Bell Gate
The Bell Gate is one of the four most-recently constructed gates of the outermost walls of the City of Len Doa in the High Kingdom of Imesse. One of the first gates built in this section of the city's walls, it is just over 44 years old, and is comparatively small when seen next to other, older gates in the city. However, it is a well-designed and fully manned fortress that more than adequately protects the half-mile of city walls on either side of the structure.
The gate is built on a very large deposit of bedrock that sits just a few feet below the natural surface of the ground. As such, it is firmely planted and cannot be easily undermined by tunneling. The gate consists of a large 40' tall octagonally-built tower next to a 45' by 90' yard enclosed by 24' walls. The entrance to this yard is protected by large iron-banded oak doors that span an opening of 20' and stand 14' tall. When closed, these doors are secured by four large posts, each 16 inches thick and 9' high that slot into holes drilled into the stonework of the entrance, making it nearly impossible to force the gate from the outside by anything less than a huge battering ram. The inner entrances follow an opening through the main wall that narrows to just 10' wide and is secured by double doors and protcullises at either end. Murder holes and arrow loops make the 40' passage through the walls a deadly prospect for any would-be attackers.
The gate has gained its name from the large, rather ornate bronze bell located at the top of the gate's tower. The bell is rung on the hour from the moment the outer gate is opened in the morning (one hour after sunrise) until the gate is closed at sunset. The only other time the bell is to beheard is in the case of danger or attack. To date, that has not happened in living memory.
Opposite the gate tower is the barracks for the gate. The gate complex is guarded at all times by no fewer than 20 men-at-arms, and a total of 88 men and officers can be quartered in the barracks at any one time. This gate and the section of wall it defends is commanded by a Watch Captain and a Master Sergeant, with six Corporals to man the watches.
Purpose / Function
Gatehouse of the outer-most city walls of Len Doa and the center of the Bell Gate District. It holds the barracks and command elements of the City Watch for the entire district.
Special Properties
At the very top of the gatehouse tower is a large and finely crafted bronze bell that is rung every hour that the gates are open, and in the event of danger or attack from the outside.
