Cargol City
Cargol City is a small city located just south of Sneglen Leaf Forest and was settled by and mainly inhabited by gnomes. It was founded with the dual purpose of being a refuge to study and practice magic, particularly from the school of illusion, and to find a way to sustainably harvest the mucous sac inside of the Giant Voyager Snail for the purpose of creating magical writing ink. Over the years the success of the ink production has spread far and wide and this city is now the number one supplier throughout the continent.
Demographics
The founding of Cargol City by gnomes has led to a greater acceptance of the various races. All are welcome here, but many find that the unexpected hustle and bustle of the gnomes, the experiments, and the inventions are enough to deter anyone but the most patient and determined from making the city a permanent home. As such the population consists of 70% gnomes, 12% half-elves, 7% halflings, 5% dwarves, 4% humans, and 2% elves. Many that live here do so for the freedom to study and practice magic, farm the fertile soils, mine the mountains, and utilize the Sneglen Leaf Forest.
Government
The government here is run by the Cargol Council, that consists mainly of gnome scholars and researchers, two dwarf miners, two halfling farmers, and a half-elf forest ranger, who collectively vote on all issues and then delegate the changes to their assistants who then disperse the new orders to their own assistants.
Defences
Law and order here is maintained by the Reenboog, an organized militia of unusually focused gnome, ranger-illusionists. Additionally, short walls follow the winding streets throughout the city with periodic towers placed throughout. Any invading forces are allowed to enter the city and have to follow the long winding streets, here they are easily struck by arrows, bolts, and magics from the walls all along their route. In addition to the militia, every gnome and half-elven citizen quickly mans the walls and uses their great skills to make short work of any attackers. Few are foolish enough to attack a city filled with magic users and sharp-eyed bowmen.
Industry & Trade
Cargol City is a very self sufficient community made possible by the natural resources available in the surrounding areas. Most people make a living through farming, fishing, mining, logging, or is some sort of craftsman. However, what the city is most famous for is its ability to produce magical writing ink from the rare and endangered Giant Voyager Snail.
Infrastructure
Cobblestone roads begin along the southern rivers edge and spiral counterclockwise around the city out to the eastern fields, up to the northern wall, back west to the forested hills, and finally culminating at the Cochlea, in the center of the city. Watermills, docks, and fishing occur along the southern Reis River. Farms and orchards thrive in the flat grasslands to the east. Mining and forestry trades take place in the western hills. The area beyond the Northern Wall has been declared a wildlife sanctuary and no one is permitted into this region of the Sneglen Leaf Forest without permits from the Cargol Council.
Guilds and Factions
The only guilds that are accepted here are those supported by the Cargol Council. As such the Magic Researchers Guild is the only official guild in the city, although several others have tried to form, most notably a farmers guild and a half-elven forestry guild. Both were half hearted attempts and quickly dissolved once the council got involved. Unsubstantiated rumors have begun to circulate of a possible shipping guild forming under the leadership of a spurned exmilitia member.
History
The idea of Cargol was formulated by a set of twin, gnome brothers called Snigel and Snigill Snek as a place to study the rare Giant Voyager Snail and to practice magic. After finding and studying the snails in the Sneglen Leaf Forest, the brothers believed that they had come up with a plan to not only safeguard and increase the species, but also a safe way to extract the snail mucous and market it as a magical writing ink.
The majority of the leaf forest was contained in a deep, wide, bowl shaped depression, surrounded by mountains on the north and west sides and by a deep lake on the east side. The southern side was almost enclosed, except for a small valley in the middle. The brothers decided that if they could wall up the valley and build a research settlement just beyond it, that they could protect and study the snails and work on a way to extract the snails liquid.
The brothers set up their research labs and homes just south of the forest and began working on ways to safely obtain the snails mucous. After a few years of work, in 665 A.S., they successfully discovered a way to extract the fluid and upon returning to their city were able to recruit many family members and a few others to begin creating a permanent settlement now known as Cargol City. The Northern Wall and The Cochlea were built and The Reenboog were formed. As word of their progress and success spread, many others came to the city to invest in agriculture and mining, to study and practice magic, and to work with the rare species in the leaf forest.
Tourism
Few people come here for the sole purpose of tourism, as there is little to see or do here. Those that do come, usually do so as a means of opening up trade possibilities. As word of the magical writing ink spreads so to does the demand for it. Others often come for the chance to learn and practice magic, especially those who specialize in the school of illusion.
Architecture
Architecture here is quite random, with buildings turned at off center angles and having oddly pitched roofs. Their sizes also vary based on the races that inhabit them, with many being short building that extend down into the earth for the gnomes, halflings, and dwarves, and taller structures for humans and elves. The one trait that unites them is that they all seem to have whitewashed, outer wooden walls and dark wooden, roof shingles. The most unusual and important building is that of the strangely spiraled Cochlea, found at the heart of the city. This building houses the council, main research libraries, and laboratories.
Geography
Cargol City is located between the Sneglen Leaf Forest above it and the Reis River below it. To the west are forested hills and to the east are fertile grasslands. This area of land is slightly southern sloped and made for an ideal spot to establish a settlement and research the snails of the forest. A large Northern Wall was constructed in the valley between two large hills in order to seal off the bowl shaped, forest depression beyond and contain the rare snails inside.
Natural Resources
Wood: Lumber of cypress, cedar, magnolia, oaks, river birch, and river willow are readily available.
Rocks & Minerals: There is a vast supply of natural field stone and river rocks. Mostly consisting of limestone, slate, and shale. It is not uncommon to find rounded rose and smoky quartz crystals in the mountains as well.
Crops: Grain, corn, wheat, potatoes, tomatoes, peanuts, wild grapes, and citrus orchards abound.
Livestock: Farmers raise cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, geese, and ducks. Wild pigs, deer, squirrels, and bears roam the forest and carp, catfish, and gar are caught in the river and streams.
Processed Goods: Most are small scale, but known to be available for purchase. Some products are wheat beer, wheat whiskey, corn beer, moonshine, wine, honey, wooden carvings, furniture, yarn, wool blankets, wool clothing, leather, and tanned hides.
Specialty Items: A few distinct items are also available here. Most notably is that of the magical writing ink and various magical scrolls and potions. Their production was the reason why the city was founded in the first place.
Founders:
Snigel and Snigill Snek
Currency:
Cargol City has its own currency, but readily accepts coins from other countries and cities. It has three main denominations, all with the same depictions on the coins, with the only difference being the materials that they are made out of, gold, silver, and copper. On one side is a depiction of a counterclockwise, inward flowing spiral and on the other side is a bottle of ink with sparks flowing from its open end and the words Cargo City along the top and the year printed along the bottom.
Founding Date
Cargol City was officially founded in 665 A.S.
Alternative Name(s)
Sometimes referred to as "Snail City".
Type
City
Population
7,000
Included Locations
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