Kaltstein

"Everything was alive in one way or another—including his beloved stronghold of obdurate stone, the Kaltstein, set into motion by his own hand to spin and chug and turn forever." "—The Sword and Its Servant"

The Kaltstein was a large castle found in the heart of the Kaltmark. It was Ilnel's ruling keep and the chief setting for most of The Sword and Its Servant. A black, imposing castle found within the Kaltmark. Said to be a living thing with a mind of its own. Home to Ilnel. Constructed to house Ilnel’s Tür. Serves as a fortress and prison. Carved by the Eschar from one single block of stone fifteen centuries ago. Is falling apart.

Physical description
The Kaltstein is an enourmous castle seated atop a rocky hill overlooking the swamps of the Kaltmark. A thin moat surrounds the castle which can be crossed via a black stone bridge at the front gate (guarded by Nembaring). The entire castle, inside and out, was made of a black form of stone that was highly resistant to damage and did not reflect any light whatsoever.

The castle was shaped like a pentagon with six towers: one on each of the five corners and one rising up from the center (this central tower was taller than the others). Einsa related the appearance of the castle to a hand waving in a gesture of saddened farewell.

The castle had a large sewer network underneath the ground, in which lived Ränkensic.

History
The Kaltstein was built by the Eschar. They were able to carve it from a single block of black stone.

Housing of a Tür
Within the deepest parts of the Kaltstein was held the very first Tür ever constructed in Ilnel's chapel. The Tür was closely guarded and worked upon by the clerics of the Third Circle.

A living entity
The Kaltstein was regarded by its inhabitants as being a living being. In fact, many of the doors, machines, and other "inanimate" objects housed inside the castle had the capability of moving on their own.

The entire interior of the Kaltstein, beneath the walls, seemed to have been propelled by a vast system of gears and pulleys.

Known inhabitants

 * Aldarik
 * Braunner
 * Darluch
 * the Dysterlegion
 * Gringim
 * Halmut
 * Ilnel
 * Nembaring
 * Ränkensic
 * the Third Circle
 * Thudhar
 * Vulferam
 * the Wardenmak
 * Wasleol