Brandenheim
Brandenheim, called the "Bastion of Forging" and the "Jewel of the Empire," is the capital city of the Electoral Province of Brandenland, the second largest city of the Empire and the only manufacturer and exporter of Imperial blackpowder munitions and warmachines, earning itself the title of the "Armory of the Empire." Sitting at the heart of the empire, it stands as an imposing bastion, its fortified walls bristling with enough heavy artillery emplacements to arm a fleet of war galleons.
Brandenheim's reputation as a city of learning precedes that of Zimmerheim, although it has been overshadowed by the capital over the last few centuries. Brandenheim is most famed for being the home of the Imperial Armaments School, a sprawling network of forges and smelteries where veteran gunsmiths manufacture and maintain the Imperial military. Steam-powered air pumps work night and day to vent the acrid fumes of the blazing foundries, and portions of Brandenheim are forever wreathed in palls of choking soot and black smoke. Indeed, the dark smog clouds hanging over the city are such a permanent feature that many travellers use them to navigate. Many counts send their artillerymen to the Imperial Armaments School to learn the art of ballistics, and crews trained in Brandenheim are highly valued.
Government
Brandenheim is also unusual from the other provinces of the Empire. It has been an independent city-state and has also served as the provincial capital. It even served as the capital of the Empire for a time. There are claims the city was part of the Zimmerland, Hexenland, and Bauerland as well as being part of its own province of Richtenland. Regardless, Brandenheim is and has always been its own city. Currently, Brandenheim is not really a part of Richtenland, but owes its allegiance to its Elector Count, the Countess Emmanuella von Wissen. While she nominally rules the city, much of the true power is in the burgher class, the various guilds, and among her own advisors. Emmanuella von Wissen, Grand Countess of Richtenland, Countess of Brandenheim, and Duchess of Reimarshamn, gained her seat around the same time that Grimwald Adelman was crowned Emperor. A childhood friend of the current ruler, she had a claim to the title of Elector Count, but not a good one. By currying the favour of Grimwald—some suggest she seduced him—she took the title of Elector Countess in 3683 and has ruled Brandenheim ever since.
Guilds
Of considerable interest to the Countess are the guilds. These groups are what allow her to throw her lavish parties at the palace. On almost a daily basis, one or more guildmasters gain an audience with the Countess to give her gifts and trinkets to improve their guild’s tax rates and to acquire her influence when it comes to matters brought before the rest of council. All of the guildmasters have seats on the council as well, though their influence over the Countess is considerably stronger than the merchants and courtiers.University
Even the Universities have a hand in the politics and governance of Brandenheim. Being home to some of the most prestigious schools in the Empire, they are big draws. When the sons and daughters of Provincial lords come of age, many come to this city to take advantage of the classical education offered. However, this is less true in recent years. Brandenheim was once the intellectual centre of the Empire, but more and more Zimmerheim’s thinkers eclipse those of Brandenheim. This is not for a lack of funding—the Countess and nobles in the city are ardent supporters of the University, College, and Imperial Armaments School. It is rather the classical mechanisms of study that are falling out of favour when compared to the progressive systems in the north. Brandenheim’s student body remains considerable, and although the University itself is in decline, the Imperial Armaments School is larger than ever.History
Before there was Brandenheim and before the ten tribes were united by Reimar the Great, the Elves held the territory eventually claimed by the Empire. But even as the first trickle of Human tribes gathered in the remnants of draconic nations, the ancient Elven civilisation was already withdrawing from the land, leaving the ruins of their once grand society scattered throughout the forests and hills of the Empire. Before the founding of the Empire, much of Humanity existed along the coast, inheritors of the ancient civilisations of the past. But soon ten tribes gathered around the greatest settlements. With the aid of the Dwarves, these barbarians settled in the verdant lands of the north. The lands were unprepared for these warlike and aggressive barbarians, but there were many who thought to profit from their simplicity.
Following the unification, peace settled over the land. While Reimar hammered out the new government by which he would rule, Brandenheim remained a minor trade centre, nothing more than a stopover for traders on the way to the larger communities in the north. But this would change. Reimar realized internal stability depended on being able to move troops and goods quickly, and so ordered the construction of two great roads. The first was from Zimmerheim to Bauerheim. The second connected Festenfort to Reimarshamn. Though the work was years in completing, the results were almost instantaneous. By extending the roads through Brandenheim, it elevated the city to a status equal to the larger and more prosperous northern cities. Merchants from all over entered the Empire through Reimarshamn to trade goods all past through Brandenheim whilst carrying them north. As a result, Brandneheim experienced a rapid boom in growth and wealth that continued throughout Reimar’s reign and beyond.
Now Brandenheim proudly boasts the Imperial Armaments School, the University of Brandenheim, and even a rival College of Engineering nearly as innovative as Zimmerheim’s own. Brandenheim drifted back into the control of Richtenland and the Elector Count of the province gained the title of Count of Brandenheim.
Maps
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Brandenheim
Type
City
Population
85 000
Inhabitant Demonym
Brandenheimare
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
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