The Black Fort
The Black Fort sits on the south-east corner of the city of Argate. It is home to the Argate Watch.
Purpose / Function
The original purpose of the Black Fort was to protect the entrance to the river Ar and it still serves that purpose.
The Black Fort currently serves as the barracks, training grounds, and armory for the Argate watch. It also has a dungeon in the basement of the western tower that is used to hold prisoners arrested by the Watch, until such a time as a Magistrate can review the charges against them. If the charges are serious enough, the prisoner is transferred to the dungeons of the Silver Palace.
The Argate Watch has barracks here for about half their forces, the remainder reside in other parts of the city. The Black Fort also has an armory that contains a supply of weapons, not only for the Watch's peacetime duties, but also heavier arms for use during war.
The Black Fort also is connected to the naval docks where the Argate fleet is stationed. The crews and officers of the fleet do not stay in the Black Fort, but they do pass through it as the embark and disembark, and the main courtyard and training grounds are often used as staging areas for the ships' supplies.
History
The original fort on the banks of the river Ar was one of the first defensive structures built in what would eventually become Argate. The fort housed the family and soldiers of Lord Frisse after he claimed the land and started to build. As the walls of Argate were built, and the palace was completed, Lord Frisse moved out of the fort and the fort turned into a purely military function. The family residence was converted into officers quarters, and the barracks was expanded. In addition, the gray stone of the walls and towers were painted black and gave the fort it's common name.
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