As visitors arrive via twisting roads and paths through the Dolwood, they find themselves in the shadows of an enormous and oddly misplaced structure towering among the trees. For in this forest of wood and leaf sits a stone sanctuary, Castle Carmelya of the Dolwoods, the patron home of House Siannodel.
The original description of the Castle...
Secrets :
Original Description:
The castle stands in the very heart of the dark green deep, the forest known as the Dolwoods. Surrounded on all sides by a dense mass of trees, the castle is looked upon with distrust by the very leaves that blow by. Because of this, the Dolwoods are considered not usually the best place for a man made object of such towering size and majesty. These woods are magical, protecting themselves from intruders and constantly searching for ways to cover the open ground around the castle.
Simply put, the Dolwood is vexed and this manifests itself in some strange ways. Some say that armor forged within the canopy of the woods will end up distorted and dissolved. Arcane spells are also known to be affected, either failing completely or becoming much stronger. The watchword for the Dolwoods is “unpredictability,” yet there is one undeniable fact… the castle stands firm. The former owners, the “Black Dragon Syndicate,” have designed and built the edifice inside these dangerous grounds and they have built it well. The forest has yet to make any decisive attack on the massive edifice that seems to stand a sore on its very back.
A moat is the first line of defense; the square castle is surrounded by a circular, deep ditch which is kept full of water and dangerous aquatic life. The single drawbridge, constructed of Dwarven steel, crosses the moat at its widest point. The great iron chains which moor it to the gate house are capable of pulling the bridge straight up, leaving the dubious delights of the dark moat to be crossed before any effort can be made to gain access to the castle. A second line of defense is the Dwarven Steel portcullis inserted inside the gate house. It can be opened and closed by a great wheel mechanism within the gate house walls.
The great walls, several meters thick and of heavy, hard stone tower above parts of the canopy, measuring five stories in height. Spaced equidistant along the walls are twelve towers. Four large, circular towers are set in the corners and six smaller towers are spaced evenly between them. Two also stand on each side of the drawbridge. The battlements and towers make for a perfect vantage point for noticing those approaching, which also makes the fortress a strong defensive position.
Once through the gate house, the visitor will come across the great courtyard, the very heart of the castle and common place of various activities. The courtyard is like a miniature city, adorned with homes, businesses and workshops that make for an enclosed world protected from the forest and safe within the dark walls. The very size of the courtyard could entertain an entire town and can often hold a market capable of sustaining everyone inside indefinitely.
Heading directly north from the courtyard is a short street containing a series of small shops, now vacant, that were designed for a particular purpose, shops intended for blacksmiths contain large stoves while those intended for butchers held meat cleavers and hooks, etc. Behind them, are a series of housing complexes of small cottages built in rows on either side of small streets
The former steward of the castle has explained
"The residential plots in this fortress can hold well over one thousand people, if not, than far more. Because Fort Forsaken was previously a military installation, much of the land was used for barracks and trainings grounds; however, if you would want to make a fortified township of this area, a smaller armed force will mean more land for commercial and residential means; which will multiply your population limit exponentially."
At the top of the small road is another square, smaller and more intimate, surrounded by two-story and three-story townhouses and executive offices. At the head of the square, is a manor of magnificent alabaster stone that contrasts the black stone of the fortress beautifully. It was obvious that the ornate keep is the abode of the castle lord or lady. For the time, the three-storey manor is empty of all things, without furniture or decorations, a blank landscape for a prospective designer.
The castle fortress, purchased by Palacrisis D. Jones for House Siannodel, has been in the House's care for a short time. In that time, little more than the hiring of servants has taken place. There are a number of caretakers in the service of Lord Siannodel, as well as, a handful of gardeners.
Plans for the Castle are undergoing critique at the moment as it is decided what will happen within the walls for those already there and those to come. It is a haven for more than Fae. All good souls willing to contribute to a commonwealth are welcome.
Overseer: An'fel - a half-elf in his human-equivalent of early fifties. He has greying, shoulder-length hair and a scar on his face from a chance encounter with a sword. He is athletic, 5'10" and somewhat muscular for his age. An'fel is a former legionaire and merchant. After attempting to start his own security service, An'fel was hired by the former owners of the castle to oversee all operations within. Now in his tenth era of stewardship over castle inner-workings, An'fel knows how to get things done and sees to it that they do.
Areas of Duty: Manor District, Project Planning, Defense Relations (City Guard), Trade, General Operations
Assistant Overseer: Peebles - Alexander Peebles is an ambitious former assistant aedile in his mid-twenties. He has dirty-blonde hair and freckles on his cheeks. He stands 5'9" with a bony frame. Peebles was hired by An'fel upon the purchase of the castle by Palacrisis D. Jones and subsequent use of the castle by House Siannodel (as a holding of the House). He is anxious to please, but smart enough to not rush into anything.
Areas of Duty: Residential, Landscaping, Agriculture, Stables
![[Castle Carmelya] Map and Links](http://www.playbypost.com/forums/iconimages/centripaxian-heartlands/castle-carmelya-map-links_ltr.gif)
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