Drakehall Keep

Early History

Drakehall Keep was built many generations ago in the untamed wilderness of the M’Chekian grasslands and served as the first ancestral fortress of the powerful House Drake. The Drake’s carved out a name for themselves in the harsh and unforgiving wilds, and this fortress provided a beacon of safety and protection to the men and women living in this region.

Situated in western M’Chek, the Keep is nestled in a shallow valley and is surrounded by low, sweeping hills and fertile farmlands. It borders Nelthropian lands and the Hills of the Order of the Way to the north, with Westshore and Bachwood edging its southern boundaries. The Keep is made of stone and is 2 stories in height, with a small watch tower built atop the southwest corner of the roof. Underground rooms provide storage and other necessities.

As time passed, the Drake’s power and influence grew and with it, a new port rose out of necessity nearby along the western coastline. Westshore was established and the Drake’s shifted their seat of power to that newly settled coastal settlement.

Drakehall Keep was still used by the Drake’s and those loyal to their banner over the next few generations, but over time it was neglected and fell into disrepair.

Change in Ownership

Lord Constantine Drake of Westshore served as the ruling noble in House Drake. It can be reasoned that this power was not enough for him, and he craved more influence over M’Chek. To this end, he spearheaded efforts at what became plans for an eventual coup attempt.

Constantine’s plans for a coup focused on many fronts. He conspired with numerous individuals to kidnap the young nephew and niece from Chasworth Keep, Edgar and Audra Harwood, the heirs of Lord Tobias Chasworth, as well as General Cassius of the M’Chekian Army. Additionally, aided by General Percival Tate and the disgraced Colonel Tanners, there were many attempted assassinations of multiple nobles in key positions of power and influence. The men also flooded the southwest and the northwest M’Chekian countryside with bandits to sow panic and confusion within the general population.

With the aid of a force hired by Prime Minister Deth and Lord Harvingdale, many nobles were protected from assassination attempts and they ultimately captured the elusive Lord of Westshore. The soldiers of the Skybolt Battalion subdued Lord Drake’s army and all the key players were in custody with the exception of General Tate, who evaded capture.

Lord Constantine Drake was executed by hanging in the Garrison Square of Mikona, after being tried by a jury of his peers in the Noble House. Numerous charges were leveled against him and his co-conspirators to include treason, conspiracy to murder more than a dozen nobles, kidnapping, and a number of other undisclosed crimes. Lord Drake did not swing by the neck that morning by himself; both Colonel Tanners and a mercenary named Geoffrey were executed alongside the disgraced noble.

Current Status and Garrison

In the wake of the death of Constantine Drake, the Noble House deemed it necessary to offer Lord Chasworth reparations for the injuries inflicted on his heirs while held captive by Lord Drake’s conspirators. Lord Chasworth was gifted several select pieces of ancestral Drake lands by the Noble House, specifically Drakehall and Drakeshore in western M’Chek.

Sir Thaylis Beign had just recently retired from serving as the Brigadier and commanding officer of the Blackhawk Brigade, and after some private discussions with Lord Chasworth, the former officer and Hero of M’Chek accepted a position as a vassal to the older man. Sir Thaylis Beign was granted stewardship of the Drake family ancestral home and the lands surrounding it. With this new responsibility, he is entrusted to oversee the prosperity and welfare of Drakehall Keep and the loyal M’Chekian citizens who live in the surrounding holdings.

Once Sir Thaylis took control of Drakehall, many structural repairs needed to be carried out on the neglected fortress. The repairs were quickly made and Thaylis put a public notice out to the nation, asking for former Blackhawks to fill the ranks of a company of guardsmen needed to serve at Drakehall Keep. Nearly 2 dozen men and women answered the call to his banner. Additionally, Rickus va’Alor, priest to Toran, serves as the garrison commander of the Keep. In addition to these duties, Rickus had requested a small chaplet be built on the lands of Drakehall and to this end, roughly a dozen followers of Toran has joined him. They serve as part of the guard company as well.

Additionally, in the aftermath of Lady Finmaegen's judgment over a group of Snorko's Dubunant half-orc army veterans, Drakehall Keep took into service 5 of their group to bolster the garrison, swelling the number to roughly 40 men and women. A newly built guard tower was constructed adjacent to the Keep, and all members of the company were given a silver insignia which identified them as Drakehall soldiers. The insignia is circular in design, depicting the heads of a hawk and a silver dragon facing each other on a field of M'Chekian blue.

Drakehall Keep's official color scheme is black, silver, and M'Chekian blue.

