Fuhreling

Intoduction

LOCATION: Kingdom of Seldenbaal
STATUS: Royal Town
GOVERNMENT: Clan Ulandasen
POPULATION: 4,500
Ivinia's and Seldenbaal's largest walled settlement and the principal seat of clan Ulandasen, one of the four clans of Seldenbaal eligible to hold the high kingship. Many foreigners have settled here and it is sometimes termed the foreigners' den, although Ivinians still comprise a little over fifty percent of the population. Fuhreling guards a narrow isthmus canal linking Furesfjord to Quane Pass. A major troop of foreign engineers have spent the last three years fortifying the outer wall with a major moats supporting walls made of stone & wooden walls.

This cosmopolitan town contains a number of important foreign or international institutions, and the following temples: and the following temples:

• LOKI: Order of the V'hirahn [HQ]
• SJOFN: Order of the Silken Voice [HQ]
• TYR: Order of the Winged Lion
• THOR: Clan Umesen
• ODIN: Clan Quendarl
• THOR: Clan Tarkis

Government

Fuhreling has little in the form of a civic government. It is governed by King Varaal II Ulandasen. In practice, on behalf of Varaal II, the Hirdmaand runs the town. They collect all taxes, license all commerce, and control all public works. All of this is accomplished by the sale of specific monopolies to Hirdmaand members, who bid for the various rights they receive, and may then glean what profit they can from their activities. Eighty percent of all revenue collected by the Hirdmaand is given to the royal treasury.

The town is patrolled by the Fuhrengaard, and individual clanhouses are often guarded by armed retainers.

The Fuhreling Theng has authority to judge all minor crimes and infractions, often resulting in short terms of imprisonment, although Hirdmaand bullies may provide more immediate and direct punishment. Serious crimes, such as rape, theft, or murder, are referred to a tribunal, composed of Hialti Ulandasen, Josurr Maalin, and Ergil Heimel. Punishments for the guilty usually fit the crime, ranging from amputation of an arm for theft, to execution for secret murder, and sometimes for rape.

Economics

Fuhreling grew and prospered as a trade centre and most of it's wealth is still generated in this way. Nearly all of this trade is handled by local Hirdmaand licensed clans and individuals, who import and export a vast array of goods. Furs, horn, whale oil, and amber are the most lucrative imports; fine cloth, gold and silver jewellery, and well crafted weapons are popular exports. Foreign traders are tolerated, but always find the long shadow of the Hirdmaand in their path. If they neglect the appropriate bribes, or attempt to deal with non-Hirdmaand members, they will face insurmountable difficulties in business.

Head Tax: 14d per annum.

Hawking: 7% of goods value

Bonding: 2% of goods value per month

Wharfage: 1d per foot per day

Piloting: 12d per vessel

The following short extract from an account of a Chelemby merchant, Ibrik Tarsa, on a mission to the town in 801 offers this portrait of Fuhreling ...

"The town is most primitive, although rich in trade goods and treasures such as furs and amber. The only building of stone is the hall of the king, rising at the centre of the town. All others live in timber longhouses, and while some are intricately decorated, most are little better than barns. The main foods available are fish, of which there is far too much, and hard rye bread that would crack the teeth of Thor. Only during feasts is there much meat for eating. Thankfully, these are as frequent as the lies of an Azeryani trader, and involve long nights of drinking, dancing and sporting with wenches of dubious worth. It often seems that the whole of the town is related, and would gladly spend every waking moment in gossip and outrageous boasting. Never in all my journeys from Zerula to Golotha have I seen such a distasteful yet profitable place".

Landmarks

1. Great Hall

The Fuhreling great hall is currently occupied by Varaal II Ulandasen.

2. Fuhrengaard Barracks

Three companies of the Fuhrengaard are quartered at Fuhreling.

4. Watchtowers

Forty foot high wooden beacons and watchtowers, built atop the wall, always manned by 2-3 Fuhrengaard.

6. Temple of Thor (Clan Umesen)

Services are held each week, attended by members of the major clans and invited worshippers. The temple is splendidly equipped, mostly with pillaged artefacts taken in viking.

