House of Stone

The House of Stone, also known as Stoneturn, was an immense square tower on the eastern edge of the Ardeep Forest. "An elf calls the deepest wood his own,

A human everywhere may roam,

But a dwarf just wants a house of stone."

Structure
The keep contained hundreds of rooms, halls, temples and towers locked together in a single huge maze.

Inhabitants
The ruins were overrun with undead including a great many ghouls and shadows. More than one entrance to the Underdark could be found within and its denizens frequently wandered up into the building.

History
The House of Stone began construction in the Year of Cantobele Stalking, 342 DR, by the dwarves of Dardath under the leadership of Turgo Ironfist. Originally Stoneturn was built to protect Stoneturn Well located in the heart of the area. In the time of Phalorm, the House was expanded and set up as a massive trap to be used against marauding orcs. Mounted elves would provoke orcs to chase them back to the House, whereupon the orcs would be killed in great numbers as they blundered into a seemingly endless series of traps. The elves of Ardeep Forest kept watch after Phalorm's fall, turning back all comers but giving no reason for doing so until their population dwindled to the point that it became infeasible to guard it any longer. After the House was abandoned, it became a beacon to countless adventuring bands chasing tales of treasures that remained unlooted. So deadly was the place however, that carrion birds roosted nearby almost year-round, never going hungry for long.