Marienburg
Marienburg is a wealthy trading city, and the capital of the Wasteland, which was a western province of the Empire until its secession in 2429 IC. It is renowned for its flourishing sea trade and the flamboyant dress of its merchants.
Marienburg re-gained its independence though a massive transfer of gold into the imperial coffers during the reign of Emperor Dieter IV. All subsequent attempts to subdue Marienburg and bring it back within rule of the Empire have failed, and today Marienburg remains a fiercely independent city where the Count of Nordland, the nominal ruler of Marienburg, is forbidden to return under pain of death.
Marienburg has long been the largest and most prosperous trading city in the Old World. Many call it the City of Gold which alone conveys a good idea of the wealth of this sprawling cosmopolitan city. Nowhere else can be found the vast array of shops selling goods from as far away as the Elven kingdoms of Ulthuan in the west and distant Cathay in the east. The city’s craftsmen represent every skill known to man, and a few others beside, so that it is said in Marienburg there is no activity that cannot be quickly turned to profit.[8]
Many mercantile guilds have their headquarters in Marienburg, most important of all the secretive High Order of Honorable Freetraders which represents the elite amongst mercantile society. This large, rich and ambitious body of men feel themselves shackled by the old order and are eager to seize power for themselves. [8]
When the great port city of Marienburg lay within the Empire's borders, it was part of the province of Westerland, at the mouth of the River Reik. Upon declaring independence, the region is now referred to as the Wasteland, yet those within the Empire who would seek 'reunification' retain the use of the previous term.
Contents
Locations
Districts
- Arabierstad: Arabtown: Alcohol is not permitted here. [1c]
- Doodkanaal: Dead Canel: A slum district. [1c]
- Dwergsbezit: Dwarf's Hold: [1c]
- Elfsgemeente: Elf Town: Self-governing Elf district, also a stop off point for High Elf tourists. [1c]
- Goudberg: Gold Mound: Upper Class housing. [1c]
- Brush and Gull: Studio of Hieronymous Deecksburg. [1g]
- Marquandt's Escort Service: Mercenary protection service. [1g]
- Prince's Rest: A ancient three-storey inn considered one the smartest establishments in Marienburg. [1g]
- van Reeveldt's Boatbuilders: They specialize in luxury smaller river or canalcraft. [1g]
- Ree's Museum ofWax Sculpture: Four floors of exhibits designed around a theme, which are changed every few months. [1g]
- Guilderveld: Guilder Field: Banking and Commerce. [1c]
- Arkat Fooger's Counting House: impressive four-storey vault and counting house of the Director. [1e]
- Groenewouds Fine Meats, Fresh Fish and Abattoir: Elegant shop selling fine food. [1e]
- Sybo's Mystic Emporium: Minor enchantments for the rich. [1e]
- The Red Cock Inn: Known for its good food, good beer and respectable atmosphere. [1e]
- Handelaarmarkt: Dealers Market: Buisiness. [1c]
- Indierswijk: Indi District: Spice Merchants, Servants and Petty Magicians. [1c]
- Kisleviersweg: Kislevian Way: Mercenaries and Labourers. [1c]
- Kleinmoot: Little Moot: Bakers Guild and Halflings
- Kruiersmuir: Porters' Wall: Working Class. [1c]
- Luigistad: Luigi's Town: Tileans. [1c]
- Messteeg: Knife Alley: Estalians. [1c]
- Nipponsstad: Nippon Town. [1c]
- Noord Miragliano: North Miragliano. [1c]
- Noordmuir: North Wall: Upper middle class housing. [1c]
- Noormanswijk: Norscan Town: Dockers, Sailors and Mercenaries. [1c]
- Ostmuur: East Wall. [1c]
- Oudgeldwijk: Old Money Ward: Noble Quarter. [1c]
- Paleisbuurt: Palace District: Government. [1c]
- New Palace: Built a 1000 years ago, it still looks somewhat like a fortress with rune marked steel doors from Karaz-a-Karak. [1h]
- Stadsraad: The Wastelands parliment building. [1h]
- Remasweg: Remas Way: [1c]
- Rijker's Isle: Fortified since the very first human settlement was created here it now serves as a prison as well as defending the approaches to the city.[1i]
