The Heldannic Order - Vaults of Pandius

THE CITY OF FREIBURG
The Foreign District: The
embassies of foreign nations and
supporting businesses populated the
northwestern corner of Freiburg. The
Knights keep a close watch on this
quarter, and many of its residents venture
out to Westberg for a less intrusive time.
The Warehouse District: The
eastern riverfront is filled with several
large warehouses used by the Order and
merchant interests. An open air fish and
produce market is conducted in the west
near the commercial section.
The Commercial District: East of
the plaza, the Commercial District sits
astride the east-bound avenue. Most
structures are geared towards industry.
Vayburg: Vayburg is the home of the
lower and middle-class followers of
Vanya. It encompasses everything that
lies between the Fortress and the outer
wall. Numerous small shops mix with
the tenements and houses.
Freiburg’s Pride: The city’s more
affluent or powerful individuals live east
of the Cathedral and the southern
Commercial District. Shops and markets
that cater to this class are also found here.
Stamhoffer Plaza: The Plaza is
the convergence point for Freiburg’s
avenues. At the north end of the plaza
squats the Fortress of Freiburg. This
stone building is the heart of the
Heldannic Order and is almost a city in
its own right. The Fortress contains
towers, courtyards, and covered
walkways, all defended by large siege
weapons. Inside are training and parade
grounds, administrative buildings,
stables, smithies and a warbird docking
station. The top three floors of the central
tower comprise the Grand Master’s
personal residence and office, from
which one can survey the entire city.
At the south end of the plaza, facing the
entrance to the Fortress is the Cathedral
of Vanya. With little subtlety, this vast
gothic structure glorifies Vanya’s name
and demonstrate her – and the Order’s –
power to the Heldanners. At its north
end, two massive doors lead into a central
space covering nearly six acres of
ground. Light streams in from windows
high in the walls and falls on columns
and mosaics set into the floor.
The Cathedral is not without its own
defenses. Behind the crenulations on its
exterior lurk deployable siege weapons.
The cathedral’s most famous element is
the Rose Window – an enchanted, round,
stained-glass window depicting 132
scenes from the mythic life of Vanya and
the history of the Order. The cycle
begins with Vanya’s birth and ends with
the completion of the Cathedral, the
picture changes at midday.
Westberg: Westberg is a satellite
settlement of 850 that sprung up along
the road paralleling the Elber. It is a
provisioning center for travel in-country
and provides many basic amenities
normally prohibited by the tenets of the
Order. Foreign visitors often congregate
here, and Westberg’s two lodges can
room 30 individuals each.
Within 10 miles there are 10 smaller
hamlets further west, and 5 others along
the trade road curling to the south. These
settlements normally hold 100 residents
and remain native farming or fishing
communities.
Graudenz: The hamlet of Graudenz
holds the pass leading up into the
Freiburg Hills. 200 civilians handle
routine provisioning and farming while
supporting an important garrison chapter.
Few ordinary travelers pass through
Graudenz. The hill country is considered
a training ground for the Order, and the
Knights preserve their secrets in its
forlorn hills. Throughout this area are
tucked away several chapter houses and
thirty-five shepherding and horse- and
cattle-raising hamlets of 50 people each.
Zehlendorf: Directly opposite
Freiburg proper is the village of
Zehlendorf (1800), which maintains
contact between the capital and the
northern Territories. Three ferries shuttle
people and goods across the Elber.
Unlike the other near-city communities,
Zehlendorf remains predominantly
native. Twenty-odd hamlets ranging in
size from 25 to 75 individuals line the
northern shore in either direction in
quarter-mile intervals. An equal number
lie scattered to the north. All of these
settlements fall under the authority of
Zehlendorf’s Chapters.
Althaven: Althaven lies seven miles
down river from Freiburg at the mouth of
the Elber. Only 10 hamlets separate
15
Althaven from the capital. It is the
headquarters for the Order’s navy, and
most ocean-going vessels berth here, with
cargo being hauled to Freiburg along the
Old Road. Like the capital, Althaven
was damaged seven years ago during the
Partisans’ final spasm of defiance. Two
miles south in the foothills rests the Holy
Memorial Ground, which was dedicated
to those who fell to the Partisans and
Alphatians. Around the clock, an honor
guard oversees this graveyard, which is
thought to be haunted by the local
Heldanners.
The Church of the Protector is a redbricked
church on a small hill at the end
of the Old Road. The structure was
damaged in 993, and restoration
continues slowly. The church’s central
feature is a soaring tower from which one
can see to the walls of Freiburg and to the
sea on the horizon.
The Althaven Garrison’s 350 soldiers
are charged with the protection of the
Naval Station. They occupy the
Althaven Citadel, a riverside fort capable
of housing 2000 soldiers and the civilian
population up to six months.
The town’s main square opens out to
the river and contains the local market.
Farmers and herders enter every Moldain
during the growing season, while the
local fishermen sell their catch each
morning.
Althaven has several notable
businesses. The Holy Hammer
manufactures mallets and hammers for
civilian and military purposes, while the
Gilded Sword provides over 50 rooms for
rent. On a dark riverside alley, the
Knights find one of the few places in the
Territories where they can purchase
drink. The Drunken Rat Tavern is a
favorite haunt for sailors on shore-leave.
Finally, far removed from the Order’s
Naval Station, the Minrothaddan Factory
is a warehouse and Consul for the seatrading
nation.
The northern banks of the river are
swampland avoided by natives and
foreigners alike. A lone tower pierces the
skyline. It previously belonged to a
wizard who died fighting the Knights’
invasion.