Kaiu Towers (TCG)



The Kaiu Towers were the twelve great watchtowers of the Kaiu Wall, built at intervals along its length, with large doors that could be opened to allow warriors to rally into the Shadowlands. Passage over the border also occurred through tunnels bored under the Wall and the River of the Last Stand. The southeasternmost of these wass designated the First Tower; they were then successively numbered to the Twelfth Tower, which overlooked the Plains above Evil to the far northwest. The Kaiu Towers were powerful fortifications in their own right. The Third Watchtower was the easternmost.

Appearance
Each tower was laid out with a stout outer stone wall, enclosing number of courtyards, connected by strong gates. An enemy that breached the outer stone maru was contained in a courtyard and subject to attack from the surrounding ones, making each of these into a killing zone. The innermost maru contained the tenshukaku, or keep, which was the last line of defense for a tower. The keep was itself a formidable fortress, well provisioned in order to withstand a lengthy siege. Smaller yagura provide additional strongpoints. Massive gates allowed large forces to exit a tower to charge enemies as well. All of the Kaiu Towers are well equipped with powerful siege engines such as ballistae and catapults, as well as multitudes of daikyū (long bows) above the Wall and hankyū (short bows) lower on the Wall or behind murder holes. Complex systems of gears, winches, and ropes moved supplies and ammunition vertically and horizontally to ensure each area stayed fully equipped.