Taranspike Castle was built over three hundred years ago to defend the entrance to Taranspike Pass and hence Korina. Originally owned by Korina City council, it was sold to Baron Hyld when the threat from Wesmen invasion was considered insignificant and during austere times for Korina.

The castle's position, at the head of the fifteen mile long pass, has always made it sought-after by ambitious Barons and Lords wanting to control the principal trade route to the capital city.

Currently, the castle is under the stewardship of Baron Gresse, one of Balaia's top four Barons in terms of land ownership and assumed wealth. Gresse, a jovial middle-aged man with four sons, runs the pass guard and levies reasonably fairly. He has, though, been accused of letting personal animosity obscure practicality by fellow members of the Korina Trade Alliance.

Given the coveted nature of the castle, Gresse lives there for much of the time with a significant guard and there is always at least one of the family in residence with the authority to recruit mercenaries at short notice.

The castle itself is part standard construction, with an outer, turreted wall, courtyard and keep, and part unique, with a greater part of the living quarters built directly into the cliffs at the head of the pass.