The Keep

The Keep of St. Asgrim (usually just called the Keep)

History

The Keep was built almost 350 years ago after an army, formed from 17 disparate forces and led by a charismatic human monk, reclaimed the pass from a powerful Orc tribe that had held it for almost 50 years. The leaders of the 17 component forces became the founders of the 17 noble houses of this land, and the monk founded the royal dynasty. The system of government was one of order and predictability. After 50 years of chaos the people welcomed it.

The need to maintain The Keep is a focus of the laws of the region to this day. Most serious (and many minor) criminal offences result in conscription into service at the Keep (usually on the most dangerous patrols). Conscription into the Keep guard is also the price for failure to pay many debts, although these conscripts face kinder duties while their pay goes to offset their debt. Regardless of the reason for their conscription, all conscripts live as well-kept slaves and their mobility is restricted.

An extensive system of quotas, protocols, and procedures run most aspects of The Keep and much of life in this region. This system is beginning to weaken, however. The 17 noble houses have been using their prerogative to work around many royal decrees and are applying extensive pressure for more freedom and autonomy. The royal house recognizes that the world has changed but doesn’t want to become a figurehead. They also know that the danger from the lands beyond The Keep, commonly called the Orclands because of the large numbers of Orc tribes, has not fully passed.

Relationship to the Party

As some of the party had their origins here, the party has made and maintains good relations with certain key members of the Keep and surrounding locales.

Nearby Locations

Dallford - Nearest Town on Asgrims side of the Scar Mountains.

Locals

Agatha - female human Cleric of Pharlangh (deceased)
Belfic - male dwarf Captain of the Keep Guard
Bergljot - female human Sybandite Noble
Bortaa - male human Conscript Thief (converted to Fharlangh, left the keep)
Gathis - male human Royal Guard (deceased)
Hafgim - male human Town Councilor for Dallford
Hussain - male human Grendallian Noble
Silathe - female elf Royal Envoy (deceased)
Thamio - male half-elf Community Leader
Thorgeir - male Human Cleric of St. Cuthbert
Valalalia - Female elf weaponsmith

The characters first met at the Keep and from there began The Start of The Journey.

Transits

The Party has been through the Keep a number of times

Most recently the party passed through on the way to the Living Forest due to the issue with Troubled Fey