Castle Faerun
The Shield of the North
Military Fortress, Guarding Against Abyssal Threats
Settlement Summary
- Population: 1,000 (950 Imperial soldiers, 50 support staff)
- Government: Administered by an Imperial Commander reporting directly to Lordhelm and the Imperial Council
- Alignment: Lawful Neutral
- Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Abyssal (studied by specialists)
- Notable Locations: The Emerald Bastion, The Abysswatch Barracks, The Command Spire, The Purging Grounds, The Deep Gate
Notable Features
- The Emerald Bastion: Castle Faerun’s central stronghold, this massive fortress is constructed from enchanted stone that resists both physical and magical attacks. It serves as the command centre and houses the garrison’s officers.
- The Abysswatch Barracks: A large barracks complex where soldiers are trained and housed. It includes specialized training for dealing with Abyssal threats.
- The Command Spire: A towering structure within the fortress, used for strategic planning and communication with Lordhelm and other military outposts.
- The Purging Grounds: An open training area where soldiers practice fighting aberrations and honing their skills against creatures from the Abyss. It includes enchanted weaponry and controlled summoning fields.
- The Deep Gate: A heavily guarded tunnel entrance that leads into the cavern systems beneath the Emerald Mountains. The gate is warded with powerful magic to prevent Abyssal incursions.
Special Qualities
- Abyssal Vigilance: Castle Faerun’s primary purpose is to monitor and defend against creatures emerging from the Abyssal caverns, making it one of the empire’s most critical defensive positions after Crowngate. While abyssal incursions in this part of the mountain are rarer, and usually far less threatening than Crowngate, even one escaped demon could wreak havoc upon the empire.
- Advanced Military Facilities: The fortress is equipped with cutting-edge training grounds, weapon forges, and magical research labs dedicated to combating Abyssal threats.
- Isolation: Positioned relatively far from major population centres, Castle Faerun operates with a high degree of autonomy, focusing solely on its defensive mission.
Defenses
- Elite Garrison: The 950 soldiers stationed at Castle Faerun are among Lordhelm's best, trained specifically to combat aberrations and otherworldly threats. Though they pale in comparison to the Crownguard.
- Magical Wards: The fortress is surrounded by enchanted barriers that detect and repel Abyssal creatures.
- Fortified Walls: Reinforced with Abyssal-resistant stone, the walls of Castle Faerun are designed to withstand both physical sieges and magical assaults.
Notable NPCs
- Commander Eryndel Blackthorn: A half-elven officer with decades of experience combating Abyssal threats, Commander Blackthorn is renowned for her tactical brilliance and unwavering resolve.
- Magus Kaelen Duskwind: A human battle mage who oversees the magical defenses of the fortress and conducts research into Abyssal creatures.
- Captain Tharvik Ironhand: A gruff dwarven officer who leads the Abysswatch Barracks and trains soldiers in anti-aberration tactics.
- Priestess Lysara Brightglow: A halfling cleric who maintains morale and conducts purification rituals for soldiers exposed to Abyssal corruption.
- Scoutmaster Kael Draven: A human ranger who leads reconnaissance missions into the Emerald Mountains and cavern systems, ensuring early detection of threats.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Abyssal Threats: The cavern systems beneath the Emerald Mountains are a constant source of danger, with aberrations emerging sporadically.
- Corruption Risks: Soldiers and researchers exposed to Abyssal energies must be monitored and occasionally quarantined to prevent corruption.
- Isolation: The fortress’s remote location makes resupply difficult, particularly during prolonged skirmishes.
- Limited Civilian Presence: While Castle Faerun can support a small civilian population, the lack of a thriving community can create logistical and morale challenges, and most civilian population are refugees to be sent to Markethome.
The Deep Gate
"A Portal to Darkness"
The Deep Gate is Castle Faerun’s most heavily guarded location, leading into the cavern systems beneath the Emerald Mountains. Wards and barriers ensure no creature can pass through unnoticed. However, the caverns are so complex in this area, while it is the largest and most-often assaulted location, it is not the only location where demons can emerge.
The Purging Grounds
"Forging Fighters Against the Abyss"
Soldiers train daily in the Purging Grounds, using enchanted weapons and facing simulated Abyssal creatures to prepare for real threats. They learn small magics such as light and fire spells, as well as the art of attuning to magic weapons to enhance their powers.
Abyssal Studies
"Understanding the Enemy"
Castle Faerun’s research labs are dedicated to studying Abyssal creatures, seeking weaknesses and understanding their origins. The Tooth has consistently caused strained tension for refusing to share this kind of information, insisting that it is the role of the Crownguard to hold back the abyss, and the "fledglings" that come from the mountains are insignificant to the threats they face themselves.
The Emerald Bastion
"A Fortress Without Equal"
The Emerald Bastion’s design incorporates both mundane and magical elements, making high on the list of the empire’s most secure fortresses. Its green-hued stone is said to be mined from deep within the Emerald Mountains.