Stars Reach Keep

Nestled at the cusp of the Gravespires is the Celestial Watchtower, Stars Reach Keep. Its original designers, founders, and owners are unknown - it was sacked and rebuilt by the Pale Elves during their expansion in the early age of the Empire. Reconstructed into the Elvish Fortress of Amansar, it would be repurposed into a military and magical structure watching over the Gravespires. At its heart is Celestial Watchtower, an observatory said to have belonged to the previous ruler of the castle. For hundreds of years the empire would use the beautiful keep to host tournaments, events, and defend the mountain range from the pestering orcish threat always threatening their central holdings.

Magic would flow from the Watchtower, Elvish wizards would use the stars and planar equipment to perform magical feats and help develop spells yet to be seen by man. The mages would learn many of the secrets of the universe, though the empire would never dare to share them beyond its most closed of noble ranks.

During the rebellion, Amansar would be besieged by the forces of man under the Lord Lyfelde. Legend tells that the Celestial Watchtower aligned to the stars, and the diviners within saw a crown upon the Lyfeldes head and half the garrison surrendered to the Lord before he even began the siege. Even if false, a siege did take place and the fortress of Amansar would have its walls breached by siege equipment and even today it still bares the scars of its second siege.

After, the keep would be left mostly abandoned. Lord Lyfelde went to reclaim his ancestral home, and those remaining in the elvish heartland were displaced or had little holdings to begin with. Druidic Star Cults would often call the keep home, and it would slowly lose the name Amansar and gain the title of Stars Reach. For decades it would change hands, mostly without violence. Becoming home to travelling mercenary bands, star druids, and orcish parties. A few attempted their own repairs or modifications to the structure leading to the appearance being one of a thousand different hands laying stones. Ancient stone from the age before line its foundations, built upon by the hands of the imperial elves and than later by the various Lordless who would use it as a refuge.

Its most significant use in the last age was an Astral Hand outpost. Throughout the 1400s the Astral Hand would make unofficial claim to Stars Reach and repair much of its equipment, using the ancient observatory to further their research into planes and stars. The Celestial Watchtower would again move, viewing the grand colours beyond the stars. Their diviners would study and learn within the towers steps and halls, and much would be gleamed from its use. Within Stars Reach, the map of the planes would truly be solidified.

In the Winter War though, the Astral Hand would be removed from Stars Reach. When Requiem invaded the Lordless Lands many locals became wary of the outside guild holding an important fort. Especially when Requiem Wyvern riders seemed to use the fortress as a stop and refresh point. The Astral Hand has claimed they were fully neutral, offering both Requiem and Lordless forces aide when requested. Many in the Lordless Lands see this as a violation of the One Law though, and note that those within the Lordless Lands should have at the least turned the Requiem forces back the gate, but most say the Astral Hand should have fought if they wished to use the free lands as a home. The Astral Hand would come into conflict with a group of Lordless mercenaries from the Fold who demanded the guild leave. When the Astral Hand refused, the mercenaries left with a warning for them to leave within a week.

Upon returning, the Freedagger Company would have employed many locals from the Fold and surrounding area, amassing a large and diverse war party. They would lay siege to Stars Reach for 4 days before the Astral Hand surrendered and left Stars Reach.

Since then, Stars Reach has become what it was before. A haven for the weary, changing hands with little conflict though its found little use by many in recent years - its old stone and ancient instruments collecting dust.