Add in the old New World setting, circa 2010-2014

Locations/Western Kingdom/Mast.txt

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+				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.