Barvielle Keep

Ground floor. For the full map, see below

**Barvielle Keep** is a fortress residing near the town of Barvielle that is currently owned by Kalruhan Lucaryn. This fortress is not the most comfortable place to live, but its defenses more than make up for that.

## History

Barvielle Keep was constructed by the Ancient Xelaran Empire, using technology taught to them by the dwarves, hence its relatively simple and earthly design. The keep itself is built into a rocky cliff that boarders the coast, and is incredibly difficult to besiege, as the only ways to approach the fortress with an army is either by sea or by the thin valley pass at the front of the keep. These defences have always kept Barvielle Keep safe, with the defences themselves rarely getting overrun.

As for the keep itself, that it is build into the cliffs adds to the structural integrity of the fortress, and this adds interesting features on the inside, such as the large natural arch that stretches through the main hall on the ground floor, or the arch that passes above the fortress, keeping it hidden from those looking from afar.

## Layout

Barvielle keep is a compact location, with the fortress itself having four floors, and the spires each having an extra floor.

### Basement

   The basement floor of Barvielle Keep is largely occupied by the massive vault opposite the dock area. Within contains an armoury of magical items that has been slowly growing in size since the time of the Ancient Xelaran Empire. To the south of the vault lies a laboratory space, frequently used for Jaelle's experiments or as an infirmary. To the north of the vault are a dozen cells for keeping captives, though these often sit empty. Ships can dock at Barvielle Keep, should they approach the coast from the east.

### Ground Floor

The majority of the ground floor is taken up by the main hall, which is often used for official meetings with the lord or during events, where several banquet tables can be set up. The kitchens to the south are large enough to fill any request needed to fill the main hall's banquet tables.

There are servants quarters and guards barracks to the north, though these rooms can double as food storage rooms should the fortress come under seige.

### First Floor

To the north of Barvielle Keep's first floor lie several guest rooms and the captain's quarters, each room having a confortable bed and a desk, as well as a wardrobe and chest to keep belongings in. To the west lies a chapel, as well as a lounge where one can read books from the extensive library to the south. The east side of this floor contains a small dining room to have meals when the banquet halls aren't needed, as well as a drawing room and a balcony overlooking the ocean.

### Second Floor

The second floor of Barvielle keep is mainly taken up by the large training room in the centre of the floor. This training room has another stone arch reaching through it, leading through Alarin's room. Inside the training room are several training weapons and mats to spar on, as well as doors into an armoury where one can practice with real weapons. In addition to the training room, this floor also contains the bedrooms for the family, as well as the war room. This room is essentially just a room for planning strategy, given that is contains a large map of the Empire.

### Spires

The last level of Barvielle keep is in the two spires to the north-east and south-east. In the north east spire lies Vicsiara's bedroom and one other bedroom, as well as Aerie's lab for practicing her magic. The south-east spire is locked, however, and lies in ruins. This spire was once used as a torture chamber, but it has long since been abandoned.