The Old Keep
The Keep, as it is called in Craysilt, is a working defensive bastion. During times of strife, when the city was under attack, the population would retreat to the Keep, spending their time delivering water and arrows to the valiantly fighting soldiers and town guards. Very often, some citizen would step up to the wall and fill a spot left vacant by an unlucky crossbowman. The Keep is a symbol, to the populace, of the strength of the High King's arms and armaments. It reminds them of the struggles they have overcome as a people; together, working as a team, under dire circumstances. It has, in a sense, defined a large part of the attitudes found amongst common Craysiltians, who see themselves as part and parcel of the city's defenses, not as some burden on able bodied fighting men.
Imagine then, for a moment, how the High King must feel about this buttress. It is built squarely, and efficiently. Utilitarian, even; with crenellated walls along the flat roof that are suitable for archers to hide behind. It has hidden murder holes and arrow slits throughout the building, and secret rooms specifically for the High King to retreat to when he needs to meditate on a particularly tricky difficulty. There are hidden lounges, and alchemy laboratories that the nobles would all play in as children. There are guarded nurseries, and private greenhouses, and suits of armour to hide in, and the catacombs in the Old Keep's basement were never a shortage of excitement for the young Kings and Queens, or their friends. It is where the High King's apartments are, and where their parents dangled them upon their knees.
It is opined that the Keep and its amenities were designed such that the High King or Queen would imprint upon it very young, making them even more rabid defenders of the people who hide within its walls, and in its yards, while the city is under attack.
Purpose / Function
The Old Keep is the protective bastion for the city of Craysilt, and a fantastic place to hide when one's city is under attack.
Alterations
Refurbishments, redesigns, and refittings have all taken place at the Old Keep. It is old, after all, and these construction projects are not uncommon as upgrades are added to the building. The overall design of the superstructure, however, has remained unchanged throughout the centuries, requiring next to nothing as far as maintenance goes. It is hard to argue with continued success.
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