Hillskeep
The Watchtower of Southreach
Small Keep, Strategic Observation Point
Settlement Summary
- Population: 1,200 (primarily soldiers and support staff)
- Government: Governed by an Imperial Captain under direct military authority of Southreach and the Emperor
- Alignment: Lawful Neutral
- Languages: Common, Elven, and regional dialects of Southreach
- Notable Locations: The Watchtower, The Soldier’s Quarters, The Armory, The Wizard’s Perch
Notable Features
- The Watchtower: A magically enhanced tower that reaches impossible heights, allowing soldiers to survey vast stretches of Southreach’s plains and the eastern coastline. The tower is enchanted with protections against weather, attacks, and unauthorized entry.
- The Soldier’s Quarters: A barracks housing the 1,000 soldiers stationed at Hillskeep. These quarters are efficient and utilitarian, designed to house the garrison comfortably.
- The Armory: A well-stocked armory containing weapons, armour, and siege equipment, all meticulously maintained.
- The Wizard’s Perch: A small, fortified chamber near the top of the tower where imperial battle mages monitor magical threats and assist with strategic reconnaissance.
Special Qualities
- Magical Overwatch: The tower’s height and enchantments provide unmatched visibility, allowing the stationed soldiers to spot potential threats well before they arrive.
- Strategic Position: Hillskeep’s location in the hills provides a natural defensive advantage while serving as a key observation point for the surrounding region.
- Military Exclusivity: The settlement is entirely military-focused, with no civilian population other than support staff like cooks, smiths, and healers.
Defenses
- Elite Garrison: The 1,000 soldiers stationed at Hillskeep are among Southreach’s best, trained to respond rapidly to any threat spotted from the tower.
- Magical Protections: The Watchtower is warded against teleportation, siege weapons, and magical tampering, ensuring its security.
- Reinforced Structure: The keep and tower are constructed from magically reinforced stone, making them resistant to both physical and magical damage.
Notable NPCs
- Captain Bren Havelock: The human commander of Hillskeep, Bren is a meticulous strategist and an unwavering leader. His dedication to protecting Southreach is unmatched.
- Wizard Althara Skygaze: A half-elven battle mage assigned to the Wizard’s Perch. Althara is responsible for maintaining the tower’s magical wards and assisting with reconnaissance.
- Sergeant Darrek Stonehelm: A grizzled dwarven officer who oversees the daily training and discipline of the garrison.
- Quartermaster Illya Farseer: A halfling logistician who ensures the keep remains well-supplied, coordinating shipments from Southreach and beyond.
- Scout Ryen Hawkshade: A skilled human scout who frequently leads patrols into the surrounding hills, ensuring no threats go unnoticed.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Magical Maintenance: The tower’s enchantments require constant upkeep by skilled mages, and any disruption to the wards could compromise its defenses.
- Isolation: Hillskeep’s remote location makes it challenging to resupply during harsh weather or extended conflicts.
- Banditry in the Hills: While rare, bandit groups sometimes attempt to raid supply caravans bound for Hillskeep.
- Coastal Threats: Occasional sightings of hostile ships along the eastern coastline keep the garrison on high alert.
The Watchtower’s Magic
"A Beacon of Vigilance"
The Watchtower is enchanted with spells that enhance visibility, allowing soldiers to see far beyond the natural horizon. Additionally, protective wards shield the structure from weather and attack.
The Wizard’s Perch
"Guardians of the Sky"
The Wizard’s Perch is a fortified chamber where mages use magical tools like scrying mirrors and telescopes to monitor the surrounding region. It is also affectionally known as the 'Eyrie,' due to the winged Wizard unit known as the Skyguard taking flight from the perch. A wizard named Yllen Brightsky had created cloaks that grant its wearer wings, and they have become a favourite of the guards of Hillskeep.
The Armory’s Relics
"Tools of War"
The Armory at Hillskeep contains a few rare and enchanted weapons, remnants of past conflicts. These items are used sparingly, reserved for times of great need. Amongst the collection include devastating siege weapons designed for taking out armies marching across the plains, or ships slipping into the northern bay.
Signal Fires of the Hills
"A Chain of Communication"
Hillskeep maintains a series of signal fires in the surrounding hills, allowing for rapid communication with nearby military outposts and settlements, without relying on potentially unreliable magic.
Legends of Hillskeep
"The Tower’s Secret Origins"
Some believe the Watchtower was built not by imperial hands but by an ancient civilisation, later repurposed by the empire. Its impossible height and flawless construction lend credence to these tales.