North Keep The Cataclysm & The War of the Lance The current year for our Dragonlance campaign is set during 351 AC "After Cataclysm". Inspired By Trampas Whiteman

North Keep stands within the isolated region known as Mantilla Vale in the land of Abanasinia. Located directly west of the settlement of Crossing, the fortress was once considered one of the most impressive strongholds in the surrounding territory. Built upon a rocky rise overlooking the vale, the keep commanded both respect and authority throughout the region. Tall stone towers, fortified walls, and sprawling grounds once reflected the immense wealth and influence of the Mantilla Family that ruled there.

For many years, the Mantilla Family prospered as minor nobles who controlled a small but successful fiefdom. Merchants, travelers, and caravans passing through the nearby roads often found protection and hospitality under the family’s banner. The fertile lands of Mantilla Vale provided enough resources to sustain the household, while trade and careful political alliances helped the family maintain its position among the influential houses of Abanasinia.

Despite their success, tragedy eventually struck the Mantilla bloodline. One of the daughters of the family fell deeply in love with a man whose death shattered her mind completely. Consumed by grief and unable to recover from the loss, she descended into madness. Rumors spread that she began practicing strange rituals, speaking to unseen spirits, and wandering the halls of North Keep at night while crying out for her lost lover.

As her madness worsened, disaster slowly overtook the Mantilla household. Servants vanished without explanation, trusted guards abandoned their posts, and whispers of curses and hauntings spread throughout Mantilla Vale. Some claimed terrible screams echoed from the towers after sunset, while others spoke of shadowy figures moving through the keep’s darkened corridors. Fear eventually drove many of the local people away, and trade to the region steadily declined.

Over time, North Keep fell silent. No clear account exists describing exactly what happened to the Mantilla Family or the fate of the woman whose grief destroyed the household. Some believe the family tore itself apart through betrayal and paranoia, while others insist darker supernatural forces claimed the keep entirely. Travelers passing near the ruins often report strange lights within the fortress during stormy nights, despite the keep supposedly being abandoned for many years.

Today, North Keep remains one of the great mysteries of Mantilla Vale. The once proud fortress now stands as a looming and haunted reminder of the Mantilla Family’s downfall. Many avoid the area entirely, believing the keep to be cursed, while adventurers and treasure seekers occasionally venture into the ruins hoping to uncover lost riches or discover the truth behind the disappearance of the Mantillas. Few who enter willingly speak much about what they find within the crumbling halls of North Keep.