Caer Fobin

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The fortress is located on the bank of the River Thard. It has two gates, one facing north, the other east. Inside its 20 foot walls there are 6 buildings. The wall has a 4 foot palisade with manchions every 5 feet.

In this article: The Gate House | Courtyard | Haunted Tower | Villa Milities | Villa Equestria| |Villa Fabrican & Bath | Stables | Mash House

The Gate Houses Map: [298x370 B/W GIF 4KB]

Atop each gate is a gate house from which those entering can be observed through arrow slits. The 5 foot walk through the gate house leads visitors directly below 4 murder holes. There are between two and six men stationed here or walking along the walls.

There is always at least one Milities Linari standing just inside, or just outside the small door in the 12 feet high, 8 feet wide gate door. The door swings easily open (inwards) on three well-oiled hinges. Two tree trunks (4 feet and 10 feet from the ground respectively) bar the door closed. A small door opens in the far western side of the gate. It cannot be opened if the gate is barred.

Courtyard

In the center of the courtyard is a 4 feet wide, 15 feet deep well that dips into an underground stream that vents into the river Thard beyond the fortresses walls. The jacks empty 5-10 feet beyond the well, into a separate stream. Both streams join the river Thard below the ground.

Haunted Tower

The haunted tower is in the far south-eastern most corner of the fortress. Few soldiers enjoy standing atop the fourth story of the tower on guard duty. Nevill and the soldiers of Fobin drove over 40 seasoned tree trunks into the river bank and rebuilt the flood and tide damaged area. The tower is perfectly safe according to Nevill, but no one believes him.

Nevill intends to expand the tower to three times its size and turn it into the new stables. Additional housing for slaves and servants will be available in the third and fourth floors, with room for guests on the second. The construction is planned to begin in the spring of the year 720TR. Currently the tower is occupied by the slaves who live and work in Caer Fobin. A majority of the first and second floors are used for excess storage of tribute.

In this article: The Gate House | Courtyard | Haunted Tower | Villa Milities | Villa Equestria| |Villa Fabrican & Bath | Stables | Mash House

Villa Milities Map [574x864 B/W GIF 25KB]

This is the barracks for the common soldiers of the Thardic Republican Legion stationed in Fobin.

This three story structure was finished in 718. The third floor was added to the initial 45 year old wood and stone construction. The stone walls reach up to a height of 24 feet. Atop the wall sits a 3 foot tall roof palisade wall with manchions every 4 feet.

A & B Stairwells

To the north (A) and south (B) of the villa, are stair towers that lead to each level and the roof. The stairs are wooden, and straight. A landing allows climbers to continue, or take a break at every level.

On the far side of each stairwell is the jacks. Each one allows waste to fall into a long stone tube that empties out just south of the well. The seat is made of rough planking over which a piece of canvas was thoughtfully spread. The door latches from the inside. The ground floor has two sets of doors that lead into the main courtyard. One set swings outward, and the other swings inward. Both doors are iron bound, and come with locking mechanisms to brace the doors shut.

All three levels are built on the same architectural design. Originally each cohort was suppose to have its own floor. Should all four cohorts be required to remain in the caer at the same time, the Fobin units would be 1/4 short of the beds it needs. Currently men are assigned beds as they come to serve. Occasionally cohorts mix on the same floor if deemed convenient by their commanding officers.

The Roof

The roof is capped by an empty structure called the Falcon's Roost. Eight feet above the third floor's ceiling, it could house between 20 to 30 men. Nevell is examining its use as housing for the fourth cohort. He has already strengthened the third story's ceiling and is now beginning to plan an opening in the roof. Until then, ladders are used to climb up to the falcon's roost. Originally intended and braced as a place for a signal fire, the fire pit has not yet been built. Nevill is waiting for the money and the stone to arrive. He expects it by mid summer of 720TR.

The ladders are removable, and can be hauled up, or down from the Falcon's roost as required. There should be at least one guard up on the Falcon's roost at all times, but when the weather is bad, or the wind cold, often men are excused from the duty.

In this article: The Gate House | Courtyard | Haunted Tower | Villa Milities | Villa Equestria| |Villa Fabrican & Bath | Stables | Mash House

Villa Equestria Map: [564x864 B/W GIF 21KB ]

This is the home to the District Legar, his family, and the mounted officers of the Fobin Cohorts. This four story structure was completed in 698TR, with the re-organization of the various rooms for the officers.

To the east (A) and the west (B) of the villa, are stair towers that lead to each level and the roof. The stairs are wooden, and straight. A landing allows climbers to continue, or take a break at every level, at each level there is an iron bound door, leachable (and bearable) from the inside) that gives access into the stairwell.