- Rijkspoort: Rijk's Gate. [1c]
- Schattinwaard: Treasure Holm: Warehouses. [1c]
- Suiddock: South Dock: Port and slum. [1c]
- Tempelwijk: Temple District. [1c]
- Baron Henryk's College of Navigation and Sea Magicks: one of the Old Worlds premier centres of learning. [1f]
- Cathedral of Manann: The undisputed centre of the Sea God's cult in the Old World. [1f]
- Cathedral of Shallya: The White Chapel, it is a simple structure of whitewashed brick and connected to its own hospital. [1f]
- Cathedral and Great Library of Verena: A architectural and intellectual treasure of the Old World.[1f]
- Temple of Haendryk: It even rivals the Cathedral of Manaan in splendour. [1f]
- Temple of Myrmidia: Built in the 24th century by the Tilean mercenaries who guard Rijker's Isle. [1f]
- Vlakland: The Flats: Poor fishermen. [1c]
- Wijnzak: Wine Sack: Bretonnians. [1c]
- WinkelMarkt: Craftsmarket: Boats and Sausages. [1c]
- Zijdemarkt: Silk Market: Cathayan District. [1c]
History
Timeline of Marienburg
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Previous Edition Warning: This article discusses a topic from older editions of Warhammer Fantasy Battles. Its canonicity is in question but was once considered canon. |
Note: This Timeline is based on Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st edition and as such there have been a few changes, most notably that Sea Elves are now considered High Elf traders. Also note that the abbreviation IC= Imperial Calendar).
- -4550 to -2000: Elves founded Sith Rionnasc'namishathir, "Fortress of the Star Gem on the Sandy Coast". They were joined by the Dwarfs who provided much construction work in the city. [1b]
- -1997 to -1500: The War of the Beard between the elves and dwarfs , which tore the Old World apart, causes the cities downfall. Although the dwarves won control of the city after a protracted siege, they left after several decades, razing the city to the ground. [1b]
- -20 IC: After being defeated by the Teutogens, Marius, called the Fenwolf, has a vision of Olovald, to lead his Jutones west of Nordland. There he becomes first king of the Jutonsryk and fights ten years against marauding Fimir groups. [1b]
- -10 IC: Marius takes the ruins of Sith Rionnasc'namishathir He starts building the Rijkers Island Fortress at the centre of the new city of Jutonsryk. [6a] The Jutones were fiercely independent, being the last tribe to swear allegiance to Sigmar Heldenhammer. [1b] It quickly becomes a trade hub. [6a]
- 1 - 3 IC: Siege of Jutonsryk: Emperor Sigmar lays siege to the city with around 10,000 of his tribe and allied tribes after Marius refuses to aid them at the Battle of Black Fire Pass. [6a]
- 501 IC: During the reign of Emperor Sigismund II, the Conqueror, Marienburg becomes finally part of the Empire. The former king of the Jutones becomes Baron of Westerland. [1b]
- 632 IC: Norse raiders frequently sack the city of Marienburg. In this time the city is burned to the ground first time. [1b]
- 765 IC: The Treaty of Traktatsey. Concluded at Althing, it ended the long wars between the Norse and the Empire, and inspired trade. It is of particular interest to historians, the treaty is the earliest original documentation of Marienburg still present in the Old World today (held in the University Library). [1b]
- 936 IC: Marriage of Maud du Goiscin, daughter of the Duke Simon Beaumanoir of Mousillon with Arnout van Daalen, Baron of Westerland to fix their alliance against the city of L'Anquille [1b]
- 1087 IC: Treaty of Pend seals the relationship with eastern Albion. There were several, shorter lived, treaties in the preceding years with other countries, but the overall effect was to increase Marienburg's influence as an accessible trading port. [1b]
- 1102 IC: The Council of Marienburg declares Olovald not a god but only a servant of Manann. Prosecution of Olovald-Cults.[1b]
