This being the rather melodramatic - generally shortened to just the Tower - name for the squat, two-three tower which has taken over a rock in the middle of Suln Tres, Jalkin's excuse for a docks. The actual origins of the Tower are much debated, some saying it stretches back as far as the Elder Days. Technically this is correct, but it was actually built - or an early version of it was - by the human setters as a fortification in the struggles against the Elder. After the First Partition it was re-enforced and maintained by the Dorlafan kings as a small stronghold, though somewhat overshadowed as Yaleth grew up a mile to the north. The Tower stayed in royal hands until the Erish came, and was abandoned rapidly so Dorlafan troops could concentrate on defending Yaleth. It was similarly under-utilised when Tars Tukas' men pushed the Erish out 200 years later (in fact it was by then a picturesque part of the country estate of the lord who lived in what has now become the Town Hall), its lack of action perhaps explaining its longevity. Despite this inglorious reputation the Black Tower is a sinister sight, heavy & well-fortified, with turrets & everything, a single heavy studded oak door & the rock the grim black granite of the hills in Kratz. Wooden walkways runs from to the east & west side of Suln Tres, giving access to the Webbers, the Guards unit who patrol the Dockside warehouses and the docks themselves. The Webbers were given the Tower their lock-up in 1104, a move which, whilst excellent in putting them at the heart of their area was less popular amongst the Guardsmen who have to work and, in some cases, live in the gloom of the Black Tower. (The phrase, "locked in the tower", which in many places means prison, has come to mean doing Guards duty in the Cities).