Highgate Fortress

Written by Varik Keldun

Preface: This is an idea for more conflict locations for battling the humans and possibly other enemies later down the road. on the current map I only see a few possible entrances into / out of Deadhaus via land and figured it could make for a decent side story. We don't know much about the different races so I threw in a few for example.
Section A - Overview Deep within the mountains of the spine through caves and trails lies an ancient forgotten fortress. those who control it, control quick access to the surrounding areas. The Empire of man has found this passage and has obtained the keep, they are currently mustering forces to attack from a new direction into Deadhaus territory.
Section B - Who could have built this fortress? I: Humans

• from a period that got lost through ages past - though my least favorite idea it could be plausible, scholars from the empire uncovered a tome with ancient maps and on the map showed the path way and what appears to be a keep.
• The fortress is still standing and defensible, though it has been heavily damaged over the course of time. it sits nestled in a flat grassy valley surrounded by steep mountain walls, the fortress is triangular in shape to prevent traveling past without first going through the fortress.
• A transcript of a message delivered could be uncovered at one point off of a scholar or soldier. "We have uncovered vital information that will strike a heavy blow against the house of the dead, this map is a copy from tome thought lost but has recently been found. You are to take a small force and investigate. If this map is true, secure the area and send word of your findings so we may rally more troops to the area. - Inquisitor Priya Lizbet"

II: Dwarves (or a civilization like them)

• Carved the fortress out of stone.
• The fortress itself is based inside the mountain.
• All three paths lead to one of each of the entrances, each entrance is across a defensible stone bridge.
• The fortress has seen little to no decay from being inside of the mountain, most if not all of the doors, furniture, weapons, utensils, ect. are made from the stone itself and much care has been given to each object through patterns and designs to decorate them.
• Dwarves worshiped the stone they worked meticulously.
• Deep inside the fortress is a stone platform with strange writing on it. (possibly a teleportation device to another dwarven fortress)
• Journal entry from Inquisitor Priya Lizbet dated sometime after game launch - "I have been sent to investigate an ancient fortress, though I did not enjoy the travel up, I must say that I am overjoyed and intrigued by this find. The care and detail put into everything from walls and doors to the spoons and plates, all made of stone. Scouts have reported that there are only two other entrances one leading East and one South. The southern route seems to lead to a hidden cave exit inside of Deadhaus territory.

III: Stone Shapers

• A race that may or may not still exist that shapes stone rather than works stone, giving it a more natural feel rather than worked.
• The stone shapers had the ability to manipulate stone like a potter could manipulate clay. weather this was a magical ability or innate power is unknown.
• Like the dwarf idea this fortress would be inside the mountain, but there are no doors aside from what the humans have made.
• Furnishing within the fortress are all seemingly attached to the floors / walls / ceiling itself.

IV: The Civilization that built Os Kurox

• not much has been revealed about them but Os Kurrox is not to far off.

V: Demons

• Used this site as a gateway into Malorum in ages past, like the dwarven idea there would be a stone platform with strange writing - the way is currently sealed (to open at a later time, when demons become active)
• Anyone entering the fortress becomes unnerved as if something about the place just isn't right.

Section C - Missions for the Area Depending on level of characters, party size, side of mountain going up, weather or not a scout got away ect. there is room for easier / harder time going up mountain. Empire uses NW route, Deadhaus can use S or NW(if they are near Os Kurrox) or NE (if that area is availble) Easy - NE route (the empire expects deadhaus to attack from the south and come in through the NW) Med - NW route (the empire has troops on this side but is expecting to have to defend the south route if their attack fails.) Hard - S route (empire has set wards, traps and garrisons along the route to defend against enemies) I: Acquiring the information to access the area.

• During missions at the Deadhaus gates or somewhere nearby - destroying a human encampment you come across a letter after defeating a higher ranking militant. it reads "Dear Cherine, I hope this letter finds you well. Though I fear my time on this earth may be shorter than I had hoped for. They have pulled many of our veteran troops and priests back for from what I overheard was a "special mission." After I asking around about it, I found out that apparently the empire has found a new stronghold in the mountains and the pathway into their lands is wide open. The enemy has seemed to notice that our forces are dwindling and seem to be ramping up for a battle. Give my love to our children. - Yours now and forever Garrett
• During missions near Os Kurrox, you may be given an objective to find where the soldiers are going - which when completed will reveal the path the humans are taking from this side of the mountain.
• During missions near the spine of the dead dreamer, you may get a random objective to capture the human scout for interrogation. which when completed will give indication that there is a hidden passageway in the mountains that leads to a fortress within them. Alternatively scout could get away but lead you to the entrance to the passageway. which would then update quest to report findings.

II: Proceeding through the mountains.

• Find a route up the mountain : mark the path for others to follow, and find out what is really going on up there. (make it to the top)
• Destroy / disable any traps that may be along the route.

III: Inside the fortress

• Capture the fortress and drive the enemy out.

IV: While holding the fortress

• Setup defenses inside the keep
• Setup defenses along the route
• Defend fortress / route against attackers