On the far side of each stairwell is the jacks. Each one allows waste to fall into a long stone tube that empties out just south of the well. The seat is made of rough planking over which a piece of canvas was thoughtfully spread. The door latches from the inside.

The ground floor has a sets of double doors that lead into area #2. The doors are iron bound, and come with locking mechanisms to brace the doors shut.

Guards are stationed throughout the levels. This symbol denotes where they are stationed. The number on the right denotes the number of guards in the area, and the number on the left denotes the % chance that each will be there.

Unlike the Villa Milities, there is no lack of room here. Each officer has his own proper suite and office. The District Legar and his family live on the fourth floor.

Cellar Map [174x231 B/W GIF 4KB]

The cellar is accessible only by the stairs that descend from the center of the L of the Villa Milities building. The stairs are completely exposed to the elements, and the courtyard. The stairs are made of stone, and the well into which they descend has been strengthened by masonry block.

1. The Cells

There are 7 cells in this corner of the cellar. The doors are iron bound, with large external locks that hang 3' down from the windows at the tops of the doors. The key is carried by the District Legar, the Triberties Linari, Horik Baral and the head guard on duty.

The cells are divided from the rest of the cellar by two iron-bound doors that lock together with an oak bar from the outside.The cells have waste grates (1' wide, 4 per cell) that drop into narrow channels that mix with the jacks before dumping into the river Thard. Occasionally the cells partially flood. Nevell is working on it.

2. Storage

The caer stores meat, meads and other spoilable goods for the officer's mess and District Legar's kitchen. River ice, taken from the river in winter, is stored here in hay covered sacks. Some years the ice can last until almost mid summer.

3. Guard Post

The guard post consists of two rooms. The one marked #3 is the Fobin interrogation area. The room contains a rack, as well as several types of whips, and flails. There are 8 sets of shackles bolted into the masonry around the room. Nearby is a room with two cots and a large table.

First Floor Map [269x260 B/W GIF 5KB ]

The first floor is accessible through either stairwell A or B, and a set of double doors leading into room #2. Each exterior wall of the first floor is pierced by arrow slits roughly every 10 feet. There is a 1 foot tall, 1/2 foot wide gap every 2 feet along the interior walls to provide ventilation. This gap is 9 feet from the ground.

1. Stairs Down

These stone stairs lead down to the cellar. They are the only access to the lower level.

2. Commons Room

This is the commons room for the legionnaires. Men gather here to be paid, receive non-denominational prayers and for dances and receptions. The two desks and lockable trunks along the south-most wall are often removed if it is not payday.

All accounting and registering is done in this room. Two lockable strong rooms cover the eastern wall. They are the only part of the structure that do not have arrow slits. The legion's pay is kept in one of the two rooms from the time it arrives until it is paid out. The keys to both rooms are kept only by Horik Baral.

3. Mani's Rooms

The rooms in this corridor are identical. They are given to the commanding officers of each squad in the legion. Each set of rooms has a double bed, a lockable box, and an armour stand (not depicted) in the bedroom. In the office, there is a second lockable box, a cot for a squire or servant and a desk. All exterior walls are pierced by arrow slits every 10 feet. The fourth room, across the hall from the other three, is for the leader of the calvary troop.

4. Triberties Rooms

These two rooms belong to the company commander. The rooms are slightly larger than those of the Mani. The bedroom houses a large bed, a lockable chest, an armour stand (not depicted), a private lockable desk and a brazier. The office there is a second lockable box, two cots and two desks.

5. Clerk's Bedroom

This room has room for four men. Each bed is divided from the others by a curtain that hangs down from the ceiling. Along the opposing wall from the bed is a lockable trunk in which each clerk may keep his personal belongings. Occasionally one of these beds is used by a legionnaire/messenger who needs to catch a little sleep between runs.

6. Physician's Bedroom

This room is used by the Physician of the legion, Jamus of Fobin. On cold mornings he's been known to perform sick call from his room. He uses the South-Eastern tower as his hospital, but knows its reputation. He carries a few instruments and herbs in a leather satchel. Often he can be found in the early morning making the rounds of the Villa Milities. When not performing duties, he is of riding (his favorite pastime) or cloistered with Horik Baral. The two seem to be close friends.

Second Floor Map [273x236 B/W GIF 5KB]

The second floor is accessible through either stairwell A or B. Each exterior wall is pierced by arrow slits roughly every 12 feet. Its freshly painted shutters are open in good weather to catch the wind off the river.

