High Mountain Keep

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	High Mountain Keep
Original Name	高山堡
Type	Pioneering territory; later a Marquisate 17 436
Ruler	Richard Orlando, Pioneering Baron and later Lord of High Mountain Keep 17 21
Steward	Buckland 79
Status	Its residents evacuate after magma is channeled into the keep, rendering it temporarily uninhabitable 439
First Appearance	Chapter 17

Background / History

High Mountain Keep began as an incomplete frontier holding whose population consisted entirely of warriors, lacking civilian inhabitants and non-military infrastructure. Its initial fortification was a tall wooden blockhouse on a hill, built from logs; it was poorly suited to concealment, winter weather, or a growing population. 32 36

Under Richard, the keep survived a coordinated threat from wilderness tribes and developed a reputation for powerful warriors, capable spellcasters, and quality equipment. This reputation discouraged surrounding tribes from attacking and enabled the territory to become a regional power. 22 68 82

After the wilderness campaigns, High Mountain Keep gained wealth, population, a partnership with the Voya Merchant Guild, and access to Dwarf blacksmiths and ore. Buckland subsequently became its steward, taking responsibility for its previously disorganized internal administration. 68 73 79

The settlement gradually changed from a sparse military encampment into a small, racially diverse town with organized roads, civilian housing, animal pens, workshops, and a growing military-industrial base. 185 320

Layout and Infrastructure

• The original log blockhouse was replaced in importance by a larger settlement spread around the hills; early buildings and dugouts were camouflaged with grass and leaves during periods of danger. 36 40
• A log fence and a ditch surrounded the early civilian district. The ditch was intended to become a moat once supplied with diverted river water. 185 186
• Residential buildings and animal pens were arranged around the hills, with orderly roads between them. 185
• The keep maintained an iron mine near a former Dwarf settlement; mining halted each winter when the lake froze. 186
• Molefolk began constructing city walls and a castle, assisted by Iron Giants. The castle was intended to resolve the settlement’s mismatch between its name and its earlier lack of a true keep. 336
• Massive smelting furnaces were erected along the Raging Waves River, with Iron Giants operating them in shifts to produce steel. 316
• By the time its military-industrial department matured, High Mountain Keep possessed extensive surface factories and three concealed underground levels used for prototype weapons and ancient Goblin Ruins fragments. 436
• Magma later channeled into the keep made the settlement too hot to inhabit, forcing its residents to move out while Richard sought to suppress it with a Goblin steam orb. 439

Population and Society

High Mountain Keep’s early population was dominated by Barbarian and Centaur warriors. It later expanded by taking in vulnerable vassal races, including Rabbitfolk and Goatfolk, as well as Dwarves, Half-Orcs, Elves, Skaar Lizardfolk, Ogres, Tiger Spirits, Iron Giants, and other groups. 22 73 77 185 338

• Vassal races sought refuge after the destruction or weakening of their former suzerain tribes. Some became servants or maids within the keep. 73
• The Voya Merchant Guild established a permanent shop, making High Mountain Keep a trade center as well as a military settlement. 73
• New recruits were drawn by Richard’s growing reputation, including three to four hundred Highland Barbarians who arrived while he was absent. 226
• Over four hundred additional soldiers—Centaurs, Barbarians, and a Skaar tribe—arrived during a later period of expansion. 365
• Residents were noted for being cheerful, hardworking, and accustomed to the settlement’s unusual racial diversity. 185

Military Forces

Guard and System Troops

High Mountain Keep’s original strength rested on Barbarian infantry and Centaur cavalry. Its forces became increasingly organized through System promotions, equipment standardization, heavy-load training, and recruitment. 17 22 69

• Sixteen Barbarian Spearmen advanced into Barbarian Warriors, while one further advanced into a Level 5 Barbarian Great Axe Warrior. 17
• Centaur advancement paths include mounted-archery branches and heavy-cavalry branches, allowing the keep to field both ranged and shock troops. 22
• Its first top-tier System troops were four Centaur Vanguards and the Berserker Rosell. 135
• The Skaar’s Ground Dragon Cavalry was valued for its telepathic rider-mount connection and absolute discipline. 77 121
• Source Blood later transformed select Ground Dragons into fire-breathing Flying Dragons, forming the basis for a planned aerial cavalry equipped with ballistas and Demon Annihilation Bolts. 328
• Netherworld Warriors became standard mounts for affiliated militia and peacekeepers, though regular troops regarded them as unsuitable for frontline combat. 316

