The Storied Stone Tower

Following the progressively curvier length of the Schinter Road, around midday you come across a large grey stone tower jutting out from the nearby hills. Even from this distance, the tower's size is apparent, being at least six stories in size. The red-tiled roof of the structure gleams in the early-afternoon light.
As you approach the structure - there is no going around it, as it is located right next to the road - a lower stone wall surrounds the structure, manned by several guards. A collection of small tents can be made out through the fortress's portcullis, and within moments of getting close to the structure, a pair of guards come out to meet you. "Greetings, travellers." says one of the guards stiffly, as if he's said it a thousand times. "I will need to see your papers to climb over the Snowlaid Pass, please."

Purpose / Function

The Storied Stone Tower was built for a variety of reasons. Initially, it was constructed to help defend the Gratic Plain from the various feuding fiefdoms of Schinter to the west in the rare event of an invasion. Once The Empire grew strong enough to begin expanding over the White Guard Mountains, this fortress made an important base for military campaigns in Schinter, being the closest fort to the Snowlaid Pass. Once Schinter was conquered, the Tower began to have cultural value for the Gratic peoples, and it was lovingly kept in its old state as a testament to the Empire's power.

History

The Tower itself was built during the reign of Entelia I. The small stone wall which surrounded the structure came in the early days of the Schinter campaigns, around 77 I .

Type

Fort

Parent Location

Gratica

Owning Organization

The Gratic Empire

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)