The Kingdom of Castros

Capital: Bourne

Population: 578,980( Humans 88%, Elf 5%, Half-Elf 2%, Mountain Dwarf 2%, Hill Dwarf 2% )

Government: Monarchy with Feudalism

Religions: House of the Five

Imports: Salt, Ivory, Oil, Silk, Olives, Olive Oil, Glass, Spices, Copper

Exports: Furs, Pipeweed, Stone, Coal, Silver, Livestock, Magic Items

Alignment: LE, LN, NG, LG

Currency: Crowns Bits and Tangs.

The Kingdom of Castros can be traced back to King Verzies Telman some six hundred years ago. Over the last three hundred years Castros has grown and shrunk and grown again. The current size of the mostly human kingdom is reaching near its previous pinacle. While it is commonly known that Castros is not the most militant kingdom of Tharstelding, its recent magical and religous power is quickly drawing the attention of its neighbors. The people of Castros have not yet adopted that big nation feeling, and for the most part a man works when the sun comes up to when it goes down with little regard to the taxes and laws of the lords. Festivals are common place in the kingdom, as are tournaments and games.

Castros has most major geographical features accounted for. It has two impressive mountain ranges to its east and west. Two large swamps, forests rivers and lakes. The most noteworthy of its features are listed below.

The Spine: The Spine makes the Eastern Backbone of Tharstelding is a massive range of granite peaks. Recently smoke has been seen snaking up from deep within the range. No known active volcanos are within the mountain range, nor can anyone remember a mountain ever erupting. It is however famous all over the island for its gigantic stone quarys and coal mines. It is also famous for the tales of lost dwarven keeps and dragon hordes that always work their way into conversations about the mountains. The latest stories being carried to town with the mountains goods speak of great armies of giant men clashing in the mountain passes.

Blackfoot March: The Blackfoot March, or Blackfoot as the locals call it is home to a long forgotton castle. No one remembers the name of the keep or when it was built. But rangers and trappers report strange noises and lights comming from the abandoned castle at night. Most people stay clear of the place and rumor of its haunting is spreading across the kingdom. The swamp is very stagnant with swarms of creepy crawly bugs, lizards and far worse creatures. Constant fog covers the swamp during the day and night. And quicksand has been reported by those that have escaped. The name Blackfoot March has two parts for a reason. One comes from a terrible disease that can be contracted in the swamp, in its late stages it turns the subject's feet black as pitch, requiring amputation. The second part of its name claimed more lives than the last. Three hundred years ago the border of Castros and Pax Thallos was a matter of opinion. King Ramel Telman of Castros went to war with Pax Thallos and after ten thousand men had died on both sides created the border now accepted by both kingdoms.

Heman Dal: The Heman Dal is accepted as Castro's western border, and widley accepted as the center divide of the continent. The spires of its mountains remain snow capped year round, its peaks said to have never been walked on by man. The range is said to be impassible by foot any other way than the Western Cross ( See Below ). The area of the Heman Dal is known to have volcanic activity, however nothing major has happened in near four hundred years scholars estimate a large eruption is quite due. Its eastern mountains controled by Castros are rich in silver, a fact that has drawn countless dragons to take over mines from time to time only to be rooted out by a band of heroes or the kings men. It is said that networks of tunnels connect the Heman Dal with the Thunderpeaks and open unto great dwarven holds long abandoned to the Giants. The few remaining dwarven towns in the Heman Dal of course laugh at such rumors.

River Endin: Birthed in the mighty peaks of the Heman Dal this river contains over two hundred species of fish. It is the second longest river in Tharstelding measuring some two thousand total miles in distance and a average width of over a mile. The River Endin is a major artery for trade, towns dot its banks sending goods into the Endless Ocean and then the world. Like all good arterys however, Endin has its colesteral. River pirates are not uncommon, often trade by night results in not only loss of important goods, but bloated bodies on the banks as well. Smugling of goods has also been known to happen on the river, the current king of Castros King Artis Telman is currently assembling a royal navy in the port city of Janport to battle the pirates that reign on the river.

