state colour: black
The city-state of Nuln is home to the Imperial Gunnery School, where most of the cannon, mortars and handguns in The Empire are forged. Nuln also has some of the oldest and most highly-esteemed universities in The Empire, surpassing even Altdorf in this regard. In former times, it was the Imperial Capital – Magnus the Pious, saviour of The Empire, reigned here. The griffon and the twin-tailed comet were Magnus’s symbols, and they are still used on the city’s banners and heraldry.
Nuln is a great focus for trade; goods from the Dwarf holds of the mountains, from the southern provinces and even from Tilea flow constantly into its market places. However, as a result the city has often been in the front line during goblinoid invasions – the armies of Gorbad Ironclaw and Grom the Paunch of Misty Mountain (eight hundred years apart) both sacked Nuln.
There is no Elector Count of Nuln, but Countess Emmanuelle of Wissenland holds her court in the city. She is also Chancellor of the University, though this is a purely ceremonial role. The Countess is renowned for her extravagant parties – her desire is to surpass the Imperial Court at Altdorf in sheer decadence.
The city is home to an Elector, but not one representing the city – Kasmir IX, one of the two Arch-Lectors of the cult of Sigmar, is posted here. The Sigmarite temple is large, ornate, and attracts a great many pilgrims due to its connection with Magnus the Pious (popularly regarded as a saint, and the focus of devotion for many). The second most important temple in Nuln is that of Verena, goddess of justice and learning.
The Gunnery School is probably the most important single factor in Nuln’s economy. At the vast forges and refineries, metal ore from the mountains is transformed into precisely-made weaponry – handguns, pistols, cannon and mortars - sold to the other provinces for a considerable profit. The School also trains artillery crews and master gunners to the highest standard. Like the School of Engineers in Altdorf, many expatriate Dwarfs work in the Gunnery School. Here also, new designs and ideas are perfected, often with the aid of the alchemists of the Gold college of magic.
Given Nuln’s specialisation in all things gunpowder-based, it is no surprise that its army makes very heavy use of such weapons. Nuln is also famous for its use of the pike and the half-pike.
A map of Nuln
See also Clockwork: a folk tale of Nuln
Text copyright JRT 2007, all rights reserved.