Kemperbad

 

The Grand Freistadt of Kemperbad is a  trading town on the confluence of the rivers Reik and Stir. A large percentage of all river trade passes through Kemperbad. It's the sixth-largest city in the Empire, after Altdorf, Nuln, Talabheim, Middenheim, and Averheim. 

The only portion of the Reikland on the east bank of the Reik river (other than Castle Reikguard, which remains controlled by the Reikland by means of a treaty of ancient origin), Kemperbad is an old town with roots dating back to the early Empire. Valued for its commanding position overlooking the Reik, Kemperbad has been ruled at times by the nobles of Reikland, Stirland, and Talabecland, through a series of marriages, treaties, and conquests. The town finally came under the rule of the Reikland Counts during the First Millennium but gained its charter and self-rule from Emperor Boris the Incompetent in 1066 IC. Since then, a Council of Thirteen, representing the largest merchants in town plus the temples of Sigmar and Shallya, has governed the city as a Free City.

Its position on the Reik and ability to retain its tax money for itself have made Kemperbad quite a wealthy town. The merchants of Kemperbad are legendary for dressing ostentatiously to an absurd degree, never more so than during the annual Stilwoche. However, this wealth has brought ill to Kemperbad as well. As inevitably happens, organized crime has been attracted to the wealthy town. Kemperbad is said to make the finest brandy east of the Grey Mountains.