Dastur

The March of Dastur
House Castell
Liege	Eirian ab Castell
Resources	Undefined
Population	103705
Income	0 weekly, 0 per annum
Size	2963 km^2 (1144 mi^2)

Like the other four marches that form Lithmore's western edge, much of Dastur and its landscape are defined by the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Tarns. The domain's seat lies in Dastur Castle, an unyielding stone structure built against a jagged slope near the base of such a mountain. Like its sister marches, Dastur is also well-known for its quarries and mines, though in particular for its supply of precious rubies and sapphires. The region is more heavily forested than Avonna and so doesn't feature the same wealth of vineyards as that neighbor, but it does support a healthy fur trade of mink and sable when relations with Hillmen tribes are favorable.

In 307 SC, after the original Dastur family line was extinguished by plague, the lands came into the possession of Magden ab Grenthel, a Knight known for his distinguished service. Magden's heirs proved less worthy of distinction than he, however, and by 367 SC, House Grenthel had fallen into disgrace, resulting in a revocation of any claims to the march. Later that year, the title was granted to Ceri ab Castell, head of the well-known Castell family, in reward for helping the Crown retake the naturally protected Dastur Castle from the former Marquis. When she perished in childbirth three years later, the title was passed on to her younger brother, Eirian ab Castell.

House Castell

The Castells can trace their lineage back to the time of the Consolidation. As Dav was nearing the end of his conquests, the Castells' eponymous forefathers, the original custodians of Dastur Castle, successfully defended the keep against revolting Hillmen while the structure was still in the final stages of completion. In the years since, Dastur's leaders have maintained somewhat prickly truces with nearby Hillmen tribes. Disagreements are still known to happen on occasion, as are raids and violent feuds. The Castells have proven their loyalty time and again in such instances, sometimes at the expense of their lives, and the family has thus been rewarded with the deeds to a handful of important mines.

Why the longstanding Castell family was overlooked in favor of Magden ab Grenthel in 307 SC is still the subject of some debate among the residents of Dastur, but the current Marquis is said to be quite determined to ensure the longevity of his family's new birthright.

The Castell family banner features a rearing brown bear with gold claws and a ruby tongue, facing west, set against a quartered silver and black backdrop typically framed by a red border. The bear is said to represent the ferocity with which the family's eponymous forefathers, the original custodians of Dastur Castle, defended the keep and its nearby mines against raiding Hillmen during the years following King Dav's conquests.