or the Mistress of the Sea who has incredibly authority over activities off-shore, leading to them determining much of the towns governance.
The current lord of the city-state is Lord Fridolf von Uetzen.
History
Founded as a port settlement by Kaspar von Uelzen during the reign of King Hinrick following its sister city of Uelzen to the south. The small port slowly grew to a size equal to that of the trade hub of Uelzen, with which it supplied goods via the Ilmenau river. House Uelzen’s leader, Johan von Uelzen, pledged his loyalty to the Betrayer King Frederic during the Sack of Berlin (1056AS). His heir Ector however, was loyal to Crown Prince Gustav, betraying his Father and seizing the City of Uetze and facilitating the landing of Wolf forces loyal to Gustav (1086AS). King Gustav II, bequeathed Ector the title of von Uetzen as a reward, giving him claim to the lands surrounding the port City and denying his Fathers most vital trade route.
Since then the Houses of Uetzen and the neighbouring House of Uelzen have fostered a bitter animosity, though they have a shared heritage, arguing over tariffs and trade on the inland routes they both require for commercial success. The land itself has been untouched by both the Python War and Sable’s forces as their people work hard to supply food to the famished Nation. Moreover, the rise of Sable has led to a lessening of the Houses ire towards one another, as the new Lord Fridolf Uetzen and Lord Kaspar Uelzen III found a kinship as they led their militia against Sables forces.
Demography and Population
the majority of the city-states population is Human, though Goblin’s are surprisingly common as well as people of Norscan descent.
Territories
The north coast is bitterly cold with raking winds and chill waters. There are various inlets and coves haunted by spirits of departed sailors as well as other creatures of the depths. More inland the persistently overcast and rainy skies overlook a flat and waterlogged landscape of fens and bogs.
Religion
The towns of Uetze practice their faith in quiet and solitude, shunning large gathering and instead offering short but frequent prayer by roadside shrines and leaving offerings at places of significance. Lorelli has long been central to the region’s faith, with a more modern worship of the Mistress of the Sea becoming prevalent with the coming of Hagen the Long, a priest of the faith who impresses the locals with his stories and nautical knowledge.
The burial practice of Uetze may be deemed wasteful by some Teutonians. The bodies of the diseased are tied with stones and dropped off-shore where they are to be retrieved after a day and a night. If the body remains they deem that the Gods wish it to be used as an asset, whereas if it is damaged beyond use that is an ill portent. Those bodies which disappear completely are said to be in the Mistresses halls.
Trade & Transport
A strong economy based around the fishing that can be accomplished in the North Sea and trade from outer Teutonia and the Goblin Isle. These resources are quickly transported inland by barge. Additionally, barley and oat harvests are bountiful.
Founding Date
904
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Capital
Demonym
Uetzen
Leader
Head of State
Major Exports
Salmon,
Seal,
Sturgeon,
Barley,
Oats.
Seal,
Sturgeon,
Barley,
Oats.
Major Imports
Lumber
Stone
Stone
Location
Controlled Territories
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