Fortress of Pandra

This is the northern stronghold of the Alyite Order. One hundred fifty years ago the King of Jagobe granted the rundown castle of Pandra to the Order as partial payment of debts for the Order’s military assistance. Over the years the Alyites renovated and expanded the Fortress while Pandra Town housing the spouses, children and many retired Alyites grew up next door. Within a few years of the town’s birth fortifications were built around it as well so the Alyite warriors could be less concerned about the safety of their dependents. The fortress and town are built on two adjacent hilltops on what is otherwise a fairly flat grassy plain with scattered forests. A small river forms an S-curve around the northern base of Pandra Fortress and the southern base of Pandra Town with the river separating the two. A high stone bridge attaches the fortress to the town. The fortress has a double curtain wall and is accessed through two strongly built gatehouses. One on the western side commanding the bridge to Pandra Town and the other at the eastern end of the fortress. The fortress grounds include a large Alyite temple, multi-storied stone barracks buildings, stables, a hospital, an armory, workshops, a great hall and Palace of the Marshall of the North. The Palace contains the living quarters of the marshal responsible for the command of the Order’s forces north of the Spine, apartments for Order generals and administrative offices for the order. Beneath the fortress are extensive vaults used to hold supplies for a long siege and materials needed to support campaigns in the northern realms. A heavy emphasis has been placed on making the fortress fireproof. Slate tiles have been used on all roofs and all the buildings are made of stone. The walls are lines with well-built towers mounting a variety of catapults, cauldrons, ballista, springels and trebuchets.

Purpose / Function

Pandra is meant to be the headquarters, training center and arsenal of the northern branch of the Alyite Order.

Architecture

The fortress is primarily built out of blocks of cut local stone light gray in color. The roof tops are formed from local slate with a distinctive blue color. Towers and other fighting positions use iron doors and windows have iron shutters. Stone vaulting is used extensively throughout the main buildings of the fortress.

Alternative Names

The Citadel of Pandra

Type

Fortress

Owning Organization

Alyite Order (Sisterhood of Alya)

Characters in Location

• Leyva Kalinda Barrik Asseros

Related Traditions

• Marshal's Investiture