Bögenhafen

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Bögenhafen is a bustling market town in the Grand Principality of Reikland of the Empire of the World-that-Was, sitting at the highest navigable point of the river Bögen. [1]

Map of town of Bögenhafen showing key locations

History

During the Storm of Chaos, the town sent militia to join the Emperor's army at Altdorf and very few returned, generating a labout shortage in the market town. Trade with Marienburg also suffered as that city was nearly cut off by the ongoing fighting in the Sea of Claws, whilst any trade with the northern Empire has been massively disrupted. Some merchants have been ruined but others, especially those who dealt in the metals used in warfare have made new fortunes. [3a]

Economy

Its market trades goods from Altdorf, Marienburg and Nuln for local wine and wood and also serves as a hub for the sale and distribution of lead and silver from mountain mines. [1a]

Facilities

The town is proud that it has fully functioning sewer system, maintained by the Masons' Guild, but this has also proven a useful route into the city by smugglers. The Watch sometimes hires people to sweep the sewers for such criminals. [2a]

Government

Nobility

The town is part of the Barony of Saponatheim, whose seat of power is Castle Grauenburg, about twenty five miles to the north of the town itself. In 2510, the current baron is Wilhelm and he has little interest in its day to day running or much else beside his own country pursuits. [1a]

Law and Order

The town watch is based in a pair of barracks, one of each side of the river and form which they send out patrols of 4 men each equipped with clubs, leather jacks, daggers and helmets, whilst any sergeants have mail armour and swords. They all wear a yellow tabard with the coat of arms of the town. [1d] Any who are arrested by the watch will be taken back to the cells in the barracks, resisting arrest is dangerous as they will not risk injury merely to take potential criminals alive. Trials will take place when a magistrate (often a member of the town council) is available and witnesses and/or evidence is available. If the accused can afford a lawyer, they may hire one, otherwise they are almost certain to be found guilty. An appeal can be made to the liege lord of the barony, but unless the accused is a friend, influential or has the ear of someone who is, the Baron will not normally interfere. [1d]

Religion

There are temples to the following gods in the Göttenplaz: Bögenauer, Handrich, Myrmidia, Sigmar, Ulric, Shallya and Verena. The graveyard and chapel to Morr lies outside the town walls as does a shrine to Taal. [1c]

Ruling Council

Day to day administration of the town falls to the council, mainly made up of representatives from four powerful merchant families. The head of the council is normally one of the Merchants and from one of the big four houses. There are fifteen seats in total and these are made up of: [1a]

  • The Merchants Guild – 4 seats including the Master of the Guild. [1a]
  • The Major Merchant Houses – 4 seats (Haagen, Ruggbroder, Steinhäger, Teugen). [1a]
  • The Local Priest of Sigmar – 1 seat. [1a]
  • The Head of the other prominent Guilds (Mourners, Physicians’, Stevedores, Tailors, Teamsters, Weavers) – 1 seat each. [1a]
  • A single representative of the various Craft Guilds (Carpenters, Cartwrights, Jewellers, Masons and Metalworkers) – 1 seat. [1a]

Other notable figures may be called to assist the council as required and can be given a vote by agreement of the main council. Such people can include other local Priests or the Captain of the Watch. [1a]

Notable

Trade

  • House Haagen: Mainly deal in luxury goods and as this is invariably by river, have strong links to the Stevedores Guild. They are Wasterlanders and have contacts in Marienburg. [1a]
  • House Ruggbruder: The smallest of the big four, their primary trade is farm produce, in particular grain, exchanging these for cloth and metal goods produced in the town. Recently their near monopoly on trade with Bretonnia and Helmgart has been challenged by House Teugen. Strong links with the Teamster’s Guild and many of the smaller traders. [1a]
  • House Steinhäger: Notable for its Dwarven and other mining contacts, they are mainly distributors of goods from the big cities of Altdorf, Marienburg and Nuln. [1a]
  • House Teugen: An old family name in the town but whilst they consider themselves to be the nobility of the town, they do not actually have any formal titles. They do however maintain friendly links with a number of actual noble families. They bring in timber from Stirland and Averland. Recently they have been trading in brandy from Bretonnia via Helmgart and luxury goods from Marienburg, earning enmity with Houses Haagen and Ruggbruder. [1a]

Taxes

  • Frontage Tax: Every building in the town must pay one Crown per foot of street frontage to pay for the paved roads and the Watch. Temples and Guild buildings are exempt. [1a]
  • Gate Tax: One Gold Crown per pack animal and two Crowns per cart on all merchandise entering or leaving the town. Pays for the walls, the gates and the Watch. The Merchants Guild are exempt from this tax. [1a]
  • Ship Tax: All ship owners must pay One Crown per foot of length per year as well as one Shilling per year for each foot of a sailing ships mast. [1a]
  • Trade Tax: One percent on all bulk goods sold within the town walls. Pays for the town hall and council expenses. The Merchants Guild are exempt from this tax. [1a]
  • Warehouse Tax: One Crown per foot of frontage per year, the Merchants Guild are Exempt from this tax which pays for Watch patrols of the riverfront, the Temples of Bögenauer and Handrich and the Ostendamn and the Westerdamn. [1a]
  • Wharf Tax: One Crown per yard of riverfront per year. The Merchants Guild are Exempt from this tax which pays for Watch patrols of the riverfront and the Temples of Bögenauer and Handrich. [1a]

Notes

The 4th edition Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Rulebook states that the town lies in the Duchy of Graf Wilhelm von Saponatheim rather than a Barony.

Sources