Dragon Keep
Dragon Keep is a ruined square tower built in the years following the Ohn conquest of Imesse. Its original purpose was to create a strong point from which the pacification and settlement of the Teboba region could be implemented, and its design reflects this objective.
However, within only a few weeks of the completion of the tower and its surrounding walls and gates, the entire complex was attacked and destroyed in less than a week by a particularly aggressive and intelligent Forest Dragon now known as Ektromas.
Purpose / Function
The Dragons Keep was originally constructed to be a launching point for the conquest and pacification of the Teboba region of what is now Imesse. Completed in less than two years, the tower and surrounding defenses were completely destroyed in less than four days by the denizens of the wilds immediately surrounding the Keep. The ruined tower and its broken walls have remained a testament to the dangers of the region ever since.
Design
Originally constructed as a tall square keep, 40' by 50' and (seemingly) five stories tall, surrounded by five smaller square towers connected by 12' walls. Entrance was gained through a rather narrow gate set into the largest of the wall towers, but this structure has been entirely destroyed except for the lowest three feet of foundation walls. Outside the walls were two large, rectangular barns made of stone for the stabling of horses and the storage of fodder of which only a few sections of wall remain standing.
Denizens
The Keep itself is usually empty of any creature larger than rodents because it is located so close to the lair of the Forest Dragon known as Ektromas, but unwary or unknowing adventurers do sometimes use the Keep as a shelter in the wild.
Contents & Furnishings
Nothing but rubble remains within any of the wall towers or the central keep. No wooden structures or surfaces remain above the level of the ground. There is a part of a stone stairway leading to what would have been the second floor of the Keep, but even those stone steps have fallen in the centuries since they were built and only a few courses of cracked stone treads remain.
Hazards & Traps
The single greatest threat to be encountered at the Dragon Keep is, of course, the dragon. Dozens of reports and sightings have been made of the beast over the last 200 years, and all report that the dragon is a very large and seemingly very intelligent Forest Dragon. As recently as 194 AF, the beast known as Ektromas was seen killing and eating four full-grown make Hill Giants in a single encounter. Estimated to be 60' long then and weighing at least 5,000 lbs, the wingless drake is thought to be the oldest (and thus, the largest) Forest Dragon for a thousand miles in any direction.
It is known that Ektromas does not maintain his lair within the ruins of the Keep itself, but he is thought to live very close to the Keep. Nearly every single reported sighting of the drake was within a few hundred yards of the ruins since the Keep was destroyed.
Special Properties
Of particular note is the existence of a still accessible fresh water well just to the south of the remains of the Keep. It is a stone-lined well, with a depth to the surface of the water at nearly 36'. The water within the well is clear, fresh and remarkably cold all year long. No roof or shelter remains above the well, but it is far enough from any standing trees to keep the worst of the autumn leaves clear of the water within.
RUINED STRUCTURE
18 AF
18 AF
Founding Date
16 AF
Alternative Names
Dragon's Keep
Type
Ruins
Parent Location
Characters in Location
