Nuggins Warehouse Compound

**Nuggins Warehouse Compound**, commonly referred to as **The Compound** or simply **Headquarters** to members of the Clan Nuggins, is a city-state in the south east of Sarenia, located in between the cities of Kar Pyrol, Snoefall and Khaz Shandar. The Compound is one of the most heavily industrialised conurbations on the continent and - when employees and their families are counted as population - forms a major population centre in the region. The Compound was originally a singular warehouse within The United Duchies of Kallstapp, and is a point of Clan Nuggins pride that historically the warehouse and it's surrounding lands were won in a game of poker by the first Prime Executive, Buildy Nuggins. Factually however, no records of such a game exists.

Historically founded as a homestead for the Nuggins Clan, the city-state has since grown as an important centre for trade, and later became a major export hub. The Compound expanded to include a multitude of races, and the population has increased dramatically. The Compound's economy is difficult to determine exactly due to the labyrinth of corporate and commercial laws, however the wealth of the city-state (and particularly, the family) is undeniable. Despite more recent expansions to include a multitude of races and non-Nuggins families, the majority of government, public and private enterprises are filled by members of Clan Nuggins.

## History

#### **Pre-Nuggins Era**

Prior to the forming of the Compound, the area that is now the City State was filled with small farming villages, with the largest town containing a large warehouse. Not many records exist about the area of that time, but census indicate a large Halfling population in the area. It was known that it has been a historical trading spot for many centuries, favoured by travellers to buy and sell selective goods. Although the area was assumed to be within the remit of The United Duchies of Kallstapp, there was no formal recognition of this and was technically 'Free Land'.

#### **Buildy Nuggins**

Following the selection of Buildy Nuggins as the first Prime Executive of what would become The Compound, Buildy wrote of the First Service Directive, essentially a writ of independence for the lands on which Buildy's Warehouse stood, as well as the lands of his extended family. This writ determined the beginning grounds of the Compound, which have been extended subsequently numerous times in Service Directives 3, 17, 205 and 654.

The original writ was sent to the numerous leaders of the Duchies, however due to the lack of comprehension of the Halfling language (and the atrocious handwriting of Buildy himself) it was broadly ignored. Not hearing a response affirmed the notion of independence within Buildy and his people, and he set about constructing a township centred on trade and business enterprises. Buildy became known as a great constructor of his time, creating merchant houses, trading halls, roads, cart-ways and storage facilities across his land. He also began the tradition of Nuggins family members being named with suspicious accuracy for their lives work.

#### **The First War / "The Misunderstanding"**

By this time, the Compound had become a bustling City in the middle of the claimed Duchies lands. In fact, the first noting of The Compound as a major settlement was during training exercises of The Duchies armies. On manoeuvres in the area, Captain Frederick Von Hausen noted "*...only in the area a mere 14 months prior, I disovrd a grand warehouse and trading station that seems to have appeared from no beginnings. The value of a re-supply station is paramount, this location must be kept".*

The situation was exacerbated when a good number of men from Von Hausen's regiment were found to be wandering with no armour or weapons claiming to have been mugged by a "*vicious gang of Halfling cutthroats"* when later it was found the men had simply lost their equipment in poker matches.

The situation reached a peak when, on noting the strong military presence in the City State, the Compounds military policy of "permanent readiness" was enacted for the first time. Within days, the City was flooded with badly organised mercenaries, sell-swords, privateers, anyone who had a sword and badly armed scarecrows all under the Nuggins Clan banner. Although a number of skirmishes broke out around the Compound, very few were actually engaged with the enemy, and even fewer were successful. However, the might of the rabble was undeniable and The Duchies retreated. This act was recorded as a surrender by Nuggins Clan historians, although this is disputed as a proper battle did not take place.

Regardless of the outcome of the "war", The Misunderstanding was a major victory for Clan Nuggins and therefore, The Compound. Not only did it guarantee the legitimacy of the Compound as a city state, but also increased the reputation of the city and the clan across the continent.

#### **Hostile Takeover Attempts**

Embarrassed by the "crushing defeat" - as so told by the loudest of Nuggins' bards - The Duchies rallied again (and again and again), and over the following centuries, attempted multiple attacks on the Compound. Initially these were conventional military campaigns (Battle of Bonny Hill, N-Day and Merchant's Push); before moving on to subterfuge and covert operations (Nuggins Hall Bombing, Trackway Takedowns and The Great Magic Storm); before moving on to economic attacks and sanctions (Gold Market Crash, Nuggoux Embargo and The Steel Freeze).

The various governments of the Compound were not simply the defenders of this time, with various invasions, attacks, counter-attacks, misunderstandings and many other aggressive tactics being deployed (see: The First Economic War, Carpet-Unionisation, South-Duchy Purchase and Stock-and-Shawl Campaign)

Throughout this time, the Compound evolved from village to town, town to city, city back to town and then town straight to the autonomous City State known today. Advances in civil service, warfare education, religion and health transformed the City State into a thriving metropolitan hub, regardless of the attempts of The Duchies.

#### **Modern Era**

The Compound's public transport system was revolutionised with the construction of the Trackways, a magically powered rail system that runs along major Compound streets. These were introduced the same year as Headquarters College, The Compound's first university specialising in trade and business, with smaller schools in magic and engineering.

The Private sector of the Compound exploded in the next few years, with many Guilds, Organisations and Business making the Compound their home. There is also a sharp rise in the number of Ratfolk in the City State, specifically with the creation of the Rodentown district in the sewers of the Compound. Business tensions between Clan Nuggins and various Rodentown families has recently spilled over to racial and social disputes and remain a point of contention between the two to this day.

## Economy

The economy of The Compound is, in a word, baffling. The sheer matrix of corporations, limited companies, public licensed companies, suppliers, sub-suppliers, Nuggins Co affiliates, customer co-operation groups, audience and marketing surveyors, sub-sub suppliers, multi-faceted relocatalatory outlets, and Jim Nuggins, the guy with the hot dog van down the road makes up less that 30% of the entire economy of the city. Indeed, due to it's fluid and subversive nature, it is almost indescribable and even harder to monitor or predict.