Midheim

**Midheim,** or the "Pearl of the Gullet" is a major trade city at the tip of the Iron Gullet that serves as the seat of power for both the Emperor of Visimar and the Arch-Confessor. It is the largest city in Clamund and is also the main exporter of Clamundian goods for continents abroad. The city thrives under lavish trade agreements with merchant guilds abroad and is home to several merchant guilds each with thriving industries that are deeply rooted in the common trade of Clamund; from Dwarven Blue Steel to barrels of York ale. Merchants and pilgrims from all corners of Clamund flock to Midheim for its historical importance as well as its countless opportunities to establish a thriving business.

Midheim is traditionally the court of both the Emperor of Visimar as well as the Arch-Confessor who each has their own castle within the Royal Palace. Many lords and ladies from across the empire have also come to Midheim to call their court in order to serve as councilors to the Emperor and to have a seat in the multiple councils present in the city. The Arch-Confessor also holds a council of their own as the High-Confessor Council helps dictate decisions for the Arch-Confessor and often defers religious laws by vote.

Midheim's industry is one of the most impressive in Clamund. Many blacksmiths carry a lengthy history of forging weapons and armour for the Emperor and many of them carried sons and daughters that continue to serve their lords the exact same way. Most weapons used by Visimarian soldiers are produced and sold here in bulk for lords across the Empire to arm their retinues. Their quality is the highest in Clamund and very few don't know of their work and renown.

## Government

### The High-Confessor Council

The High-Confessor Council is the personal ear to the Arch-Confessor. The council functions as a congregation as High-Confessors are high ranking religious officials who usually use council time to delegate church funding and to organize celebrations and festivals in Paragon tradition. The council has grown to include foreign religious leaders such as High-Bishops who are leaders of paragon sects outside of the Holy Empire. During the reign of Hartwig the immortal, the necromancer king had all members of the council executed, with their entrails and heads put on display across the city for all to see. After the reign of the Purple Party, the High-Confessor Council had largely been delegated for the attendance of standees who take note of the council meetings to bring back to the High-Confessor in order to prevent another event similar to what had happened with Hartwig.

### The Merchant's Council

Being the center of commerce for the entirety of Clamund, the Merchant Council comprises of the most important and powerful merchants within the city who are usually at the head of large merchant guilds. The council's meeting hall is located in the Merchant's District within the city just above the grand exchange and meetings held there are usually in concern of granting titles to up-and-coming merchants or deciding the tax rate of guild members as well as banking. The imperial throne has little to no influence here as the council is largely ran by common folk.

### The Holy Kings Council

The Holy Kings Council is an ill-formed council meant to delegate Imperial decisions that involve all kingdoms within the Holy Empire. Rarely formed, this council is only used in times of civil strife or in case of invasions, and in many cases, fails to incorporate all notable high nobles in the empire, usually leading to distrust and lack of cohesive action.

The Council's purpose is to provide a wide perspective of the Empire's land through the issues and tribulations of each ruling noble, all meant to provide information and propositions to solutions for the Emperor. The King's Council-room is located in the Imperial Palace and is one of the most elegant rooms in Clamund.

### The Ear Council

This Council is another council established within the city to help maintain concerns from notable middleclass-men regarding the city. Issues brought to the council could include public maintenance to the establishment of district militias. Historically the council is filled by noblemen and lords who come to the city seeking a spot on any council, but given the importance of the Ear Council, nobody takes their job seriously, and issues usually fall on deft ears.

### Commoner Factions

**The Midheim Guard** - The Midheim Guard is a faction which rules over a majority of the city's royal guard. Their responsibility is to patrol the streets to deter any common crimes from occurring amongst the commoners in the city. Unlike the Palatine Guard, the Midheim Guard is poorly equipped, rarely taking a battlefield role unless its absolutely necessary. The Midheim Guard has enough autonomy to opt out of military service, making their sole role to protect the streets. Many commoners use this law to escape potential military service as city guard is far less dangerous; although few dispute this claim as patrolling the streets during distressing times could often lead to assassinations and spontaneous ambushes among the winding alleys and side streets. The Guard is usually equipped with a halberd and a breastplate as well as a club to deal with riots and revolting peasants.

Many up-and-coming lords from the Midheim region enlist in the city guard as captains at a young age in order to grasp the feeling of command. This has become a tradition among lesser noble houses in Garung's Harvest.

## Geography

Entry into the city is available through the North and East Gate where all traffic travelling into the city arrive and depart. The rolling plains surrounding the city from the Northeast makes it perfect for spotting approaching armies from far away and the stone roads which extends far beyond the Jaded Road make it easy for merchants to arrive with caravans. The roads are also closely patrolled by local militias from nearby towns and villages as well as the Midheim Guard to deter bandit ambushes and tribal threats from the north.

