The Circle Tower

The Circle Tower
"Since it is best known as the Tower of the Circle of Magi these days, many people forget that the great tower sitting in the middle of Lake Calenhad existed long before the Circle"

Avvars built "Kinloch Hold" with dwarven assistance, in a day when the hills-men ruled over a great portion of the valley and were at constant war with the other Alamarri clans. The watchtower was thought to be virtually impregnable until the Tevinter Imperium finally drove the Avvars back into the Frostback Mountains. The savagery with which the Tevinters slew the Avvars within the tower gave birth to a grim legend which lasted for centuries. Until the Circle of Magi assumed control of the tower, it was considered to be cursed.

A hamlet on the lake shore operates a ferry to the tower, but visitors are few and far between. Most who come to Kinloch Hold now come either to learn magic or to warily watch over those who would learn."