				Mast

	Mast is the hub of the kingdom, even though it is not the 
capitol. It sits centrally between all important cities and 
strongholds, and it is placed centrally on the river, so that it can 
catch ships incoming from the whale coast and outgoing to the eastern 
mountains. Mast is the largest city in the kingdom, due to the economic 
influence, but it is not the grandest (mainly because Throne won't let 
that happen).
	The Royal Trading Company's headquarters is here in Mast, though 
most of the high-ranking officials inside the Company reside – and 
operate out of – Throne, where they can more easily influence the 
corrupt and greedy King Braddock. Regardless, here in Mast, the Royal 
Trading Company flexes a lot of muscle. They exert control over the 
Navy that is quartered here, as well as the local thieves guilds. The 
only thing that keeps the Royal Trading Company even remotely in check 
in Mast is the fact that the commander of the local garrison, Lord 
Reinhardt, an old soldier and cavalry man, is firmly set against the 
control of the Company in the area, and he is openly opposing their 
activities – both in, and outside, of his official duties with the 
Garrison and the Courts. 
	Mast is also a major location on the tournament circuit in the 
Western Kingdom; every spring, they host a joust and tournament in 
front of the fortress gates. The prizes range from a set of custom 
sword and armor, to a piece of land in the outlying areas, etc.
	Being a center for commerce and travel, Mast is a huge hotbed of 
thief activity. There are no less than ten local thieves guilds, some 
of them having a mafia-like central authority derived from their 
bloodline or point of origin; others are cutthroat bands, some are 
religiously oriented or focused on a given sub-race (much akin to the 
Aryan Nation). But none are to be trifled with; they are all extremely 
dangerous – even if only when provoked, most are easily provoked. 
Alliances between them are frequent, but fragile, and generally short-
lasting. The only constant among them, generally, is their ties to the 
Royal Trading Company. The Trading company will use the local crime 
groups to enforce their will without dirtying their hands officially; 
everything from the looting of navy ships, to the assassination of 
troublesome local officials, are handled by crime groups who are 
unaware of their puppeteer status underneath the Royal Trading Company.
	As for the people of Mast itself, Mast is one of the most 
racially diverse cities in the kingdom, if not the most. People from 
all locations and walks of life are drawn here; and half the time, 
those who come here looking for money and a better life, stay here. 
Despite the large number of crime groups, and the corrupt nature of the 
Trading Company who controls most of the town, the people of Mast have 
a generally peaceful existence. Lord Reinhardt and his men do a good 
job of keeping everything under control, while the Trading Company 
ensures that most Mast residents' biggest worry is the amount of tax 
they pay on a loaf of bread at the baker's shop.
	Mast is host to the biggest open bazaar in the kingdom, situated 
almost directly next to the docs. The saying in Mast is, “If you can't 
buy it at the bazaar, a god-fearing man doesn't need it.” And, for the 
most part, that's the truth. Seafood peddlers pull their boats directly 
into the wharf, and some sell straight off the boat. It is similar for 
all merchants.
