The fort was the first thing raised on the site: originally a crude pile of stones, the cairn has grown to an extensive fortress in a formidable position to repell invaders. Never has that fortress been taken by outside forces: the only time that the residents were defeated was by extended seige, in which the defenders sued for peace and were granted it.
The Tarbannig family is careful with knowledge of the fort, however: they have always been a suspicious lot, and never host feasts nor travellers within the walls of the keep.
On Approaching Fort Tarbannig
"From the long stone ramp which leads ever higher and higher up the cliff above the rest of the city, the tall gate of the Fort can be seen to loom greater and greater. The dark stone of the fort is black with shadow and shining dimly in the rain, but tall walls provide no insight into what luxury or weaponry is concealed within.
Instead, the sight which greets the pilgrim heading to Fort Tarbannig is unrelenting: two great, iron-studded gates, flanked by two guards below and two on the crenellations above, closed to outsiders."