Lyrstone Bridgefort
Lyrstone Bridgefort, East Lyrtower, & West Lyrtower
Lyrstone Bridgefort, East Lyrtower, & West Lyrtower
At A Glance
The LYRSTONE BRIDGEFORT is a defensive work warding the main bridge over the Lynyr River. The Bridgefort refers to the bridge itself and the supporting structures on either riverbank. In the present day, this is a pair of fortified towers that ward access to the bridge: East Lyrtower and West Lyrtower.The bridge sees high traffic from locals and traders moving between the Overlands, Thornlands and Rhone. Formerly the Lyrfort, it has been built and rebuilt several times now over the centuries. At one time, it was a just a wooden stockade overlooking the roped raft that was used to transit across the mouth. But as the strategic value of the location has increased so has the quality of its defenses.
The towers have been shared between the Eorl of the Winds and Moera since 46 ET after hostilities ceased. See History. Each lord maintains responsibility over manning their own tower with bodies and armaments. Whose responsibility is a particular individual for whatever reason depends on a small scratched line that few are aware of except in the camps of the two lords. Any individuals crossing the bridge from their side is their responsibility and they may collect any tolls, fees or other assessments. A fundamental part of the agreement is that both towers must charge the same amount to an individual. Surprisingly, LORD MOERA and the EORL OF WINDS have rarely been at odds over the amount of the toll or any other fees. In fact, the two men have worked personally on the administration of the bridgefort and both see it as a significant source of revenue. This lends a cooperative attitude between the two of them despite their well-known coolness the rest of the time.
This geniality is not always shared amongst their respective footmen manning the two towers. The echoing insult of one guard's mother is answered with a lurid description of the other side's carnal response to such an insult. When various caravans are passing through, they will rarely leave their post but still needle the other side. But when things are slow or the hour is late, it is not unknown for sounds similar to that of a man striking a ham joint. Such 'frivolities' are almost never reported by either side and both groups keep the brawling to grappling and the occasional black eye.
Purpose / Function
A bridge over the Lynyr River has existed since beyond memory in various iterations. A fortification has stood on this location for over two hundred years. It is a strategic location with command over the River Lynyr as well as holding the main bridge across it. The location seems to have a disconcerting tendency to attract acts of sabotage and conflict over its control.
The east-west traffic between the Western Peninsula, the Overlands, Thornlands, Midlands and all points east is an extremely lucrative asset. Tolls from traffic in either direction are a significant source of revenue. This helps support the defensive nature of the construction. That same access can be controlled or stifled by the individual in charge of the fortification.
Architecture
Currently, it is composed of two stone towers, one on each side of the crossing. Between them is a well-crafted stone bridge that is supported by several reinforced piers set within the riverbed along foundations that are relaid every dozen years or so. The primary material is dense stone that has been fitted and anchored with mortar and pins. The piers extending into the water are also reinforced in this way and can withstand the occasional tree trunk that finds its way down the river to the Sea of Winds.
The endless erosion of the river have deepened the sides of the small cut as the riverwater constantly seeks an easier way to the sea. Where the bridgefort is located it is approx. 24ft to the surface of the river. This elevation change is gradual but begins about a mile or two upriver so boats and objects are moving at fair clip by the time they hit the sea. The bridge and towers are elevated in a gentle arc that slopes back down at either side. This elevation eases the movement of animals and conveyances.
History
The actual origins of the first or even the 9th structure built or adapted to allow the river to be crossed are neither important or known by an known person. For RHONE, however, the first bridge built by the Throne was in -140 BL. This was decided upon when the area finally fell under Rhonish rule with the end of the 1st Aenari War. It is said that it was compensation as Queen Moralei herself had ordered it demolished in -142 BL. This was due to several bands of Aenari malcontents, likely supported by Moera, were still traversing the Lower Aenar and striking at kingdom subjects and income.
When the Aenari residents along the Lynyr woke one morning, it was to find that the wooden piers and pilings had rotted so quickly that the bridge simply collapsed into the river. These particular folks likely did not live long enough to bear the ire of their neighbors at the loss of the bridge as it is recorded that the QUEEN moved quickly and brutally through the Aenar--leaving many still bodies behind her.
It would be another four decades before RHONE assumed control of the Aenari. But that did not stop their forces, whether on punitive raids or legitimate actions, from dropping the bridge into the river at least 2-3 times a decade. The reasons for each sabotage is specific to the time and is of little note.
The important piece is that the Lyrfort Bridge, in whatever manifestation, belonged to the King or Queen of RHONE from the moment it was brought into the Rhonish fold. The reasons for this changed in particulars but no monarch wanted to hand over such a lucrative and vulnerable resource to either MOERA or SOLAMYN. Doing so would upset the balance in Aenar and no one wanted another conflagration of spirited rebellion. And as owner, the Throne kept all proceeds and fees but was also responsible for maintaining the structure. This alone was likely the reason for a reduced amount of sabotage against the bridge for eight decades until the Crusade
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