Blackstone Keep

Written by Salen

This keep is set into the Spine Mountains, just north of the city of Veren. This is the Blackstone family castle, and goes back to the very beginning of his line just after the First war. The road to the keep is wide, allowing at least two carts side by side, and can be seen from the keep clearly. The landing to the keep stretches around the base of the keep on both sides, and is wide enough for merchants to drive their wagons right around to store them. On the right side of the keep lies the stables. This great building houses the keeps mounts (though not many), as well as a building for the small airships to park in. This massive keep is heated through underground vents that are piped throughout the keep via stone shafts and gears. In the warmer months these shafts can be closed by turning great winches that redirect the flow of air to waiting vents that empty behind the keep and out into the mountains, yet that is a rarity in this climate. There is never enough pressure to cause an explosion, even if someone were to close all of the shafts, it would pop the weaker caps leading to the mountains first. The following is a walkthrough of the keep’s rooms

Layout

The following is a quick walkthrough of what a visitor might see when they are visiting this keep.

Chamberlain’s Office

This large room rests on the left of the entrance hallway and is usually open so the Chamberlain can greet guests to the keep. His job is simple; He is the first line of defense that the lord has against visitors. He weeds out the people that have concerns that aren’t worthy of the lords attention, and weighs the important ones so that the lord is not overburdened unjustly. The chamberlain is named Jervais Branson and has been doing this type of work for a very long time.

Ante-Chamber

This very large room is where the Chamberlain brings visitors when they are waiting for the lord of the keep. The room is furnished with comfortable chairs, couches, and tables that hold cheeses and wines ready for guests. Tapestries hang from the walls depicting battles from around Tamia, and a hearth blazes with crackling flames ready to warm all who need it.

Lord’s Hall

This huge room is where the lord sits in judgment. A black onyx throne sits on a raised dais, and grey rugs lead up to this awesome spectacle. On either side of this massive room are two secret rooms that hold waiting guards, ready to rush to the lords aid should he need it. Another secret door lies behind the throne, to the lord’s left, and leads to his private conference room. This room is used to prepare to meet important figures, or when the lord wishes to avoid the eyes of shifty merchants. A secret door opens into a private stairwell that leads up to the dining hall, but is rarely used since it would be noticed by any in the hall at the time.

Guest Rooms (4)

These rooms are for visiting merchants, friends of the lord, or by travelers that are enjoying the lords hospitality. All of the rooms are the same with a bed, table for writing, braided rugs, and a marble wash basin. They do have locks on them, but the Chamberlain, lord, and some others from the companions have keys just in case.

Guard Barracks (4)

These two rooms hold fifteen guards each. This is where they sleep, and generally relax when not on duty. Each room has a door that leads to one of the secret rooms beside the Lord’s hall, and the guards on duty here are always the ones that pull this duty.

Empty Suite

This suite is vacant. A secret door leads to a personal vault able to store treasure and valuables.

Wrought Iron Staircase

Located in the far north-western end of the keep, this is the main thoroughfare to the upper and lower levels. The stair winds around and up in a spiral, and has carved relief’s of animals upon it as it ascends.

Hallways

The hallways on the first floor of the keep have ever burning torches placed in sconces. These are taken down at night time and replaced at dawn by the servants.

Kitchen Hall/Dining Room

These massive rooms are where the keep enjoys all of their meals. The kitchen hall has large ovens and stove tops for preparing the meals, and the staff here is well versed in the art of cooking. The dining room is set with large wooden tables, carved out of dark oak brought in from the Nym Forest, as well as high backed chairs. A large hearth blazes in the room in the evenings and the secret entrance from the lord’s private chambers comes out behind a tapestry of six were wolves dancing.

Captain’s Room

This is where the general of the lord’s forces quarters. She has a rather Spartan room, having only a bed, table and armor/weapon racks.

Training Room

This room was built to take out the frustrations of the inhabitants, and to heighten their reflexes and skill. This room has all of the functions of a full training facility, including weighted bags that hang from the ceiling, practice swords, padded armor, even throwing targets.

Armory

This is where all of the weapons and armor are stored in the keep. Hundreds of weapons from simple weapons to more exotic ones can be found here; plus dozens of different suits of armor, including plate, rest on stands around the room.

Statue of Victory

A stunning likeness of the Lord Vallis, this statue is his pride and joy. The inscription reads "A valiant hero and constant nemesis of the giants."

Elite Guard Barracks (4)

These rooms are where the lord’s elite guards quarter. Each room holds two Dwarven Psions and they are dedicated to protecting the lord. They sleep in shifts unless a threat is known, then they rarely sleep at all.

High Priestess’ Room

This where the keeps high priestess sleeps when not with her children. Kyrin Rengrel is a priest of Ollen and her room is bright, lit by many candles and glow rods. A secret door leads to the temple of Ollen next door, but she never uses it unless pressed.

Temple to Ollen

This massive indoor temple complex is dedicated to the God of Love and Beauty, Ollen. The alter is set upon an dais of gold. Two lower level acolytes have signed on to help Kyrin with services and they sleep right here in the back.

Lord Vallis’s Chambers

This is the master bedroom of the lord of the keep, and is decorated with lavish tapestries and paintings from over one-hundred years ago. Swords and shields adorn the walls, and bookcases line the walls. His writing desk sits in the far corner, and atop it rests his exquisite crystal lamp. There is a secret door that leads to his personal vault behind the desk that can be accessed by moving the bed slightly to reveal the seam in the floor.

Guard Captain’s Room

This room belongs to the guard captain,. Alyssa Resar is a cavalier and is in charge of all the elite guard that protects the lord. She is as fierce as they come and has proven her might in her Lord's eyes already. Rumor is that she wants to train with Lord Vallis, but so far he has refused.

Sun Room

A peaceful room, the sun room is for the leaders of the guards, and their officers to come and relax without having their men around them constantly . Better than their rooms, this place has games of chance, and mock tables with armies that they can maneuver to play out battles.

Servant’s Rooms (11)

These rooms are for the servants and hold five servants each. They live comfortably and are paid well. Most of the these servants are maids, but a few are regulated to other duties around the keep.

Type

Keep

Parent Location

Nation of Garon'd

Owner

Vallis Blackstone

Storehouses

These rooms all keep what the keep needs to stay running, whether it;s food, drink, or even linens.

Dry Storage (2)

These two rooms hold all of the keeps dry goods that won’t spoil if kept at room temperature. Everything from breads to paper can be found in one of these huge rooms.

Ale Storage

As its name implies, this is for the storage of ale and meads, as well as wines and other goodies. There are stacked barrels from floor to ceiling.

Linen Room

This large room is where the servants keep all of the linen for the whole keep. They are stored in shelves and kept fresh with a little ritual that one of the children has learned. They are arranged by size and texture.

Tired of Holding it in?

This keep has a Privy on every floor so if you're tired of holding it in, just step in and relive yourself. The rooms all have pipes that connect to a furnace room where the waste is dryed out, then burned, venting into the cold mountain air. Fresh crushed flowers soaking in cool water lends a nice fragrance to the rooms.