Fort Chessa

At the eastern end of the pass through the Great Eastern Mountains between Senyon and Chessa lies the border fortress and small city called Fort Chessa. At Fort Chessa, a high stone wall, topped with towers and crenelations, with thick oak and iron gates, guards the entrance to Chessa. In the past, the wall and towers kept marauding Orkrim coming from their cavern fortresses and cities from raiding deep into Chessa, stealing all they could, burning what they couldn't, and killing all that tried to defend themselves and their property. Nowadays, Fort Chessa serves mostly as a border checkpoint where caravans of goods traveling between Senyon and Chessa are inspected and taxes collected. It also serves as a river port, where cargo and passengers heading eastward downriver are loaded for the journey to Lynnaminto and onward to Chessdo and other towns and cities in Chessa.   Long ago, Fort Chessa was the center of a war between the Human Azmasanmanne people and the Orkrim of the Varkimgra Tribe that lasted for decades, starting with the First Battle of Fort Chessa. Despite their severe losses at that battle, the Orkrim returned again and again, setting fire to the wooden walls and buildings of the fort, causing massive damage and forcing it to be rebuilt after each battle. Finally, the walls were rebuilt with stone, and the roofs of the buildings were made from slate, making them mostly impervious to the Orkrim fire arrows. The Varkimgra tribe was pushed further and further south, far from Fort Chessa, and so the town began to grow. As trade increased through the pass, Fort Chessa prospered, as it was the only viable route for trade with Senyon and the rest of the world.