Griffonwatch Keep

Griffonwatch Keep, previously called Hulmaster Keep, was a fortification in the town of Hulburg on the Moonsea.

Description
The castled glowered over the town of Hulburg, a mile from the harbor, perched atop a rocky spur of the eastern ridge.

The keep took advantage of the geology of Hulburg and used cliffs on three sides as walls. There was a large curtain wall in front of the keep with a causeway leading to the entrance of the complex.

Activities
It was the home of the ruling Hulmaster family. In the mid-to-late 14 century DR, it was presided over by Argyl Hulmaster, a cheerless and pushy old man, and his three adult children: Angmar, Luren, and Amali. During this time, the keep was a depressing place with little hospitality.

In the late 15 century DR, it was also used for the training and barracks of the Shieldsworn and a place of refuge when the town was in danger of attack. While it was not very well situated to guard the city against attacks by sea, it faced north, inland, serving as a defense against the savage orcs, ogres, and other monsters who dwelt in the desolate hills and moorlands of Thar.

History
Originally a smallish and drab castle called Hullmaster Keep, the building was the ancestral home of the Hulmaster family leading up to sack of Hulburg by Zhentil Keep in the, at which point it became one of the only inhabited structures in the entire ruined town. It became increasingly battered and run down over the course of the next few decades but was rebuilt as a sturdy fortress by Angmar Hulmaster sometime in the late 14 century DR.

In the, Sergen Hulmaster&mdash;a Hulmaster by adoption, rather than blood&mdash;summoned a small army of wights and similar undead to the castle, hoping to kill his family and blame their deaths on Aesperus, the King in Copper, so that he could become lord of the town. His plan failed, however, as the Hulmasters all escaped, thanks in large part to Geran Hulmaster, Hamil Alderheart, and Sarth Khul Riizar, who battled first the undead and then the House Veruna guards hired by Sergen to contain them within the castle.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Swordmage &bull; Corsair &bull; Avenger