The name Bow Castle is derived from the Sylvin language, as Bow Castle was founded by Vrikni Burrows, who was culturaly Sylvin.
Climate
Bow Castle has a yearly average temperature of 23°C (73°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a warm 28°C (82°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cool 18°C (64°F). Bow Castle receives an average of 139 cm/y (54 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the spring. Bow Castle covers an area of nearly 36 km2 (14 mi2), and an average elevation of 5528 m (18136 ft) above sea level.
Overview
Bow Castle was founded durring the late 13th century in summer of the year 1166, by Vrikni Burrows. The establishment of Bow Castle was only bairly constructed. The sheer number of problems with its founding were enough to make several of the backers funding Bow Castle's construction back out of the project. Vrikni Burrows pushed on reguardles, and Bow Castle was finished, but starts off as a terible place to live.
Bow Castle was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the late 13th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Bow Castle is no diffrent. The city's buildings feature waddle and daub construction with good timber frames and a stone foundation protected by thatched or shingled rooves. Most buildings with second floors are built in such a way as to overhang into the streets on the upper floors for more space, as building size seems to be the primary indicator of wealth within the community. Most buildings are not decorated with any integral features, but instead use ivy, flowers, and other natural elements in planters of on trellices to breathe life into the structure they grow upon.
Bow Castle is buildings are arranged within a network of spacious packed earth streets which form a rectangular grid, where each block verries in size given the proximity of the paralell streets forming each section. The ocasional smaller block has been used to construct a park, plaza, and other communal structures. The city is the proud owner of a thick set of fortified walls fashioned from querried stone blocks. While not up to snuff for a fort or castle wall, the city's walls are naturaly much larger than those of forts or castles. Therefore, the construction such a wall is most expencive. Bow Castle's buget focused wall would serve its community well in battle in spite of looking unimpressive compared to castles and fortresses. The city's top tier civilian fortifications are visibly old, but also obviously well maintained. Its likly the local malishia or garrison are tasked with routine mantance of the city's defences.
Bow Castle has the unmistakable air of a city on its last legs. Everything is a bit slipshod and ramshackle. Everyone is at work, or drinking. No one has anything in their eyes other than fear and despair. Whatever industry once fueled Bow Castle ’s existence has dried up and the city is drifting down the stream of history as it dries up. On top of this is an unmistakable feeling that Bow Castle is in this condition because there is something terribly wrong with the city. Maybe it’s the way fog blankets the ground, but only in the connors of places. Maybe it’s the vermin scuttling between shadows in the corner of your eyes. Perhaps it’s the overcast sky which seemed to creep out of nowhere, or the distant howling of wolves. Maybe it’s all of those things together, or perhaps it's the way these elements combine which makes you worry someone might stab you in a dark ally for your boots. It’s not filthy, or dark, but the smiles seem strained, the locals seem to glare daggers in eachothers backs a little too much, and everyone is armed at all times. You may want to keep an eye on your valuables, and make sure you don’t wind up in any position of power. Regardless, you do not feel it would be wise to remain in Bow Castle long.
Civic Infrastructure
Bow Castle has an animal control department which works to enforce local ordinances relating to the control, impoundment, and disposition of animals.
Bow Castle has an Office of Civil Groundskeeping, which works to enforce local ordinances relating to the construction and upkeep up of all plant life, water features, and other natural decorations within Bow Castle. They are also responsible for the maintenance of these features. Notably, the OCG is not responsible for Bow Castle's parks.
Bow Castle has an Office of Civil Vicary, which is responsible for providing a livelyhood for all officialy recognised religious figures within Bow Castle.
Bow Castle has a government-funded child care program, overseen by the local Department of Nursemaids, which is responsible for providing childcare to working-class citizens according to local ordinances.
Bow Castle has a Gravedigger's Guild, which is responsible for collecting the dead and laying them to rest according to all applicable laws and religious customs.
Bow Castle has a Guild of Nurses, which is tasked with caring for the elderly and infirm in accordance with local ordinances, religious values, and customs.
Bow Castle has a Department of Firefighters, which is responsible for organizing fire fighting efforts during a fire and enforcing local ordinances relating to fire safety.
Bow Castle has a Highwayman's Guild, which is tasked with maintaining the roads and highways leading into town as well as keeping them safe for travelers.
Bow Castle has a Hall of Slayers, which is tasked with maintaining the roads and highways leading into town as well as keeping them safe for travelers.
