Founded in the days of the Kingdom of Peleveria, Hardcastle is not much more than a fortified trading camp (population 1,316) that sits at the crossroads of three major caravan routes. One road comes in from Delzimmer and the Great Rift to the south, one from Unther, and the third from the Vilhon Reach. After Mulhorand invaded Unther, the folk of Hardcastle expected the trade from that region to dry up, but the traffic on the road to Unther has actually increased over the last year because the Mulhorandi forces have required a healthy supply of goods - particularly food, weapons, and healing magic - to keep their armies supplied.
The reigning lord of Hardcastle is Frego Cordwell (LE human male Ftr4/Rog9), a former caravan master but of Chondath who decided that he could make more money with less road time by taking over one of the most lucrative stops. Since assuming control of the trading camp, he has enticed numerous small business owners to set up shop in Hardcastle, where they can cater to the caravan traffic. Borrowing an idea from the Durpari people, with whom he once had business dealings, Cordwell has contracted private organizations to provide all the town services, including law enforcement - though he made certain to hire a former business associate for that job to ensure some measure of loyalty. Thus, Frego is free to administer the usage fees he charges without having to actually worry about the logistics of providing the services.