Waltdorf

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Waltdorf - the reluctant beacon of hope.

Waltdorf never wanted to be special. Waltdorf never wanted to be important. Waltdorf certainly never wanted to be the only thing standing between the Minotaur League and their complete domination of Southern Hosk. Situated in the dead centre of Bissel, on the banks of the river Swinnley, Waltdorf was and is a Freetown, where creatures of all races may come and go as they please, provided they follow the rules of the city. Until the fall of Bissel City, the most exciting thing to have happened in Waltdorf was 104? years ago, when an extra-dimensional demon called the Phoenix appeared and destroyed much of the city. The creature and its foul servants was defeated by Talamar Thryadin, a devout follower of St Cuthbert of the Cudgel (a pre Cataclysm hero and a martyr of Paladine), and many people flocked to his church. Even today, the priests of St Cuthbert are seen by many as the true guardians of the city, and so it was fitting that a few years ago when the Phoenix returned she was defeated by Talasek Thryadin, Talamar’s grandson, aided in no small part by the Heroes of the Vale

Waltdorf today has many problems. It is severely overcrowded following the destruction of Bissel City, and ironically the defeat of the Minotaurs has in some ways made the northern villages of Bissel more dangerous places to live, so the population of Waltdorf continues to grow. Rumours still persist that strange, monkey-like creatures are regularly seen on and around the river, though in all their years in Waltdorf neither the adventurers nor their allies have ever seen one first hand. And being a Freetown, those that would do evil are just as able to come and go as they please as those who would do good.

[edit] Council of Twelve

Waltdorf is ruled by the Council of Twelve. Despite being referred to as a Duchy, there has not been a Duke of Bissel since before the Cataclysm. The council of twelve (actually thirteen at the moment!) are:

• Baron Junn Rushmont (human). Hero of the Minotaur Wars, mightiest warrior in all Southern Hosk. Six foot four inches of muscle, with flowing brown hair, a beard that a dwarf would be proud of, and piercing blue eyes, the Baron is as intimidating as he is charismatic. The Baron is adored by the people of Waltdorf, who look to him for courage in dark times. Rushmont has made a solemn oath that whilst he draws breath, Bissell will remain a Freeland. Described by Talasek Thryadin as “the bravest man I ever met”.
• Vice-Baron Gorge (dwarf) - Hero of the Minotaur Wars. Known to those in the Bissellian army as Gorge the Beheader, it is believed that over three hundred Minotaurs have fallen foul of his vorpal axe. Described by Trident as “a foul dwarf who must not be allowed to live”.
• Alec Burbarr (nicknamed ol’ Fireball) - Head of the White Magician’s Guild and hero of the Minotaur Wars. Described by Pez Airrider as “scary”.
• Jerek Kane (human) - Head of the Red Magician’s Guild. Studious and somewhat dour, Jerek Kane is normally a man of very few words. However, should any mage make the mistake of mentioning potions to Councillor Kane, they must endure hours (even days!) of extremely dull and very one-way conversation on the subject. Described by Hawk Airrider as “the most boring man I have ever met”.
• Norris Glenguarder (hobbit)- Head of the Merchant’s Guild. Described by Halvar, landlord of the Inn of the Whistling Fish, as “a liar, a thief, and a charlatan”.
• Talasek Thryadin (human) - Head of the Temple of St Cuthbert. Described by Smith as “my boss”.
• Rarn Lupin (humanish - ¼ orc) - Head of the Bissel army. Described by No-Man as “a little ‘un who can drink almost as much as me!”
• Peregrine Airrider and Hawk Airrider - Mages of the Vale (one vote between them). Described by Hank as “dem crazy witchlocks”.
• Nagash F’Pellien (elf) - Exiled prince of Armach Nesti. Described by the Mage of the Vale as “a person of great sadness, who has witnessed tragedy too much for any mortal to bear”.
• Haroll Hake-Helmsley (human) - Treasurer and chief of commerce. Described by Talasek as “a miser, but a good miser”.
• Count Davidian Moss (human) - A distant relative of the last Duke of Bissel, guardian of the outlying villages. Described by Mr and Mrs Kente as “a very nice man”. Firkin Greenberry is convinced that Count Moss is a vampire.
• Etheldread Flindsbane (goblin) - Hero of the Minotaur Wars. Described by Schallat as “the best of the bunch - he follows Chislev”.

[edit] The Inn of the Whistling Fish

On the corner of Fishmarket Street is a most peculiar building...