Fort Drasash

Fort Drasash is a fort in the League of Mar Miskun, controlled by the town of Penric. It stands as a steadfast sentinel at the eastern edge of the Penstrarn Hills near the Penric. The castle overlooks the critical fork where the road to Penstrarn descends and the path to Siramon begins its winding ascent along the River Rusnan. Perched high on a rugged bluff, the fort commands a sweeping view of the hills and valleys that surround it, ensuring that no movement goes unnoticed in this strategic region of Mar Miskun.
Built centuries ago to secure the trade routes passing through the hills, Fort Drasash remains a vital checkpoint for the League of Mar Miskun. Its construction reflects a robust and utilitarian design, featuring thick walls of grey stone and squat towers that reinforce its reputation as an impenetrable bastion against both external threats and local unrest. The fort’s strategic position, straddling the road, ensures that all traffic between Penric and Penstrarn must pass beneath its watchful gaze.
The fort’s architecture is practical and imposing. Two fortified gates anchor the structure, with the northern gate controlling the road to Penstrarn and the southern gate regulating access to the route climbing towards Siramon. The walls between the gates are lined with battlements, from which guards can observe the approaches and deter any would-be intruders. Above each gate, tall watchtowers rise, affording sentries a panoramic view of the surrounding hills.
Within the fort’s walls, the inner courtyard is dominated by the main keep, a formidable building housing the garrison’s barracks, armoury, and command centre. The keep is a multi-storey structure with narrow windows and reinforced doors, designed to withstand any siege. To the west of the courtyard is a stable, where the fort’s few horses are kept, and a small smithy that handles minor repairs to weapons and armour. A training yard lies to the east, where soldiers can often be seen honing their combat skills under the stern eye of their captains.
The fort is garrisoned by a force of one hundred and twenty soldiers, led by Captain Sichall Paylin. Known for her competence and diligence, Captain Paylin is a no-nonsense leader who has dedicated herself to maintaining the fort’s high standards. She has served at Fort Drasash for over a decade, earning the respect of her subordinates and the wariness of the local merchants who find her adherence to duty a frustrating obstacle to their ambitions.
Captain Paylin’s office is located in the upper floor of the keep, overlooking both the Penstrarn road and the path to Siramon. Maps and tactical reports fill the shelves and cover the desk, where Paylin spends her evenings meticulously reviewing the day’s patrols and planning for future deployments. While she keeps a tight rein on the garrison’s activities, she also ensures that the soldiers have the discipline and training necessary to handle the many dangers lurking in the hills, including the fearsome Redsnouts that roam the wilder regions.
The two gates of the fort serve as the main points of control over traffic along the road. Passing merchants and travellers must stop to declare their business and pay the necessary tolls before being allowed to proceed. This toll, while officially sanctioned by the League, is seen by many as little more than a thinly veiled tax on trade. Captain Paylin, despite her dislike for corruption, enforces these charges as part of her orders, knowing that they fund not just the garrison’s upkeep but also the League’s broader operations.
The soldiers at Fort Drasash are well-trained and vigilant, frequently patrolling the surrounding hills to deter bandits and ensure the safety of travellers. The threat from the Redsnouts and the occasional sightings of Rhakkor mean that patrols rarely venture far from the fort itself. Instead, Captain Paylin relies on a small network of scouts, who move quietly through the hills, gathering intelligence on any threats or movements among the tribes who still claim parts of the region as their own.
Despite its imposing nature, Fort Drasash is not without its vulnerabilities. The constant wear and tear of the harsh hilltop winds have left parts of the outer wall weathered and in need of repair. The supply lines from Penric are frequently delayed, and the surrounding terrain makes it difficult to maintain clear visibility at all times. Captain Paylin is acutely aware of these challenges and has petitioned the League for additional support, but such aid is slow in coming.

Type

Castle