Acheron's Gate

Purpose / Function

Acheron's Gate is a gate and fortress intended to control traffic in and out of Tartarus, and to repel invaders. The actual gate to Tartarus is colloquially known as The Gate, and the fortress is known as either Acheron's Gate or simply Acheron.

Alterations

Initially, Acheron's Gate consisted of just a wall and gate filling the entrance to Tartarus. This worked well for controlling traffic but was less useful for repelling invasions. A few years after it was constructed, Persephone decided to construct a fortress in front of Acheron's Gate, which is now often colloquially referred to as Acheron's Gate, Acheron Castle, or simply Acheron.

Architecture

The wall of The Gate, as in the actual gate to Tartarus, is made of bronze, and the gate itself is made of iron. The gate and wall are quite ornate, with various reliefs depicting Tartarean legends and history.
The fortress, on the other hand, is made of the same materials but isn't as ornate. There is a single gatehouse in the outer wall which contains two gates, each with a portcullis made of Stygian Glass behind it. There are holes in the ceiling of the gatehouse to facilitate dropping boiling water or projectiles onto attackers. The outer wall has machicolated crenellations.
The buildings in the fort's interior are made of the same materials as everything else. These consist of a keep, barracks, tavern, general store, and stable. The actual Gate is located at the back of the fort, next to the keep. A few merchants have set up stalls in the area in front of and behind the Gate.

History

Acheron, a duke of the Principality of Tartarus, and brother of Hades, murdered Hades by withholding his soldiers during a war with the Principality of Inferna. Persephone, Hades' wife, told Acheron that he would be pardoned for his crime if he built a grand gate at the entrance to Tartarus in order to prevent foreign armies from ever again setting foot in Tartarus. He was to build this gate alone, with only simple tools, so as to prolong his punishment. When the Gate was nearly complete, Persephone restrained Acheron and placed him inside the only section that was still unfinished, then finished the construction herself. Acheron is said to still be alive inside the wall, starving and dehydrated, but unable to die.

Alternative Names

The Gate, Acheron Castle, Acheron

Type

Fortress

Parent Location

Tartarus

Owner

Kampê

Owning Organization

Principality of Tartarus

Characters in Location

• Acheron