Western Cross: The only pass known to cross Xar Zanth into Castros. The Western Cross remains at a elevation where snow melts during late spring allowing almost half a year of excellent travel with the heart of winter being its only impassable time. Besides travel the Western Cross has a colder history. In the early years of Castros the Western Cross was the lair to the great white dragon Vessix. The first king of Castros not yet king at that time Verzies Telman along with a host of clerics devoted to the god Radiance set out to rid the land of Vessix. Many clerics of the sun god were slain in the battle, and Verzies was terribly wounded. Leaving his men behind the would be king of Castros chased the dragon into its ice walled cave high in the peaks of the pass. And after a long and tiresome battle Verzies killed the Great wyrm Vessix and cast its great white head down the mountain side to the Clerics below. In years come to pass Verzies became King Verzies Telman, first king of Castros. And as a sign of grattitude to the clerics of Radiance set aside a large tract of land to be used as a grave and monument to the brave warriors of the western cross. It is also said that Vessix the great wyrm had many children, and those offspring now have lairs of thier own in the Heman Dal mountains, but that of course is only a fairy tale to scare children.

Bywater: ( Large Town, 2,340 ) This city is the primary exporter of Castros stone and coal resources. It is a large mining town that sees the random adventurer passing by on his way into the Spine to make his fourtune. The town is ruled by the Dwarven Baron Skelvon Ten Rings ( LN ) who personaly oversees the mining operations in his city. Skelvon's clan has long defended the eastern shores of Castros from the ever present danger of Kal-Sisk mercenaries. Bywater is also known for its master blacksmiths that produce blades and armor peerless within the kingdom. Many students come to town each year to learn from the Dwarven craftsmen.

Bourne: ( Metropolis, 30,560 ) Bourne is the capital of Castros. Many noble houses have residence within its high walls, most notable of these is house Telman which has been ruling the kingdom for the last six hundred years. Bourne is a major trade city with the kingdom of Pax Thallos, exports are shipped to the city from all over Castros to be traded via land with the northern kingdom. The residents of Bourne are city folk to the core, most residents of the metropolis have never traveled farther than a score of miles from the walls. Not that they would have any need to, Bourne is safe, clean, and has just about anything anyone would need to buy. The current ruler of the city also has domain over the whole of Castros. King Artis Telman ( LN ) the 16th King of Castros is well liked by his populace. His son Prince Brandon Telman ( LG ) is a example of the courage and vigor of the kingdoms bright future.

Janport: ( Large Town, 2,980 ) Also called Jannisport by its residents, the name of a great hero for which the town is named Ser William Jannis. sits at the end of the river Endin. It is the largest port in the Kingdom, and if its growth rate continues as it has, it will soon be the largest city in the kingdom. Janport is ruled by Duke Ruelk Jannis ( NG ) a elderly lord with a little to much family pride. Janport is the largest exporter of furs, livestock and pipeweed in Tharstelding. It is also the largest importer of goods in the kingdom. Janport has had problems with frequent pirate raids up and down the Endin. It has by order of King Artis begun construction of a royal navy to patrol the river and sea routes.

Fain: ( Metropolis, 27,560 ) The city of heros twenty years ago was the size Bywater. The metropolis can contribute its massive growth to the arrival of powerfull heroes throwing fistfulls of gold to the wind. Fain is the center of many orginazations and a religious nexus. The Hand of Radiance, or The Hand as most call them, began here. The city boasts the largest druid grove in Tharstelding The city is ruled by one of the heroes whom the city has grown under, Duke " Filthy " Ike. However the city also is protected and governed in certain aspects by the House of the Five, or more specificly The Hand of Radiance. Saint Coop Dawnbringer ( NG ), another of the famed heroes, started the Hand in the city twenty years ago, his generous donations have created a financial powerhouse for the religion.