Candle Keep

Candle Keep lies north (i.e. Waste-ward) of Greyport, a small trade route city that hugs the southern coast. Redwick Fens, a farming town, had sprung up at the northern end of the city's safety and influence but the Keep truly pushed into the wilderness. The Serpent River flows past the Keep and down to Redwick and Greyport, facilitating downriver trade.

The keep's original owner was a dragonborn scout. The scout hoped to build a series of forts leading to the Wastes but his initial distance was quite ambitious. The wilderness was his home but not quite as inviting to settlers. And his command of fortification, engineering, and logistics was poor. When Candle Jack arrived, he noticed the fort's potential (it was a good location on a local scale) but knew a change in leadership would be necessary to realize its full potential.

In the middle of nowhere, under the jurisdiction of no one, CJ murdered him and took over.

Walls were built or repaired, defenses developed, additional soldiers hired and trained. Patrols began to sweep the area around the keep, bringing safety and stability to attract new settlers. And then CJ discovered the dungeon while digging out a well in the basement and CJ's plans expanded.

Candle Keep received its name for a few reasons: it is bordered by the swampy Burntwood, filled with black and twisted trees; whatever caused the Burntwood also seemed to melt the masonry of the keep's walls like wax on that side; and the tall central tower of the keep has a beacon light that remains lit through the night.

Candle Jack was just Jack before taking over the keep. He knows something about the event that created the Burntwood but does not admit to it ("It was like that when I got here.").