Stonemark Keep

Fortresses of Julaspium: Eloras Keep | Frostguard | Halvia Keep | Stonemark Keep | Wemicbane Keep

Stonemark Keep is a keep in Julaspium, KE guarding the border with Trenium. It has been sieged many times during the several Tri-Fief Wars, and usually the fall of Stonemark Keep was the beginning of the end for Julaspium. Currently the keep is the main residence of the Boreas family.

History

Early Military Phase

First built as a military camp for the legion marching up from Caliaze during the Third Tyedu War, the site for what is now Stonemark Keep was camped on for longer than expected, when the Imperial troops asking for help in Cytheria were beaten by the Tyedu forces. The Tribune leading the legion was ordered to wait where he was, while previously he expected to march to the front as quickly as possible. The legion didn't have enough supplies for any long encampement, and thus they had to forage in the Forest of Arlasdor for food. This led to the construction of the first stone building of Stonemark Keep: A rat-proof stone storage hut.

During the five years (1330-1335) the legion uses this camp, they had to seriously consider Tyedu forces attacking them, because, at times, it didn't look that good for the Empire in the Third Tyedu War. Because of this, strategic tunnels were cut into the large monolith nearby the camp, and the entrance into these tunnels was guarded by a pair of towers. During the last year, 1335, a tower was erected on top of the monolith, so the scouts could see any Tyedu advance, and more importantly, the advance of Legate Martial Sir Michael Lomar, the sign for the breakup of the camp and the move north.

A small force was left at the monolith, mainly because they could quickly report to Kuras when needed, overseeing most of the first few battlefields.

Trade Phase

With the end of the war, the history of Stonemark Keep doesn't end. As a strategic point between a curve in the Nomad River, and Soreign, Prefect Sorraine took interest in the monolith, using it as a place to charge tolls, and to temporarily lock up merchants with illegal wares travelling to and from Soreign. During this phase the main hall was constructed, where goods could be temporarily stored until their owner was allowed to leave. The name "Stonemark Keep" first appeared in this period.

Military Phase

After the fall of the Empire in 1825, Stonemark Keep was the site of many major battles between Julaspium/Caliaze armies and Arvanos/Trenium armies in the Tri-Fief wars. Even during peacetime Stonemark Keep was closely guarded, as it could oversee most of western Julaspium. After the last Tri-Fief war, it now was the westernmost fortress of Julaspium, and this is the situation until this day.

Current Function

Stonemark Keep is currently a major supply storage for the Julaspium army, and is in use as a meeting place for meetings between Julaspium diplomats and diplomats arriving from Kalion. (mostly from the Seven Cities) It also is the main residence of the Boreas family.

Garrison

The Stonemark Keep garrison formally consists of the 2nd Divison of the Julaspium Western Army, of which most are normally not present at the Keep itself. It is commanded by the Count of Stonemark, usually a Boreas of Knight-Commander rank.