donjons
Fortified central towers
Donjons are the central towers of medieval castles—the strongest, most defensible structures where defenders retreated as a last refuge.
The word is the original form of dungeon, which later shifted to mean underground prison cells, perhaps because castle towers often contained such cells.
The donjon still stands, though the outer walls have crumbled.
Underground cell with ceiling hatch
- cellBasic unit of life
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
- manaclesWrist shackles for prisoners
- chainsLinked metal restraints
prisoner · captive · confinement · incarceration · gaol · jailer · captivity · underground
Retain or fortified tower
- towerTall slender edifice
- turretProtruding fortified structure
- strongholdFortified place of defense
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
motte · bailey · battlements · parapet · rampart · portcullis · drawbridge · gatehouse
oubliette
Underground cell with ceiling hatch
chains · prisoner · captive · confinement · incarceration · gaol · jailer · captivity · underground · dank
keep
Retain or fortified tower
- towerTall slender edifice
- turretProtruding fortified structure
- strongholdFortified place of defense
citadel · motte · bailey · battlements · parapet · rampart · portcullis · drawbridge · gatehouse · barbican
feudalism
Land-for-service social structure
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
- knighthoodHonorary title of nobility
- vassalageSubordination to a lord
serfdom · heraldry · jousting · tourney · squire · chainmail · minstrel · mead · nobility · aristocracy
roleplay
Adopt another's perspective
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
- monstersFrightening imaginary creatures
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
quest · campaign · tabletop · dragons · crawl · boss · encounter · loot · maze · labyrinth