Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #343

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #343 

December 10th, 2023 

• Number: 343 

• Name:  Deep Dive of Subjects of Interest: Of the Guild Masters and Master Crafters of the City-State of Carasta – Part 7 

• Location: In the Guildhalls and Workshops of the City-State of Carasta 

• Population (approx.): 9,200 (Carasta) 

• Brief: The Guilds of Aenwyld and the City-State of Carasta are many and varied. Some, such as the Arcane, Merchant and Mercenaries Guilds, are very large and have broad areas of interest. Others, for example the Bakers and Gaming Guilds, are of varying size and have narrow specialities. In addition some Guilds are inevitably linked a groups for example the Blacksmiths Guild, in small area, often handles Armorers, Weaponsmiths and other metalworkers. Some smaller Guilds, for example Astrologers, Healers and Seers might be associated with the Arcane Guild or the Services Guilds depending on whether the Guild members use magic in their job or not. As their scope and influence grew, the larger Guilds formed what they called “Wondrous Companies,” trade associations that provide networking opportunities, training, regulate fees and standards and in addition provide various forms of support of the local populace such as charitable giving. One of the largest and oldest is the Wondrous Company of the Mercers of Carasta growing out of the cloth and wool trade and now supporting merchants of all types. 

• Vicnis, 211, male Eladrin, is the Guildmaster of the Merchants Guild and Grandwarden of the Wondrous Company of Mercers in Carasta. He is tall and stately and thinks highly of himself. His white hair is long and worn casually about the shoulders. His clover gray eyes have lush, full lashes, and one of his eyebrows darts up when something interests him. Vicnis wears very fine-tailored pants and shirts, along with an embroidered vest. He wears a dark blue cape out and about, thinking this makes him look dashing. On his belt, he wears a rapier with an elaborate hilt. 

• Vicnis grew up in a wealthy Eladrin family who knew everyone in the city. He applied himself to learning and graduated from several local colleges. His interests then took him into crafting, and he learned how to make bows and arrows, pottery, and paint pictures. With all his contacts, he applied first to the Mercers Guild, was accepted, and then to the Merchants Guild. His apprentice years involved learning the wide variety of the shops that the guild represents. Vicnis became the new Guildmaster once the previous leader passed away. Finally, he was honored with an appointment to become the Grandwarden of the Wondrous Company. 

• Vicnis owns a small mansion in Carasta with many servants that maintain the property. He has frequent visits from his large extended family. His children find him a bit stuffy, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren think he is terrific. Vicnis best friend is Joryth, 200, male Eladrin. The two of them play board games and love talking about the latest new stores in town. 

• Geography: Wardens of the Wondrous Companies can be spotted throughout Carasta by a unique livery devised by each Company (an innovation that does appear to mostly benefit the Mercers Guild). Company offices are typically found in each of the larger Guilds’ main Guildhalls in the central governmental district of the city. South and west of the city center, near the outskirts but not beyond the city walls, are the opulent mansions of the wealthy and influential.