Castor, Ringwood
The tall sandstone walls surrounding Castor are both beautiful and practical, providing an oasis of relative peace and solace from the dangerous desert where the town was built. Four major roads lead out from the town center towards the West, South-West, East, and North-East.
Once inside the gates, you find yourself amongst a variety of architecture old and new, with many covered alleys and open pavillions providing shelter from burning in the brutal daytime sun. Thanks to a ubiquitous irrigation system, trees and other vegetation are cultivated all through town, providing fresh air and enjoyable temperatures.
The pathways here are rarely paved, if anything, tamped and smoothed out with crushed stone. A few of the major roads are made with basalt rock to handle the increased traffic.
However, you notice there isn’t a lot of traffic through the gates, if any at all, mostly consisting of locals traveling between the ranches and farmlands which extend thousands of acres Eastward beyond the walls. Only a watcher or two stands by.
Luckians in Castor
Quests
Strongholds
A Typical Day
The usual hustle and bustle of a large town surrounds you as the morning takes hold. Most laborers get a nice early start to get in a good day’s work before the sun starts beating down. Midday is relatively quiet, but late afternoon and early evening show the rest of the workday back in full swing. By evening, most are enjoying the sights and sounds of Castor’s night life or already tucking in for a good rest before starting it all over again tomorrow.
Castor Overview
Environment
Castor is a mining town nestled into rolling desert hills and shrublands surrounded by beautiful painted buttes. Many varieties of cacti are found in the area and within town walls are many trees cultivated for beauty and practical temperature management.
This desert area features temperatures averaging just over 100°F during the day, falling to just below freezing at night. Within the town walls, however, temperatures are a little more moderate thanks to the design of the buildings and protective insulation provided by the domesticated flora.
Population
The town of Castor holds a census every decade. It is estimated the population currently stands around 9,500.
Castorians are mostly humans and dwarves, the next most populous species being elves, half-elves, and halflings. Tieflings, orcs, half-orcs, and goliaths are not unusual but far fewer in number. Other species are a rare sight.
Besides Common, the most used languages are Dwarvish, Elvish, and Halfling.
General Life
Castor is a relatively safe town and there are very few who live in wretched or squalid conditions. While generally safe, it is not without the dangers that often plague large towns. Violent danger does ocassionally occur, but the most common crimes are petty theft and property damage or are white-collar in nature.
The populous is split into eight districts, one of which is the self-regulated Citadel, better known as the Ironwrought Estate. The majority live in the other seven districts, each largely consisting of people who fall into a similar lifestyle range.
| Lifestyle | % | Main Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Poor | 15% | Southern Castor, Farmland |
| Modest | 38% | Misthill Gate, Eastern Road, Spice Crest |
| Comfortable | 35% | Midtown, Old Castor |
| Wealthy | 12% | Upper District |
The most common jobs are cobblers, tailors, domestic workers, barbers, food-service, ranch hands, and farm hands.
In this region of the world magic is known and familiar as a concept, however, it is the rare few who can actually use it. The wealthier parts of the population may have enough riches and access to have collected some magic items along the way.
Travel through the wilderness is dangerous and typically only done with security details and infrequently in large caravans for safety in numbers. Usually only undertaken for business or political reasons.
Basic History
Castor was founded around 220 years ago by four wealthy familes who realized the area was friendly to humanoid habitation based on evidence of former inhabitants and a wealth of natural resources in the area. Three of those families still hold major power today, the most prominent of them is the Ironwrought family as the owners of Ironfast Industries.
Castor is currently shifting from being a patriarchy. Women only started holding positions of power in business and government within the last few generations and some still cling onto the idea that they simply aren’t fit for such roles.
While the town is large enough that not everybody knows everybody, there are highly influential names nearly everyone recognizes and has engaged with in some capacity.
