Silva Hold
Silva Hold is a Shin military installation built upon the Eficharistos River. Its primary purpose is to protect the westernmost fringes of the empire from the tumultuous political situation along the border between Valtkos Wingo and the Kingdom of Alsona. The Shin Empire's most recently constructed fortress, efforts to build it were completely financed and orchestrated by the Legate of Laurinium. Originally simply designed to stop smugglers along the river, its garrison and defenses have been rapidly staffed, consisting of one of the largest auxiliary forces in the Shin Empire.
Purpose / Function
In the late tenth century, the influx of dwarven refugees and growth of centaur raids were causing some concern in the Shin Empire about the continued stability of Alsona. Unwilling to simply step in and restore order, committing vast amounts of resources and effort, imperial interests lobbied for the fortification of the Eficharistos River. Authorities in the Star Guard command in Novanass refused to offer any support, and so the legions of Laurinium, sponsored by the local legate, began financing and constructing a new citadel themselves. Efforts for construction were spearheaded locally, and the villages in the area of the proposed fort offered their own support and ideas towards construction, but without the support of the leaders in Novanass, construction was woefully financed and took nearly a full decade to complete.
The fortifications themselves consist of a hodgepodge selection of siege weapons and soldiers, and the entire castle was designed to house a small number of legionaries supported by a large number of auxiliaries hired from local militias and Confederate tribes. The fortifications extended to a foot bridge over the Eficharistos River, allowing the soldiers of the fort to bombard or board any vessels that may attempt to ply their way under the bridge itself. The opposite side of the river has a smaller keep, from which a garrison could sortie or bring in supplies from any siege that could occur.
Architecture
The structure of Silva Hold is vastly different from the other fortifications used by the Star Guard throughout the Shin Empire. Rather than using stones from the finest quarries in the Apps, most of the construction was done from what local materials could be gathered. The fort therefore has been under a constant state of repair since construction, and many of the efforts by the local auxiliaries have led to Silva Hold adopting an unique architecture of its own, displaying elements of not only Shin construction, but also the columns of Alsonan buildings and the brutal efficiency of the Sypi tribes.
Founding Date
998
Type
Castle
Parent Location
Owner
Related Ethnicities
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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