how to build a castle...

The first thing one must decide when building a castle. What is the purpose, which typically but not always has the same answer. Protection/security/safety are usually the reasons with other possibilities being arrogance or show, position and community standing.

I am going to discuss the primary concern of safety/security. Basic stone structure will do the job. Castle walls were often as much as 40 ft high and 20 ft thick. I think this will do just dandy. Add some towers at the corners and center of each wall. This will be for prisoners, secure food/supply storage, lookout hides as well as attack/archer positions. All to add to the security in case of a siege. For the gate we could take advantage of modern technology and build a concrete slider :-) but since we used stone for the walls instead of steal (maybe a bad idea) we'll stick with a heavy wooden gate. Wait just a minute. My castle is for the sole purpose of keeping other out. So if anything at all, a small secret passage may be just what we need. Let's say a gate in the water of the creek flowing thru. Easily hidden and defended if found but still allowing access to the outside world.

Now the structure is secure but we are not done. Back the castle up to the some large cliffs to add protection on that side and dig a moat around the rest. rather than water fill that trench with crude and make sure there is always one torch lit on the towers with archers. Now clear the forest well beyond the range of archers and catapults so the enemy has to walk into the open to even attempt an an assault.

With all of this in place, make peace with your neighbors before you close yourself in. If you are not a threat then there is no reason for an attack

Now to make this relevant. Purpose, protecting my heart.




Working backward now I have found this to be true. My female friends that I often call "sis" have never been a threat so call them all sis. It disarms them and shows I have no intentions toward them for any reason. A good start. Clearing the path requires some strategy along the way which I am still working out. I'd start by simply making known the pain, regret and mistakes of the past. The crude is easy. It is the hurt still carried within. They don't want someone with "baggage"! After all of this, if they get to the walls, you must be very careful.
The walls are in fact easier to get past. They must truly be strong and stubborn. There must be no give and have nothing to grab hold of that can be climbed. They must remain "sis" on your lips and in your heart and mind. They can not have that piece of you. No hanging out alone and keep your distance in groups. Whatever you do NEVER share your heart or show too much interest in theirs. For when you do the battle is lost and destruction will undoubtedly follow right on it's heals.

There is so little left I dare not risk it. To have nothing at all would surely mean the end. This I can not risk for the sake of those who hold position within these walls I build. May they ever grow higher and stronger.