Bastion of Kunkana

The Bastion stands resolute on the windswept heights of Kunkana, its red and white stone walls rising like the unyielding backbone of the town’s defences.

Built atop a high ridge between the Charred Hills and the Penstrarn Hills, this formidable keep commands sweeping views over the barren Naylin Desert to the east and the twisting road that winds up from Barvon Bir to the west. The Bastion is not merely a fortress; it is the heart of Kunkana’s military power and the nerve centre from which the town’s affairs are managed.
Constructed from sturdy local stone, the Bastion is a robust and functional structure, designed to withstand both the elements and the dangers that lurk in Mar Miskun's harsh interior. Its mighty outer walls are reinforced by four stout, rounded towers at each corner, giving the keep a squat, imposing profile against the sky.
Heavy gates of iron and oak, flanked by watchtowers, provide the only access through the outer walls, while a series of narrow arrow slits and murder holes offer ample opportunities for defenders to repel any attackers.
The interior of the Bastion is a study in stark efficiency. The lower levels house the garrison’s barracks, armoury, and storerooms, while the upper floors and towers contain offices for the keep’s officers and town officials. The central courtyard, with its hard-packed earth, is used for training and musters. Here, the garrison’s 150 troops - well-disciplined and battle-hardened - drill daily under the watchful eyes of their captains. An open forge stands at one end of the courtyard, where armourers tend to the maintenance of weapons and armour, ensuring the garrison is always prepared for battle.
The Bastion’s main hall is a vast, stone-walled chamber known as the Master’s Hall, where the affairs of Kunkana are discussed and decided. The chamber’s high, vaulted ceiling is supported by thick pillars, and the air is heavy with the scent of iron and the echoes of stern voices. A massive iron-bound table occupies the centre of the hall, where the town’s leaders and military officers gather to confer on matters of trade, governance, and defence. The hall is sparsely decorated, with a few faded banners and the insignia of Kunkana’s ruling council providing the only touches of colour in the otherwise austere space.
The keep’s current Master, Fittar Mobinn, is a tough and uncompromising Boma who rules Kunkana with a firm hand. Known for his iron will and tactical acumen, Mobinn has earned the respect of the garrison and the townsfolk alike through his steadfast leadership. Though the Bastion serves primarily as the garrison’s headquarters, its role as the centre of local governance ensures that Mobinn is constantly engaged in the management of the town’s affairs. Meetings with traders, miners, and craftsmen are a daily occurrence, and Mobinn’s sharp mind and keen instincts have allowed him to navigate the often treacherous politics of Mar Miskun’s merchant leagues.
Beneath the Bastion, a series of vaults and cellars extend deep into the rock, providing secure storage for the town’s wealth and reserves of iron, copper, and precious metals. Guarded day and night, these vaults are heavily fortified, for Kunkana’s prosperity is built on the riches drawn from its mines. The lower levels of the keep are crisscrossed by narrow passageways and stairwells, forming a maze that only the garrison’s veterans know by heart. This network of corridors provides quick access between the armouries, barracks, and storerooms, ensuring that the Bastion’s defenders can respond swiftly to any threat.
Despite its austere appearance, the Bastion is a place of vital importance for the town of Kunkana. It is from here that Fittar Mobinn directs the town’s military efforts, negotiates with traders, and settles disputes between the town’s mining guilds and merchant families. The garrison itself, though small compared to the armies of larger cities, is a formidable force, known for its resilience and tenacity. Outfitted with weapons and armour forged in the town’s forges, the soldiers of the Bastion are well-equipped and well-trained, ready to defend Kunkana’s interests against any threat, whether from within the island or beyond.
The Bastion’s role as a symbol of strength and security extends beyond its physical walls. For the people of Kunkana, it represents stability and order in an otherwise wild and unforgiving land.

Type

Keep