1. Ceiling of the Commons Room

The ceiling holds 4 chandeliers that hang down to the 12' level. Each chandelier can be raised or lowered using a series of ropes attached to a nearby wall in room 2 of level 1.

2. Triberties Room

3. Guest Bedroom

This room is reserved for a guest of the legion. Any visiting officer, merchant or visitor of equestrian (or equivalent) rank would be assigned a servant from the general staff and given this room. Usually the room remains vacant, as the legion has very few guests. Otherwise this room is identical to the Mani's room on the first floor.

4. Clerk's Rooms

Five clerks sleep in this room. Each one is assigned to an officer on this floor. The five cots are laid tightly together. The curtains are tucked up out of the way to allow what little air there is to circulate.

5. Reservist Officer Rooms

Third Floor Map [276x256 B/W GIF 5KB]

The third floor is off limits for most all milities, except those visiting the Mani who commands the third company at Fobin. Most soldiers try and stay out of the way of the Wytel family, who also reside on this floor. The third floor is accessible through either stairwell A or B. Each exterior wall is pierced by arrow slits roughly every 15 feet.

1. Reservist Officer Rooms

2. Scholar's Room

This room is lavishly adorned with tapestries covering three of its four walls. A thick rug covers the floor and a large bed is pushed against the far wall. Near the door is a writing desk, a comfortable chair and a wall of scroll-shelves. The resident scholar sleeps here. He is a part time assistant to Nevill in the Villa Fabrica.

3. Triberties Room

4. Servants Quarters

This room holds three double-bunk beds to sleep a total of 6-8 servants. Here the meager possessions are stored in a narrow cabinet along the north wall.

5. District Legar's Mess/Officer's Mess

This small room has its own bar, and several comfortable seats. Technically it belongs to the Legar, but he often invites officers up for a drink. The room is staffed by a mute servant who has been in the Wytel family all his life. Occasional dinners are served here, with servants rushing the food from the Mess hall to the table. The soldiers are of the opinion that the Wytels do not eat the same things that the mere milities are served.

6. Officer's Sitting Room

This comfortable room has a guard at the door. The bury slave stops all soldiers from entering the officer's sitting room. Messages are passed to the guard, who then discreetly enters, and asks the officer away from his companions. The sitting room is a common meeting area where work is rarely the topic of discussion.

7. District Legar's Sitting Room

The District Legar's sitting room is where he welcomes and entertains guests not of the legion. This private room has no guard or latch. The intricately carved and painted door tends to give milities sufficient pause. The district legar is rarely in this room. Not even his clerks enter this room without his express permission.

Fourth Floor Map [279x288 B/W GIF 5KB]

The Fourth Floor is off limits to all Milities except those going to their Mani's rooms, or who have an appointment in the Officer's mess. The Wytel corridor is always guarded by 2 Milities Linari at each entrance (stairwell and central corridor.) The guards change every watch.

The fourth floor is accessible through either stairwell A or B. Each exterior wall is pierced by arrow slits roughly every 12 feet.

1. Reservist Officer's Rooms

2. Guest Room

The guest room is adorned similarly to a Mani's Room on the third floor.

3. Triberties Linari's Room

4. Storage

This room contains light storage (extra blankets, straw ticks, pillows, lamp oil, etc.) that the legionnaires may require. It also contains the extra linens for the men and women stationed on this floor.

5. Servants Quarters

6. Jacob Wytel

This room is spartan but for his plush bear and a box full of wooden blocks. His bed and his chest are the only other furniture in the room. A personal servant sleeps right next door.

7. Matthew Wytel

A wooden practice sword and half-sized tower shield hang on his wall. His room has a bed, chest and a small desk. A personal servant and tutor named Martin sleeps right next door.

8. Guest Bedroom

This room is for private guests of the Wytel family. It is furnished similarly to other guest rooms in the building.

9. The Wytel's Bedroom

Susanna and Braen Wytel sleep in this room. Braen conducts all of his business on the third floor, and thus does not even have a desk in this room. Josephena, Susanna's personal maid sleeps next door.

The room is lavish. An overlarge bed has a feather tick and rich blue covers that were dyed to match Susanna's eyes. The furniture n the room is as intricately carved ad the District Legar's Sitting Room door.

Roof (Not Depicted)

There are between two to five guards on patrol along the edge of the building at all times. While not depicted, the Villa Equestria has a flat roof upon which several braziers burn throughout the night. The roof is reinforced sufficiently to hold small blastulae and other such arms as needed. There is no shelter for those on this roof. The wind whips up the face of the caer and over the wall to strike the guardsmen clear in the face.

