The castle is situated in the town of Sturmhalten, which commands Balan's Gap, a mountain pass of strategic importance, especially following the destruction of the Passholdt bridge. The castle is a powerful fortress, and warded by a lightning moat, a rare but highly effective defensive feature. Inside, Castle Sturmvoraus is an elegant and luxurious dwelling decorated in a High Victorian style. When first depicted in the comic, Prince Aaronev Wilhelm Sturmvoraus lives there with his son, Tarvek, , and daughter, Anevka. Wilhelm and Tarvek are both Sparks, while Anevka, critically injured by one of Aaronev’s experiments, interacts with the world via a human-shaped clank built by Tarvek based upon Tinka’s design. Anevka is attended at most times by four footmen, who carry around her physical b