Castles and towers of Mar Mabon

The island of Mar Mabon is dotted with castles, keeps, and towers, remnants of its once-great past. Many of these fortifications date back to the height of the Thalissian Empire, their ruins a testament to a bygone era of glory and power. Today, some of these strongholds are occupied by local rulers of the Mar Mabon Townships, soldiers, or outlaws; others now stand empty and crumbling.

Occupied castles and towers

Castle Varathis

Castle Varathis rises at the western end of Orbont's busy harbour, a multi-tiered fortress that combines elegance with defensive strength. Its sweeping arches and balconies offer a commanding view of the city and the Mabon Channel. Lord Tormus Trivek, known as ‘Tormus the Handsome,’ holds court here, using his charm and cunning to navigate the labyrinthine politics of Orbont.

Citadel of the Serpent

Perched on a rocky outcrop at the western edge of Gathansin, the Citadel of the Serpent looms over the town like a watchful guardian. Mistress Bantheen, a shrewd and formidable ruler, resides within its walls. The citadel is renowned for its unique spire shaped like a serpent’s head and the presence of the Serpent Guard, a disciplined force that ensures the Mistress’s grip on power.

Fort Tavad

Fort Tavad stands at the northern edge of the Jarocan Plain, a symbol of neutrality and collaboration amidst the shifting alliances of the Mar Mabon Townships. Overseen by the seasoned Commander Jorn, it serves as a meeting place for township leaders, protected by the sworn neutrality of the Knights of Mabon, who mediate disputes and uphold agreements under the auspices of the goddess Lessada.

Tower of Firthim

The Tower of Firthim, located just beyond the town of Tabann, serves as both a lookout tower and lighthouse. Its distinctive ramp spirals around the exterior, providing access to the beacon chamber at the summit. Managed by rotating squads from the town guard, the tower’s ever-burning flame guides sailors safely into port and warns of any approaching threats from the treacherous waters of the Mabon Channel.

Palace of the Sun

The Palace of the Sun in the city of Argonsa is a grand testament to the city’s wealth and power. Home to Prince Alfic, a skilled Channeller and avid collector of magical artefacts, the palace’s golden spires and tiered courtyards overlook the Sea of Fair Winds.

Ruined Castles and Towers

Fort Drechorn

Fort Drechorn clings to the headland above the Mabon Channel, its crumbling silhouette stark against the sky. Abandoned long ago, this once-mighty stronghold served as a bulwark against pirates and raiders, its garrison guarding the entrance to the bay and the vital trade routes beyond. Now, the ruin’s broken walls and empty passages are the domain of scavengers and adventurers searching for the fabled lyre rumoured to be buried beneath its foundations.

Jithandran

Jithandran’s lonely ruin clings to the eastern coastline of the Thalis Plains, far from any inhabited settlement. Once a proud lookout post, it now stands as a haunted, wind-beaten relic. Local tribes whisper of a cursed diadem hidden beneath its foundations, a treasure said to be a relic of the fallen Thalissian Empire.

Rannin Kell

Rannin Kell is an abandoned watchtower on the rugged hills at the entrance to the Vale of Echoes. Built during the decline of the Thalissian Empire, it once housed a garrison of elite soldiers, but now its black stone walls are broken and crumbling. The Monissash and Henassim tribes avoid the ruins, believing it to be haunted by a nameless horror that emerged from the vale during the empire’s fall.

Vidrazin Keep

Vidrazin Keep stands in solitary desolation at the entrance to the Mabon Channel, its shattered towers and overgrown courtyards a stark reminder of the island’s turbulent past. The keep’s hidden passageways and concealed chambers have become the staging ground for a smuggling operation led by the cunning Rovan Kell. His network traffics contraband between the Terosian town of Lespir and Mar Mabon, using the keep’s ruins to evade authorities on both sides of the channel.