Burrow Keep

Burrow Keep is one of the fortifications maintained by the River Watch to contain the travel of giants across the Sypi River. This citadel is built on a bluff overlooking the Confederate town of Burrow, from which it gets its name. It became a strategic point during the course of the Sypi Civil War, when it acted as a safe refuge for the townsfolk when the Sihka assaulted the region for supporting the Bienombes. Today, the keep has had a revitalization, as some have migrated their businesses and operations into the citadel, rather than continuing to conduct them inside the town itself, for improve protection.

Purpose / Function

Burrow Keep was established to protect a refugee community that had emerged along the Sypi River during the times of tribal flight from the Giant Lands to the west. People seeking a better life outside of giant enslavement found this location to be a worthy crossing. This fortress was one of the earliest built by the River Watch and was initially meant just to provide a safe haven rather than to contest a giant invasion. Minor siege weapons were placed, but the focus was upon civilian protection.

Alterations

As time passed, Burrow Keep had to be modified, as the numbers of people fleeing the giants grew, and the threats from the giants themselves rose proportionately. The walls of the fort were reinforced with stone in 411, and then with additional steel in 700 AF. The citadel rose higher and siege weapons were increased in size and strength, some of which were specifically designed by Shin engineers to dispatch giants. The Jakonians similarly reinforced the River Watch's constructions with efforts of their own, continuing to cooperate with the organization to collaboratively defend against the giants. After the Battle of the Shards in 872, and the increase of the current of the Sypi River and the resultant decline in giant attacks, some of these weapons were removed, as they were deemed more important elsewhere in the defensive line.

History

Burrow Keep was one of the first strongholds established by the River Watch to guard the crossings of the Sypi River against giants. The citadel originally was meant to simply protect refugees, but in time, in turns into an example of the River Watch's strategy of slaying giants. The arms and weapons that were provided were all deemed "giant killers" in that they were designed for the slaying of the large beings from across the river. Burrow Keep was highly effective against each giant that would approach it. The fort received ample support, due to the proximity of the nearby town of Burrow, as the River Watch was concerned what might happen to the civilians should a rampaging giant approach. 
After the Battle of the Shards, giant crossings became less frequent and by the 10th century were taking place less than once a year. Funds for the River Watch diminished, and as other forts fell into disrepair, the weapons of Burrow Keep were slowly stripped. Talks even began of abandoning the fort, in favor of simply aiding in the fortifications of Burrow. Acts of the High Chiefs, however, prevented these measures from occurring, demanding that the River Watch continue to maintain all of their positions along the river line. The outbreak of the Sypi Civil War in 1020 changed that, as the River Watch attempted to remain neutral. 
Burrow Keep remained focused on the giant threats, and perhaps they sensed the weakness of the Confederacy, as during the time period from 1020 to 1024, nearly a giant a month was slain by the defenders here. Then, in 1025, the Burrow Incident occurred, when the town was briefly captured by the Sihka Tribe, and numerous refugees were allowed into the Keep. The Sihkas demanded the surrender of the refugees to them, and the River Watch commander refused. The Sihka besieged the fort until the attack was lifted by River Watch reinforcements combined with allies from the Gibber Tribe, and the River Watch was brought into the war. Since the end of the war, the keep has returned to its purpose of watching the river, but it remains a place of business and pilgrimage for the citizens of Burrow.

Founding Date

311 AF

Type

Castle

Parent Location

Cotaw Plains

Owner

Ilyanas Silverhelm

Owning Organization

River Watch

Characters in Location

• Ilyanas Silverhelm

Garrison
~100 River Watch Conscripts