Damaris Castle (ˌdɛmˈɑːrɪs)

Trade and Territory

The castle originally functioned as a vital trading port for merchants navigating the treacherous waters of the northern seas. Charles Damaris, a wealthy individual, sought to establish his trading routes and domain by claiming the northern seas and built his castle in the year 420. While it was only modest in size, the castle's ports still had a formidable mercenary navy to protect its waters. The castle had dominated the northern trade routes and maintained its strategic importance for nearly 250 years, long after the death of Charles.  

Prison

Approximately 150 years after the downfall of Charles' once-thriving trading empire of the north, the neglected and crumbling castle experienced a dramatic transformation; the weatherworn keep was redefined as a grim stronghold. The castle was repurposed into a secluded prison designed to contain the most notorious pirates of the late maritime era. Though it only served as a fortress of confinement for about 15 years before it became increasingly dilapidated and was ultimately abandoned indefinitely.

Charles Damaris, a wealthy individual during his time, sought to establish his trading routes and domain by claiming the northern seas. He had a castle built on a remote island off the coast of northern Ravia in the year 420. While it was modest in size, the castle's ports still had a formidable mercenary navy to protect its waters. Charles had dominated the northern trade routes for many years, and his castle retained its strategic importance for nearly 250 years, long after his death. However, over time, the climate began to shift dramatically, characterized by increasingly severe storms and freezing temperatures. The changing climate ultimately forced the castle into a state of neglect and abandonment. Additionally, advances in transportation, coupled with a significant migration of the northern populace of the area, diminished the necessity of the arctic trade routes. The seclusion of the castle also proved to be extremely difficult to reach by ship in later years.   A century and a half after its initial abandonment, the weathered keep, along with the remnants of the castle grounds, underwent a transformation into a grim stronghold. It became a remote prison for the most notorious pirates of the late maritime era. These pirates, feared and reviled across the seas, were confined within the stone walls of the keep, which echoed with the tales of their misdeeds. The castle had only been repurposed as a remote prison for the last 15 years of the pirate era, a final attempt by authorities to contain the chaos of piracy that plagued the seas. After the era of piracy had declined to a manageable state, and the further delapidation of the castle grounds, the grim fortress was abandoned indefinitely, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in ice and whispered tales.   Nature proved to be a relentless adversary through the ages. For many centuries, the sea mercilessly battered the castle, causing considerable erosion and decay. What was once an imposing stronghold had succumbed to the elements, leaving only the resilient stone keep — a stark reminder of its past. This solitary remnant has since been retitled as the Icebound Keep, aptly named for the unforgiving conditions that prevail nearly year-round.