Irestone

The fortress of Irestone stands as a steadfast guardian of the Bay of Laknas, its weathered walls and watchtowers overlooking the windswept waters where the bay meets Berin Sound. Nestled at the southern edge of the Plains of Daraneen, Irestone commands a strategic position, protecting both the vital shipping lanes of the bay and the scattered settlements along its shores. From its high vantage point on the rugged coastline, the fort watches over the open waters and the nearby countryside, serving as both a military outpost and a beacon of stability in these troubled lands.
Irestone’s thick, grey stone walls rise from a rocky promontory, their edges smoothed by years of salt spray and sea winds. Built to withstand the harshest conditions, the fortress is both imposing and utilitarian, with narrow arrow slits lining its towers and battlements. A broad, cobbled courtyard lies within, flanked by barracks, storerooms, and a sturdy keep that serves as the command centre for the garrison. The watchtower, the highest point in the fort, is a solitary spire from which signal fires can be lit to warn of approaching ships or trouble in the plains.
Lord Commander Venrick, a grizzled veteran of many campaigns, oversees Irestone with a steady hand. A seasoned soldier known for his unwavering loyalty to King Dastan III and his keen tactical mind, Venrick has served the crown for decades, earning a reputation as one of Remon's most competent and dependable commanders. His weathered face and iron-grey hair speak of a lifetime spent in the service of his country, and his stern gaze misses little within the fort’s walls or beyond.
Venrick’s loyalty is not in question, but his task here is a difficult one. The southern Plains of Daraneen, though less dangerous than the northern reaches, are still a troubled region. For months now, reports of raids have come in from the scattered villages and hamlets that dot the coast and inland plains. Small communities have been burned, their people driven off or killed, and livestock stolen. The perpetrators, it is believed, are bands of marauders led by the self-styled warlord Jalash Karnoch, a former militia captain turned brigand. Karnoch’s men move swiftly, striking under cover of darkness and disappearing before Venrick’s patrols can reach them.
Lord Commander Venrick has vowed to put an end to these attacks and bring stability back to the region, but Karnoch’s elusive tactics and deep knowledge of the terrain have made him a difficult foe to pin down. The villages look to Irestone for protection, but with only a modest garrison at his disposal, Venrick is stretched thin. He has dispatched riders to the capital, requesting reinforcements to bolster his forces, but as the king’s attention is focused on other matters, help has been slow to arrive. Frustrated by the lack of support, Venrick has taken to leading patrols himself, riding out with his men to hunt down Karnoch’s raiders.

Type

Castle