View source for Ashkeep

{| class="wikitable" 
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center;"
! settlement name
! duchy
! district/province
! type
! population
! founding year
|-
| style="vertical-align:bottom;" | Ashkeep (‡)
| style="vertical-align:bottom;" | [[Duchy of Kirvan|Kirvan]]
| Royal District of Kirvan
| village
| style="text-align:right;" | 894
| style="text-align:center;" | 4616
|}
[[File:Avaben.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:360 ashkeep.jpg|left|thumb|The Fist of Aalart has a commanding view over the Lesser Kascht Forest.]]
[[File:359 ashkeep.jpg|thumb|The ancient Ash River bridge, around which the settlement of Ashkeep arose.]]

Ashkeep is a hamlet located deep within the Lesser Kascht forest, where the Royal Road crosses the River Ash.

When the Royal Road was constructed (4272–4306), a large bridge was needed to span the Ash. A settlement soon arose around it, but the Druids of the Circle of the Wind, who were the curators of the forest, objected against the development of a large settlement in the forest. King Ebrardus did not wish to offend the Druids, so agreed that, by decree, the settlement would remain small – just large enough to maintain the bridge and offer assistance to travellers. The Druids agreed to the terms. However, the King also wished to assert his authority in Kalderesh,  so he commissioned the construction of a huge castle – called The Fist – some 10 km from the bridge. The castle thus served to both remind everyone of the King’s power, as well as provide protection along this remote stretch of the Royal Road. To this day, there are no other settlements within the Lesser Kascht.

Because of the royal decree limiting the growth of Ashkeep, there were periods in history when it was deserted. About 75 years ago, The Fist was significantly extended, and included a magnificent greenhouse complex and gardens. HRH Edelin Kalder, the sister of the King, had married Lord Yohan Aalart, a noble of the Gallentene Empire, and they took residence in the Castle. The castle became The Fist of Aalart, and the couple had three children. The oldest, Yohan Aalart II, is now the current HRH Lord Aalart of Ashkeep, a Knight’s Paladin of Qidra. Lord Aalart is the Administrator of the Royal District of Kirvan. The castellan of The Fist is the retired mercenary Zachaery Cooper

With the renewed activity at The Fist, Ashkeep was revived, and today has about 900 residents. The Mayor is Nicholys Biggs. Forestry and hunting are a major activity in the hamlet. Ashkeep is probably most famous for its skilled prinworkers. In keeping with its origins, it has a proud heritage of stoneworkers, who not only maintain the bridge but also provide skills and materials for maintenance of the Royal Road.

The Supreme Wizard Adamus Reedy, a reclusive and powerful wizard, resides in a tower in the town.