Northwest Watchtower
Situated in the shadow of the northern Backbone Spires, this military outpost guards the mountain passes and tunnels from roving monsters or raiding peoples. The primary groups that the outpost sees frequently are drow and other subterranean raiders, but the annual migrations of people out of the Frozen North also bring bands of raiders over the mountains to the eastern parts of Ayndrinor.
Similar to the line of northern forts in Nordtvein, the Northwest Watchtower intercepts all humanoids coming into the area and tries to ascertain their intentions for movement. If they are looking to permanently resettle out of the colder reaches, the local government assists them in getting to one of the nearby towns or acquiring land somewhere further east. If the incoming people are looking for temporary respite from the winter, they are allowed to set up camp on the plains surrounding the watchtower and hunt for game wherever they wish - but they are watched closely to make sure they do not raid any caravans or otherwise attack the people of the area. The garrison is also quick to respond to outright raids and attacks, which are common, dispatching them with efficiency and escorting any prisoners who surrender back to the mountains from whence they came.
The name of the settlement implies there are other watchtowers in the nearby section of Ayndrinor, and indeed there were at one time. The southernmost outpost outgrew its solely military purpose around 1050 2A, and it was transformed into Camp Morrigan. Other watchtowers were located on the eastern coast and into the forest to the north, but those were abandoned centuries ago during a time of famine and poverty in Tallstag. While there is certainly more to this settlement than a single watchtower, its central namesake is an impressive structure that can see and be seen for several miles around.
Demographics
The makeup of the settlement is tough to nail down and changes frequently as military units get cycled in and out every year. In general, the town tends to reflect the Kingdom of Tallstag as a whole, with a slight majority of humans and many other races represented. The few dozen non-soldiers who live in the town work in various support jobs such as tending the inns and taverns or repairing weapons and armor. The government of Tallstag makes sure these support personnel are paid well, and many attempt to supplement that income by engaging in gambling or other contests against the soldiers.
Government
The outpost has historically been led by the Knight Corporal, a career soldier who has been promoted through the ranks and specifically given the honor of overseeing the outpost. Knight Corporals do not have an explicit term length in charge, though most tend to serve in the post for somewhere between five and ten years. The position also includes the assistance of half a dozen attachés who assist with the oversight and administration of the town's business.
All judicial matters in the town are referred directly to the Knight Corporal, who hears all evidence and passes judgment appropriately. They have the authority to order restitution from one injured party to another or to sentence anyone - soldier or not - to prison time for violating the town's laws.
After the recent Everyn War, the Knight Corporal from Tallstag was allowed to stay in charge of the outpost, though the Federation stationed a sort of supervisor to report back on the Knight Corporal's actions and make sure they are not fomenting rebellion or training the soldiers against the wishes of the Federation. The Knight Corporal and many other soldiers see this supervisor as a commissar who is there to make sure they toe the line and don't even speak about the Federation negatively, though as yet they have done nothing other than report back to Everyn on the outpost's operations; they have not challenged the Knight Corporal or otherwise intervened in the day-to-day operations of the outpost.
Defences
As a primarily military outpost, the defenses of this town are robust. The perimeter wall is thicker than it needs to be, as the outpost's purpose does not include withstanding sieges or siege weapons, but it is maintained by the soldiers during rotations off the front lines. There is one main gate in the east that allows access for the main trade road, as well as two smaller gates in the northwest and southwest with draw bridges that span a thirty foot wide, sixty foot deep chasm.
The most noticeable building in the entire outpost is its central eponymous watchtower. It stands over 200 feet tall and features windows on all sides at various angles. Many of these watch windows are equipped with telescoping mechanisms that allow the sentries to see further than their eyes alone could if they need to get a closer look at a passing group or object in the distance. The top of the tower is adorned with one massive arcane cannon and three smaller traditional ballistae, to help ward off any flying beasts or the occasional dragon that descends from the mountains.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure in the outpost are basic though well maintained, basically whatever the soldiers themselves are able to build and keep up. The streets are all paved, as the soldiers spend some of their less active breaking the pavers off the large slabs of rock delivered from a nearby quarry and replacing broken or worn down pavers throughout the streets.
Wells and irrigation channels are likewise simple but meticulously maintained. The fields that directly surround the town all rely on a large central artesian well that has small aqueducts and irrigation channels leading to the various plots of land. These irrigation channels are dredged by the soldiers at regular intervals and lined with stone or concrete where they pass over softer bedrock.
History
The watchtower was constructed in 450 2A, as the Kingdom of Tallstag began to expand westward toward the mountains. The town of Baggerville had encountered raiders frequently for its first few decades of existence, and the vast majority of them came along the mountains from the south. When the kingdom's scouts traveled to examine this area, they found a relatively low-altitude mountain pass in the same area several tunnels converged and led to the surface. The decision was made to install a watchtower here, to keep an eye on everything and everyone passing through this area, hopefully cutting down on the number of raids and deaths deeper into the kingdom.
Over the centuries, the watchtower and surrounding military garrison that expanded gradually have served their purpose of surveillance and advanced warning regularly. Several times a year, beasts of one variety or another come over the mountain pass or emerge from one of the subterranean passages, and wandering groups of people are constantly passing nearby. The early days of the watchtower were spent treating every humanoid group they encountered as raiders, which were killed quickly and without question. As the world progressed and more compassionate leaders came to power, they realized the barbarity of this solution and instructed the watchtower to observe the groups and determine their purpose for traveling east before indiscriminately killing them.
The watchtower played a small part in recent wars, when Tallstag was under attack from the Dumein Dominion during the Everyn War. As the watchtower is out of the way, the Dominion forces initially ignored it, opting to focus their sieges on the larger towns - and especially the capital in Forest-end. The watchtower was able to send a few units out to break the supply lines and reinforce the other towns, which shifted Dominion focus onto this outpost.
In a quick but decisive siege, the forces of the Dominion broke through the main eastern gate and took the main tower. They recognized the importance of the outpost to the post-war security of the region, so they were specifically instructed not to destroy the tower or too much of the outer walls. In the two years since the conclusion of the war, the Everyn Federation has sent several caravans of gold and artisans to the outpost and Tallstag in general to help rebuild what was destroyed during the war. This has gone some way to easing tensions after the war, but many in Tallstag - and especially the military - are still bitter about their defeat and subjugation.
Founding Date
250 2A
Alternative Name(s)
Mountain Watch
Type
Military, Base
Population
2,508
Owning Organization
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