The City of Cerkstar
Copyright 1998, F. S.

Cerk is the capital of the Kingdom of Cerk.
It is a large city of about 100,000 people, radiating outward from King Alfred's castle in the center of the city.

City Politics

The Star Castle originated as a way of controlling the various factions within Cerk and preventing any from getting too large or out of control. This was precipitated by a plot amongst the Merchant and Mining guilds to avoid taxation. The idea being that separating the guilds would stop too much plotting between the guilds and enforce the use of the Cerk administration as a go between.

This is no longer thought necessary, but the star system remains tradition as an expression of privelege. As a result, access to the various arms can be restricted through guild enforcement.

Law & Order

All the guilds have their own 'army' which provides for law and order within their respective arms, and for additional protection of goods and caravans.

The city guard is well trained and well armed to ensure the rule of law in the rest of the city.

The power of the guilds and city authorities does mean that the Thieves Guild is also controlled and restricted in its activities. Dwarves are particularly posessive of their belongings. Freelancers are not encouraged....

Trade & Lodging

Most food and livestock are in markets just outside the main city gates due to reduced taxes outside the city walls. The city authorities do keep a watch to make sure this concession does not get exploited.

The merchants guild arm holds accomodation for most official visitors from other kingdoms. This enhances the rarity of non-local races as they are not on view to the population as a whole.

The guilds:

• Forge. This guild covers the manufacture of dwarven weapons, armor, and other items from metals provided by the mining guild. Suited to dwarven-kind.

• Merchant. This guild controls the purchase, transport, and sale of goods within Cerk.

• Mining. This guild is in charge of the extraction of ore, the smelting process, and to the sale of metal ingots. Not a glamorous profession, but one that provides wealth, ideally suited to dwarven-kind.

• Star. Cerk is lucky to have attracted a wizards guild. This has come about as a seat of learning and research into the magical properties of star metal. Small possibilities for the traing of mages if the price is right....

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Racial Harmony

Cerk is a city mostly populated by dwarves. The general populous fill the area between the arms and the outer walls, and the sprawl continues into the countryside along the main trade routes to the north, south, and west.

The outer areas are more racially mixed with halfling presence increasing as you leave the main hustle and bustle of city life.