City-State of Teufeldorf

City-State of Teufeldorf

Founded	1212 FA
Size	Minor Kingdom
Fealty	Western Reaches
Ruler	Vincent Fleetwood, The Invincible, King of the Western Reaches
Hex	0811

The City-State of Teufeldorf is the capital of the Western Reaches. Teufeldorf is the largest city in the Reaches, and the fifth-largest city in the Realm. Originally encompassing the island on which the current-day castle resides, the modern city has expanded several times east and south onto the surrounding bluffs. The current city is surrounded by two sets of garrison walls, a large harbor, and boasts extensive trade markets. The total population of the City-State is 27,300 with an urban population of 15,600 and 11,700 residing in the surrounding rural regions. Teufeldorf is primarily a human settlement, although all the races can be found in its twisting streets and worldly bazaars.

The current ruler is Vincent Fleetwood, Ranger King of the Western Reaches. In recent years, Teufeldorf has been sacked twice. The first was a three-month orc occupation after a successful siege in June 899 TA. This occupation did considerable damage to the city infrastructure and economy with wide-spread looting and burning of military buildings. The second Old Kingdom occupation lasted from July to October 906 TA. The extent of physical damage from this event was limited to the Castle proper. With the end of the Second War of the Reaches in January 908 TA, the city has enjoyed renewed prosperity. King Fleetwood has undertaken significant repairs and restoration since then.

Map of Teufeldorf

History of Teufeldorf

In the tenth century of the First Age, the first sailing ships from Rembia discovered the shores of the Reaches. Historians generally agree that this contact was made at the northern tip of the Orc Nation as the ships followed the coastline from their native land. Making their way south, it is logical to assume that mapping and brief exploration was made of the area. There is no evidence that any settlements were made.

In 1212 FA, an expedition of exiles from Rembia arrived in the sailing ship Luckstar and established a stronghold on the present-day site of Teufeldorf after displacing an existing native village. This date is generally accepted as the founding date of the City-State.

After its founding, Teufeldorf grew considerably in size and wealth. It's streets, shops and castles closely resembled those of its Old Kingdom homeland. Easy supplies of stone and other raw materials coupled with very little resistance from the indigenous population made rapid growth possible. While the city and nearby farms prospered, there was very little expansion into the wilderlands beyond. Surviving First Age maps show that the extent of the City State's expansion during the First Age to be less than fifty miles from the island stronghold.

Recent Rulers of Teufeldorf

Vince the Invincible (885 TA - present): First Ranger King of Teufeldorf (since the Second Age)

• Successfully retook Teufeldorf from Grim during the Hastur Rebellions (883-885 TA)
• Instrumental in securing the northern and southern reaches from the Orc Nation and Sandal during the War of the Reaches (886-890 TA)
• Repelled the Tang invasions and eventually forced the Tang Empire surrender (899-905 TA).
• Currently battling the Old Empire in their invasion in league with the Wolfshaunt (906 TA).

Teufeldorf has been sacked three times under the rule of Vince:

• Aug 889 - July 890 TA - during the War of the Reaches
• June 899 - Aug 899 TA - during the Tang Invasion
• xxx 906 TA - present - Teufeldorf currently under the control of the Old Empire

Grim (833-885 TA): Skeletal Son of Hastur

• Transformed Teufeldorf into a city shrouded in darkness
• Enslaved large portions of the population to feed his research and armies

Baradar (832-833 TA): Member of the Brotherhood of the Seven

• Founded the short-lived Shadowland Empire
• executed in 833 TA by Grim

King Gregory the Even-Handed (817-832 TA): Last of the Paladin Kings

• Founder of the Order of the Knights
• Successfully defended the Crown during the Second Demon Wars (823-828 TA)
• Exiled in 832 TA by Baradar and the Brotherhood of the Seven

Nearby Places of Interest

Bryn Mawr

Directly east of Teufeldorf lies the ancient hardwoods of Bryn Mawr. A source of lumber to the early builders of the city, this forest would have been completely destroyed for its resources if not for the intervention of the elves in the First Age. The elves established the small community, Berwyn, within the forest and negotiated with the ruler of the Teufeldorf to provide for a balanced use of the forest. While early skirmishes were fought with rogue lumber barons and others seeking personal fortune Bryn Mawr, the elves were able to retain control of the forest. Later, control of Bryn Mawr and the village of Berwyn were turned over to the Druids. Today, the woods are a source of many goods sold in the city markets including mushrooms, honey, syrup, nuts and berries.

Lost River

Flowing down from the Iron Hills across the fertile grasslands south of Teufeldorf and finally arriving at the Great Sea at the town of Vardan, the Lost River is an important source of water for the farmsteads that line the riverbanks. Named the Lost River after a long drought in the early seventh century of the Third Age caused the river to dry up for five years, this river has flowed swiftly and uninterrupted for the past two hundred years. In the early ninth century of the Third Age, a massive dragon, Blue Fang, was known to have his lair at the headwaters of the Lost River. After the dragon's death sometime during the early 820's TA, it was rumored that gold pieces and small cut gems could be found bouncing along the riverbed as the current pulled them towards the sea.

Plains of the Mantis

The rich farmlands rolling east from the City of Teufeldorf are known as the Plains of the Mantis, a colloquial name given to them during a bygone era when the area was infested with large predatory preying mantises. Now the area is well settled with prosperous farmers planting all manners of crop in the dark, black soil. A patchwork of small roads cover this land converging on the city markets in Teufeldorf.

Found in the Plains of the Mantis are a number of interesting historical sites including the Tower of Skaldor the Mutator.

Teufeldorf Manor

Located in the small, dark, tangled forest known as Teufelwald, immediately south of the city of Teufeldorf, lies an ancient manor house. Now abandoned, and rumored to be cursed, this spot has significant historical value. Archaeological evidence shows that a structure has stood on this spot since the First Age. The last known inhabitants, the Belreg Family, occupied the manor until August 825 TA when an expedition led by Lord Treadway, Condor the Cleric, Father Guido Sarduici, Count Demoney III, and Ikcin Namffoh was lost adventuring near the site. Shortly thereafter, the structure fell into disuse. It is rumored to be haunted.

Teufelwald

South of Teufeldorf, hugging the rocky coastline and bounded by the Greater Farthing Road on the east, lies a small wood of dark and tangled trees known as Teufelwald, the Dead Man's Forest. Long a place of shrouded mystery, this forest is shunned as haunted. A common stop for travelers moving along the Greater Farthing Road, the infamous Slaughtered Turkey Inn is supposedly haunted by one of the areas most famous spirits, James Lostsoul. A trail leading west at the Slaughtered Turkey Inn passes into the dark woods and to the ruins of Teufeldorf Manor.