Area: 1220 square miles

Population: 35480

Ständburg (1085): a small mercantile town on the Aalbanese side of Der Alte Bridge.

*Villages Fuhrburg (925): a large farming community at the center of the Principality.

Ansburg (800): the Machinery village is halfway between Leenz and Ständburg.

Nachtruhe (660): West of Ständburg, where the famous Nacht Lagerbier is brewed.

Hügelsee (560): a village mainly populated by pure Hattians, it’s located on the Northwestern border of the Principality.

Baylingen (385): a small fishing village West of Leenz.

Brändefort (330): this old Hattian Fort borders with the County of High Sonden.

Ethnic groups: Aalbanese 65% (pure Hattians 30%, mixed Hattians-Alphatians 55%, mixed Hattians-Flaems 15%, others 5%), Flaems 15%, Kaelics 5%, Averoignese 5%, others 10%

Languages: Hattian, Aalbanese, Alphatian, Flaemish, Sylaire, Glantrian.

Ruler: Prinz Jaggar von Drachenfels, Count of Ritterburg, Viceroy of Nordling (born 945, High Master of Dracology) (OD&D: Mage 30^th, Al L) (AD&D: Invoker 24^th, Al LG)

History: First populated by Flaems, Aalban owes its name to its first Flaemish Duke, Voortrije Aalban. The Duke ruled the valley stretching between the river and the mountains to the West from his seat in Aalbansford (modern Altendorf). In 801 AC, during the forty years war and after having pushed the Flaems to the other side of the river, Halzunthram gave the valley to his Hattian followers led by Sigmund von Drachenfels. After the Alphatian leader was imprisoned, in 828 AC, Hattian leader Wilhelm von Drachenfels welcomed in Hattian territories the Alphatians who remained loyal to Halzunthram. Since then there has been a lot of internal fighting between the two factions: "pure" Hattian families (with Flaemish support) and interbreed Hattians-Alphatians ones.

Trails: The river is navigable and Leenz is the Northern (legal) starting point. Bridges connecting the Principality with Fort Nordling Free Province are generally kept unmapped for strategic reasons.

Trails and roads are very well kept. Fair to good trails connect every major village, while Vestrail (Leenz-Ansburg – Ständburg) and Ostrail (Graez-Hirsberg, Western FP) are good trails.

Economics: Despite the high density of population and the presence of a large Military force, the Principality of Aalban produces a food surplus thanks to advanced farming techniques, large amount of farming lands, and the use of swine as livestock. The mountains surrounding Graez provide a large supply of iron, which is quite entirely crafted in the Principality. The mines are considered part of the Principality, instead of the Western Free Province, as they should. Cabbage, potatoes, and grain (beer) are exported to Fort Nordling and Western Free Provinces, as well as swine by-products (mainly leather and pork). The greatest part of trade is held in the towns of Ständburg (where Aalbanese products are exchanged with Bergdhovese ones) and Leenz. Machinery is exported to the Capital. Aalban imports riverboats from the town of Vorstadt, wool from the Barony of Adlerturm and Fort Nordling FP.

Taxation level is higher than the average Principality.

Notable sites: Der Alte Bridge is the bridge connecting the Principalities of Aalban and Bergdhoven, 350 yard long and supported by 16 arches. Built shortly after the Light of Rad proclamation, it is named after Friedrich von Drachenfels, first Prinz of Aalban, he who strongly wished to see the two Principalities connected through a stable mean. The bridge is heavily garrisoned and a toll is collected whenever entering one of the two Principalities. Merchants regularly crossing the bridge are allowed to pay an annual fee, which is substantially discounted to encourage trade. The main feature of the bridge is the possibility to move upward part of it, allowing the passage of large ships. The whole mechanism, entirely mechanical, was recently sabotaged, leaving the bridge upwards, thus rendering impossible its use by caravans. A safer (that is magic) mean is currently at study, no less than Gertrud von Drachenfels and Wilhelmine Vlaardoen are in charge of it! Meanwhile merchants have to content themselves with the usual elementals-boosted ferry.

Fuhrburg Military Academy is where Aalbanese draftees learn about the first rudiments of the military discipline, and where Aalbanese would-be graduates learn how to enforce it (with grumpy raucous voice). The Academy has recently been opened to non-Aalbanese would-be graduates. Already representing the safest and easiest career for sons of Aalbanese graduates, in few years, it has become the best alternative to young nobles and petty nobles’ heirs without any magical prowess, too. Tuition is very expensive, and the Academy does provide a great amount of ducats for the Aalbanese treasury (some 1000 dc/month). Located near the great village of Fuhrburg, it holds some 500 soldiers.

Nachtruhe is the main brewing center of the Principality. The most famous and drunk Ale produced is the Nacht Lager. The majority of Aalbanese people hold its strong taste and raw flavour in the highest regard. Its name derives from its crystalline yellow colour, which is told to glimmer in the darkest night thanks to some low-level secret enchantment used in its brewing.

Coat of Arms: A pale shield azure (left side) and argent, with an argent star in the upper leftcorner, and a Dragon rampant argent (left side) and azure.

Thibault Sarlat, Giovanni Porpora, Agathokles.

January 2001, All rights reserved.