Radlebb Keep is a vital military stronghold located in the central forests of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos. It serves as a key fortress for the Western Army, built to protect the western parts of the duchy, particularly the Westron Road, from a multitude of threats. Its history is a testament to its strategic importance, with the overall commander, General Diomedes Draconius, initially skeptical of its necessity but quickly realizing it was essential for maintaining Karameikan control against the overwhelming number of goblinoid tribes and the ambitions of Baron Ludwig von Hendriks. The keep's identity is defined by this constant state of vigilance, a place where loyalty to the Duke is a professional duty, but where internal strife and corruption also fester.
Radlebb Keep's appearance is that of a fortified military installation in a dense wilderness. While specific architectural details are not provided, its function as a garrison keep suggests a formidable structure designed for defense. It is situated in the hills east of the Black Eagle Barony, a location that visually places it as a bulwark against the tyrannical dominion. The surrounding landscape, the Radlebb Woods, is a frontier of untamed forest and hills, where the keep stands as a singular symbol of civilization and order.
The culture of Radlebb Keep is a martial one, forged in the crucible of constant conflict. The morale of the garrison, known as the Radlebb Guard Battalion or "Hell's Jailers," tends to be low due to the frequency and danger of their patrols. However, this relentless exposure to combat has a consequence: the keep boasts the highest number of veteran soldiers of any garrison in the duchy. Beneath this surface of weary professionalism lies a deep current of corruption and espionage. The keep is a hotbed of spies and operatives for the Black Eagle Barony and the Iron Ring, who work to track troop movements and gather intelligence on adventurers passing through.
Radlebb Keep is located in the hills east of the Black Eagle Barony, within the expansive Radlebb Woods of central Karameikos. Its location makes it a critical strategic point for patrolling the Westron Road, a major trade route that runs from the capital city of Specularum to Fort Doom. The surrounding wilderness is home to a host of humanoid tribes, including bugbears and goblins, who are a constant threat. The area is also part of the traditional lands of the Callarii elves, a native people who have a significant presence in the woods.
The keep's resources are dedicated entirely to its military function. It houses half a division of the Western Army, approximately 244 troops, and keeps about 50 horses for cavalry patrols and messengers. The leadership is often preoccupied with resource allocation; General Draconius spends a great deal of his time in the capital, lobbying for additional funds for his overextended garrison. This suggests a reliance on the central government for sustenance and supplies, as the troops are too busy with patrols to be self-sufficient.
Radlebb Keep's military is its defining feature. It is garrisoned by half of the 5th Division of the Karameikan army, a force of roughly 244 troops. The keep's primary mission is to prevent operations from the Black Eagle Barony from penetrating deeper into Karameikos. Its patrols are frequent and dangerous, with soldiers being equipped as crossbowmen, spearmen, and light cavalry. The leadership is comprised of Captain Gregori "the Grim," who commands the keep, and General Diomedes Draconius, the overall commander of the Western Army. However, the keep is also deeply compromised, with a significant number of spies, including a soldier named Rurik and a senior magistrate named Demetrius Fulvious "Hawk," who reports to the evil wizard Bargle.
Radlebb Keep's relations are a complex mix of alliances and open hostilities. It is in a state of direct antagonism with the humanoid tribes of the Dymrak forest and the Black Eagle Barony. A vampire, Baron Balthazo Koriszegy, who is cursed to his nearby ruined keep, also maintains a loose alliance with a band of werewolves that serve as his agents in living settlements such as Radlebb Keep. Despite the constant threat, the garrison has a cooperative relationship with the native Callarii elves of the region. Internally, the keep's leadership, including Captain Gregori, complains that troops are being wasted on patrols of the peaceful border with the Five Shires, creating a subtle internal tension.
Radlebb Keep has a reputation as a difficult and dangerous posting, but also a prestigious one for a professional soldier. The garrison is known for being overextended but also for producing the most seasoned veteran soldiers in the Duchy. Its location in the shadow of a cursed, vampire-haunted ruin and its proximity to the Black Eagle Barony makes it a compelling setting for adventures. The keep is seen as a crucial bulwark for the Grand Duchy, a place where the forces of civilization are in a constant, hard-won battle against the encroaching darkness of the wilderness and the corruption within.