Wicaster

Wicaster is a small, independent city-state located on a peninsula at the foot of the Chacolian Mountains, considered the southernmost point in Sunscald. Originally founded as a mining outpost by the city-state of Destries, Wicaster remained inhabited after the outpost was officially abandoned, and has become marginally prosperous as the area's only source of silver. The city is surrounded on all sides by either sea or the black Chacolian cliffs, and relies on imports for many necessities. Life in the city can be difficult due to its remote location and barren surrounds, and the local population - predominantly miners and fishers - are known for their direct and stoic (though not humourless) nature. Owing to its economical and geographical position, the city is occasionally referred to as the 'City of Silver' or the 'Edge of the World'.

History

The large rocky peninsula that Wicaster is settled on is a fairly recent geological development, emerging from the sea during the Destruction of Siolfwic in the 7th century. The Kingdom of Siolfwic, one of the so-called 'arcanist empires', once occupied the highlands to the south of Sunscald, and was rumoured to be so rich in mineral wealth that 'peasants would coat their homes in silver.' Like the other 'arcanist empires', the Kingdom was destroyed when the intense concentration of arcane magic within their territory caused the fundamental laws of the universe to collapse in a localised area around them. In Siofwic's case, this eventuated in the earth in concentrated areas around them rising kilometres into the air, swallowing much of the Kingdom's settlements in the process and creating the iconic near-90-degree cliffs of the Chacolian Mountains in the process. The promontory at the base of these cliffs arose partially from the seabed rising up with the ground around it and partially from the gradual erosion of parts of the Chacolian cliffs, with large rocks crumbling from the cliffs extending the land around its edges.
The wealth of silver in the Chacolians has been known to explorers for centuries, with many glistening veins of silver being visible on the cliff's edge. Due to the inhospitality of the area, however, few aimed to extract silver from the cliff face in any major capacity. In 1327, however, the city-state of Destries officially laid claim to the uninhabited peninsula, aiming to establish a mining outpost there as a business venture. In 1329, the Destrians founded their outpost, naming it Siolfwic Castrum to call back to the legends of the inconceivably rich arcanist Kingdom. Despite the hostile conditions of the Chacolian cliffs, the promise of easy riches in the outpost was enough to attract a sufficient number of labourers to commence mining and shipping operations. However, after extracting the easily accessible silver from the nearby cliffs, the settlement's initial output of silver was low, with even experienced miners being unfamiliar with the unusual conditions of the Chacolian cliffs. In addition, the Destrian nobles and merchants who founded the plan were recieving very little income from the venture, with much of the silver profits being needed to secure imports of food, water, and construction materials. By the mid-1350s, many of the Destrian nobles who had invested in Siolfwic Castrum were experiencing a decline in their coffers and in their influence in the city, until most of the leading families in Destries were opposed to continuing the mining operation. In 1356, the Destrians officially withdrew their claim to the peninsula, leaving behind them a small settlement, an incomplete fort, and the population of miners and labourers who were deemed not worth the expense of saving.
Rather than slowly dying out as many expected, the community abandoned in Siolfwic Castrum were ultimately able to fend for themselves through a combination of luck, trade, and innovation. Decades of mining in the Chacolians had resulted in the discovery of more effective practices which allowed the local miners to extract significantly more silver over time - though this went largely unacknowledged under Destrian rule. Desperation for food led the outpost's residents to discover that the foul-tasting pitonweed that grew on the Chacolian cliffs were edible and in fact highly nutritious, and the weeds were consequently - and reluctantly - incorporated as a reliable food source. Siolfwic Castrum was also still visited by merchants despite the Destrian absence - difficulties acquiring food and water had led the Destrian officials to open the Castrum to merchants from other cities, and traders from cities such as Keld were more than willing to exchange basic goods for silver - even more so upon discovering they didn't have to pay any Destrian tariffs. The discovery of a decently sized aquifer in the mines also helped mitigate the settlement's chronic water shortages - though the population was prudent enough to only rely on it as a last resort. Consequently, the settlement of Wicaster, as it was more frequently called, was ultimately able to survive (and arguably thrive, considering their position) without Destrian support or protection.
The exact etymology of Wicaster is unclear. It is presumed to be a shortening of Siolfwic Castrum, but precisely how the name was shortened is less clear. A popular folk explanation is that a large sign saying "SIOLFWIC CASTRUM" was propped up by the Destrians but experienced years of wear at the hands of strong sea winds, until the sign had tapered at both sides to say only "WIC CASTR". While the story is popular in Wicaster and ties into the idea that the city-state was forged more by the environment than by Destries, no evidence of this sign's existence has ever emerged. It is possible the shortening simply emerged from continual use and convenience.
Despite Wicaster's riches and relatively indefensible position due to its lack of military fleet and strong reliance on exports, the city has come under no threat of invasion since its founding. It maintains a strong trade relationship with many major cities on the southern Sunscald coast, and the trade route to Wicaster is often patrolled by these larger cities' navies to discourage piracy. The City of Destries, having already formally renounced its claim to the area, has expressed no desires to reconquer the city. It is generally accepted by most cities in the southern Sunscald that Wicaster is more useful as an independent city in which they can trade excess basic goods for lucrative silver than as a vassal or conquest they would then have to support. Consequently, the modern Wicaster remains independent with very little resources spent in its defense.

Economy

The Wicastrian economy revolves around the mining and refining of silver, a lucrative metal which serves as its chief export. Wicaster is the predominant source of silver in Sunscald and for the most part holds a monopoly on the substance. Outside of silverwork the Wicastrian economy is relatively undeveloped, with most others being employed in fishing or gathering pitonweed for local consumption. Another burgeoning industry is the manufacturing of Wicaster rock, a bizarre-tasting confection that has become popular in the city and extremely divisive outside of it.
Wicaster is also very dependent on imports. As well as a range of luxury and consumer products unavailable on the barren rock, the city imports a substantial amount of basic food, clothing, and fresh water from the Sunscald mainland. Enterprising traders should beware, however, as stories of the city trading a fortune in silver for a few barrels of grain and water are greatly overstating the situation - while basic goods can fetch a profit in Wicaster, the city's merchants are well aware of the price of these goods and will only offer sellers a mild raise in price.

Culture

Used to weathering rough conditions, the Wicastrian people value tenacity, diligence, and loyalty. They are a communal or even insular bunch who can often appear aloof or stand-offish to outsiders. Underneath their somewhat stoic exterior, however, Wicastrians usually have a good sense of humour and enjoy being a bit cheeky. Offering visitors pieces of Wicaster rock as a 'sign of hospitality' in order to see the looks on their face when they taste it is an increasingly common practice at Wicaster's port. Wicastrians usually turn their noses at signs of wealth or nobility, and visitors are advised to dress humbly. Despite their historical abandonment, Wicastrians have little more than a friendly rivalry with Destrians, and the two cities have strong trading links.

Wicaster

Coat of Arms of Wicaster: sable, a tower argent.

Founding Date

1329

Type

City

Inhabitant Demonym

Wicastrian

Included Locations

• Wicaster Castrum