Chapter X: The Empire
m IddenheIm As well defended as Talabheim is, the most impregnable bastion of the Empire is, without a doubt, Middenheim. The teachings of the Cult of Ulric tell that when the world was young, their God sought a place to call his own and his brother Taal, lord of all the Gods, granted him a great mountain that rises up out of the forests like a spear. Ulric struck off the top of the mountain with a mighty blow of his hand. From this it was given its name by the ancient Teutogen people, the Fauchslag—meaning fist-strike—though it is more commonly referred to as the Ulricsberg by those outside the city. Middenheim sits atop this mile-high pinnacle, reached by four winding viaducts, and its commanding presence can be seen from all across the surrounding forests. The centre of the Ulricsberg is a catacomb of natural tunnels and caves, which have been further expanded by centuries of Dwarf works, as well as the tunnels of Goblins and foul Skaven. Though regular patrols of soldiers are sent into these dark depths, and the majority of entrances into the city proper are sealed and guarded, these dark winding places are home to all manner of cults, beasts and other inhuman things. Middenheim is now a shattered remnant of its former glory, having suffered much destruction during the invasion known as the Storm of Chaos. Its people cling to existence, eking out their lives in the half- ruined city, while cultists, Beastmen, Skaven and even groups of Orcs and Goblins continue to prey on the populace from the broken ruins and dark catacombs.
n uln Nuln is the economic centre of the lands of the upper Reik, and like Altdorf is an important hub of trade, controlling goods from Wissenland, Stirland and Averland. The money from this trade has established many universities, older and more traditional in their outlook than those of Altdorf, and also provided the resource for the founding of the famous Gunnery School. The largest and most reliable artillery pieces are forged in Nuln and the Counts will pay a high price for such pieces or to hire the services of the rightly feared Nuln Siege Train. The people of Nuln also take great pride in their bridge, which is the last crossing of the Reik in one span before the sea. This engineering marvel has a centre section that can be elevated or lowered, to allow ships to pass or to create a defensive barrier across the river. T alabheIm Talabheim is located at the centre of a large crater, made in the prehistoric past by some immense impact, and the land within the rim of this natural barrier is highly fertile. Through the port of Talagaad on the Talabec, the produce of these farms is sent west to Altdorf or to Middenheim by way of the Old Forest Road. The formidable obstacle of the crater wall itself is further bolstered by towers and bastions, some built onto the forest-covered ground, others carved from the rock itself and connected by walkways and galleries beneath the ground. A standing force of many thousands of men is required to garrison the Talabheim wall, but it has never fallen to an enemy.
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