Ironfang Keep

Ironfang Keep is an ancient keep in northern Faerûn. It lies in the northernmost parts of the Eathspine Mountains at the cascades where the White River falls into the Moonsea. The Keep is so old, that even the oldest elves remember their grandparents talk about it. There are legends among dragons which indicate that Ironfang Keep already existed around -25000 DR It got its name due to massive iron deposits near the Keep. But so far no one dared to mine them, because most fear the presence of the Keep and its inhabitants.

Inhabitants
It is known that mysterious mages live within the Ironfang Keep. But is unknown who they are and which objectives they have. They are so powerful that even the red wizards of Thay avoid to disturb them. If someone asks about the Keep the mighty mages Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun or Elminster they will only shake their heads and know almost nothing. From time to time caravans stop at the door of the Keep and bring them cargo, but so far no one of the merchants have seen the inhabitants.

In the past, nobles and barons have sent adventurers to the Ironfang Keep to investigate its secrets. Most of them returned, as dead corpses stacked neatly on the doors of the patrons who sent them. In 1288 DR the barons of Mulmaster sent an expedition to the Keep to break into it. However, the only result was an uprising of local gnolls which ended at least in 1338 DR when the last noble died who sent a party to the keep.

Some surviving visitors of the Keep have told that the mages seem to do their magic during the night, however it is hard to tell the kind of that magic or even try to dispel it. Some think that the inhabitants are a school of users of the Shadow Weave or shadow adepts, maybe even both.

Literature
2nd Editon: 3rd Edition: Eisenzahnfeste