Caim

City Description

Population: ~20,000

Founded: 1800 (590 years ago)

Free from dragons for the first time in their history after Dragonfall, the people of Highcroft had a vision for a city kingdom to rival the long established realms of elves and dwarves. From this dream, Caim was born. Caim did not grow organically from a small village, it was planned from the outset to be the greatest city in all the world. And whether it achieved this ambition or fell short is an argument for historians, but none can argue Caim works as both a sprawling cityscape and a world power.

At the head of that power is King Cadogan Cauld. His seat is in Caim but he spends nearly all his time traversing Highcroft along the Royal Road with his dragon, Hellfall. While he is away, ruling Caim falls to his husband, High Prince Mathan Cauld. The King and Prince of Caim rule over all of Highcroft as their kingdom. All cities pay taxes to Caim, and those taxes go to protecting and improving those cities within the country.

While some cities and nation can claim military might stronger than Caim, there are few who can rival the Ionlann of Caim for combative prowess as a group. The elite fighting force of Caim, initiation into the Ionlann is a dire rite that strips those who undertake the trials of attachment and mercy. The leader of the Ionlann, who does not answer to the King, is chosen by the people of Caim and must forfeit all worldly possessions, including any indulgence. The Ionlann is composed of all sorts from gallant knights to shadowed assassins.

Religion in Caim is strictly regulated, with worship of dark deities forbidden. Under rule of the Caulds, the god of the multiverse Tyr has been established as the patron god of Caim. The temple built to the gods of the multiverse in the city contains detailed works of art lamenting the loss of the gods and celebrates their power, especially the aforementioned god of justice.

There are no classes or nobles in Caim. Due to the banding together of all peoples in Highcroft to build the city, the longstanding tradition of wealth equality is built into the very soul of Caim. A group known as the Capital and Holdings Collective, or known among the people as the "Copper Getters," oversee the distribution of wealth including the collecting of taxes, the seizure of assets, income allotment, and, most importantly, the enforcement of labor to qualify for citizenship.

Crime in Caim is punished severely and quickly. With Hemlock Bastille so close, the city guard is adamant about keeping order. In addition to the normal punishable offenses, such as murder and theft, the following are enforced in all of Highcroft, but especially dutifully in Caim:

1. Citizens must have their Papers of Populace on their person at all times or be able to produce them within one day with official escort

2. Surplus income must be reported and taxed appropriately

3. Labor for the betterment of the realm is required for all citizens

4. Worship and practices pertaining to evil deities is forbidden

A small port extension of the city, two days walk to the coast, handles all the importing and exporting to and from Caim. The land between Caim and Caim's Port is filled with rich farmland owned by the farmers of Caim who are held in incredibly high esteem. Multiple festivals are held in their honor each year, and when the Cavalcade Lament enters the city, the feasts are sponsored by Caim's farmers.

During the Firetide War, Caim was the constant target of Vad, the dragon army knowing if the city fell, so would the country. The city, however, while scarred and barraged on multiple occasions, stood strong, due in no small part to a magical enchantment surrounding the city like a barrier. This enchantment is known as Sciath. Capable of being erected by the King or Prince, Ionlann Commander, and the Archmagus of the Amaranthine if all three are brought together within Lucidan Keep, the Sciath bars all travel in and out of the city, by both physical and magical means. The last time it was cast was a Giant incursion from the Scaleback Mountains in 2380.

Caim is a lawful sprawling city where anyone can make a life if they're willing to work toward a brighter future for all. For those who enjoy their freedom to do as they wish, it may seem less a paradise, however, and more a prison.

City Landmarks

Caim's Port - a small port two days walk from Caim to the east. In order to accommodate the many shipping needs of such a large populace, the port is used almost exclusively for trade and travel. Caim has no navy to speak of so warships are forbidden in port.

Cathedral of Tyr and the Divine Multiverse - the church in Caim, headed by High Bishop Fiona Brighthelm, is dedicated to the mission of justice as an act of social compassion. The priesthood must fulfill an annual betterment of the world through mission trips to other nations. The church also has a strict non-conversion policy, considering works to be meaningless if done under the identity of a church member. The multiverse is worshipped in the stead of the gods of creation in an effort to show mindfulness to other worlds and those living in them.

Lucidan Keep - the seat of power and an imposing fortress on the western walls of the city, Lucidan Keep is open to the public for hearings, the forming of committees to present issues and solutions to the King or High Prince, and public services. It is a magnificent structure with feats of structural engineering that are built to impress. Due to its open nature, Lucidan Keep does not focus on defensive fortifications, relying instead on the people within the repel those who would wish Caim harm.

Amaranthine Lyceum - the focal point of the arcane in Caim, this great hall caters to those who are naturally gifted and those who earn the gift of magic through hard work. It is a place of whispered secrets, where magic users have subtle contests of political intrigue while attempting to unlock the secrets of draconic magics.

House of Ionlann - this is the training facility of the Ionlann and the place where potential recruits undergo their training. Anyone is allowed to approach and perform the initial tests to join the elite group of operatives. Within it a ground willed with obstacle courses, fighting pits, skill challenges, and danger rooms.

