Wicaster Castrum

Wicaster Castrum ('Wicaster Fort') is a tower located on a rocky promontory within the city-state of Wicaster in Sunscald's far south. The tower is all that remains of a Destrian fort by the name of Siolfwic Castrum that was never completed, with most of the other walls having either collapsed or been reused as building materials. While offering no real strategic advantage, the tower's tenacity has made it a beloved symbol of Wicaster, and it features prominently on the city's coat of arms.

History

Wicaster Castrum was originally named Siolfwic Castrum, and was a planned fortification for the Destrian outpost of the same name (which would ultimately become the city of Wicaster). The fort was intended to discourage pirates or other city-states from assaulting the outpost, and as a symbol of Destries' authority. Construction of the Castrum proper began in the year 1330, but was frequently halted to focus on other issues with the outpost or due to a sheer lack of funding. By the time the Destrians retreated from the settlement in 1356, the 'fort' consisted of little more than one small tower and a few connecting walls.
The fort and the tower were usually ignored by the population of Wicaster following their abandonment by Destries, having far more pressing concerns. Wicastrians would occasionally 'loot' the ruined fort for building materials, however the tower remained largely untouched. The tower had originally been painted gold, the colour of Destries, but years of exposure to the elements faded and eventually cracked this paint, leaving the tower a grisly pale white. It was partially this change that endeared the tower to Wicaster's residents - like them, it had been propped up and abandoned by Destries, and then shaped by the elements into something new. Consequently, a white tower was chosen as the city's eventual coat of arms. Efforts have since been made to preserve the tower as a symbol of the city's heritage - it was eventually repainted white after the faded gold paint began to crack and crumble further.
While the tower offers no real defensive advantage, it is still usually referred to as 'the Castrum' by locals, a word signifying a completed and well-defended fort. This is a small example of the dry Wicastrian sense of humour.

Wicaster Castrum as depicted on the Wicaster coat of arms.

Founding Date

1330 - 1356 (never completed)

Alternative Names

Siolfwic Castrum (former name)

Type

Tower

Parent Location

Wicaster