Winter Keep

The Winter Keep is the residence of the King of Aqoris, his family and his court, located within Newcastle, the capital of the Kingdom of Aqoris. It dominates the skyline of the city and serves as the city's primary fortress and garrison. It also houses the High Council.
It is located in the north-east of the city on a Hill overlooking Newcastle Bay and into the Eastern Expanse. It is the seat of the Boyce Kings who have reigned over the Kingdom of The North from the Keep for four centuries.
Barden Boyce began construction of the Winter Keep to overlook the smaller villages on the land which would unite together into Newcastle. He used the Keep as a stronghold to launch his Foundation Wars from. After he was crowned as King in 0 AF, he ordered the building of the Bear Throne from a felled ancient beartree to be placed in the newly built Great Hall.
== Specific locations ==
=== The Great Hall ===
The Great Hall is the massive throne room of the Winter Keep and is where the Bear Throne is situated. The King (or his Adviser, in the event of the King's absence), holds court and receives petitioners within the Great Hall. It is also employed for official ceremonies.
=== Joros's Tower ===
Joros's Tower is a strut tower in the centre of the Winter Keep. It was named after King Joros I Boyce, who oversaw the end of the construction of the Winter Keep. It serves as a redoubt when the city is attacked. The royal apartments are also located in Joros's Tower.
=== The Blue Tower ===
The Blue Tower is the location of the quarters and offices of the Adviser to The King. The Adviser's family, household and guards also live and work in the Blue Tower.
=== The Bronze Tower ===
The Bronze Tower houses the chambers of the Bronze Cloaks.
=== The dungeons ===
The dungeons of the Red Keep are divided into four levels:
* On the upper level are cells with high narrow windows where common criminals are confined together.
* The second level has smaller, personal cells without windows for highborn captives and valuable hostages.
* The Ice Cells are at the third level. Prisoners accused of treason and other high crimes are kept within the Ice Cells.
=== The Winter Keep Library ===
The Winter Keep Library is located in a room beside the Great Hall, accessible by a doorway in the Great Hall which travels down into a cellar. It is filled with rows of shelves with thousands of books on them and it is the principal working place of the High Curator.
Category:Castles of the Domainlands
Category:House Boyce
Category:Newcastle
Category:Winter Keep