Founding Families
The Ironwroughts
The Ironwroughts are famous for their iron, of course, but also reap other benefits of specializing in mining, including bringing in other ores such as copper and silver, as well as usually being best positioned to find and mine precious gems. Their company, Ironfast Industries, dominates the metalworking industry from household items and trinkets to major construction materials and tools.
The Emberstones
The Emberstones are responsible for the quarrying of most stone in the region and hold sway over the entire construction industry. Their company, the Emberstone Extraction Company, has a good working relation with Ironfast Industries.
The Highfields
The Highfields live and breathe cattle ranching and trades, particularly the production and sales of leather. Their company, The Castor Cattle Ranchers, is not named after the family as they are a very private group and prefer to keep business and family life separate in the public mind.
The Greenwells
The Greenwells were once a well respected family who primarily controlled the distilling, brewing, and agriculture businesses. Fallen from grace after a scandal about 50 years ago, the Kaktos family has been increasingly taking over the Greenwell’s former roles in the community.
Organizations
Ironfast Industries
Ironfast Industries is the most successful business and biggest income generator through their mining and metalworking.
Draco’s Distillery
Draco’s Distillery was founded nearly 50 years ago by the Kaktos family to fill the void left by the Greenwells.
The Castor Cattle Ranchers
The Castor Cattle Ranchers is owned by the Highfields, and is a vast network of over 70 cattle ranches spanning out beyond the town walls towards the east.
The Cotton Keeper Collective
Once the Greenwell family fell out of favor, a group of cotton farmers formed a collective to take advantage of the situation and get out from under the total control of the wealthy.
Public Figures
Mayor Kathryn Flatstrider
Mayor Flatstrider was a controversial vote-in several years ago as the first woman Mayor of Castor. She won popularity in the end running on a platform of offering government stipends to expert craftspeople for taking on apprentices.
Town Manager Jared Paloski
Town Manager Paloski comes across as an easy-going guy who takes pride in his ability to help citizens resolve their problems through mediation. What this often means is getting everyone to “agree” to drop whatever they were asking for in the first place.
Sheriff Malstrik Humbruk
Sheriff Humbruk is an extremely private, no-nonsense dwarf. He believes the people should regulate themselves whenever possible as long as it does not involve physical altercations.
Oliver Ironwrought
Oliver Ironwrought is head of the Ironwrought family and a firm believer in the power of industry to improve a society, often writing articles and giving interviews to uphold his position. He is known for his obsession with safety standards and mysterious disappearances.
Draco Kaktos
Draco Kaktos is the head of the Kaktos family, who has taken over the role of the Greenwell founding family domains of distilling, brewing, and a large portion of the agriculture sector. His son, Travis, is his pride and joy. Insulting or slighting Travis or any of the Kaktos family is a good way to start having strange bad luck.
Publications
The Castor Times
Primarily funded by Ironfast Industries, other supporters include Castor Cattle Ranchers, the Cotton Keeper Collective, and Draco’s Distillery.
Castor’s Districts
The Town of Castor has eight districts. As the Citadel is entirely an Estate owned by the Ironwrought family, it stands alone as a unique area of town left to manage itself.
Because of this, there are few dedicated town resources committed to its upkeep or regulation as long as the Estate stays in keeping with general town laws.
Old Castor
Old Castor contains the oldest buildings, originally being the entirety of Castor when it was first founded.
Ironfast Offices
The main headquarters for Ironfast Industries. Most administrative work for the company is managed here.
Important NPCs
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Reginald Ironwrought is an angry, sexist, elderly man who works the front desk.
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Letitia Ironwrought is often found in her luxurious office here, helping run the company.
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Johnny Polark started out as a Doorman, but now works directly assisting Letitia Ironwrought.
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Omar Alvaro is now the primary Doorman since Johnny began working with Ms. Ironwrought.
Castor Town Hall
A modest set of offices paired with venue space for those holding government jobs and hosting official public meetings.