In this article: The Gate House | Courtyard | Haunted Tower | Villa Milities | Villa Equestria| |Villa Fabrican & Bath | Stables | Mash House

Villa Fabrica & Bath House Map [768x995 B/W GIF 54KB]

This is one of the most popular places in the fortress. The bath house can only really hold 25-30 milities. Officers and soldiers returning from long duty get first priority. All other desiring soldiers must go into town to use the local bath house there. The house is divided into the Villa Fabrica and the Bath House. The Villa Fabrica is run by Nevill and Merian.

1. The Bath

The water is pumped in by slave hands from the river some 12 feet below. As the water fills the bath, a second pump is used to pull the water towards the furnace of the Villa Fabrica, through tubes beneath the tile floor. When the bath is full, the pumping from the river stops and the slaves verify the temperature. When the temperature is just right, the access to the furnace is shut and that pumping stopped.

About twice a day the bath is drained (through a drain in the floor) and refilled with fresh water. Slaves wipe down the bath in-between fillings. When slaves are not busy pumping water or heat into the bath, they are busy doing the laundry (legionnaires generate a lot of towels) or serving the bathers.

2. The Villa Fabrica

The forge is busy from dawn to dusk. Often there are detailed shcematics drawn in thick pencil and tacked up to the wall of the latest sword design, or ballista.

Nevill and Mariam are both bonded master craftsmen. They share quarters above the shop. Mariam has three apprentices. Nevill has none. The apprentices work the bellows, run messages and help organize the unskilled labourers (Milities Linari in their work/repair watches).

The Villa Fabrica consists of a large hearth in the center of the building. It is backed against the wall of the Bath. To either side of the hearth are two large bellows, that are worked whenever either Nevill or Mariam are present. In front of the bellows are two large anvils sitting atop large oak-stumps. Tools and other equipment line the left-side wall of the shop. Tables lay against the left wall and are covered with half finished objects, plans and more tools. Apprentices sweep and dust the shop regularly.

Three giant rain-barrels sit just outside the entrance to the shop. The rain-barrels are filled either by the seasonal rains or by an apprentice drawing water from the well in the center of the courtyard.

3. Bins

This area holds three bins. The first is for charcoal. The second is for seasoned wood, the third is for iron. The bins are topped off as needed, but are never allowed to go empty. Nevill is always asking for more metal to work with, but he is really never lacking. Occasionally Merian will spend a few days melting down broken swords and shield edging into slag for reuse.

4. Sleeping Quarters

There are four cots in this area. Each cot lays against a wall with a locked chest at its foot, and a small table by the bed side upon which a lantern sits.

On the north wall is Nevill's cot. It is always neat and well made. His trunk has a complex lock on the front. The metal bound trunk contains his clothes and personal effects as well as about 200d. There is usually a book on his table.

On the south wall is Merian's cot. It is made, but often wrinkled. The metal bound trunk at the foot of the bed contains his clothing and between 40-50d at any one time.

On the east and west walls are bunks for two apprentices. Their trunks are locked by legion-issue locks, and contain only a few pieces of clothing and a spare dagger. Any money the apprentices earn is sent to their families. They receive an allowance from Merian, and often have spent it within the day.

5. Bath Ceiling

This area is open to the floor below. The idea was to install large cloth fans that slaves could pull a cord and keep a steady breeze blowing into the bath. Nevill removed them after they broke down for the second time in a row (their cords were cut.) Instead he installed vents in the walls. The wind of the river Thard now does most of the work.

6. Roof

The roof is patrolled, as are all other roofs in the compound. The legionnaires patrolling the east wall walk around the outer edge of the Villa Fabrica. The roof to the bath house is 7 feet below the roof of the Villa Fabrica.

In this article: The Gate House | Courtyard | Haunted Tower | Villa Milities | Villa Equestria| |Villa Fabrican & Bath | Stables | Mash House

Mash House Map [556x864 B/W GIF 22KB]

The mash house is in the far north-eastern corner of the fortress. It serves as the common cafeteria, and cook house. Foods cooked for the Wytel table and the Officer's Mess are prepared here and carried across the courtyard and into the Villa Equstria.

Fobin has a maximum of 7,200 man-days of food and 3600 horse-days of fodder in storage. Taxes and tributes are often paid in kind to Fobin to help keep the legion fed. Wagons of tribute arrive once every ten-day through the spring, summer and fall. Bread and milk are delivered from town each morning year round.

First Floor Map [143x120 B/W GIF 3KB]

There is a large double door that opens into room 2 from the outside courtyard.

