Caer Silecia
Country Seat of the King of Suilley
A vast fortress, bristling with guards, catapults, and banners of the king.
A vast fortress, bristling with guards, catapults, and banners of the king.
Caer Silecia is the personal castle of King Ulrich, ancestral seat of the royal family since the nobles of Suilley originally granted it as royal lands to Ghienvais I. It is a medium-sized fortress on a high promontory that overlooks the large village of Silecia. The combined population of garrison and village equates to a small town, although the village sees little commerce other than weekly market days. What Silecia does see, however, is the arrival of the Royal Court of Suilley once per year during the kingdom’s mud season. When the city of Manas becomes choked withmud following the seasonal rains, and the clogged gutters begin turning into pools of filth, the King retreats to Silecia until the pungent odors of the capital city are carried away on the breezes of the next season. During such time, although the unfortunate officials in Manas continue to run the country’s day-to-day business amid the mud and stench, the official seat of government moves with the King, and Silecia technically becomes the capital of the realm until the King departs again. The court travels with a great retinue, including family members of all eight ducal houses. It would be uncouth, but true, to observe that these wives, heirs, and children would not fare well if the patriarchs of their families were to do something untoward such as raise a rebellion against the king. This is a mere precaution, and common practice; there is no inclination on the part of the dukes to revolt. As great nobles of Suilley during its rise toward empire, they are unquestionably on the right side of history at the moment. Caer Silecia is extremely well defended, with a year-round garrison of 400 men-at-arms. The King’s retinue usually includes another 500 soldiers or more, so the fortress becomes virtually impregnable while the King is present. During the royal retreat here, the castle and even the village become a hotbed of intrigue as various factions try to influence the kingdom’s policies, obtain lucrative trading-rights, and sabotage the efforts of their rivals.
Stronghold
Caer Silecia, Fortress of
Type
Fortress
Owning Organization
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