Mountain Fortress
From World of Gothic
Hundreds of years before the Barrier's creation, the Valley of Mines on Khorinis belonged to a single, powerful man, who presided over his domain from his mountain fortress.
Value and ownership
The value of the residence and neighboring lands with magic ore mines exceeded 400 pounds of gold and was sold for such an amount to an unspecified man by Bergmar, Burgrab of the Western Lands on behalf of Lord of Tymorisin.
With the First Orc War escalating, the owner of the fortress was summoned to war and fell, and his fortress fell into disrepair and misuse, as his lands were seized by royal troops and exploited for the magic ore.
After many years, the ownership document was procured by a Brotherhood Novice, Lester, who is currently the sole owner of the Valley of Mines, but most probably can not secure his right due to strong orc presence there.
Construction
The fortress itself was carved into the loving rock of the mountain, beyond a torrential river. The building was laid out of smooth, black brick, identical to the one used to built the castle of the Old Camp.
It was divided into three storeys - the ground level one housed the library with a hidden alchemist's compartment, the armory and the torture chamber that apparently was used to discipline rebellious subjects.
The second floor, accessible through a ladder from the torture chamber, was where the master's bedroom and kitchen was located, with a balcony overlooking the sea.
The top floor was little more than an extended walkway overseeing the marsh and sea with a tower overlooking the valley.
History
Following the first orc war and the death of the landlord, the fortress slowly decayed, enjoying a brief revitalization as the focus stone stand was prepared for the creation of the barrier, but as the spell worked too well, it was abandoned and shortly infested by a band of harpies, who were slain as the nameless hero sought the focus stone.
The fortress was ultimately destroyed as the stone dragon created his lair there.