Spellcasters

High Mountain Keep developed a small but diverse spellcasting contingent, including Kobold Shamans, Ogre Shamans, and later additional elemental casters. 40 42 226

• Hum and Ha, Ogre Shamans, wield Stone Skin and Obscuring Mist. 36 42
• Eight newly awakened Ogre Shamans included fire, water, and lightning-elemental users. 226
• The keep’s spellcasters were viewed as unusually numerous for a small pioneering territory. 40

Industry and Trade

Military Manufacturing

High Mountain Keep’s military industry began with Centaur smiths recycling captured weapons and armor into steel. Rooney supervised early blast-furnace work using pig iron, wrought iron, and coal supplied by the Voya Merchant Guild. 35

• Dwarf blacksmiths and access to ore enabled the keep’s arms production to become established on a larger scale. 73
• Equipment was designed to conform to System unit templates, since soldiers performed best when armed with their designated weapon types. 35 74
• Early output included heavy battle-axes, full plate armor, Titan Armor, and Centaur cavalry sabers. 74
• Richard later ordered every soldier to be equipped with Magic-Patterned Fine Steel gear, using rare Mithril-Root Wind-Grinding Mountain Copper. 315
• Improved Dwarf ballistas used Magic-Patterned Fine Steel bolts and reflected Robbie’s continuing mechanical development. 348

Commerce

• The Voya Merchant Guild established a permanent shop at High Mountain Keep after its wilderness campaigns. 68 73
• Trade generated more than two thousand gold coins in monthly income, though this was still insufficient to comfortably maintain Richard’s planned three-thousand-man standing army. 179
• High Mountain Keep’s growing influence reduced conflict among nearby tribes, unintentionally lowering demand for weapons and affecting trade revenue. 179
• Its arms business became notable enough that Liaola investigated when it unexpectedly ceased operation for several months. 233

Governance

• Richard Orlando — Lord and military commander; personally directs recruitment, equipment programs, security measures, and territorial expansion. 17 178 315
• Buckland — Steward responsible for internal affairs, stores, population management, and the keep’s administration during Richard’s absence. 79 106 226
• Annie — Voya Merchant Guild representative and key trade partner; supports commercial links, recruitment, and settlement development. 68 73 178
• Robbie — Dwarf engineer and chief figure in weapons production, ballista development, and military manufacturing. 74 106 348
• Hert and Gunther — Centaur and Barbarian leaders who oversee training, record orders, and command major portions of the guard. 25 106 190

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Wilderness foothold — Richard claims High Mountain Keep as his pioneering territory and chooses to defend it rather than retreat to Corin. 17 25
• Defense against native coalitions — The keep becomes the intended target of a joint wilderness army, then emerges from the conflict with greater strength and influence. 22 68
• Settlement and industrialization — Dwarf smiths, Centaur forges, Voya trade, and expanded civilian settlement transform the keep from a warrior camp into a developing town. 35 73 185
• Military expansion — The keep develops top-tier System troops, Ground Dragon Cavalry, spellcasting units, militia mounts, and Magic-Patterned Fine Steel equipment. 135 316 328
• New World base — High Mountain Keep serves as the logistical center for Richard’s activities in and around the Twilight Forest, which functions as both an outpost and fallback refuge. 322
• Magma crisis — Magma channeled into the settlement forces its inhabitants to evacuate, creating a major threat to the territory itself. 439

Trivia

• High Mountain Keep once had no proper castle or manor despite being called a “keep.” 314 336
• Its residents rapidly adopted the habit of rolling their eyes after spending time around Richard. 73
• The keep’s amateur drama troupe began with Barbarian, Centaur, Rabbitfolk, and Ogre performers before becoming increasingly professional. 144 336
• Richard’s forces once built makeshift fortifications by dismantling their remaining carriages into planks. 40