Varbeck’s Walls

Varbeck's Walls are the Magrannor Halls' first line of defence against attacks from the surface. While considered a single fortification by the dwarves, there are two sets of walls several miles apart which control access to the pass which connects Caresnas with the Green Vale.

Defenses

There are three lines of walls at either end of the pass. Each wall stands 20ft high and is constructed of large blocks of dark grey stone. There are no joins visible between the blocks as not only were the blocks cut perfectly square, but clerics of Moradin have also spent centuries using magic to gradually merge the blocks into each other. Pipes are embedded in the walls which allow oil and other substances to be sprayed on anyone at the base of the wall. There is also an overhang with trapdoors at the top to make dropping rocks or throwing spears down easier. The pass the walls are build in is winding and the walls are positioned so that siege engines can't be set up to attack the wall from outside of bow range. As the walls are primarily there to seal the pass rather than protect a settlement the killing ground between the walls is unobstructed by buildings.
A single gateway allows access through each wall. In front of the gate is a 10ft ditch which is crossed via a wooden bridge which can be retracted. The gateway is sealed by heavy ironbound wooden gates, and an iron portcullis can also be lowered to block the gateway.
Between the inner walls are barracks, training grounds, and warehouses. Several of the barracks are designed for elven sized people, though these are usually empty. There are small enclaves for travellers moving through the pass, with an inn and shops to cater to the travellers needs. In deference to the elves' preference for not living underground, the embassy fir the kingdom of the forest is also located in the pass, near the entrance to the halls.
Unless an attack is imminent, only the outer walls have a full contingent of warriors The middle and inner walls usually have a few caretakers to maintain the walls and several inexperienced soldiers who will be tasked with chasing away or killing any predators or pests that approach.

History

The first wall was built in the west when the Holy Kingdom of Caresnas began to look to the mountains for sources of metal. This original wall was seven foot high and only a foot and a half wide. It was intended to stop cavalry which was the humans' main advantage in warfare. Since the western wall proved effective, a similar structure was built in the east to deter orc and goblin raids.
An assault by ogres and giants convinced the dwarves to increase the height of the walls, and an assault by the humans with crude siege weapons persuaded them to build wider and sturdier walls.
Following The Dual Invasion, Varbeck Magrannor ordered the creation of the lines of walls which occupy the same locations as those seen today. While still simple by current standards, these walls were carefully positioned to make it harder to use siege weapons and to create a killing ground between the walls. The walls were later improved after the Stonesmiths returned from helping build Fort Elegar. Using what they had learned from the humans about above ground fortifications the Stonesmiths set about reinforcing the walls and building in numerous nasty surprises.
Despite the work that went into the walls they have been breached numerous times through the cycles. Such breaches were expected and the generals of Clan Magrannor are quick to point out that the walls are there to help bleed the enemy rather than to keep the enemy out entirely. From this perspective the walls have been extremely successful, allowing the army to average 22 kills for every soldier lost.
During the War of Ascension the Western walls were breached by forces loyal to Oscar Hilsburg. The counter attack by mages loyal to Miluril Starbrow devastated hte attackers but also caused significant damage to the walls. When the years of darkness began and the demon horde swept in, Clan MAgrannor decided to abandon the walls entirely and use the protections the elves had provided to defend the underground areas. Enraged at being unable to reach the mortal creatures living under the mountains the demons tore apart the remaining walls to east and blasted apart any buildings on the surface. When the years of darkness ended the dwarves used the destruction of the walls to create improved defences in the valley, though the location of the walls remained the same.
With The Empire to the west, there proved to be little need for the western walls, and most of the soldiers deployed there were reassigned to the eastern walls. Only a small contingent was left on the outer western wall to inspect wagons coming through the gates. With more soldiers available for the east, the walls became more of a trap than a barrier. Cubes were sent out to herd roving bands of orcs and goblins to the walls where they could be trapped and killed with much less effort and risk.
When the second years of darkness arrived the dwarves once again retreated to safety under the mountain, abandoning the walls. The demons behaved predictably and once again vented their frustrations on the walls, blasing about the stone and tearing apart any buildings. When the dwarves emerged they once again began rebuilding the walls, spending more time on the eastern walls as they assumed the elves would arrange for a new empire. This proved a somewhat inaccurate assumption as the activities of the group known as The Twelve meant that the short lived races turned away from the elves. Once the leaders of Clam Magrannor realised their mistake they turned their attention to rebuilding the western walls into structures capable of repelling a siege and have been preparing for the inevitable assault by the Kingdom of Caresnas.

Parent Location

Magrannor Halls

Owning Organization

Clan Magrannor