The Barony of Hochland
The Barony of Hochland is governed by Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen from the town of Bergsburg to the north-west of the barony and it is one of the smallest Imperial provinces. However, the thriving town of Hergig remains a thorn in the Baroness's side. It has now surpassed Bergsburg in wealth and will continue to grow and may eventually usurp the capital's dominance if Count Aldebrand Ludenhof has any pretensions to the governorship. The Count's son, Konrad Ludenhof, is rumoured to being groomed for the tasks of an Elector Count, but as he is still young, and his father has not shown any hostility to Hildegarde's rule, yet, although the size of Hergig's army and its close ties with the Knights of the Silver Mountain is a cause for concern.
What is the present cause for concern is the unwanted border skirmishes with Ostland troops. The Tassenincks, the rulers of Ostland, seem to have recurring confusions over where the borders of Hochland begin and theirs ends. This has caused more than one diplomatic incident and several small scale skirmishes with both sides losing men and, sometimes, land. Grand Prince Hals von Tasseninck has proven to be quite a warmonger and only the intervention of Talabheim, of which Hochland is attached to, has prevented all out war between the two provinces. Naturally there lies a suspicion between any Hochland and Ostland soldiers who happen to meet.
One of the greatest inventions attributed to Hochland is the Hochland Long Rifle. It was invented by Leon Todmeister and was converted from the harquebus used by some Hochlander hunters. Although the weapon is very effective against armoured targets and has a long range, it is very unwieldy and needs two people to use it effectively.
Roots: Hochlanders claim ancestry from one of the dominant tribes of Sigmar's time: the Teutognens. The Teutognens ruled a great swathe of land around the Middle Mountains and Nordland.
Historical Notes: North Hochland was ravaged several years ago by a horde of Beastmen from the woods on the slopes of the Middle Mountains. Count Aldebrand Ludenhof proved his prowess in battle by defeating the Beastmen and slaying the Khornate leader. The sacked farmsteads were given compensation from the Count's personal fortune so that they could rebuild their lives. Baroness Hildegarde, cynically perhaps, has viewed this action of financial support with suspicion and believes that the Count is trying to 'buy' support for his challenge to the rulership of the Barony. Meanwhile, Count Ludenhof has said "it is nothing more than a gentleman should do." (In the WA: Empire book for Warhammer sixth edition Count Aldebrand Ludenhof finally becomes the Elector Count of Hochland.)
Regional Saints and Heroes: Hochland has few but some claim Uathach, a Teutognen warlord, as a hero or local patron. Uathach is notable in his time for betraying Sigmar during the Goblin Wars. He turned upon Sigmar's Dwarf allies and his reward for this betrayal was death at the hands of the Unberogen leader. Some claim that Uathach's spirit rides the heavens in a chariot when there is thunder and lightning. A statue of Uathach lies in the gardens of Count Ludenhof's manor.
Military Colours: Green and red.
| Settlement Name | Size | Ruler | Pop | Wealth | Source of Wealth | Garrison/Militia | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BERGSBURG | T | Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen | 3774 | 3 | Trade, Govt. | 50b/350c | Capital of Hochland. |
| Hergig | T | Count Aldebrand Ludenhof | 2202 | 4 | Trade, Timber | 10a/100b/400c | Rival to Bergsburg's rule |
| Ahresdorf | V | Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen | 97 | 2 | Timber | - | |
| Garssen | V | Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen | 41 | 3 | Agriculture, Preserves | 6c | |
| Hovelhof | V | Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen | 49 | 2 | Trapping, Timber | 4b | |
| Krudenwald | V | Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen | 144 | 3 | Timber, Coaching town | 2b/8c | |
| Seimigerholz | V | Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen | 80 | 2 | Timber, Coaching inn | 4b/15c | Major coach stop before forest, inhabitants suffer from diverse congenital insanities. |
| Wahnsinnigen | V | Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen | 23 | 1 | Subsistence | - |
CHARACTERS FROM THE BARONY OF HOCHLAND
Adventurers who originate from Hochland tend to be apprehensive of Ostlanders, especially those following military careers, because of the von Tassenincks incursions across the border. There is also a certain amount of rivalry between characters from Bergsburg and Hergig and once again this is mostly military; nobles from each town always seek to outdo each other in the latest fashions and wealth. Both Bergsburg and Hergig take the sport of falconry very seriously and contests between the two towns are fierce, sometimes even leading to the occasional duel if it was felt there was any cheating.
All Hochlanders are opposed to Ostland and the von Tassenincks.