- 1109 IC: The Norse start again to threaten Marienburg. The city is sacked by an army, led by Snorri Half-Hand, who declares himself as Jarl of Vestland ausruft. The Barons of Westerland take cover in the fortress of Rijkers Island. [1b]
- 1111 IC: During the Black Plague Marienburg is sacked once more by the Norse who flee then from the shores of the Old World.[1b]
- 1152 IC: Marienburg, being removed from the centre of the Empire is unaffected by the 200 year Age of Wars. [1b]
- 1360 IC: Grand Duchess Ottilia I of Talabecland declares herself Empress and outlaws the Cult of Sigmar in Talabecland. The Age of Two Emperors, a first in a series of civil wars inside the Empire starts. Marienburg is burned to the ground a third time.[1b]
- 1597 IC: Marienburg is seized by the Bretonnian army. After five years, the Empire forces the occupiers to retreat. [1b]
- 1979 IC: During the Age of Three Emperors, those Electors who still participated in the imperial elections wanted a strong Emperor to unite the divided nation. The electors however chose the underage Countess Magritta of Marienburg as the elected Empress. Many (probably most) of the Electors had been bribed by wealthy Marienburg merchants. The Grand Theogonist refused to acknowledge the election; his refusal de facto ended the line of elected Emperors. Rather than unifying the Empire, even greater hostilities ensured. [1b][7a][8]
- 2000 IC: When the city of Mordheim of Ostermark was destroyed by Twin-Tailed Comet, Marienburg sent mercenary warbands there to search for wyrdstone. [7b] [8]
- 2100 IC: Helmut, Baron of Marienburg and one of the would be Emperors, is killed by Konrad von Carstein during the Battle of Four Armies (aka Battle of Three Emperors). He is raised as a Zombie by Konrad and rested later by his own son, Helmar. [1b]
- 2121 IC: Helmar executes revenge on Konrad von Carstein during the Battle of Grim Moor, killing the Vampire together with the Dwarf Hero Grufbad. After doing so he becomes Baron of Marienburg as the heir of his father.[1b]
- 2132 IC-2145 IC: During his horrible Winter War Mannfred von Carstein is defeated at the walls of Marienburg with the help of the High Elves including a Wizard. [1b]
- 2150 IC: This marks the important date when the Sea Elves finally returned to the Old World, and Marienburg offered their original Land back in exchange for exclusive trading rights. Marienburg now plays host to the largest Sea Elf Enclave, with all the riches that entails. [1b]
- 2302 IC: Baron Paulus of the Westerland, the last of the Van der Maacht lineage was killed in battle in the Great Chaos Incursion. He was 15 and left no heirs. A power squabble immediately broke out amongst the other Imperial Nobility, all of whom tried to claim that they had rights to Westerland. But three powerful Marienburg merchants, Jan Koopmans, Pieter Winkler and Thijs van Onderzoeker approached Magnus (Emperor) and proposed that a council of merchants run Marienburg to save political favouritism. [1b]
- 2305 IC: The edict was signed that officially changed Westerland from a barony to a province, still remaining part of the Empire. [1b]
- 2344 I: Otto Steinroth, known as the Red Pirate of Marienburg raids Ulthuan and draws the wrath of the Sea Lord Aislinn upon the city, his fleet enters the port under a cloaking magical mist, kills the pirates and burns not only their ships but also all other vessels in port and much of the warehouse district. [3a]
- 2355 IC Ethelis the White leads a High Elf fleet that destroys a Norse fleet that threatened to blockade Marienburg, allowing trade to resume between the city and Ulthuan. [3a]
- 2378 IC: Successful campaigns against raiding pirates by the private Marienburg's Merchant Navy allows the council to persuade the Emperor to disband the Imperial Second Fleet in Marienburg. Marienburg also appointed its own excise officers, with the Imperial Tax men merely checking the books. The true power had shifted to the side of the Merchants. [1b]
- 2429 IC: Westerland formally seceded from the Empire, due to punitive Imperial Wars and Taxes. Prince Wilhelm attempts to regain the city three times, but a war-exhausted Army fails. [1b]
