Fuhreling

Fuhreling

LOCATION: Kingdom of Seldenbaal STATUS: Royal Town GOVERNMENT: Clan Ulandasen POPULATION: 9,800 Ivinia'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 over eighty percent of the population. Fuhreling guards a narrow ithmus canal linking Furesfjord to Quane Pass. This cosmopolitan town contains a number of important foreign or international institutions. 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 THOR: Clan Quendarl THOR: Clan Tarkis The town is comprised of three distinct sectors. The high town, reserved mainly for key members of the royal clan, sits atop the uppermost cliff, isolated and easily defended. The middle town, home of powerful members of great clans, wealthy merchant clans, and some temples, was laid out in the typical circular fashion, although later expansion caused a rather sloppy plan to develop. The lower town lies outside the wooden town wall and is a veritable maze of winding pathways running between hovels and hostels, housing the poorest clansmen, thralls, and unsponsored foreigners. Construction of an outer wall to enclose the whole of the lower town has been proposed many times, but no king has yet felt any compulsion to defend such low persons. 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 streets of the low town are very dangerous at night to the underarmed and overmonied. Within the palisade of the middle town, guests are escorted by their sponsors, keeping robbery to a minimum. The high town is patrolled by the Fuhrengaard, and individual clanhouses are often guarded by armed retainers. None may enter the high town without invitation by one of the Ulandasen; anyone found there without authority is subject to a public flogging, and if the trespasser is caught bearing arms, these will be confiscated and the flogging more severe. 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 Varaal II 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 some times for rape. Economics Fuhreling grew and prospered as a trade center 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 exports; fine cloth, gold and silver jewellery, and well crafted weapons are popular imports. 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 s tone 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 ".