Long Isle

A broad, low smudge on the distance is the first sighting for many ships of Long Isle. An ochre smear across the ocean, which becomes clearer as the ships near; a sandbar lined all around with revetments, its surface thick with scrubs, sand grass and rotting metal hulks. Though long dead and abandoned, the sight is still a stark reminder of the powerful position it once formed; untouched since the Cataclysm, it remains undaunted by storm and tide.

Purpose / Function

Long Isle was a powerful naval defence point, the sand bar adapted and converted over several decades into a complete fortress. Nothing was able to approach within the range of its shore batteries without permission: even trade vessels were required to temporarily dock for cargo searches. The entire development resulted from the major weakness of Buches' defences towards the coast. While there was usually a naval force nearby, it was accepted that a fortified position other than the city would be required; and thus, the development of Long Isle began.

Alterations

The entire sandbank was been ringed with revetments and a trio of fortifications established upon the top of the bank. These fortifications have stabilised the bank, further supported through the thick growth of sand grass and pathways installed. A number of docks once existed to serve as customs ports, but have long since rotted away into nothingness. Now, the same role is performed in Buches' docks by the city guard.

Architecture

Military fortifications were established, built by and designed to the specifications of a Dwarven military contractor. The architecture is unique amongst human fortifications as a result, and unique to many Dwarven constructions in its brickwork and arrangements. The stone is bare, untouched by time and weather, as are the revetments: powerful enchantments worked during the construction which still functions to the current day.

History

Long Isle started the process of militarisation during the latter years of the Landstake Cycle. When Buches was assaulted by a force of Tritons in return for unknown pollution of their cities through ships dumping materials into the tides, the city was almost lost until an armada ploughed into the back of the Triton forces.
Even as the city was being repaired and the walls strengthened, plans were pushed through to start the creation of a naval defence that would never allow such an assault to succeed in the future. This plan hinged entirely around securing and fortifying a constant, mutable sandbank that created the Buchal Strait.
With the construction plans organised for distinct stages, it was easy for the fortifications to proceed as scheduled. Over the course of a few decades, the sandbank was stabilised, secured, and constructed upon to create the Long Isle, an impenetrable line against oceanic assaults.
The Cataclysm did little to the constructions upon Long Isle. However, the garrison forces were required to leave a skeleton crew to provide assistance across the continent to other settlements. Over time, this crew was reduced more and more until it was abandoned. Without mages to repair and reinforce the protective enchantments, much of the metal has rusted away, staining the sand with its colour and leaving behind the stone shells of buildings.

Type

Military base / complex

Parent Location

Bukhisal