Bow Castle has a monistary of an order of Civil Monks, who provide divine-related services to the general public and maintain Bow Castle's public wards, blessings, and other arcane systems.
Bow Castle has an Scientific Academy which provides higher education in the natural sciences.
Bow Castle possesses a Galvanic Power Grid, which brings galvanic current to most if not all buildings in town, and permits a great many consumer goods to function within the City. Bow Castle's grid is powered by a direct leyline tap.
Bow Castle's old civil lighting system was converted to Galvanic Lamps recently, and expanded to provide nighttime illumination to all city streets.
Bow Castle has a Parks and Recreation Department, which is responsible for the construction, management, and usage rights for all of its parks and parklands. They are not to be confused with the Office of Civil Groundskeeping as they do not hold authority over nor responsibility for Bow Castle's natural decorations nor waterways.
Bow Castle has a Guild of Roadworkers, who are responsible for maintaining the roadways and public paths within town. They also have the duty of enforcing all civil laws relating to the roadways.
Bow Castle has a public schooling program overseen by the Hall of Sages who has the responsibility of ensuring access to affordable high-quality education in all basic classes (Reading, Writing, Mathmatics, General Sciences, General Arcana, and Social Education) is made available to all citizens.
Bow Castle has a public septic system, which allows its citizens to have indoor bathrooms. The septic system is overseen by the League of Sewerkeepers, who posses the legal authority to enforce all laws relating to the septic system, and are also tasked with its maintenance and upkeep.
Cultural Notes
The locals are in a state of despair and dull apathy. They've lost the things that used to give them pride and hope, with the best among them carrying on out of habitual duty and the worst giving ready hands to shameful deeds and ignoble acts. No one really believes the future can be better, and most seek only to satisfy immediate appetites.
Bow Castle's chapel was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is known for its fluid and florid elaborate style, comprising ornate, asymmetric designs and pastel shades. It is often considered to be a playful, light style, which made exuberant use of curves and emphasized subtle asymmetry in the general shape of its structures. Walls, ceilings and moldings are decorated with numerous interlacing of curves and counter-curves based on the shapes of ‘C’ and ‘S’, along with shell forms and other naturalistic shapes.
In Bow Castle grains of dust blow into perfectly neat rows.
The Serpentfolk near Bow Castle are known to be quite timid.
Bow Castle's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in summer and involves sex to channel Wild Magic energies of tier 3 via mimery.
Economy
The following information was obtained via the Imperial Census Bureau as part of the Eyom Economic Outreach Program. It differs from Standard Imperial censuses in that many of Tom's citizens, regardless of culture, work in more than one occupation or hold more than a single job. The Imperial Census Bureau has ruled that a job is a job, hence, the intigers within the data presented here can count an individual more than once.
Agriculture
Dairy Farmers: 17
Farmers: 27
Farm Laborer: 43
Hunters: 30
Milk Maids: 20
Ranchers: 11
Ranch Hands: 23
Shepherds: 22
Farmland: 35106 m2
Cattle and Similar Creatures: 2161
Poultry: 25941
Swine: 1729
Sheep: 86
Goats: 17
Horses, Mounts, and Beasts of Burden: 864
Craftsmen
Arms and Toolmakers: 19
Blacksmiths: 22
Bookbinders: 10
Buckle-makers: 11
Cabinetmakers: 19
Candlemakers: 26
Carpenters: 23
Clothmakers: 25
Coach and Harness Makers: 9
Coopers: 21
Copper, Brass, Tin, Zinc, and Lead Workers: 12
Copyists: 8
Cutlers: 7
Fabricworkers: 21
Farrier: 44
Furriers: 5
Glassworkers: 26
Gunsmiths: 20
Harness-Makers: 8
Hatters: 16
Hosiery Workers: 6
