Table of Contents
Races | Economy | Buildings & Organizations
SANTORO FORGE
Overview
- Location: Industrial Ring, Firetown
- Address: SE Industrial Ring Road 4
- Surroundings: Adjacent to Bernado Metalworks, in Firetown's “Forge Quarter”
Founded in 2628 by Marco Santoro, Santoro Forge earned a reputation for fine craftsmanship in decorative copperwork and bespoke commissions. Known for its ornate household items and artisanal touch, it catered primarily to wealthier settlers and institutions.
Like its neighbors in the Forge Quarter, Santoro Forge was nationalized during the funding of the Federal Confederation in 2632 and merged into the Federal Copper Plant.
Architectural Significance
- Construction Material: Container and salvaged parts from the Last Frontier.
- Gates & Shutters: Copper-framed salvaged spaceship components.
- Windows: None.
- Air Vents / Heat Recovery Ventilator: The building's air exchange was managed by a centralized, mechanical ventilation system with a central intake on the exterior of the building.
- Power Source: Geothermal Power Plant and lava furnaces.
- Lighting: Torchlight.
- Water Supply: Snowmelt reservoirs.
Building Structure
- Forge Hearth (1): Used for artistic and fine metalwork.
- Anvil (1): Smaller than other forges, intended for precision work.
- Showroom: Displays of intricate copper ornaments and decorative wares.
- Office Nook: Commission books and design sketches.
- Break Corner: Resting area with benches.
- Restroom: Equipped with Aurora Sana.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Master Blacksmith (Marco Santoro): Oversees high-end commissions and maintains clientele.
- Journeyman Smiths (2–3): Craft ornate goods, polish, and engrave.
- Apprentices (1–2): Handle preparation of materials, sanding, and polishing.
- Clerk: Manages commission schedules and client records.
Products and Prices
| Product | Description | Price (in Kourou) | Remark |
| Ornamental Lamp | Decorative copper lamp | 180 K | Status symbol in Firetown homes |
| Copper Plate | Engraved household dish | 70 K | Collectors’ item |
| Engraved Wall Plaque | Custom motifs | 200 K | Commission-based |
Look and Feel
Santoro Forge had a reputation for being the most orderly and community-minded of the four forges in Firetown. Marco Santoro emphasized discipline and teamwork: apprentices were treated with respect and often ate alongside their masters at the break corner — a rare tradition in Firetown’s rough environment.
The forge had an atmosphere of practical modesty, with agricultural implements neatly stacked for delivery and polished tools displayed for walk-in settlers. Unlike the more flamboyant Vasquez or the eccentric Bernado, Santoro Forge projected reliability and honesty.
A defining feature was Marco Santoro’s custom of invoking Saint Barbara, patron saint of blacksmiths and miners, before each major commission. He would pause at the furnace, tracing a small cross in soot on the copper shutter, and recite a short prayer for safety and strength. Clients came to value this ritual as a mark of devotion and blessing, believing tools forged under Saint Barbara’s protection carried good fortune and durability.
Public Access, Operating Hours & Operational Rhythm
- Opening Hours: 08:00 – 16:00 daily.
- Copper Supply: Delivered by the Firetown Courier Service.
- Operational Rhythm: Steady cadence of delicate work alternating with bursts of furnace activity.
Interaction Possibilities
Legal interactions
- Commission ornate items or jewelery
- Negotiate with Master Blacksmith for custom copperwork.
- Apply as employee.
Illegal interactions
- Bribe apprentices to secretly craft jewelry despite ration laws.
- Smuggle decorative hilts to the Dark Side Hotel patrons.
Tactical Advice for Dungeon Masters
The forges of Firetown present excellent opportunities for intrigue, as their close clustering in the Industrial Ring made them both competitive rivals and vulnerable targets for outside influence.
Adventure Hook Example
- The Cartel’s Grip – An anonymous client from Hope hires the party to investigate whether at least Vasquez Forge and Bernado Metalworks are cooperating with the Cartel. Rumors suggest the smiths are working under duress: some coerced by violent intimidation, others ensnared in predatory loans. The party’s task is to infiltrate the workshops and gather proof of Cartel activity. Evidence may include the uncovering of falsified ledgers showing repayments to the Cartel through copper goods or the production of contraband items. Dungeon Masters can heighten tension by introducing rival apprentices who suspect foul play, Cartel enforcers watching the workshops, or hidden storerooms concealing illicit goods. The party must decide whether to return the evidence to their employer, hand it to the authorities, or cut their own deal with the Cartel …