High Keep of Penstrarn

The High Keep of Penstrarn stands proudly atop a hill on the southern edge of the city, a commanding presence that looms over the bustling streets below. Built of the same pale sandstone quarried from the nearby hills, the keep’s stark walls and towering spires are visible from almost every corner of Penstrarn, casting long shadows over the surrounding neighbourhoods.

From its vantage point, the keep watches over the city’s sprawling harbour to the north, and serves as the residence of the city's leader, Lady Deyra Yennithir.

Lady Yennithir is a shrewd and determined leader who has held power in Penstrarn for over two decades. Known for her keen intelligence and unyielding resolve, Lady Yennithir has transformed the High Keep into a hub of political manoeuvring and economic planning. It is here that she entertains envoys from the Mar Mabon Townships, negotiates trade agreements with Terosian merchants, and discusses matters of defence and strategy with the League’s other leaders.
Though many of her rivals and allies respect her abilities, they also fear her cold and calculating nature. It is said that few who have crossed Lady Yennithir have emerged unscathed.
The Keep is secured by the Lady's Guard, a garrison of some 200 soldiers led by the mage Commander Benratheen.

Constructed in the early 13th century, after the sacking of Penstrarn in 1123 and the subsequent collapse of the Thalissian Empire, the High Keep has been a bastion of power for centuries. Its architecture combines the solid, practical fortifications typical of Mar Miskun's defences with an elegance that reflects Penstrarn’s wealth and status.
The keep’s main entrance is approached by a long, sloping ramp that winds up the hill, flanked on either side by steep, terraced gardens filled with vibrant achamen shrubs and other hardy plants that thrive in the arid climate. Massive arched gateways, adorned with intricate carvings depicting the city’s history, lead into a broad courtyard that serves as the heart of the keep.
The keep’s interior is no less impressive. Great halls with vaulted ceilings, supported by thick columns, form the core of the building. Tapestries depicting the rise of Penstrarn and its alliances with other members of the League hang along the walls, while windows set with stained glass cast colourful patterns on the smooth stone floors. The High Hall, where Lady Yennithir holds court, is a spacious chamber that exudes authority and power. From here, the Lady of Penstrarn oversees the affairs of the city, her decisions shaping the fortunes of those within its walls and beyond.
Despite its grandeur, the High Keep remains very much a military stronghold. The upper levels house a garrison of elite guards, known as the Hill Wardens, who are tasked with maintaining order and enforcing the Lady’s will. Barracks, storerooms, and armouries are interspersed among the residential quarters, ensuring that the keep’s defenders are always ready to respond to any threat. The Hill Wardens are renowned for their loyalty and discipline, and their distinctive blue-and-gold tabards mark them as a force to be reckoned with.
The High Keep’s strategic location allows it to serve not only as a symbol of Penstrarn’s power but also as a critical defensive position. The hill on which it stands provides a natural barrier against attackers, while the keep’s thick walls and multiple layers of fortifications make it nearly impervious to siege. From the watchtowers that crown its highest spires, sentries can see for miles in all directions, their keen eyes scanning the horizon for signs of trouble. Beacons set atop the towers can be lit to warn of approaching danger, their flames visible from the harbour and the surrounding countryside.
Beneath the keep, a network of tunnels and vaults stretches deep into the hill. These subterranean chambers, some of which date back to the founding of Penstrarn, are used to store the city’s wealth and serve as a refuge in times of crisis. Rumours persist of secret passages leading from the High Keep to hidden exits beyond the city walls, allowing for a swift escape should the need arise. These ancient passages are known only to a select few trusted members of Lady Yennithir’s inner circle, and they add to the air of mystery that surrounds the High Keep.
While the High Keep is often seen as a place of power and authority, it is also a home filled with hidden intrigues. Spies and informants move quietly through its halls, and whispered conversations in shadowed alcoves can change the course of the city’s future.

Type

Castle