HOCHLANDER WARRIOR BASIC CAREER CHART
| Human | Elf | Dwarf | Halfling | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-10 | 01-10 | 01-15 | 01-10 | Bodyguard |
| 16-20 | - | 16-20 | 11-15 | Labourer |
| - | - | - | - | Marine |
| 21-30 | 11-40 | 21-45 | - | Mercenary |
| 31-35 | 41-45 | 46-50 | 16-40 | Militiaman |
| 36-40 | 46-50 | 51-55 | 41-45 | Noble |
| 41-50 | 51-55 | 56-60 | 46-55 | Outlaw |
| 51-55 | - | 61-65 | - | Pit Fighter |
| 56-60 | 56-60 | 66-70 | - | Protagonist |
| 61-65 | 61-65 | - | - | Seaman |
| 66-75 | 66-70 | 71-74 | 56-72 | Servant |
| 76-90 | 71-85 | 75-84 | 73-85 | Soldier |
| 91-95 | 86-95 | - | - | Squire |
| - | - | 85-90 | - | Troll Slayer |
| - | - | 91-97 | - | Tunnel Fighter |
| 96-00 | 96-00 | 98-00 | 86-00 | Watchman |
HOCHLANDER RANGER BASIC CAREER CHART
| Human | Elf | Dwarf | Halfling | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-10 | 01-05 | - | - | Boatman |
| 11-15 | 06-15 | 06-15 | - | Bounty Hunter |
| 16-20 | 16-20 | 16-20 | 06-10 | Coachman |
| 21-30 | - | - | - | Farmer |
| 31-35 | 21-25 | - | 11-20 | Fisherman |
| 36-45 | 26-45 | 21-30 | 21-30 | Gamekeeper |
| 46-50 | 46-55 | - | 31-40 | Herdsman |
| 51-55 | 56-65 | 31-35 | 41-55 | Hunter |
| 56-60 | 66-70 | 36-40 | 56-65 | Muleskinner |
| 61-64 | 71-75 | - | - | Outrider |
| 65 | - | - | - | Pilot |
| 66-75 | - | 41-55 | - | Prospector |
| 76-80 | - | 56-65 | 66-70 | Rat Catcher |
| 81-85 | - | 66-70 | 71-75 | Roadwarden |
| - | - | 71-80 | - | Runner |
| 86-90 | - | 81-85 | 76-80 | Toll-Keeper |
| 91-95 | 76-90 | 86-00 | 81-95 | Trapper |
| 96-00 | 91-00 | - | 96-00 | Woodsman |
HOCHLANDER ROGUE BASIC CAREER CHART
| Human | Elf | Dwarf | Halfling | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-05 | 01-05 | - | 01-10 | Agitator |
| 06-10 | - | 01-05 | 11-15 | Bawd |
| 11-15 | - | 06-10 | 16-20 | Beggar |
| 16-20 | 06-20 | 11-15 | 21-30 | Entertainer |
| 21-25 | 20-25 | 16-20 | 31-35 | Footpad |
| 26-35 | 26-35 | 21-25 | 36-50 | Gambler |
| 36-40 | - | 26-35 | 51-55 | Grave Robber |
| 41-45 | - | 36-40 | - | Jailer |
| - | 36-50 | - | - | Minstrel |
| 46-55 | 51-60 | 41-50 | 56-60 | Pedlar |
| 56-60 | 61-70 | 51-55 | 61-70 | Raconteur |
| 61-75 | 71-85 | 56-65 | 71-75 | Rustler |
| 76-80 | 86-95 | 66-75 | 76-80 | Smuggler |
| 81-90 | 96-00 | 76-80 | 81-95 | Thief |
| 91-00 | - | 81-00 | 96-00 | Tomb Robber |
HOCHLANDER ACADEMIC BASIC CAREER CHART
| Human | Elf | Dwarf | Halfling | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-10 | 01-10 | 01-15 | 01-10 | Alchemist's Apprentice |
| 11-20 | 11-15 | 11-25 | 11-25 | Artisan's Apprentice |
| 21-25 | - | - | - | Druid |
| - | - | 26-35 | - | Engineer |
| 26-35 | - | 36-40 | 26-30 | Exciseman |
| 36-40 | 16-40 | 41-45 | 31-50 | Herbalist |
| 41-45 | 40-45 | - | - | Hypnotist |
| 46-50 | 46-50 | 46-55 | 51-55 | Initiate |
| 51-55 | 51-60 | 56-60 | 56-60 | Pharmacist |
| 56-60 | 61-65 | 61-65 | 61-65 | Physician's Student |
| 61-70 | 66-70 | 66-70 | 66-70 | Scribe |
| 71-75 | 71-75 | 71-75 | 71-75 | Seer |
| 76-80 | 76-80 | 76-80 | 76-80 | Student |
| 81-93 | 81-90 | 81-98 | 81-98 | Trader |
| 94-00 | 91-00 | 99-00 | 99-00 | Wizard's Apprentice |