Tower of Berrod

The Tower of Berrod stands on a rise overlooking the junction of several key trade routes northwest of Benann, casting a long shadow over the surrounding rugged hills and valleys. Built from grey stone quarried from the Crimson Hills, the tower’s imposing walls and battlements make it a prominent landmark visible for miles around. Originally constructed to monitor traffic along the winding roads that connect Benann to Kerenna and the northern territories, the tower’s strategic importance has only grown with the rise of tensions in the region.

The Tower of Berrod is a squat but sturdy structure, five stories tall, with a wide base and thick walls that can withstand both siege and weather. The lower level serves as storage and housing for the small garrison stationed here, while the upper floors contain the guardrooms and a signaling chamber equipped with beacons and mirrors used to communicate with Benann and other towers in the region. A stone staircase spirals upwards through the centre of the tower, leading to an observation platform that provides a commanding view of the surrounding hills and roads.
During the War of Salvation, the tower was fiercely contested, as control over Berrod meant control over the movement of troops and supplies between Benann and the north. Though it suffered damage during the conflict, the tower was swiftly repaired by the occupying Peacekeeper forces, who saw it as crucial to maintaining order in the region. However, with the Peacekeeper influence waning in northern Teros, the tower has become more isolated, and its role has shifted from a military outpost to a customs checkpoint of sorts, monitoring the flow of goods and people entering and leaving the area.
Captain Yarrin Gorshal, a competent but dour officer, commands the garrison of around a dozen soldiers. Gorshal is well-aware of the tower’s diminished importance and growing isolation, and he struggles to maintain discipline and purpose among his men. The region’s remoteness and the lack of frequent visitors have made morale a constant issue, and rumours abound that bandit activity in the nearby hills has increased. Gorshal is determined to protect his charge, but with limited resources and dwindling support from Benann, the situation grows more precarious by the day.

Type

Tower