Sarlen's Gate

Sarlen’s Gate commands a narrow canyon pass through the Missen Hills, offering a vital shortcut that saves travellers around 60 miles compared to the arduous journey southeast around the hills. Built to block and guard the pass, the fortress stands as a steadfast sentinel against monsters and bandits alike, its imposing structure blending seamlessly with the rocky cliffs on either side.
The trail through the canyon leads northeast to the small town of Frallad, a remote settlement on the edge of the highlands, while the road southward cuts across the wide, open plains of Midrun, ultimately leading to the borders of Parroc. To the west, the road passes the small town of Kendan Ford and continues on to the larger town of Misdorn, making Sarlen’s Gate a critical junction for trade and travel between these settlements.
The fortress itself is a stark, functional structure, built from dark, weathered stone. Its high walls and battlemented towers rise above the canyon’s sheer cliffs, creating an almost impenetrable barrier. Massive iron gates, reinforced with bands of steel, block the narrowest point of the pass, ensuring that no one enters or leaves without the express permission of its lord, Folinn Bess. The road through the gate is wide enough for caravans and wagons to pass, but the narrow confines of the canyon leave little room for manoeuvring, making any attempt to bypass the gate nearly impossible.
The fortress’s commanding position and control over the canyon’s pass have given Bess considerable power. From his lofty perch, Bess oversees the flow of goods and people through the region, imposing heavy tolls on those who wish to use the pass. His men patrol the road and the surrounding hills, ensuring that no one attempts to circumvent his authority. Those who cannot pay are turned away, and more than one merchant has found themselves facing ruin after being denied passage through the gate. The interior of Sarlen’s Gate reflects Bess’s wealth and influence. The halls are decorated with tapestries and trophies from his conquests, and his private chambers are filled with luxuries rarely seen this far from the heartlands of Forbin. Yet despite the opulence within, the keep is a place of constant activity. Armoured guards move through the halls, and the clang of steel on stone echoes through the courtyard as Bess’s men train for the day when Sarlen’s Gate might be tested.
Despite his greed and domineering nature, Bess’s presence at Sarlen’s Gate is not without benefit to the region. His strict control over the pass has kept the route free from brigands and raiders, and his garrison provides a measure of security to the nearby towns. However, his exorbitant tolls and harsh enforcement of the rules have made him no friends, and many in the surrounding lands view him as little more than a glorified bandit, holding the pass hostage for his own gain.

Type

Castle