Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #338

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #338 

December 5th, 2023 

• Number: 338 

• Name:  Deep Dive of Subjects of Interest: Of the Guild Masters and Master Crafters of the City-State of Carasta – Part 2 

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

• Population (approx.): Varies 

• Brief: Hide working, metal working, stone working and wood working. In some estimations they are the most ancient crafts of the Kin of Aenwyld. As time passed, crafting evolved with the working of metal beginning with blacksmiths and expanding to crafters with narrower focuses – weapons, armor, tools, gadgets and machines. In addition, the different Kin developed culturally specific recipes based on their surroundings (unique ores for Dwarves and Gnomes, use of botanicals for Elves and Halflings, etc.). The leadership of the Smithing Guilds of Carasta (Blacksmiths, Armorers, Weaponsmiths etc.) has worked diligently to recruit smiths from all Kins and cultures to broaden the techniques available to be passed from master to apprentice (despite the inevitable objections of the Kin themselves). One such Master crafter, specializing in a unique Elven style armor-making, currently resides in Artisan’s haven of Arrowwick. 

• Carkian Crimsonvale, 357, male Elf, is a master Armorer. He is chiseled and has brawny arms from his work. He keeps his silver hair short to prevent the embers from causing issues. Carkian has violet eyes with thin eyebrows that he neatly trims. His hands have some scars from when he learned various armor techniques. Carkian wears loose-fitting clothes, which he covers with a special Smith apron. He has never had to fight but knows Elven martial arts for the discipline it requires.  

• Carkian learned how to be a blacksmith from his father, who died when he was ten. His uncle inherited the family store, The Dreaming Fire, in Feystone Woods. As Carkian grew in his smithing abilities, he met other Blacksmith Guild members including Paxidor (Pax) Conith, 200, Elf. Pax had experience creating special armor just for Elves, and Carkian was fascinated. Carkian learned all he could from Pax and left town to study under several master Elven smiths throughout the Feystone. After he reached the age of two hundred, he met TrisTris Winterfall, 400, female Elf. She taught him the unique technique of taking leaves from Elven trees and treating them with unique concoctions to make the leaves hard. These leaves become armor through Elven spells. 

• Carkian lives with his wife, Magrieth, 340, female Elf, in a large house in Arrowwick. Every weekday, Carkian makes the trip to town to open his store, Tough Skin. Magrieth spends time with their children and grandchildren and helps plan events for the Blacksmiths guild. They both love to dance and visit The Busy Lute to dance on Friday nights. Carkian is a respected member of the Blacksmiths Guild, and many seek his advice on any metal issues. 

• Geography: Arrowwick (#163) is a large town on the coast of the Staplefish Bay, well known as a haven for Artisans of the City-State. As befits his station as a Master artisan, Carkian’s store, Tough Skin, is in the central ring of crafters about the town circle. He and his family live in a home in an area of woods on the outskirts of Arrowwick.