Siege

The current border of the Protectorate in the Ramein Region, Siege is now more of a fort than a city. Eponymously, it is besieged by the Cockroach and Phosphorite Clans.

## Factsheet

### inhabitants

ca. 67,900 / no census / inflated due to wartime

### Population Structure

Judges / dominant, Spitalians / dominant, Scrappers / dominant, Anabaptists / dominant, Hellvetics / numerous, Apocalyptics / present, Neolibyans / present

### Leader

The War Council, a group of a dozen military leaders from across the Cults, consisting of Executioners, Preservists, Grendadiers, Furors, etc.

### Features

The Chokepoint: Heavily reinforced hydraulic gates leading to the Red Expanse; Bolthammer: The Judges’ district, and where the lawmen live when off-shift; The Eastern Wing: District controlled by the Spitalians, and the center of medical services; The Garrison: Last-ditch defense point, and military control hub

### Trade / Goods

Flax, rye, rapeseed, spices and luxury goods supplied by Neolibyans, liquorice, dyes and pigments, reindeer meat, horns, and furs, surplus military equipment, distillate, beer

### City Guard

Siege is overflowing with combatants made of a mixture of different Cults and affiliated elements.* 1,500 fully fledged Protectors, along with another 3,500 Vagrants and Jurymen
* Six Famulancer platoons, led by two elite corps of Preservists, totalling 20 members
* 80 Hellvetics, mainly consisting of Grenadiers, Genies, Radio Beam Units, and Sappers
* 25 Anabaptist packs, totalling 500 Orgiastics
* An unknown horde of unaligned bounty hunters

### Communication

Hellvetic-designed radio uplink to Justitian, Postal riders capable of reaching anywhere in the Protectorate within days

## History

Siege was established by the Protectorate in 2548, where it became the staging area for training and arming of troops. It was here that battles ensued with the Deever, Molkorvai, and the Adiki Clans, rendering all three extinct. Circumstances proved no more peaceful in 2549, when the Krawe Clan reemerged to challenge the Judges.

The stalemate would last until 2558, when Executioner Archot commanded Siege in a counterattack against a huge Krawe assault. The Judges proved victorious despite being outnumbered five-to-one, and the Protectorate appointed Archot to replace the departed Supreme Judge Markoff. In celebration, a tower was built in Siege's Justice Square, made of the skulls of slain Krawes.. The city served as the Protectorate's launch point for expansion south, leading to the annexation of Wetzlar.

Further north, the town of Klawen was seized by Spitalians and Judges in 2577. Many of its people were relocated to Siege.

2596 marked the opening of the Clan Wars. Throughout the year, attacks were felt all over the Protectorate. The Rubble was assailed, a threat to the Providers. The Mechans seized Wetzlar, while the Cockroaches struck at Leadfield and Gesseln. The Protectorate launched a disastrous counterattack south of Siege, where the Judges were pinned between Cockroaches and Phosphorites forces.

For now, Siege remains on the defensive.

## Layout

The city is primarily divided by its factions and their associated services.

### Bolthammer

Located in Siege's northwest. On the western half of the main street, Justice Square sits just south of the cavalry stables and the Judges' Barracks. Opposite the Square is the Hellvetics' Security Terminal, nestled between a Scrapper radio station and the supply reserves.

Beside this area are two neighborhood districts, home to many taprooms and bars. The cults mingle here, waiting for orders. Among them are various mercenaries, scouts, and bounty hunters who are unaffiliated with any faction, but drawn by the 400 CD bounty for every Cockroach or Phosphorite slain.

### Eastern Wing

Location of the military hospital, it is also where the Spitalians are housed. In light of the war, Preservists have their eyes on promising Famulancers who may be invited into their ranks. In turn, the Famulancers recruit Siege's more promising teenagers into their order.

Further east, one can find the crematorium.

### The Garrison

Atop a cliff, the Garrison is a walled facility used for training, war planning, and intelligence gathering. It serves as a prison for POWs, who are tortured for information. In the event that the Chokepoint falls, the Garrison is meant to serve as the fallback point.

Around the Garrison are Nassius' Public Market and Markoff Plaza, bazaars for Siege's produce. Neolibyan traders also sell spices and luxury goods.

### Farmsteads

Located in Siege's hinterlands, these primarily grow flax, rye and rapeseed. However, several barns and farms have become Apocalyptic nests and saloons. Prostitution is their primary income, and the Judges permit this to ease wartime tensions.

Nestor of the Iron Brothers is currently using Siege as a hideout. He and his men are seeking an individual to sell the loot plundered from Hamza's palace during the uprising in Toulon.

### The Chokepoint

Located in Siege's center is the Conflux, the main assembly area for missions outside the Protectorate. On either side are two walls known as the Flanks, upon which sit Hellvetic artillery and the Lookout. The ramparts are accessible through the Lift.

The hydraulic gates south of the Conflux lead to the Chokepoint, beyond which awaits the Red Expanse and the rest of the Ramein Region.

## Economics & Culture

Siege is of economic importance to the Protectorate. Before the coup d'etat against them in Nullpellia, the Taunar traded bronze coins and emeralds here for Siege's cultivated goods. Farms produce licorice and dyes. Reindeer herds are hunted for meat, furs and horns. The city also provides the Protectorate with some of the best postmen. However Siege isn't entirely independent, relying on Cathedral City for its water.

Siegers are aware of the dangers of living at the Protectorate's border, and have come to believe that the city cannot fall.
 Still, they have been preparing for the conflict. Farmers are trained in shooting, and many teenagers are recruited as Vagrants. Meanwhile more and more adults are being assigned as Jurymen and armed accordingly.

## References

**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 103. *“FACT SHEET: SIEGE”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 40. *“Year 2548”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 125. *“Clans of Justitian: Extinct Clans”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 40. *“Year 2549”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 41. *“Year 2558: Archot Becomes Supreme Judge”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 103. *“Siege: Unbreakable Pride”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 42. *“Year 2577”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 82. *“The Klawen”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 45. *“Year 2596: The Clan Wars”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 102. *“Siege: A Festering Wound”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 104. *“Siege: Through the Gates”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 107. *“Siege: Bounty Hunters”*
**Siege - The Southern Hellgate** in Maps at degenesis.com
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 105. *“Siege: Bountiful”*
**Justitian: The Righteous Fist.** p. 107. *“Siege: Corruption”*