12. Hirdmaand Hall

The headquarters of the Hirdmaand. The hall contains a council chamber, meadhall, and some accommodations for visiting members. The hall is run by Josurr Maalin who is ruthless when it comes to defending Hirdmaand privilege. He is undoubtedly the most powerful figure in this organization, yet he is a gregarious and generous host. Josurr often invites foreign merchants to guest with him at 10, is renowned for his feasts, and brings skalds from afar to entertain and inform his company.

14. Temple of Sjofn

The Church of Sjofn came to Seldenbaal in 762 when Koenel II permitted a young priestess from Vulenheim, Asta Moreen, to open this temple in the clanhouse of an exiled clan. She died recently in 806 and the high priestess is now Sveva Burda (b 769), a voluptuous and beautiful immigrant from Jarem. The temple survives on the donations of small merchant freeclans and foreign visitors.

16. Ostler (Ofeig Ulandasen)

Quality:**** Prices: Average
Ofeig provides stabling and services for the mounts of travellers. He is a skilled breeder and trainer and generally has many fine horses for sale.

17. Temple of Loki

The clerical order, Pillar of Fire, and their sponsored fighting order, Companions of Roving Doom. Lokian church doctrine has a definite appeal for Ivinians, but the following is still very small. The grand master of the clerical order is Rudi Armunda (b 754), a portly, intelligent, and ruthless priest. His temple is guarded by men of the fighting order, commanded by Rutin Hourderen (b 774), who holds the rank of High Commander.

21. The War Boat Inn (Clan Tejak)

Quality: *** Prices: Low
The inn is operated by Flosi Tejak, head of a small clan. The food is often good, and the mead and ales he serves are excellent for the price. Gambling and games of strength are the usual pastimes of patrons. Many of the regulars are retired seamen who idle away their days with tall tales of their voyages to the end of the world and beyond.

25. Physician (Riupa Gurtasen)

Quality: ** Prices: Low
Riupa is the low town's only healer. A spinster, she dabbles in herblore and alchemy.

26. Merchant's Market

The market is run by Skuli Gusensen (b 768), member of the Gusensen council at Guswich. He is Josurr Maalin's deputy, and spokesman for the Hirdmaand. Skuli rents stalls in the market, open from dawn to dusk every day. A popular event held each week is the Beast Sellers Auction; a wide variety of live stock are available, including the human kind. When in use, the pillory and scaffold draw large crowds to the market.

27. Gaol (Clan Dalsyn)

A prison for commoners, run by Thiostolf Dalsyn. Thiostolf pays the Hirdmaand a license fee to run this surprisingly lucrative business. While he must provide free "accommodation" and food, Thiostolf gleans a large profit from those who pay substantial amounts to get private cells and better fare than the staple diet of fish head soup and stale ryecakes. He employs mercenaries as guards.

28. Inn of the Red Ox (Bosi Erlangar)

Quality: **** Prices: Average
Bosi (b 751), is the elder brother of Solgi, Jarl of clan Erlang of Helgeby. He was exiled in 775 for incest, losing the opportunity to become clanhead when his outraged father died three years later. Arriving in Fuhreling, he adopted the clan name of Erlangar, and opened this inn in 789. He is assisted by two wives, three sons, and two daughters, both trained shieldmaidens who will respond to wayward patrons with a well placed kick where it really hurts.

30. Temple of Odin (Clan Quendarl)

The majority of the poorer residents attend their religious services in this plain converted longhouse. Rites are often held amid the bleatings, cacklings, and lowings of Griotgarth Quendarl's animals. His cousin, Tumi Quendarl, is the cleric at Froyaheim.

32. Bath House (Galti Osten)

For a copper, bathers may enjoy a sauna and refreshing dip in Pahl Pond after their sweat. Galti is leader of the local thieves.

33. The Rooster [Aben A'harad)

Quality: *** Prices: Low
Aben is a small, swarthy man from the Five Sisters. He jumped ship in 794, married a local merchant's daughter, and with a suitable bribe to the Hirdmaand, set himself up as innkeeper. He prospers, despite the costs inherent in catering to boisterous Ivinians.

34. Dragon Lodge (Dragon Herald)

Large long house.