Located on a large, flat hill within the city of Ashara, Castle Manticore is the royal citadel of the kingdom of Gwynne and home to its famous Crimson Throne.
Origins
This ancient fortress has a long history, stretching back to the late Third Age. The site upon which it now stands was once an Ashanti temple called "Na'Drak," which was part of a settlement called "A'Shorah."
In the final century of the Third Age, a Thannish warlord named Gareth Gwynnett invaded the region. He conquered the Ashanti settlement and drove their people into the wilderness. Gareth later ordered the temple destroyed and built his own castle atop its ruins. The surrounding settlement eventually grew into the present-day city of Ashara.
House Gwynnett continued to rule Ghastonne for nearly 250 years until the rise of Valden the Conqueror around 1100/3. In the year 1133/3, Gillam Gwynnett, known derisively as "Gillam the Kneeler," surrendered and the Barony was absorbed into the newly established Kingdom of Valdor.
Citadel of Rhodara
By the year 38 of the Fourth Age, the region was engulfed by the Thannish Civil War; fought between two brothers: Eldan Del Vecchio and Rhodan Mallistäer. After Rhodan's defeat in that conflict, he chose this fortress as his new citadel when he formed the Kingdom of Rhodara.
To gain possession, Rhodan married Lady Elspeth Gwynnett and essentially took over her family home. For another 1,226 years, a total of 52 successive monarchs of Mallistäer Dynasty ruled Rhodara from this castle. That all ended In the year 1264/4, when King Radovan Mallistäer II was killed by the Vilzari at the Battle of Flint Harbor.
Rule of the Mad-King
The castle was then taken over by King Gayorg Gwynnett; who felt it was his birthright. During his chaotic reign, Gayorg secretly ordered many dungeons, halls, and passages dug deep beneath the castle. The reasons for this hidden construction remain a mystery.
By this time, Gayorg began worshiping dark sorcery and had become an agent of Alokkair. Unspeakable acts of horror and depravity took place in the castle over the next 25 years. Eventually, Gayorg invaded the neighboring kingdoms of Eldara and Orel, starting the bloody War of Annexation.
Finally, Gayorg was slain in the Battle of Keslyn, and soon after, the city of Ashara was sacked by Rhodara's enemies. The castle itself was burnt during the sack of the city and the famous Granite Throne within its Great Hall was smashed by the victors. With the fall of Ashara, the War of Annexation ended and the kingdom of Rhodara collapsed.
Citadel of Gwynne
Following that horrific conflict, a new kingdom called Gwynne arose from the ashes of Rhodara. King Gavin Gwynnett; the new nation's first monarch, ordered the ruined castle rebuilt and installed the famous Crimson Throne within its Great Hall. Since King Gavin's reign, the castle has always served as Gwynne's royal citadel. Today, however, due to the Kingdom's abject poverty, it is largely in a state of disrepair and many of its rooms are unused.
The Current Garrison
The fortress has a garrison of 300 well-equipped soldiers, plus the "Sable Company," an elite group of 50 knights who serve as bodyguards for the monarch and the royal family. The Sable Company is commanded by Captain Marcus Ezrin.
Royal Residence
Since its construction 3,136 years ago, this massive fortress has been home to 130 different rulers from two separate kingdoms:
Rulers of the Kingdom of Rhodara
- 52 monarchs of the Mallistäer Dynasty over 1,226 years
- 1 monarch of the Gwynnett Dynasty over 25 years
Rulers of the Kingdom of Gwynne
- 29 monarchs of the Gwynnett Dynasty over 633 years
- 11 monarchs of the Baldurin Dynasty over 268 years
- 14 monarchs of the Taraghon Dynasty over 411 years
- 23 monarchs of the Eridani Dynasty over the last 573 years
