Kourend Castle

Kourend Castle
Released		17 November 2016 (Update)
Members		Yes
Location		Great Kourend
League region		Kourend✓
Teleports		Kourend Castle Teleport
Map
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Advanced data
Type		building

The Kourend Castle is a large castle found in the centre of Great Kourend, its courtyard directly flowing into the district of Kingstown. As Great Kourend is a currently ruled by the Kourend Council, there is no king that rules here, even though the castle appears to be furnished for royalty; this is because the last king that ruled Great Kourend, King Kharedst IV, ruled until the 139th decade (about 20 years ago).

In the context of Kourend's long history, the castle was constructed only relatively recently, as it first opened during the reign of King Kharedst the Builder, some time after the conclusion of the War of the Five Houses in the 123rd decade. While it is not explicitly stated whom in the line of Kharedst the title of 'the Builder' was attributed to, it is possible to make a reasonable inference with regard to his identity based on a letter addressed to Jonathan published in the Postbag from the Hedge. In his response, he mentions a census conducted by King Kharedst the Builder, containing "countless records of mothers without sons or husbands", which in his estimation provides "fascinating insight into life before and after the War of the Five Houses". The conclusion that could be drawn from this document is that King Kharedst the Builder came to power immediately following the War of the Five Houses, meaning he would have been the first of his line, King Kharedst I.

The castle acts as a diplomatic hub, attracting ambassadors and business representatives, such as the Knight of Varlamore. With the inhabitants of the mainland beginning to travel to Great Kourend, this may extend to rulers found in major kingdoms such as Asgarnia, Misthalin and Kandarin in the future.

Throughout the castle, Shayzien guards and Head Guards can be found. The western entrance's portcullis is closed, heavily guarded, and contains a large arsenal of ballistae, spear walls, gabion defences and barrels containing swords and bows.

Noteworthy features

Ground floor

• The statue found at the courtyard, upon investigation, leads down to the Catacombs of Kourend.
• The statue depicts the first King of Great Kourend, King Rada I. In addition, the statue can be read, revealing a poem titled "Kourend the Magnificent".

Click "Expand" to view the poem:

Kourend the magnificent, Kourend the resplendent, Kourend, the most powerful of the nations in the world. Kourend is our citadel, Kourend is our homeland. We will live and die for Kourend, for the kingdom of our birth. From the rugged mountains, to the foaming seas, here we make our home in Kourend, all together, all in peace. Kourend is a monument, Kourend is a triumph; it shall stand here forever in the shadow of our King.

• The courtyard contains several stalls the player can steal from (silver, fruit, bakeries, silk, and gems). The player may be caught by Shayzien guards if they fail while stealing items.
• The courtyard has four yew trees the player can cut.
• There is a portrait that is an artist's impression of King Byrne I, who is known for his coronation speech.
• There is an anvil by the south-west corner of the castle.

First floor

• The Knight of Varlamore is found in the western side.
• There are additional Shayzien guards and Head Guards.
• Councillor Andrews, the current head councillor of the Kourend Council, is found by the throne to the east.

Second floor

• A bank can be found here, along with a poll booth.
• A small chapel is located in the centre, with an altar upon which to recharge prayer points. Praying at the altar here is a task for the easy Kourend & Kebos Diary.
• Two dark wizards and a lesser demon are caged in the south.
• If players have completed The Queen of Thieves, Councillor Hughes will be found locked in a cell.

Gallery

• 
  The courtyard of the castle, containing several stalls.
• 
  The back of the castle, containing a military arsenal.
• 
  The ground floor^[UK]1^st floor^[US] of the castle.
• 
  The 1^st floor^[UK]2^nd floor^[US] of the castle.
• 
  The 2^nd floor^[UK]3^rd floor^[US] of the castle.

Changes

Date	Changes
[[{{#explode:16 June 2021| |0}} {{#explode:16 June 2021| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:16 June 2021| |2}}]] (update)	A new woodland area has been added to the west of the castle. The burnt bone spawns and the western gate have been removed.
[[{{#explode:10 January 2019| |0}} {{#explode:10 January 2019| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:10 January 2019| |2}}]] (update)	Most Shayzien guards and head guards who patrolled the castle have been replaced by unattackable Royal Guards.
[[{{#explode:4 May 2017| |0}} {{#explode:4 May 2017| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:4 May 2017| |2}}]] (update)	Added a missing water source symbol to the map at Kourend Castle.
[[{{#explode:24 November 2016| |0}} {{#explode:24 November 2016| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:24 November 2016| |2}}]] (update)	The portrait on the ground floor[UK]1st floor[US], which was a re-used asset of the portrait of King Lathas on the top floor of the Varrock Museum, has been recoloured to depict an artist's impression of King Byrne I.