Ten Towers, the great seat of House Harlaw, is unlike any other stronghold in Westeros—a monument to the eccentric vision of Lord Theomore Harlaw, who commanded its construction. Situated on the eastern coast of the isle of Harlaw, the castle gazes out over the tumultuous waves of the Iron Islands, its imposing silhouette both fearsome and haunting. Its structure is a testament to a unique blend of practicality and unpredictability, a reflection of the Ironborn’s stubborn resilience and Theomore’s peculiar legacy.
Each of the ten towers is distinct, as if each sprang from a different dream, brought to life by Theomore’s conviction that no two should be alike. Bridges connect these towers, stretching over the castle grounds with covered walkways, walls designed for swift movement, and passages leading to shadowed dungeons below. The architecture is both practical and strange, a fortress prepared for any siege yet shaped by whimsy.
The high seat of House Harlaw rests within the hall of Ten Towers, a formidable room marked by the great scythes of beaten silver hung crossed above it—a constant reminder of House Harlaw’s might and grim creed. Among the ten towers is the Book Tower, known as the stoutest and largest. Octagonal and constructed from great blocks of stone, this tower is Lord Rodrik Harlaw’s sanctum of knowledge, housing his renowned library. Within this refuge of scrolls and tomes, no food or drink is permitted—a decree Rodrik enforces strictly, preserving the books from the damp sea air and potential mishaps.
The Widow’s Tower holds its own story. Here resides Lady Gwynesse Harlaw, Rodrik’s sister, casting an air of quiet melancholy upon the tower’s name and legacy. Hers is a quiet but constant presence, embodying the stark resilience of the Harlaw line amid a harsh landscape. Below, the yard is marked by a well, providing fresh water in a land often bereft of it, another detail that speaks to Theomore’s vision of a self-sufficient stronghold.
A nearby village prospers under the shadow of Ten Towers, its inhabitants sustained by the rich fishing grounds off Long Stone Quay. This humble port serves as a lifeline, reminding the Harlaws and their people of the sea’s bounty—a treasure that, though hard-won, sustains both castle and village alike.
Unlike the weathered castles of the Ironborn, Ten Towers is one of the newest constructions, born not from ancient heritage but from necessity. Theomore Harlaw raised it to escape the dampness and ruin of ancient Harlaw Hall, which he blamed for the deaths of three infant sons. Ten Towers may lack the age and tradition of other Iron Islands fortresses, but it possesses a singular character, each tower a testament to both loss and the unyielding will of its lord. In this way, Ten Towers remains a symbol of House Harlaw’s resilience and the peculiar legacy of one lord’s refusal to yield to the tides of fate or tradition.
Each of the ten towers is distinct, as if each sprang from a different dream, brought to life by Theomore’s conviction that no two should be alike. Bridges connect these towers, stretching over the castle grounds with covered walkways, walls designed for swift movement, and passages leading to shadowed dungeons below. The architecture is both practical and strange, a fortress prepared for any siege yet shaped by whimsy.
The high seat of House Harlaw rests within the hall of Ten Towers, a formidable room marked by the great scythes of beaten silver hung crossed above it—a constant reminder of House Harlaw’s might and grim creed. Among the ten towers is the Book Tower, known as the stoutest and largest. Octagonal and constructed from great blocks of stone, this tower is Lord Rodrik Harlaw’s sanctum of knowledge, housing his renowned library. Within this refuge of scrolls and tomes, no food or drink is permitted—a decree Rodrik enforces strictly, preserving the books from the damp sea air and potential mishaps.
The Widow’s Tower holds its own story. Here resides Lady Gwynesse Harlaw, Rodrik’s sister, casting an air of quiet melancholy upon the tower’s name and legacy. Hers is a quiet but constant presence, embodying the stark resilience of the Harlaw line amid a harsh landscape. Below, the yard is marked by a well, providing fresh water in a land often bereft of it, another detail that speaks to Theomore’s vision of a self-sufficient stronghold.
A nearby village prospers under the shadow of Ten Towers, its inhabitants sustained by the rich fishing grounds off Long Stone Quay. This humble port serves as a lifeline, reminding the Harlaws and their people of the sea’s bounty—a treasure that, though hard-won, sustains both castle and village alike.
Unlike the weathered castles of the Ironborn, Ten Towers is one of the newest constructions, born not from ancient heritage but from necessity. Theomore Harlaw raised it to escape the dampness and ruin of ancient Harlaw Hall, which he blamed for the deaths of three infant sons. Ten Towers may lack the age and tradition of other Iron Islands fortresses, but it possesses a singular character, each tower a testament to both loss and the unyielding will of its lord. In this way, Ten Towers remains a symbol of House Harlaw’s resilience and the peculiar legacy of one lord’s refusal to yield to the tides of fate or tradition.