Old Castor Temple
A non-denominational, elegant temple whose base and first floor is constructed of stone, the upper levels of fine wood. Manned by a small staff of mundane clergy.
Draco’s Distillery
The large building where all the magic happens for making Draco’s famous cactus liquor, as well as featuring a small front-facing area where their primary offices can be found.
The Flying Ox
This popular steakhouse is a splurge for the modest budget, set in a rustic, cozy building of rich red wood. Setting an elegant air are staff in black and white formal wear, but patrons are not required to follow a strict dress code.
Important NPCs
- Eryos is an elf and host at the Flying Ox. }}
Upper District
This area is where most of the wealthier crowd enjoys spending their time, and features the most expensive shops and services. Most venues have a dress code and many of the buildings have guards or bouncers.
Sapphire Plaza
A large, extravagant marketplace where one can find most everyday services and goods any wealthy patron might desire, including tailors, salons, and
The Emerald Lounge
A dining experience for the upper class, decorated in lush emerald motifs, serving delicious expensive steak cuts and quality cocktails, wines, and liquors. Reservations are not required but recommended.
Silk’s Lavendar
A dining experience for the upper class, founded by the Silkstones, famous for its exquisitely tender pork dishes. Its decorative motifs are, appropriately, purple silks of various shades and vibrancies.
The Pastry Whisperer
This bakery is a fine treat for all who can afford to splurge on its delights. What they are serving today depends greatly on the mood of the head baker!
Midtown
Midtown is where a lot of hustle and bustle occurs.
The Howling Moon
This upper-middle-class inn features a restaurant on the first floor with a large dining room, several party rooms, and stairs leading up to rooms for patrons to stay overnight. Ironfast Industries is known this Inn being their go-to partner for hosting business guests.
Important NPCs
- Hugo, a slight man in his 30s, is a hands-on site manager and works tirelessly to keep things running smoothly for all the Inn’s guests.
- Edwin, a friendly young Tiefling, steps in to handle the reception area on the rare occasions Hugo takes time off.
- Korvana, a stocky, red-headed dwarf woman tending bar and serving tables on the evening shifts.
- Mo, an androgynous half-elf tending the dining room during breakfast shifts.
- Skip, a cautious, quiet halfling attendant.
The Inked Quill
An unassuming and quaint bookshop tucked between a small string of shops. Inside is full to the brim with books, most are relatively fresh prints with signs of wear and tear.
Important NPCs
- Leif Drake, a young human man about 18-19 years old, gray hair and blue eyes, often tending the checkout.
- Mirabelle Wheatflow, an unassuming human woman in her 40s with auborn hair, acts as a defacto manager.
- Violet deGrey, a half-orc woman in her early 30s with long, braided brown hair, green eyes, and missing her left ear.
The Cat’s Cellar
First and foremost a winebar, this enoteca, or vinothek, has features a delightful restaurant
Pita Heaven
A street food vendor specializing in gyros and shiskabob, usually set up on the edge of Midtown near Highfield Park, however, can be found setting up elsewhere for special events.
Ironwrought Estate
The Citadel stands taller than the rest of the city, and is the stronghold of the Ironwrought family. While it is predominantly set up in service of the Ironwroughts, there is housing and even essential services available for the Ironwroughts and those living on the Estate.
Spice Crest
Cowl’s Pub
A middling, rough-around-the edges pub that brings in all kinds. It’s affordable enough even the least fortunate Castorian can enjoy some social airs, while the elite who enjoy a down-to-earth experience come to rub elbows with the little people.
Misthill Gate
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Misthill Temple
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Eastern Road
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Sculpture Park
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Southern Castor
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Farmlands
Not formally a separate district, the farmlands act somewhat independently and operate between general town law and the regulations under which their respective owners are subject. Farmland ownership is typically held by those who live within the town walls, allowing employees to live on the land they work as part of their contract.
Government
Castor operates under a Council-Manager form of government. This means that a Town Council is the primary legislative body, while a Town Manager oversees day-to-day operations and implements policies.