- 2448 IC: After a very hard and cold winter and the following melting of the snow half of Marienburg is flooded. The Vloedmuur is near to colapse. The wall can only kept standing by the help of Dwarf Rune Magic and technology. [1b]
- 2499: Marienburg Present Day. Marienburg has only been independent from the Empire for seventy years. Although the majority of tension between the two has died down - Marienburg is far too important to the Empire's trade routes for it to be ostracised for long - Marienburgers will be treated slightly coldly if they choose to visit the Empire.[1b]
End Times
In the late winter of 2525 IC, the Sea Elf fleet of the city sailed out alone to deal with an approaching fleet of Chaos and Norse warships. The same night and in their wake, the Meesterhand also set sail, hoping to loot the destroyed Norse vessels but finding instead the wreckage of the Elf vessels and a vast fleet of Plague Hulks and Longships making directly for Marienburg. [2a]
The Vloedmuur is breached by strange growths of foul vegatation and the fleet led by the Greenwolf sailed into the harbour despite the ferocious barrage from the fortifcations, gun batteries and the human ships in the harbour which had formed a wall around their flagship, the mighty Zegepraal. Yet the Greenwolf sailed on and through and with its consorts unleashed plague catapults upon those who stood against them. The harbour was swiftly taken allowing hordes of marauders to pour out into the streets. [2b]
Enraged by the attack on his home, the count Mundvard the Cruel and his vampires countered by raising a army of the dead and attacking the invaders even as the city burned. [2c] The count summoned a terrorgheist who he first unleashed upon the Greenwolf which it destroyed [1d] before moving to engage the leaders of the host, the Glottkin as a magical duel was being fought between them and the vampire lord. However as it approached, a magical blast turned the monster into dust and shortly after Mundvard was himself cut down, his body flung into the Reik and the undead army he had commaded, collapsing. The remnants of the city would soon fall completely. [2d]
Military
Marienburg fields a large army, mainly made up of well paid mercenaries, often clad in sumptous uniforms favouring blue, red and yellow. [4a]
Although Marienburger soldiers are ridiculed as "foppish and effete", they are respected for their ruthlessness and skills in dueling and more clandestine fighting methods such as poisons. Richer individuals often dress flamboyantly. [8]
Notable
- The Directorate: Executive Council of the Stadsraad, the Wasteland's and Marienburg's parliament. [1j]
- Elector Counts of Marienburg, list of former rulers.
- Simon Goudenkruin: High Priest of Handrich in the 2500s IC. [5a]
- Mundvard the Cruel, a Vampire [2c]
Quotes
| Velvet and timber, ships and liquor, even someone's life - they say everything can be bought and sold in Marienburg. But, there's one thing you can't buy here, not for all the tea in Ind: open land.
~ Marienburger trader. [1a] |
Gallery
Entrance to Marienburg
Rijker's Isle
Inside the Cathedral of Manann
Wasteland Import-Export Exchange
Counting House
Priceless Friends
Three of a Kind
The Suiddock
Soldiers of Marienburg
Banner of the City
Gallery
Marienburg Mercenary Captain
Marienburg Mercenary Captain
Marienburg Mercenary Captain
Mounted Marienburg Mercenary Captain
Marienburg class Land Ship
Sources
- 1: Marienburg: Sold Down the River - sourcebook for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
- 2: Marienburg's Stand
- 3:Warhammer Armies: High Elves (8th Edition)
- 4:Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire
- 4a: Marienburg, pg. 53
- 5: Archives of the Empire Vol III
- 5a: Cult of Handrich, pg. 41
- 6: Legend of Sigmar (anthology): Empire (Novel)
- 6a: Seven: The Namathir, pg. 421-423
- 7: Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook
- 8: Mordheim Rulebook: Warbands, pg. 49-51
