Slough Keep

Slough Keep is one of the fortifications of the River Watch, designed to keep an eye upon attacks by giants into the Sypi Confederacy. One of the least active posts, Slough Keep is in a constant state of disrepair, receiving the least amount of attention by the Watch. The keep saw activity during the Sypi Civil War, being overrun by the Sihka Tribe when it was assaulted after the River Watch became involved with the conflict. The keep has been reactivated, but remains a minor installation, mostly focused upon observation, and not interception.

Purpose / Function

Slough Keep was originally constructed to observe the passage of giants into the southern Sypi Confederacy. Built upon a bluff overlooking a series of turns in the Sypi River, it was provided with a limited amount of siege weapons, but one central tower. The bluff clearly overlooks the river and even looms over the tallest of giants. A small barracks was included, allowing for rapid response, but due to the speed of the river at this stretch, it was considered to be a fairly safe outpost.

Alterations

The keep was maintained in its primary condition until shortly before the Sypi Civil War, when it was briefly considered for decommissioning. The price of maintaining the keep was fair below its value to the observation and scout networks of the River Watch. The leaders of the Watch pondered eliminating the siege weapons and just preserving the tower for observation rather than continuing to maintain it as a military outpost. The outbreak of the war changed this, and in 1026, Slough Keep became one of the few Sihka victories in the latter part of the conflict. A large force of Church of the One Sun paladins and Sihka warriors assaulted Slough, and it was overrun by sheer numbers, thanks to several decrepit and under-maintained portions of the exterior wall. The local garrison was slaughtered and the barracks and tower were burned.
The castle sat empty for nearly four years after the war, as the River Watch decided what to do with the ruins. Sihka deserters moved in and were cleared out by mercenaries hired by the High Chief of the Confederacy. After facing pressure to do something about the ruins, a garrison was installed in 1032, although into only the hulk of the ruins. The tower itself was marginally repaired, but the walls remain in shambles. Offers have been made by the local Travite tribe to assist in reconstruction, but the finances required for the endeavor have not been forthcoming.

Founding Date

626

Type

Castle

Parent Location

Cotaw Plains

Owner

Loke Angström

Owning Organization

River Watch

Characters in Location

• Loke Angström