Renwick Crossing
The Sentinel of the North
Standing as both a gateway and a wall, Renwick Crossing is one of Dragsa’s most formidable defensive structures. This colossal fortress bridge, spanning the breadth of the great Leose River, is not merely a passageway but a bastion of control. Located 200 kilometers north of the Fortress of Dragsa, it commands the northern road that leads to Woodhaven, another 200 kilometers beyond.
Founding and History
The bridge was first conceived during the Beastkin Rebellions, when Dragsa needed to solidify its hold over the Sunset Plains. In those days, crossing the Leose was a perilous endeavor, subject to both natural hazards and guerrilla strikes by rebel forces. When Queen Anara decreed that no enemy should ever cross north without her knowing, the foundations of Renwick Crossing were laid. It was built not just as a means of transport, but as an unshakable shield, ensuring that the road north remained under Dragsan rule.
Architecture and Structure
The bridge itself is an architectural marvel of Dragsan design—massive stone pillars rise from the riverbed, supporting a multi-layered structure of reinforced black iron and enchanted steel. A fortress stands on each end, their towers bristling with ballistae and guarded by elite forces of the Dragsan military. Beneath the bridge, chains and spikes have been embedded into the stone, preventing the passage of enemy ships or hidden saboteurs.
Life and Governance
Renwick Crossing is governed by a military-appointed Prefect, a seasoned officer chosen for their loyalty and strategic acumen. The city surrounding the bridge has grown into a thriving military hub, filled with barracks, smithies, and training yards where new recruits are hardened into warriors. Merchants, ever drawn to the security of military presence, have established markets beneath the fortress walls, though they operate under strict regulations.
Life in Renwick Crossing is dictated by the river. Ferrymen, dockworkers, and traders ensure that goods move north and south, though nothing passes through without the approval of the Dragsan authorities. The tolls are steep, and those unable to pay find themselves detained—or conscripted into service.
Defenses and Strategic Importance
Renwick Crossing is more than a bridge; it is a fortress designed to withstand the harshest of sieges. Its walls are embedded with wards to resist magical assault, and its garrisons are manned by hardened veterans. The bridge can be raised and reinforced in times of war, cutting off northern access entirely.
Challenges and Conflicts
Though mighty, Renwick Crossing is not without its problems. Banditry along the northern road is ever-present, and the fortress guards must remain vigilant for raiders from the Banewood. The river itself poses a risk—flooding in the wet season can weaken the foundations, and some believe the river spirits grow restless beneath Dragsan rule.
Yet, as long as Dragsa stands, Renwick Crossing will stand with it. A city of soldiers, a fortress of stone, and a bridge that no enemy shall pass unchallenged.
"Renwick Crossing is both a door and a lock. The question is not whether it can be opened, but rather—who holds the key?"
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