Town Council
The Castor Town Council represents the citizens of Castor. There are 7 council members, Mayor inclusive.
Each member represents a specific district, with the Council Chair (Mayor) representing Old Castor (Central), the heart of the town. Other members represent the other key districts.
Meetings
The Town Council meets twice a month at Castor Town Hall. Special meetings can be called for urgent matters.
Council Chair (Mayor)
Elected by the council members, the Mayor presides over Council meetings, represents the town at official events, and has a tie-breaking vote.
Town Manager
Appointed by the Council and responsible for administrating town affairs.
Departments & Offices
Public Safety
Public Safety covers law enforcement, fire protection, emergency response, and town watches.
Public Works
Roads & Infrastructure
The maintenance of roads, bridges, and public buildings.
Parks & Recreation
The management of parks, public plantlife, and public events.
Sanitation & Water Services
The handling of waste management, water supply, and sewage systems.
Commerce & Trade
Commerce & Trade handles business licensing and regulation, trade laws, patents, and market regulation.
Planning & Zoning
Planning & Zoning is responsible for urban planning, land use, and building permits. They ensure that the development of Castor is in line with the town’s needs and vision.
Finance
Finance manages the town’s budget, taxation, and financial planning. This department also handles funding for public projects and infrastructure.
Health & Welfare
Health & Welfare oversees public health, social services, and emergency preparedness. Works closely with local temples and charitable organizations.
Judicial System
Magistrate’s Office
The Magistrate’s Office handles a wide range of legal responsibilities, including minor legal disputes, infractions, and enforcement of town ordinances. The office is led by the Town Magistrate, who is appointed by the Town Council and serves as the chief judge for the town.
Town Court
The Town Court convenes to address criminal trials, significant civil disputes, and other major legal matters. The Town Magistrate presides over the court, often assisted by a panel of three to five Elder Judges, experienced citizens chosen by the Council for their wisdom and knowledge of local customs and laws. Their role is to ensure that the decisions made by the Town Magistrate reflect Castorian values and traditions.
Law Enforcement
The Castor Police Department enforces the laws and serves as the investigative arm of the judicial system.
Public Defender’s Office
In recognition of fairness and justice, the town provides a Public Defender for those unable to afford legal representation. The Public Defender is appointed by the Council and operates independently of the Magistrate’s Office to ensure unbiased defense.
Citizen Involvement
Town Hall Meetings
Citizens can attend monthly town hall meetings to voice concerns, propose ideas, or petition the Council.
Public Notices
Important announcements, like construction notices, are posted around town and in local papers.
Economy
Monthly Lifestyle & Income
| Status | Income | Lifestyle | Taxes | Savings | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wretched | - | - | - | - | No job, no home, living on the streets Examples: Homeless beggars. |
| Squalid | 5gp | 3gp | 1gp | 1gp | No job, poor or unsafe living situation. Examples: Common thieves, beggars. |
| Poor | 10gp | 6gp | 2gp | 2gp | Unskilled or informal trades. Examples: Street vendors, entry-level bodyguards, entry-level miners. |
| Modest | 50gp | 30gp | 8gp | 12gp | Stable work with moderate responsibilities or social roles. Examples: Cattle ranchers, low-ranking priests, apprentices, laborers, miners, bodyguards and bouncers, town guards. |
| Comfortable | 105gp | 60gp | 20gp | 25gp | Higher income through skilled professions or businesses. Examples: Skilled tradespeople, mid-level merchants, distillery workers, high-ranking police officers. |
| Wealthy | 210gp | 120gp | 32gp | 58gp | Significant assets, successful business and high-ranking positions. Examples: Influential merchants, successful business owners, prominent landowners. |
| Aristocratic At minimum | 525gp | 300gp | 80gp | 145gp | High social status, influential positions. Examples: Politicians, high-ranking officials, high priests. |