### The Docks of Garung

The Docks is where a majority of the lower class live in Midheim. The docks are uncouth, disease-ridden and often the places that bed the beginning of plague epidemics. Most people that live near the docks are dock workers who help port incoming and outgoing trade goods for meagre pay. Most houses near the docks are little more than shacks that house large families of poverty stricken landless freemen who relies on their poor paying jobs and the alms of rich travelers and sailors passing by their shacks. It is estimated that around 40,000 people live near the docks alone, living in an area roughly a square kilometer in size.

Crime is a common occurrence near the docks, thievery and random stabbings are often seen daily as criminals fight to make a living. Merchants and nobles often find themselves being accompanied by several personal guards when passing the docks to reach the Merchant's District, avoiding the most crowded of squares. The Midheim guard often sends squads of men to the docks daily to settle down food riots and outbursts that commonly occur near the docks.

### Saint Ragnfred Cathedral

Ragnfred Cathedral, Or Saint Ragnfred Cathedral, is one of the tallest and largest holy structure in Midheim and perhaps Clamund. It's pink stone structure houses almost every artifact and memorial tomb of every Arch-Confessor that has ruled over the empire, making it one of the most richest and luxurious structures in the city. It's structure has stood the test of time as it's construction in 570 still remains untoppled, making it one of the oldest buildings in Midheim. It's large black oak double doors lead into a spacious and silver tiled interior which is home to many extravagant and historically significant depictions of Visimarian and Paragonism events as well as the graves and tombs of significant figures within the empire. It is considered very high status to be even considered being entombed in the cathedral. The cathedral also houses the council-room of the High Confessor's Council, a council of High Confessors from established churches across Clamund.

### The Purple Castle

The Purple Castle is the first major castle built for the royal seat of the Kingdom of Visimar in the 4th century. The castle overlooks the Docks of Garung and is made out of a bluish stone which shines purple at certain times of the year. The Purple Castle houses enough bedrooms for 5 nobles and their court as well as the Midheim Guard who use the basement of the castle as a barracks and armoury. The castle has partly crumbled in the western rampart due to the Jorg the Slayer's battle in the city during the War for the Crown. The Purple Castle also has an extensive tunnel system which connects to the Imperial Castle along the eastern city's wall. Each corridor is lined with cells that was meant to house prisoners of war and nobility. The Purple Dungeon is regularly used to this day to imprison rowdy nobles and common criminals alike.

### The Imperial Castle

The Imperial Castle was the second castle constructed in the city and was used frequently as the seat of power until the construction of the Imperial Palace. The castle houses the Palantine Guard who use the castle as a staging point to counter commoner riots. The castle is relatively small compared to other castles but it is still used regardless.

### Black Hammer Street

Black Hammer street refers to the black two-handed hammer used by Kunog Jozid, a dwarven blacksmith who founded Midheim's metalsmith guild and the importance of Black Hammer Street. Black Hammer Steet is Midheim's main source of blacksmithing industry as black smiths from across the world come to Black Hammer Street to offer their services, and often they are welcomed as their enthusiasm feeds the war machine of Midheim and Visimar. Most Visimarian equipment is mass produced on this street by guildsmen and independent smiths who want to test their mettle. More often than not, the equipment produced is superior by far to other kingdom's standards and is given to the lowliest of foot soldiers in most Imperial armies. Most equipment not used by the military is often sold by the many weapon's merchants that live within the city's merchant district to other kingdoms across Clamund and beyond. Most equipment is often sold to the Free States who then either use it themselves or sell it abroad.

### Old Street

Old Street is one of the earliest examples of settlement by the Visimarians in early Clamundian history. Now, it is the center of Midheim, just a few hundred meters away from the Docks of Garung and houses a majority of Midheim's middle class. The street is commonly known for its assortment of apartments and restaurants which cater to the middle and upper classmen of Old Street and Midheim. The streets are regularly patrolled by the Midheim Guard as the Purple Castle overlooks the street itself. A majority of well-known artisans, craftsmen, retired veterans and lesser nobles often find their comfort in these streets as affordable townhouses and lofty apartments rise high above the streets below, coming down to dine and shop among the respected and known merchants and dealers.

### Crossbow Lane

Crossbow Lane is a large street which comprises of bars and taverns mainly owned and frequented by Midheim's sell sword community. Most mercenaries can be purchased within these streets and the street itself is largely run and regulated by the Nuln Company, whose enterprise was largely frequented and utilized by the Holy Empire. As a somewhat form of tribute, Emperor Gonzalo the Lazy in 699 allowed for the Nuln Company to take possession of the block and do what they please. Now, nuln sellsword patrol the lane rather than city guard, and the place has been frequently known to be the center of drunken brawls and violent riots. Crossbow Lane is often used as a weapons bizarre to as weapons both used by sellswords and bought from Black Hammer street can be purchased along the streets as easy as buying a vegetable.

### The District of Marro

The District of Marro is the residential district for the middle and upper class city residents. Many apartments dot the streets.