Starwatch Keep
Starwatch Keep is a major fortification on the southeastern cliffs of Absalom, built centuries before the beginning of the Lost Age.
Purpose / Function
Historians have speculated on the Keep's purpose since the early years of the modern Age, but only one record of the structure survived the scourge of the written word, which simply details the date and cost of its construction.
Military scholars largely believe the Keep was used to keep the capital safe during the era of sea travel, likely using siege engines mounted to the cliffside walls, and to guide ships to port with a tower that likely acted much like a lighthouse. Neither the weapons nor the tower survived the test of time, leaving only rusting bolts and crumbling stone where such feats of engineering used to be.
Military scholars largely believe the Keep was used to keep the capital safe during the era of sea travel, likely using siege engines mounted to the cliffside walls, and to guide ships to port with a tower that likely acted much like a lighthouse. Neither the weapons nor the tower survived the test of time, leaving only rusting bolts and crumbling stone where such feats of engineering used to be.
Architecture
Starwatch Keep was clearly built in the style of Absalom, with hefty stone blocks and magic-infused rune wards. Like many local landmarks, the Keep was designed to be exceptionally large -- originally over half-a-mile wide -- although the outer walls and towers have crumbled away over the millenia, with only the central-most wall and garrison still standing.
History
The ancient history of the Keep was destroyed during the Lost Age, but it was found empty by the time Kesil came to rule over the city, and has seen little love in the modern era. Several wizard cabals and adventuring groups have purchased rights to the Keep over the years, but few hold onto it for long -- either due to an unrelated demise or a lack of funds.
After the Battle of Copperwood, the First Guard decided to remodel what was left of the Keep, and stationed a small force there to aid in the defense of Dawnfoot. After the suburb was destroyed the guard remained, but quickly gained a reputation as a dead-end for a soldier's military career.
One year past, a group of goblins swarmed the fortress, killing all of the guards inside, and sealing the fate of the crumbling Keep. To date, those goblins still hold the fortress, using it mostly as a hovel, and thus the First Guard has considered its recovery low-priority. They have a standing job with the Pathfinder Society to clear the goblins out, but all attempts so far have ended in failure.
After the Battle of Copperwood, the First Guard decided to remodel what was left of the Keep, and stationed a small force there to aid in the defense of Dawnfoot. After the suburb was destroyed the guard remained, but quickly gained a reputation as a dead-end for a soldier's military career.
One year past, a group of goblins swarmed the fortress, killing all of the guards inside, and sealing the fate of the crumbling Keep. To date, those goblins still hold the fortress, using it mostly as a hovel, and thus the First Guard has considered its recovery low-priority. They have a standing job with the Pathfinder Society to clear the goblins out, but all attempts so far have ended in failure.
Artwork by Grady Frederick
RUINED STRUCTURE
2712 PG
2712 PG
Founding Date
5834 PG
Type
Fortress
Parent Location
Related Report (Primary Locations)
Comments