Drakehall Keep’s main export is an assortment of beers with a distinctive taste in the region. Under the watchful eye of the Keep’s brewmaster, Flint Wrightson, Drakehall has forged a name for itself with a variety of quality ales and stouts. Growing their own barley and adding a variety of additional imported ingredients gives the finished products a unique taste.

Works of Art and Trophies

Paintings

Battle Field Trophies

Drakehall Brewery

((Work in Progress))

Dragon's Rhapsody

((Work in Progress))

PC’s and NPC's associated with the Keep

Thaylis Beign - Knight of Drakehall. Serves as a vassal to Lord Chasworth and was granted stewardship of Drakehall Keep and the corresponding holdings. Is entrusted to ensure the prosperity and well being of the Drakehall lands and citizens.

Rickus va'Alor - Knight Commander of Drakehall - Rickus serves as the garrison commander of Drakehall. He is in charge of the overall security and is Thaylis' chief adviser in most matters. Rickus also provides religious services as a Priest of Toran, providing guidance and services to the many Toranites and other interested citizens of Drakehall.

Kara Kalinor - Captain of the Guard. Kara's main responsibility is providing leadership and oversight to the nearly 40 men and women who form Drakehall's guard force. Coordinates patrols and training, and reports directly to Rickus.

Nawen Begin - Sage of Drakehall. Serves as another key adviser to Thaylis and his wife.

Kate Benessett - Serves as a guards-woman and provide advice concerning the arcane.

Ursula Seleivara - Minstrel of Drakehall - Retained by Thaylis for musical and poetic entertainment and education to all the citizens within the lands of Drakehall.

Kassha Firehart - Another key Drakehall Keep adviser, Kassha provides counsel, recommendations, and advice regarding all things arcane to Thaylis.

Ariana - Known as The Arn, Keeper of Flowers and Seeds. ForestWitch.

'Deo'stori Silverpaw - Close friends to the Beign's. Caretaker of the Tree.

Finn Kiff - A trusted friend and adviser to the Beign's. Also enjoys discussing all things related to brewing beers with Flint.

Fabello - A trusted friend to the Beign's. Serves the dual role as adviser to the couple, as well as bearing the responsibility as acting as the Interpreter of Kassha.

Alaria C. Fryar - Courtier of Drakehall Keep

The following are key NPC's associated with Drakehall Keep:

Flint Wrightson - Brewmaster of Drakehall and oversees Drakehall Brewery. Is the person responsible for the brewing Drakehall's unique and flavorful beers, ales and stouts. A giant of a man, he stands over 6'3", wields both a greatsword and a majestic mustache.

Duncan Fields - Drakehall Keep’s master blacksmith. A competent master blacksmith, he has 2 teen-aged apprentices helping him with the forge and bellows.

Brok – Apprenticed to Duncan. A Romini boy just stepping out of his early teens, he is never far from Duncan. He has the same dark hair as Duncan.

Autumn – Apprenticed to Duncan. A Romini girl in her early teens.

Roberts Brindle – Drakehall Keep’s Steward. A dependable and capable Romini, he ensures Drakehall Keeps runs like a well-oiled Gnomish machine.

Freya Brook– The Head Chef of Drakehall. This Romini has no problems with speaking her mind. The kitchen is her world and she runs it smoothly and efficiently.

Porter Wells - Drakehall Keep’s manservant and cook. Helps Freya in the kitchen when not performing his other duties or tasks from Roberts.

Sul - Her name means "Wind" in Sylvan. An adolescent Roc raised by Thaylis from a hatchling. Her plumage is the pale golden color across her entire length. The feathers of her wings are also pale gold in color, but the larger primary and secondary feathers are flecked with shades of deep pine and mahogany. Her beak and talons are a darker shade of gold, and both are dangerously sharp. The eyes are a vibrant golden hue surrounding a black iris. While not a constant feature at the Keep, when she is present she claims the watchtower as her own.

Note - Roberts, Freya, and Porter were part of a handful of reliable men and women hand-picked by Lord Chasworth to help Thaylis get the run-down keep back in order when Drakehall was first handed over to Thaylis’ care.

Animals sighted in and around the Keep.

Harmony – A female Husky puppy that was rescued along with several children from slavers along M’Chek’s eastern coastline. Gifted to Nawen. Full of unbridled energy.

Miss Chef – A white cat frequently seen in the kitchen.

Murder – A blind crow. A constant companion of Freya’s.

Hunter – A black cat who stalks the cellar and tunnels beyond.

Thief - A black cat with white markings who is typically seen curled up in front of the dining room fireplace.