The Brickhouse
The Brickhouse is the central headquarters of The Blastguard in Awarth. Situated near Beacon's Heart in Anchorage Heights, the Brickhouse is a practical, unassuming building that blends seamlessly into the district’s civic architecture. Built from ashy gray Awarthan brick and reinforced with iron bracings, the structure exudes a sense of strength, stability, and permanence. The name, drawn from its sturdy construction, reflects the Blastguard’s pragmatic ethos and their role as the city’s shield against both internal disorder and external threats.
Purpose / Function
The Brickhouse serves as both an administrative and operational center for the Blastguard. It houses offices for high-ranking officers, strategic war rooms, secure armories, and barracks for key personnel. While most of the Blastguard’s forces are stationed throughout Awarth’s Holds, the Brickhouse is where overall strategy is formulated and critical decisions are made. It also functions as a recruitment center and a training site for new officers.
Alterations
Originally built as a civic foundry in the early days of Awarth’s industrial rise, the Brickhouse was converted into a military headquarters during the early days of The Boil War. Additional wings have been added to accommodate growing administrative needs. A recent refurbishment introduced a series of underground chambers used for storing sensitive documents and experimental Gree weaponry.
Architecture
The Brickhouse is a squat, rectangular structure built from local Awarthan brick, which has a distinctive ashy gray hue darkened further by the city’s perpetual soot and grime. The facade is plain and utilitarian, with minimal ornamentation save for the Blastguard’s crest—a stylized iron anchor—set above the entrance. The building’s windows are narrow and shuttered with iron to protect against potential attacks. Inside, the halls are stark and functional, with stone floors, iron fixtures, and walls adorned with maps and battle reports.
A central courtyard within the Brickhouse serves as both a parade ground and a training space for drills. The building’s thick walls and reinforced doors make it as much a fortress as an office.
Defenses
The Brickhouse is designed to withstand both physical and spectral threats. The exterior walls are reinforced with treated mortar to prevent corrosion, and the iron bracings are etched with protective glyphs provided by the Harrowfield Institute to ward off supernatural incursions. The entrance is guarded day and night by a rotating contingent of Blastguard soldiers, and the armory within is secured by heavy iron doors and a complex locking mechanism known only to senior officers.
History
The Brickhouse was originally a foundry producing tools and weaponry for Awarth’s burgeoning industrial economy. During the tensions leading up to the Boil War, it became a critical supply hub for the city’s defenses. During the war itself, the Council of Anchors granted the building to the Blastguard, recognizing the need for a central military command.
Tourism
While not a tourist destination in the traditional sense, the Brickhouse is a prominent landmark in Anchorage Heights. Civilians often pass by the building on their way to Beacon’s Heart. Occasionally, the Blastguard opens the central courtyard for public ceremonies or recruitment drives, drawing curious onlookers and potential recruits.
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