Firetide War Memoriam - a museum dedicated to the history of Highcroft and the events leading to the Firetide War. This museum is a required visit for anyone seeking their Papers of Populace in Caim. It tells the story of the tyrannical times, Dragonfall, and the war through magical dioramas bringing events to life, and immersive exhibits meant to instill the emotional impact of history.

Offices of Capital and Holdings Collective - this headquarters for those in charge of the monetary social programs in Caim also acts as the government's bank. Its records are open to the public and there is a rotating inspection group made up of concerned citizens on a monthly basis to ensure all practices are kept above board. This office is where the records are kept for all within Caim, and where distribution of wealth begins. From here, tax collectors and tax distributors called Curators work day and night managing the capital of the city.

Dungeon Delvers Ltd - this incredibly successful group of businesspeople are famous the world over for finding old dungeons, hiring adventurers to delve them, and then restoring them to their former glory to act as bases, labs, and all other assortment of locales for interested parties. Though based in Caim, they operate throughout the world, which means most believe they avoid wealth tax by keeping their assets elsewhere, but they're big enough to still provide for the city.

Banner Plaza - this massive open court at the center of the city is normally kept open for pop-up markets and festival feasts but its primary purpose is being where the Cavalcade Lament sets up when the route ends and leads back to Caim. When it does, a multi-day feast sponsored by the farmers of Caim commences with every form of entertainment imaginable. Hellfall, the dragon shackled by King Cauld, lies within the plaza while the Cavalcade is in town. After a couple weeks of rest, the Cavalcade set out again, leaving Banner Plaza to whatever end the people need.

Cultivation Farmer's Market - one of the most celebrated parts of the city, this market is exclusively set up permanently within its own section of Caim for farmers outside the walls to sell their crops to the people within. To steal from a farmer is to incur the wrath of every citizen and possibly the wrath of the Ionlann. The farmers of Caim are considered its lifeblood and there is no greater privilege in the city than attending Cultivation on a busy afternoon.

Quillion Cartographers - the greatest mapmakers in the world, the Quintillion family has been exploring and documenting their journeys for hundreds of years. Their workshop in Caim isn't just a place where one can buy maps but a place where one can peruse, discuss, and get lost in the history of Vault and its many secrets.

Valentino Detective Agency - when there is a mystery in need of solving, there are few better than Valentino. The city guard and even the Ionlann have come to Valentino to use his flawless logic and impeccable problem-solving to crack tough cases. While constantly busy with cases, Valentino is known for dropping everything to give his attention to something incredibly interesting.

Gambol Dance Hall - the people of Caim work hard and they play even harder. Gambol Dance Hall is where many go to play, and there is no time of the day or night where the most excellent live music cannot be heard. But this is no symphony hall or orchestral theater, this is the kind of place where rabble are roused, trouble is made, and mischief is afoot. Dancing of all kinds, drinking, and endless merry making can be found within.

Thread Bare Clothiers - with wealth distributed throughout the citizens of Caim, fashion is largely a choice. There are those who wish the spend their energy elsewhere but for those who want to look their best, Thread Bare is the place to go. It's not a shop as much as it is a group of designers dedicated to making the most enviable fashions imaginable. Stepping into their workshop is to volunteer as a model for everything from clothes to help the farmer stay cool to undergarments to be worn beneath plate mail.

Travelers of Fortune - while normally adventurers for hire can be found in inn and tavern common rooms across the world, those who consider themselves professional apply for employment with Travelers of Fortune. If one needs a capable adventurer for a job, they can be found here. There is a difficult recruitment process to make sure those who hire from Travelers of Fortune are getting the very best Highcroft has to offer.

Crossroad Teleportation - begun by a magnanimous wizard who took pity on those who wished to see the world outside Highcroft, Crossroads teleportation now employs many powerful magic users to use teleportation magics for a high price.

Dancing Shadows Theatre - having fallen on hard times, the once great theatre for live performances has drawn fewer and fewer patrons over the years. Rumor has it interested parties want to turn the once respectable theatre into something less savory.

(Additionally, Caim is filled with all manner of Inns, shops, smiths, and bars)

People of Note

King Cadogan Cauld (Legendary Being): Male Human, a seemingly immortal being and jailor of Hellfall, walks the Royal Road around Highcroft

Hellfall (Legendary Being): Male Dragon, shackled at the end of the Firetide War, a prisoner of Highcroft, unbridled fury incarnate

High Prince Mathan Cauld: Male Shifter, handles the day-to-day operations of Caim, much loved by his people

Valentino Vega: Male Changeling, great detective and investigator, has a love of anything odd or interesting

Desiree Yun: Female Goliath, leader of the Ionlann, ferocious berserker and emissary to the giants of the Scalebacks

Riddel Indel: Male Kenku, high wizard in the Amaranthine Lyceum, lover of puzzles and collecting mundane items

High Bishop Fiona Brighthelm: Female Human, leader of the church of the Divine Multiverse, takes outreach very seriously

Drimble Quickwhistle: Male Gnome, owner, manager, and actor at the Dancing Shadows Theatre