Jewelers: 9
Leatherwrights: 24
Locksmiths: 8
Matchstick makers: 13
Musical Instrument Makers: 12
Painters, Structures and Fixtures: 11
Paper Workers: 12
Plasterers: 11
Pursemakers: 15
Roofers: 9
Ropemakers: 8
Rugmakers: 8
Saddlers: 16
Scabbardmakers: 18
Scalemakers: 9
Scientific, Surgical, and Optical Instrument Makers: 5
Sculptors, Structures and Fixtures: 8
Shoemakers: 8
Soap and Tallow Workers: 31
Tailors: 49
Tanners: 10
Upholsterers: 12
Watchmakers: 11
Weavers: 26
Whitesmiths: 7
Merchants
Adventuring Goods Retellers: 5
Arcana Sellers: 5
Beer-Sellers: 11
Booksellers: 13
Butchers: 22
Chandlers: 22
Chicken Butchers: 24
Entrepreneurs: 8
Fine Clothiers: 20
Fishmongers: 22
Florists: 5
Potion Sellers: 14
Resellers: 30
Spice Merchants: 11
Wine-sellers: 18
Wheelwright: 14
Woodsellers: 8
Service workers
Bakers: 48
Barbers: 52
Coachmen: 12
Cooks: 36
Doctors: 19
Gamekeepers: 14
Grooms: 7
Hairdressers: 32
Healers: 23
Housekeepers: 26
Housemaids: 43
House Stewards: 26
Inns: 8
Laundry maids: 17
Maidservants: 32
Nursery Maids: 16
Pastrycooks: 29
Restaurateur: 30
Tavern Keepers: 32
Specialized Laborer
Ashworkers: 12
Bleachers: 8
Chemical Workers: 4
Coal Heavers: 17
In-Town Couriers: 21
Long Haul Couriers: 20
Dockyard Workers: 16
Gas Workers: 4
Hay Merchants: 7
Leech Collectors: 23
Millers: 19
Miners: 18
Oilmen and Polishers: 13
Postmen: 19
Pure Finder: 10
Skinners: 25
Sugar Refiners: 4
Tosher: 13
Warehousemen: 30
Watercarriers: 19
Watermen, Bargemen, etc.: 27
Skilled Laborers
Accountants: 11
Alchemist: 11
Clerk: 17
Dentists: 8
Educators: 26
Engineers: 13
Gardeners: 8
Mages: 6
Plumbers: 9
Pharmacist: 10
Professors: 3
Scientists: 6
Wizards: 3
Civil Servants
Adventurers: 7
Bankers: 12
Civil Clerks: 19
Civic Iudex: 9
Consultants: 5
Exorcist: 19
Fixers: 10
Kami Clerk: 17
Landlords: 16
Lawyers: 10
Legend Keepers: 14
Militia Officers: 108
Monks, Monastic: 28
Monks, Civic: 26
Historian, Oral: 18
Historian, Textual: 10
Policemen, Sheriffs, etc.: 19
Priests: 45
Rangers: 11
Rat Catchers: 13
Scholars: 13
Spiritualist: 16
Slayers: 4
Storytellers: 33
Military Officers: 29
Cottage Industries
Brewers: 25
Comfort Services: 30
Enchanters: 10
Herbalists: 9
Jaminators: 27
Needleworkers: 26
Potters: 14
Preserve Makers: 25
Quilters: 12
Seamsters: 39
Spinners: 24
Tinker: 9
Weaver: 21
Artists
Actors: 9
Architects: 3
Bards: 14
Costumers: 5
Dancers: 10
Drafters: 5
Engravers: 7
Fine Furniture Carpenters: 4
Glaziers: 9
Inlayers: 8
Musicians: 25
Painters, Art: 4
Playwrights: 9
Sculptors, Art: 7
Wood Carvers: 34
Writers: 32
Produce Industries
Butter Churners: 25
Canners: 26
Cheesmakers: 25
Ice Merchants: 3
Millers: 17
Picklers: 14
Smokers: 11
Stockmakers: 9
Tobacconists: 13
Tallowmakers: 18
3226 of Bow Castle's population work within a Foundational Occupation.
176 work in Agriculture
708 work as Craftsmen
252 work as Merchants
502 work as Service Workers
329 work as General Laborers
131 work as Skilled Laborers
511 work as Civil Servants
271 work in Cottage Industries
185 work as Artists
161 work in Produce Industries
4730 of Bow Castle's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 691 (8%) are noncontributers.
Points of Interest
Bow Castle is known for its odd use of round-a-bouts, small ring roads used in place of intersections.
POI
History
In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the late 2nd century, Bow Castle was attacked by soldiers from another nation, with orders to raid Bow Castle. The details of the conflict are hazy at best due to many conflicting accounts. What is known is Bow Castle lost 254 people, 269 livestock, and 94 buildings. The conflict ended after roughly 46, when members of Bow Castle's militia enacted an operation to delay the operations of the enemy. The operation was complicated by a natural disaster interrupted the operation, shattering unit cohesion. The conflict ended with the defense of the depot against a siege, which ended in a stalemate for Bow Castle's forces. The war is remembered in legend by Bow Castle's bards, historians, and legend keepers.