Heidelberg
Intro
Sequestered deep in Heidelberg Forest, and having enjoyed very little contact with the rest of the civilized world for centuries, Heidelberg has evolved a highly stratified society in which the privileged classes ride about in gaudy vehicles carried by the underclasses.
Heidelberg is ruled by Baron Heidelberg, the ancestral leader who sometimes calls himself Governor or Emperor or King. We know from an early campaign that decisions are made parliament-style in a steep-tiered theater with some drama and histrionics.
Guards
In Dragonslayers, we recall that the city guards wear cloaks of black, lined with red.
They are of varying competence.
From the Ur campaign notes:
At Heidelberg Gate: strangely silent, emerge from deep forest into a snowy field a mile across dotted with stumps. Cultivated (now snow-covered) agricultural fields on the south side of the city. Gray sky, no wind, 30 degrees. On far side, a mile long, 40' high wall of massive 8' thick vertical trunks. One large structure in the center (hundreds of yards within the wall), a single spire with a flag (of Heidelberg, a wolf and a pine tree), stained glass slanted skylights visible. Scores of chimney smoke drift up silently.
Then 25' high alongside the gate, a 3' door opens and there's a man there with a red beard, thick spectacles, and a red 3-pointed hat. He fumbles a with a scroll and then looks down his nose at the party.
“Do ye desire entry in the grand metropolis?”
Well then:
Names
- area of origin
- what gods ye worship
- how many elves or those of elven creed?
- How many orcs or those of orcish breed?
- Weapons of steel, catalog please
- gems, coinage, by mint and mineral
- wine, brandy, spirits, and ale?
- Tobacco, pipeweed, and other valuable herbs?
- Musical Instruments, woodwind or strings
- animal skins – any felines?
- Human remains, corpses, bear in mind this includes teeth~!
- Is there a mage among theee, a dabbler in magiks?
- Books of more than 100 pages? Parchment, vellum, or other?
- Powerstones of any denomination?
- Now now we're almost done.
- Purpose in Heidelberg?
- Length of your stay?
- Any chance you'll impregnate a slave, harlot or landed lady? How many? How many times? Wise to pre-pay the tax.
- Bring any goods to trade, if so, please name them and their value.
Within, all 3 and 4 story wooden structures, bad smell, narrow muddy streets, dwarves (10%), goblins (10%)(slaves apparently), and humans 80%. immediately see nobles being carried in luxurious blanket-covered floats.
Guards in ornate engraved platemail with silvery horned helmets and red scarves and belts march about formally with halberds at the ready, sometimes followed a sergeant in platemail with a blue scarf and belt and winged helmet being carried on a platform, standing valiantly.
Residents
Heidelberg is current home to Sly Winkelman, leader of the local Thieves Guild, and the Kaiser family, headed by Lady Katerina Kaiser.
Location: Map 6
