Renn Castle

Renn castle is a large fortification situated in the City of Renn. Renn Castle was the residence of the royal family of the Kingdom of Erdantia from when the City of Renn was the capital of Erdantia (1411-1449), being commisioned in early 1413. Today, it serves as the residence for the Renn Council.

Purpose / Function

Although Renn Castle was originally built as the residence of the King and royal family of Erdantia, it now serves as housing for the Renn Council, the body of officials that run the holding of Renn. It also acts as a base of operations for the Old Guard in their duties about the city, now mostly ceremonial. In times of war, it can assist in protection of civilians and possessions from external threats, as well as act as an important fortification for Renn's defences.

Design

The castle walls are surrounded by land on three sides, but are bordered by the Elkan River to the western face. The bridge spanning this river is the only entrance. There are eight watchtowers along the walls, spaced regularly. Within the walls, the castle is laid out asymmetrically, with the keep to the eastern side, farthest from the entrance, and stables and barracks directly adjacent to the entrance. To the south is a large storehouse, and to the northwest a small but well-kept garden.
The keep itself is rectangular in shape, with two entrances - a ground floor entrance facing towards the gate and a wooden drawbridge onto the outer wall. It has four floors and a basement.

Defences

The castle was very much built with security in mind. The northwestern watchtower carries a beacon that, when lit, carries a signal across Eastern Thorn to rally reinforcements. The castle barracks is home to the Old Guard, former bodyguards to the monarch of Thorn and elite military unit. The gatehouse houses

Denizens

There are currently about 89 residents of the castle, including the Old Guard, who live in a guardhouse located in the courtyard, and the Renn Council. Other roles include the castle Constable, who is in command of the day-to-day running of the castle.

Alterations

The castle has undergone exactly one major change since its construction, in 1432. In the renovation, the previously wooden outer walls were replaced with solid stone from Erial, and the keep was given an extra floor. At this time, the barracks for the Old Guard were also constructed, as they had previously been staying in a small guardhouse connected to the keep, which was converted into a bedroom. The drawbridge crossing the river was replaced with a permanent stone bridge.

Architecture

The castle resembles an interesting mix between Cordaintine and traditional Erdantine architecture, common in the aftermath of the Great Rebellion. In the center of the castle courtyard is a pedestal on which sit three statues, each based on a different figure of the Great Rebellion.

• Ervan Tyler - Figurehead of the rebellion and first King of Erdantia, standing in the front
• Aelhard Shaw - Ervan's greatest warrior, standing 7 feet tall to Ervan's left
• Odierne Harcourt - The farmer who killed the lord of Castle Ordine in its storming. She is widely considered to be the first combatant of the Great Rebellion.

History

Construction of Renn Castle began in 1410, a full year after the resolution of the Great Erdantian Rebellion. It was made as a fortification for the City of Renn, then capital of the newly-formed Kingdom of Erdantia, and as the residence of King Ervan Tyler. The site used was formerly the site of a Cordaintine barracks that became a base of operations for the rebellion. The Castle was finished in late 1413, and King Ervan moved in immediately. The Castle underwent renovations in 1432, and in 1449, five years after Markus Tyler's rise to the throne, the capital was moved to Drago and Renn Castle was handed down to a local lord who was given the holding of Renn. After Renn's shift to a Council Holding, it became the residence and offices of the Renn Council. In 1592, with the Siege of Renn, much of the castle was damaged, including the castle's barbican, and rebuilding is still underway.

Founding Date

1413

Type

Castle

Parent Location

City of Renn

Owning Organization

The Kingdom of Erdantia