Lighthaven Keep

Lighthaven Keep is the coastal fortress in the eastern most region 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 428QY, 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.

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 it's 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.

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 occured 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.

Naval Yard
Situated adjacent to the keep, and just next to the civilian port, is the Order's naval yard. The naval yard is reached by spiralling stairs, cut into the cliff through a tunnel. The installment is complete with a launching ramp for new ships, as well as several warehouses and workshops, lining the cliffs, as well as 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.