Riverfork Keep is a vital military stronghold in the western part of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos. Its primary purpose is to serve as a frontline defense against humanoid raiders and to guard the crucial trade route that connects Karameikos with the Five Shires. The keep and its garrison are a key component of the Western Army. The overall commander of the Western Army, General Diomedes Draconius, initially questioned the need for the keep, but later realized its necessity in preventing the humanoid tribes and the ambitions of Baron Ludwig von Hendriks from taking over the entire western portion of the duchy.
Riverfork Keep is a fortified outpost in a strategic location. It is positioned in a wild and dangerous landscape, serving as a bulwark against threats emerging from the surrounding wilderness. While a detailed description is not available, its function as a military stronghold suggests a formidable structure built for defense and vigilance against a variety of enemies.
The culture of Riverfork Keep is defined by military duty and an unceasing vigilance. The soldiers of the garrison, known as the Riverfork Guard Battalion or "The Fury in the West," are constantly on patrol. The keep's commanding officer, Captain Boris Manov, is an ambitious Traladaran who is proud of his nation and his position. He is nervous that his force could be overwhelmed if a major threat were to arise, which makes him eager to work with adventurers. The Church of Karameikos has a presence within the keep, with a chapel inside the fortress where daily services are conducted for the soldiers.
Riverfork Keep is located on the Magos River, north of where it meets the Achelos Woods and the town of Saltmarsh, and near the western edge of Karameikos. Its location places it on the border of Darokin and the Five Shires. The keep is strategically positioned to guard the Westron Road, a major caravan route, and to contain the humanoid tribes that reside in the northwestern and western parts of Karameikos.
The keep does not have a conventional economy, as its purpose is purely military. The soldiers' work is focused on keeping humanoid raiders and other monsters off the caravan route to and from the Five Shires. The keep and its personnel are sustained by the Grand Duchy, and the overall commander of the Western Army, General Diomedes Draconius, spends a great deal of time in the capital lobbying for funds for his overextended garrison.
Riverfork Keep is garrisoned by a substantial military force of 245 men, which constitutes half of a division of the Western Army. This force is composed of crossbowmen, spearmen, and light cavalry, and is organized into 24 ten-man squads. The keep is commanded by Captain Boris Manov, a Level 4 Soldier, and the division is under the overall command of General Diomedes Draconius. The keep's primary mission is to be the frontline of defense in the event of an invasion from the Five Shires or Darokin, and to contain humanoid raiders. The presence of the keep is seen as crucial for the survival of Karameikan control over western Traladara.
The keep’s relations are a mix of strategic cooperation and open hostility. It is tasked with guarding the quiet border with the Five Shires and Darokin. Despite this, humanoid raiders pose a constant danger. The commander, Captain Boris Manov, is a Traladaran who has risen through the ranks, suggesting a successful integration of native Traladarans into the military structure. Internally, there is a subtle rivalry with the Radlebb Keep garrison, which faces more pressing threats from the Black Eagle Barony and undead, leading to complaints from General Draconius that his troops at Riverfork are being underutilized.
Riverfork Keep is known as a key garrison and a bulwark of the Grand Duchy in the western wilderness. It has a reputation as the frontline defense against potential invasions from the Five Shires and raids from humanoid tribes. The garrison is seen as a force of professional soldiers, but also as one that is overextended and in need of more resources. The keep’s existence is a testament to the duchy’s commitment to securing its frontiers and trade routes, and it stands as a symbol of Karameikan control in a dangerous part of the world.