1. Kitchen

Renny and Terry are master cooks who share their kitchen with a master baker, Sandra. Up to eight assistants can be found in and around the kitchen. The assistants are kept busy, ferrying food to Villa Equestria (to be served to the Wytel family, and the Officers mess) and working the cafeteria line to feed the Soldiers.

Meals are served at 3 standard times a day, from 6-7, 11:30-12:30 and 18:30-19:30. Renny specializes in taking the standard fair and making it edible for the soldiers. His specialties include Goat Stew, Rack of Lamb, Pork sausages, and Suckling Pig. Terry cooks for the Officers. His larder is kept under lock and key in the cellar.

The assistants man the kitchen throughout the night. A constant soup pot and sib pot are kept warm and added to daily.

2. Cafeteria

This area seats over 150 people on 15 long tables. Legionnaires either take breakfast or lunch in the Cafeteria. Each legionnaire has their own cutlery and bowl and are expected to bring it to the cafeteria. The Wytels and officers keep extra sets of nef in or near their dining rooms. A few extra sets are kept in the Cafeteria for guests.

Cellar Map [136x120 B/W GIF 2KB]

Four giant casks of ale are stored here. The legionnaires are provided with up to two pints of weak ale a day. This store is just under a year's supply for the men stationed at Fobin.

The shelves contain much finer vintages. Fobin has several smaller kegs of cider, strong ale and even a few brandies and wines. Terry use to brew his own ales, but he's run out of storage. Now he buys them from the Wooden Tankard and the Green Gate as needed. Terry also has a locked larder stored in the far south-western corner of the cellar. It contains finer smoked meats and a few delicacies.

The shelves in the north of the room are filled with an assortment of fruits, nuts, vegetables and a few herbs. Meat is hung just beyond the shelves to the west. Few foodstuffs are ever down here long enough to spoil.

Second Floor

This small area is kept warm by the kitchen below. There are a few candle scones in the walls, but it is usually kept dark.

1. Roof of Cafeteria

Smells, smoke and noise rise up. There is a large candelabra in the center of the ceiling. It can be raised and lowered by ropes and pulleys attached and tied off near the entry to the cafeteria from the outside. One of the assistant cooks keeps it relatively clean and stocked with fresh candles.

2. Sleeping Nook

This area has six beds. Eight assistant cooks share three beds. Beneath each bed is a locked box containing clothing, a few personal items and the money of the bed's owner. The assistant cooks each have their own locked box.

Roof (Not Depicted)

This roof is identical to the one atop the Bath house.

In this article: The Gate House | Courtyard | Haunted Tower | Villa Milities | Villa Equestria| |Villa Fabrican & Bath | Stables | Mash House

Stables Map [556x864 B/W GIF 22KB]

The stables are too small to house the full strength requirements of the legion at Fobin. Often they are not even big enough to house the number of horses and mules present. Nevill has promised the stablemates that the stables will be the first thing to be rebuilt if only they will leave him alone. Unfortunately they don't believe him.

First Floor

There are stalls for 28 horses here, but Destrier (War-horses) are usually stabled with the Ostler in town. Carts and other necessitates of travel are also stored in town. A fair number of animals will be lost should the caer be besieged. Nevill regularly bemoans the fact, but to date he has not received permission to begin the expansion.

Second Floor

The second floor smells of straw and wood chips. The wooden stairs creak loudly when even the dogs walk upon them.

A. Stairwell

This stairwell leads up to the roof, and down to the ground floor. The stairs down are elongated (long treads) to allow the dogs easier access up and down.

2. Kennels

This can hold up to 11 dogs at any one time. There are currently six dogs in residence. They are more apt to be found in the sleeping room, than in their cramped cages. Three of the cages were removed last year and replaced with straw nests.

The dogs are occasionally used to patrol the courtyard late at night. More often they are called out to help track down the lost, the missing or the escaped.

3. Tack Room

This is where all the saddles, bridles and other horse gear is suppose to be cleaned and kept. The stable hands hate having to lug everything up from above, and the room is far too small to keep everything hung and poorly organized. Usually the majority of the tack is kept in an empty stall below.

4. Sleeping Room

This room holds five beds, five locked chests and a small table near the door. Galther, the master ostler and his 4 journeymen (Rithu, Sanstre, Theru, and Mikeal) sleep here with their six dogs.

Roof (Not Depicted)

This roof is identical to the one atop the Bath house.

In this article: The Gate House | Courtyard | Haunted Tower | Villa Milities | Villa Equestria| |Villa Fabrican & Bath | Stables | Mash House


This page was last updated on January 23, 2002
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