Lighthaven Keep
Lighthaven Keep is the coastal fortress forming the eastern most section of the NOD, and subsequently is the Order of the Shining Star's command center for the region.
The region was annexed by the Order upon liberating the NOD from the Evil Uprising. Construction of the keep was ordered by Azrael Nightstar in 316 QY, and would be the first fortress built specifically as a stronghold for the Order. Robert the Dog, the Order's Eastern Commander was the first master of the keep. Tordek Nightbringer took command in later years after Robert the Dog.
Contents
The History of Lighthaven Keep
As the first military installment commissioned into construction by the Order of the Shining Star, it was intended to strengthen the Order's claim of the NOD, after having liberated it from the Evil Uprising. Built atop the high stone cliffs overlooking the sea, the keep serves as a lookout point as well as stronghold against enemy ships and coastal invaders. The cliff's sheer scale and height also provide strategic defense.
While originally only a small stone structure and barracks, with the later intentions of building a naval station, the Knights of the Blackforest supplied both men and materials to further strengthen the fortress. Adding an additional barracks, they also helped to increase the fortress' size and overall defense. As a gesture of good faith, and also alliance, they aided in the creation of the keep's first shipyard, and dry docks.
Notable Events
The first true battle the keep saw was in the campaign known as the Tides of Darkness. Bombarded by the Imperial Fleet of Shangala, the Shogun, Lord Toronaga ordered that the keep be captured. Capturing the coastal fortress proved to be no small matter though. Housing a large battery of cannon, the defenders engaged in battle with the bombarding ships, in a siege lasting several weeks. While ground forces did make attacks in addition to the ships' bombardments, the keep was never seized. Substantial portions were caused tremendous damage however, and several sections were destroyed, including the naval yard.
A small dispute, recorded in history as the Trade Wars, used the keep as a command center for a small contingency of the Order's Crimson Guard and Titan soldiers. Though there was no real battle, the city's merchants were ready to hunt and kill all thieves who sought to extort them, causing a brief, but serious moment of strife in the city.
The Keep's Layout
Lighthaven Keep has changed much since its creation. The most extensive changes are also the most recent, a direct result of the Shangala's siege, in an effort to rebuild and expand the fortress.
Ground Floor
The ground floor is divided into four wings, primarily serving as a cannon battery and supply area. The storage areas are located in the center of the floor, with the cannon batteries surrounding it. Weapons, armor, powder, and ammunition are kept here, in addition to a small supply of foodstuff, mostly for what is consumed on the day to day basis (the primary storage facility for food being the keep's basement).
Each wing houses a small number of beds to provide a living facility in the event of siege. Guardhouses are located at each corner, along with access to the high walls surrounding the keep.
Second Floor
Kitchens, dining room, and the barracks for officers and Crimson Guard stationed at the keep are found here. The floor serves as the command center for the keep's operations during war time, as well as its everyday running. In the center is the war room, very similar to the one found in Nightstar Keep, with the usual array of maps, conference table, and markers for both land and naval forces of the Order and her allies.
Third Floor
Admittance to the third floor is reserved for only guests, or honorary members of Titan or the Order. Guest rooms, including a reserved suite for Ebon-Ashe and Azrael Nightstar, library, office, and Tordek Nightbringer's personal chambers are here. Decorating the floor are paintings, tapestries, and all the more gentle amenities of a well furbished (and well to-do) home.
Sub Floor
The idea of creating a level cut out from the cliffs that the keep is built on was presented by master masons as a means making the best use of the keep's natural surroundings in an effort to give the most strategic aid. By cutting into the rock, the cliffs would supply the outer walls of this level, giving obvious defensive strength. Excavations occurred section by section, allowing construction, without the fear of the entire keep collapsing.
Strengthened by massive pillars set in geometric proportions, as well as walls, and an extensive system of arch supports, there is little fear of the keep collapsing should this region be subject to attack.
Facing to the sea, a full battery of cannons has been mounted here, using the cliff walls as gun ports and defensive walls against oncoming fire.
Basement
The basement is primarily a storage depot for food stuffs, powder and munitions, and other various necessities to run the keep. The basement is composed of a series of small rooms, or vaults, they are tightly sealed and are also cut straight into the rock below the keep. The most recent of renovations to the complex have included a small network of escape tunnels, should an emergency requiring such a necessity ever arise.
Barracks and Stables
Directly connected to the keep itself, the barracks today is an expanded and modified version of what was originally built by the Knights of the Blackforest. Capable of housing a modest sized contingency, it reflects the requirements of the NOD's eastern command center. A small training facility is located close by, though many of the Order's knights join, already veteran soldiers.
The stables house both the war horses of the Order's knights stationed here or in the city, and also those of guests.
Situated adjacent to the keep, and just next to the civilian port, is the Order's naval yard. The installment is complete with a launching ramp for new ships, as well as several warehouses and workshops, lining the cliffs, and also extending out into the water in a pontoon fashion.
The facilities are capable of both building and repairing full scale military vessels, as well as docks to tow and house them while they are not on patrol or missions. While the majority of the work is done in the city proper, the workshops here provide the necessary tools and elements to put the parts together to form the ship.
