King's Bounty

"One could not wish for a better port than this. A mountain of wealth could only be run effectively and peacefully by an organization that understands greed. And how to unite that greed among all its supplicants into the unified purpose of wealth and risk management."

- A merchant prince, passing through Crossings

Purpose / Function

As a Gemmed Cove of the Gem Cutters Guild, the stated purpose of this location is to facilitate Jewelcrafting research to further the art and services of practitioners within the guild. As with all Gemmed Coves, the guild provides a portal from King's Bounty to Crossings so that they Jewelcrafter may move about the portal network as is needed for their research. This also gives the Gem Cutters Guild a way to provide materials, support, protection, and check in on the Master - Jewelcrafting owner, Carter Geary.
However, since King's Bounty is located on Crystal King, an August Elemental, it has become an important port of entry for the settlement that perch's itself on the elemental's back. The Champion Bindweed that makes the Wandering Fields nearly impossible to navigate, makes the ease of a portal the only practical way to get onto Crystal King. Since the guild controls the Gemmed Cove, it controls who has access to the settlement. The guild knows that wielding this power with too firm a hand would make many enemies. Crystal King's abundance of gems and minerals make it an important part of nearly every major government's economy. Imposing taxes and tolls that are close to highway robbery would make enemies of nations, a headache the guild would rather do without. Instead, Carter Geary has been tasked with ensuring that any nation who wants access to the wealth the August Elemental provides has a place on the creature's back and easy means to get on and off the elemental.
They Gemmed Cove has developed a third function as well. Many of the gems and crystals that merchants and explorers find on the elemental are beautiful, unique, and utterly confounding. Few know exactly what they are holding when they chip a pretty rock from the side of a cave. Carter Geary and a small team of Journeyman - Jewelcrafting who are working towards becoming Expert - Jewelcrafting provide identification services for merchants. Carter Geary has used this service to fuel his own research. When a gem that the guild has never seen before, or needs more of to conduct research with, passes the eyes of a guild member, an offer is made to the merchant. The standard offer is ten time's the unique gems weight in sapphires, emeralds, rubies, or diamonds but negotiations may take place depending upon the gem.

Alterations

What started as a humble cave when Carter Geary first stumbled upon the August Elemental has now become a vast cavern. Room was needed as merchants became caravan trains, as a few Journeymen turned into a crew of identifiers. His research lab has expanded as well, incorporating unique Runecarving symbols to bolster his research. More and more Gem Golems have been added as well, for the infrequent and pedestrian attempts at banditry in the settlement.

Defenses

Gem Golems are the salient defense provided by the Gem Cutters Guild. However, these behemoths are likely the least of a would-be bandit's concerns should they decide to do something stupid. Carter Geary has become increasingly proficient at Jewelcrafting augments for weapons and armor. Although he carries no weapons, few doubt that he hasn't augmented his own abilities in unknown and dangerous ways. What is likely more threatening would be his friendship and allegiance to the August Elemental he finds his Gemmed Cove. One would almost certainly run into Crystal King's ire should someone threaten, or gods forbid hurt, the Jewelcrafter.

Type

Laboratory

Parent Location

Crystal King

Owner

Carter Geary

Ruling/Owning Rank

Master - Jewelcrafting

Owning Organization

Gem Cutters Guild