Ummerlingen

**Ummerlingen** is the largest city in the Duchy of Val Kahden, a region in the north-east of Edynor.

### History

Before the duchies became separate nations when the entire region was known as Milsunda or by the elven name, Glindalothyn, the city of Ummerlingen rose from the original settlement known as Uan-linge, once a meeting place for the native Hameka, located where the Inwarvyn river met the sea.

Uan-linge grew slowly and once Rymallon was ruined and the ambitions of the nobles tore Milsunda into three realms, it became the base for the Bokkun family. The Bokkun family distanced themselves from the Hameka and their elders until the relationship was severed and the Hameka were driven from using their traditional meeting place.

The Bokkun family commissioned the building of a city, requiring the destruction of Uan-linge. Upon it's bed was built the grand city of Ummerlingen.

### Layout

Ummerlingen is a medium-sized walled city with a port for merchant and passenger ships, a semi radial design with main avenues radiating out to the west, south and east, a central, inner-walled area that contains the royal palace and a second, smaller inner walled area adjacent to the harbour and including barracks and a training academy for Val Kahdenish soldiers.

The western quarters of the city are home to wealthy merchants, businessmen and lesser noble families. The southern quarters are full of middle-class residences, respectable businesses and inns and is the market and crafting hub. Theatre and museums are also found in these districts. The eastern quarters, particularly those closer to the sea, are home to the working classes, raucous drinking establishments, gambling halls, and well-concealed petty crime.

Beyond the city are farms to the west, a watchtower and observatory in the north outskirts adjacent to the forest and a slowly growing sprawl to the south and east of the walls.

The city is opulently built. Although a pale shadow of the immense grandeur of the former city of Rymallon, Ummerlingen is a city of striking architecture, majestic avenues and art and sculpture throughout the city depicting illustrious ancestors of the Bokkun family or prominent moments in the history of Ummerlingen and Val Kahden.

### Inhabitants

Humans in the majority inhabit Ummerlingen. There are some elves and half-elves, mainly in the western and southern quarters. A greater mix of cultures can be found in the working class quarter as accommodations and entertainment are more affordable for travellers and adventurers. There are only a small number of Hameka or descendants of the Hameka to be found. Their presence usually signifies a family whose fortunes have turned for the worse, may mean they've lost standing among their people or have been outcast from Hameka society. Though many years have passed, most Hameka still know the importance of Uan-linge and how cruelly the Bokkun family ran them from their traditional lands.

Given the near constant intrigue that Val Kahden seems mired in, the city is also crawling with the eyes and ears of spies working directly or indirectly for Countess Ljin Ausken.

### Material and contribution

The Ummerlingen map and lore have been developed by Matt Harding (@arrowstonemaps on Instagram)