The Drowned Keep
Lost Bastion of the North
Location Type: Abandoned Imperial Fortress
Population: Unknown (rumoured to house marsh creatures, lost souls, or forgotten relics)
Notable Features: The Sunken Walls, The Tower of Echoes, The Hollow Courtyard, The Blackened Gate, The Murkspire
Alignment: Neutral (potentially Chaotic Neutral due to its abandonment and eerie legends)
Overview
The Drowned Keep, situated deep within the Northmarsh, stands as a testament to the empire’s waning grip on its farthest reaches. Once a proud northern bastion of defense, the fortress was abandoned when the dangers of the surrounding marshlands became insurmountable. The decision to abandon the keep left it to the mercy of time and the marsh’s encroaching waters.
Over the years, stories of the Drowned Keep have grown into legend. Treasure hunters whisper of untold riches hidden within its crumbling halls, while scholars speculate about the lost knowledge left behind in its archives. Tales of ghostly sentinels, monstrous inhabitants, and a deep, haunting presence have kept all but the most daring adventurers away.
Features of the Drowned Keep
The Sunken Walls
The outer fortifications of the keep are partially submerged in the dark, brackish waters of the marsh. Moss and creeping vines have overtaken the stone, and portions of the wall have crumbled entirely, swallowed by the mire. During certain tides, ghostly lights are said to flicker along the walls, as though the keep’s defenders still stand watch.
The Tower of Echoes
The tallest structure in the keep, the Tower of Echoes, rises above the marsh’s misty canopy. Its bell once rang to warn of approaching threats, but now its sound is carried by the wind, distorted and eerie. Those who hear it claim it brings visions of the keep’s final days.
The Hollow Courtyard
The once-bustling courtyard now lies overgrown and desolate. Shallow pools of stagnant water reflect the twisted remnants of weapon racks and training dummies. Explorers report hearing whispers here, though no one is ever seen.
The Blackened Gate
The main entrance to the keep, the Blackened Gate, is a massive iron structure that has been warped and corroded over the years. Some say it appears as though it was melted by an unknown force, while others believe it has simply been weathered by the marsh.
The Murkspire
A spire at the edge of the keep, the Murkspire is shrouded in the densest part of the marsh’s fog. Legends say it was once a mage’s tower, its occupant researching the mysterious flora and fauna of the marsh. Now, it is said to be haunted by his restless spirit.
Cultural Significance
The Drowned Keep has become a symbol of imperial overreach, a cautionary tale about the dangers of extending control into untamed lands. For adventurers, it represents an irresistible challenge, filled with the promise of treasure and the thrill of uncovering lost secrets. To the nomadic marsh-dwellers, the keep is a place to avoid, believed to be cursed or claimed by the spirits of the marsh.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Monstrous Inhabitants: Creatures of the Northmarsh are said to have made the keep their home, from enormous swamp serpents to Abyssal remnants.
- Dangerous Terrain: The surrounding marsh is treacherous, with hidden sinkholes, poisonous plants, and unpredictable weather.
- Hidden Knowledge: Records left behind in the keep’s archives could provide valuable insights into the empire’s history and the nature of the Northmarsh.
- Cursed Relics: Artefacts within the keep may carry powerful enchantments but could also be tainted by whatever forces led to its abandonment.
The Final Stand
"When the Keep Fell"
Local legends claim that the keep’s defenders were overwhelmed not by an invading force, but by the marsh itself, as if the land had risen against them. Whether this is true, or they simple lost morale and many didn't survive the return to the capital, no one has been able to discern as time has left their stories in fading memory.
The Bell of the Tower of Echoes
"Ringing Across Time"
The bell atop the Tower of Echoes is said to ring on its own, heralding death or disaster. Some believe it is a relic cursed by the marsh. Others say it's simply the wind, or birds confused in the murk of the marsh.
The Marsh’s Hold
"A Living Trap"
The Northmarsh seems almost alive, swallowing anyone who ventures too deep. Many believe the marsh itself is the true guardian of the keep.