Northwatch Keep

While Northwatch Keep’s original purpose was much like those other fortresses of the River Watch, it has changed over the years to act as a guardian for traders and tribes coming from Alsona. Alsonan traders were once well known at the keep, crossing the plains and braving Nors raids to undertake commerce with the Confederacy. The Keep has a small village surrounding it, but it has declined within the past decade.

Purpose / Function

Northwatch Keep was one of the last citadels constructed by the River Watch to keep an eye upon the Sypi River and crossings. Thanks to the creation of the keeps further south along the river, the giants began crossing north of the Confederate borders and attempting to outflank the Watch. Northwatch Keep was built to block these efforts. Unlike the other citadels, only a handful of siege weapons and giant-slaying devices were factored into the building. Instead, the focus was upon creating garrisons and patrols to send out north and east to watch for giant movements. These hunting parties were extremely successful.

Alterations

Over time, Northwatch Keep developed into a trading post, as the Kingdom of Alsona expanded into the western lands and the Dytikaxlyo. Alsonan traders from Tinnt made the journey south to trade for furs and other wares from the Nors tribe and others who would send merchants to the keep. A village grew up around the fortress, and the Battle of the Shards and the construction of Bell's Keep in 963 AF led to Northwatch becoming less and less active. Elements of the River Watch would have preferred abandoning the fortress altogether, but a token garrison and single hunting party were kept for the increasingly rare giant raid.
The fall of Bell's Keep in 1018, the Sypi Civil War, and the Wingo War all caused the rapid decline of Northwatch Keep. As trade began diminishing with the north, the village dried up, particularly as the fighting in the civil war intensified. The village surrounding the castle was abandoned, and only a handful of soldiers remained in the keep. Today, less than half of the original structures of Northwatch are used by its inhabitants, and the remaining areas are kept boarded up and enclosed. The ruins themselves have gained a reputation as being haunted, and the garrison keeps to itself, rather than sending out patrols.

Founding Date

728 AF

Type

Castle

Parent Location

Nors Highlands

Owner

Abesoloma Conino

Owning Organization

River Watch

Characters in Location

• Abesoloma Conino