Schwartzenbruin

Schwartzenbruin is the capital city of Perrenland and is located on the south-west shore of Lake Quag.

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Much of Schwartzenbruin, specifically the Old City and New City, is located on an island in Lake Quag, while the newest section, the Shore, is on the adjacent mainland.

Schwartzenbruin is one of the largest cities in the Flanaess and no census has ever returned a full result, so Schwartzenbruin may have considerably more than 30,000 residents at any given time (although that number is the closest the city has to a census). Much of Schwartzenbruin’s population is transient in nature: mercenary companies, merchant caravans, ships crews and tourists all add to the seasonal arrival of local clansfolk for important business, signing on, and festivals.

As a result, Schwartzenbruin is a city that can cater for the diverse needs of a great many people, cultures and ideas. The inns and taverns are legendary, and the courtesans unrivaled.

The city has magical defenses that makes it impossible to teleport into the city. This is intended to protect Schwartzenbruin from attacks from powerful creatures, particularly demons.

Origins

Schwartzenbruin earned its name (Black Bear) from its earliest days when the island was first settled by a primitive nature worshiping tribe of Ur-Flanne. The tribe was eventually absorbed into the city but its name and part of its culture remains. The city itself and the town guards (Bruinsgardt) are named in the tribe's honour and it is said that some of the descendents of those original inhabitants are able to transform into black bears when the need was great.

The Old City

Located on the island, The Old City is defined as all that is contained within the old wall. The old wall runs from Perrens Gate to the High gate and all the way around the back of the islands perimeter. In the Old City can be found the oldest families, the true Bruinsmen and a lot of old money live here.

• Perren's Gate for ceremonial purposes is the official entry point onto the old city and its guards have to lug around the most regalia, which they consider an honour.
• High Gate this is the location of the judicial courts of Schwartzenbruin and the mayor’s official office is here, it meeting halls are full of the politics of Perrenland.
• The Cantonal Council Chambers.
• Der Schokoladehuis, run by Hanz Mordenkainen.
• Der Aldboot, a popular lakeside tavern.
• Fort Dian. This is the oldest fortified building in the city. The magical relic “The Girdle of Dian” is kept in the central keep and is the home of its guardians, an order of the Old Church called the Dian Sect. The outer towers and ward are used by the Bruingardt (bearguard) an ancient martial order, of members by invitation only, that has heavy links with the Old Church.

The New City

The New City is defined as “all that is on the island not contained within Old Wall". New City is still very old and is the home of many wealthy merchants and non-Perrenlanders. Here is were the visitor to Schwartzenbruin is the most welcome and most easily relieved of their money in areas like the Longmarket and the Arena.

The Shore

The Shore is the city across from the island. It is the latest edition to Schwartzenbruin being only some 220 years old and still a work n progress. The need to house so many has seen the shore line across form the New City transform from a small village, catering as a point of embarkation from mainland to island, into a fortified metropolis to rival the island city itself. Here dwell many wealthy refugee families and mercenary families that have migrated to the relative safety of Perrenland and the legendary wealth of Schwartzenbruin to start a new life. Many Clan families have moved here to make a name for themselves as well. Here can also be found poverty and the struggle of the poor to survive.

• The Great Barter is a collection of stalls, and tent shops that have almost as much variety as the Longmarket. Here is located the offices of many trading companies and the Temple of Zilchus.
• The Hillside Market is also called the Common market by those who use it, this is the poorest market in Schwartzenbruin being in the poorest district.

Other Locations:

• Bapthmorda (The Dread Prison) is a very dank and foreboding prison constructed about a century ago. Here the undesirables of Schwartzenbruin are accommodated, sometimes for protracted periods. It has its own internal subculture and its guards are feared for their methods. Some of these criminals are destined to be executed in the Dance of Nerull festival.

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• The Village of Weisshaven is a where travelers are likely to stay before crossing the Undrill to Schwartzenbruin. It is located north of the city (only a stone's throw away from Bapthmorda)