Salzenmund
The capital of Nordland, Salzenmund rests among hills from which flow the tributaries that join to form the Salz. The Elector Counts built a tall castle at the top of the hill overlooking the growing city, once the meeting place for the western scions of the Was Jutone tribe. So narrow is the approach that the keep, named the Jutone’s Nest, needs no surrounding curtain wall: just the great keep sits there, watching over the region. It is said by the locals that the Elector Count can see the whole of his province from the window of his throne room, which faces west so he can keep an eye on the Elves of Laurelorn.
Salzenmund itself is a sizable town that is currently suffering from the loss of trade along the Erengrad-Middenheim Road. Many travellers and merchants would stop there for its fairs, where even Elven goods are available. Brokers sell timber from the Laurelorn here, too, which commands a high price because of its exquisite grain, lightness, and durability. And Salzenmund is home to the Nordland Silversmith’s Guild, which controls the trade in finished goods and ingots made from ore found in the nearby Silver Hills. The smiths of Salzenmund are known for their high quality work, which is in demand as far away as Estalia and Arabia.
In the town itself, the most notable landmark is the temple of Ulric, which is made entirely of wood and has stood for over 2000 years. A vast, three-storied structure constructed in a hexagonal pattern, the temple is unlike any other Ulrican temple in the Empire or beyond. Some observers detect a resemblance to archaic temples in Norsca, leading them to suspect the temple was first built under barbarian influence in an earlier series of migrations and conquests. Inside, the Great Hall is open to the third story, and a smaller version of the eternal flame of the temple in Middenheim burns here. Ages of smoke have darkened the timbers within, giving them a smooth, black look and the temple itself an air of sombre purpose. The High Priest is Erich Granholm, a close friend of the Count who thinks himself the equal of the Ar-Ulric in Middenheim and shares his Count’s ambitions for Nordland.
Salzenmund is a chartered free town, which means it governs itself in return for certain duties and obligations to its nominal lord, the Elector Count Gausser. A council of guild masters and landowners makes up the town council, while a burgomeister chosen yearly from the councillors handles day-to-day affairs. The current burgomeister is Maximillian von Kirscheschlage, who is quite worried. The war gave the Count authority to demand gifts of money from the town’s notables to cover the hiring of mercenaries, which he is in no hurry to pay back. On top of that, the decline in traffic because of the war has led to a decline in revenue that threatens to leave the council members unable to meet the town’s financial obligations, since they have already “loaned” considerable sums to the Count. Now von Kirscheschlage must consider going to the Count for loans to cover the town’s expenses. He fears this will give the Count the leverage he needs to demand the return of Salzenmund’s charter or the cancellation of his debt to the councillors, either of which would spell ruin for them and the town’s liberties.
Salzenmund itself is a sizable town that is currently suffering from the loss of trade along the Erengrad-Middenheim Road. Many travellers and merchants would stop there for its fairs, where even Elven goods are available. Brokers sell timber from the Laurelorn here, too, which commands a high price because of its exquisite grain, lightness, and durability. And Salzenmund is home to the Nordland Silversmith’s Guild, which controls the trade in finished goods and ingots made from ore found in the nearby Silver Hills. The smiths of Salzenmund are known for their high quality work, which is in demand as far away as Estalia and Arabia.
In the town itself, the most notable landmark is the temple of Ulric, which is made entirely of wood and has stood for over 2000 years. A vast, three-storied structure constructed in a hexagonal pattern, the temple is unlike any other Ulrican temple in the Empire or beyond. Some observers detect a resemblance to archaic temples in Norsca, leading them to suspect the temple was first built under barbarian influence in an earlier series of migrations and conquests. Inside, the Great Hall is open to the third story, and a smaller version of the eternal flame of the temple in Middenheim burns here. Ages of smoke have darkened the timbers within, giving them a smooth, black look and the temple itself an air of sombre purpose. The High Priest is Erich Granholm, a close friend of the Count who thinks himself the equal of the Ar-Ulric in Middenheim and shares his Count’s ambitions for Nordland.
Salzenmund is a chartered free town, which means it governs itself in return for certain duties and obligations to its nominal lord, the Elector Count Gausser. A council of guild masters and landowners makes up the town council, while a burgomeister chosen yearly from the councillors handles day-to-day affairs. The current burgomeister is Maximillian von Kirscheschlage, who is quite worried. The war gave the Count authority to demand gifts of money from the town’s notables to cover the hiring of mercenaries, which he is in no hurry to pay back. On top of that, the decline in traffic because of the war has led to a decline in revenue that threatens to leave the council members unable to meet the town’s financial obligations, since they have already “loaned” considerable sums to the Count. Now von Kirscheschlage must consider going to the Count for loans to cover the town’s expenses. He fears this will give the Count the leverage he needs to demand the return of Salzenmund’s charter or the cancellation of his debt to the councillors, either of which would spell ruin for them and the town’s liberties.
Government
City Council and Burgomeister (Currently Maximillian von Kirscheschlage )
Defences
Miltia / Garrison: 45a/300c
Industry & Trade
Trade, Government, Woodcraft
Type
Town
Population
7500
Location under
Owner/Ruler
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