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Darkstone Castle History |
These three names store a lot of history for Darkstone Castle. For it were here where several events took place that resulted in many changes, secrets, artifacts, and death. Darkstone was once names Claedesbrim. Estrion and his partner Siarl were drawn from Teras Island to the old castle with plans to use this as a place to lay out their plans for the destruction of the town known as Wehnimer's Landing. As Estrion began to form the Castle Claedesbrim into his headquarters, he chose to rename it as Castle Darkstone. (This change of name could also be attributed to the shift, which resulted at the end of the Shaalk era). One of the reasons this event is of such importance is that it is one of the instances outside of the Ur-Daemon wars when an Arkati is known to be weakened to being afraid. This Arkati is known as Sheru. Estrion was a Sorcerer and his partner Siarl a wizard. As powerful as they were combined, they still were not quite powerful enough to reach their goals alone. So each night they would perform dark rituals to call upon the spirit for aid. This spirit was named Scalu who is now known as Sheru. Being that Sheru had plans of his own, he felt that aiding Estrion and Siarl would further help him in the taking of the Realm of Dreams from Reann, who is now known well as Ronan. Each of them using the others' forces to come to their aide made them feel confident in all their plans of destruction. Estrion and Siarl continued on with their rituals and experiments to the point where it all backfired, causing a lingering mana storm to remain above the castle. As a result, Sheru was spent of his energy and was forced to retreat back behind the veil. However, all his Harbingers that he had called forth from behind the veil were left behind and still dwell within the castle. It was at t his point when Estrion and Siarl launched an attack against the town. They were desperate to destroy as much of the living as they possibly could. They hoped that the release of spirit would help them reopen the veil. As to Estrion being weakened and spent of all his mana, he was killed by the townsfolk. All of his and Siarl's and Sheru's plans were failed. Siarl managed to escape alive; her whereabouts are still unknown to t his day. In the defeat of Estrion, there were discovered three artifacts in association with Estrion and the Castle. Estrion's Staff- Estrion's staff was a destructive weapon for its time. The staff would cast Elemental Blast upon its intended target. It was long ago where the highest age of anyone was roughly level 50. As a result, this staff pretty much meant instant death for the victim. It is told that Starsnuffer was the one that killed Estrion and it is believed that Starsnuffer is the holder of Estrion's staff. Much confusion about Estrion's staff is that it is mistaken for the one that Thalior holds. First of all, Thalior's staff is an altered shield, it started out as an old auction item dated back to 1994. It is know to be 6 enchants. Thalior's shield/staff has a very specific property. It can hold a number of spells. A person from any profession casts at it and the staff absorbs the spell. This shield/staff is one of Thalior's most prized possessions. He can imbed any spell that would work with magic item creation into the staff. The Two Keys to Darkstone - The keys allow teleportation to and from the castle. They also work from Teras Island, being that was where Estrion and Siarl lived. It is thought that Estrion's workshop is still undiscovered on Teras. One of the keys is believed to be held by Lord Thalior and the other by Lord Sagan. A Weathered Scroll Along the way in the Troll Kings, if you look carefully, you'll discover a notch that inside holds a special scroll. The scroll is singed at the edges, and musty with age, but a few paragraphs are still legible enough to read.. In my mind, I can still see the sparkling waters along the shores of my home. I can still hear the voices of children as they cavorted, carefree, joyful, among the gentle waves. These memories have not dimmed in time, and are all that allow me to maintain my sanity through the hideous semblance of life that is our lot here. Oh, if only our lands were not so rich, perhaps we would not have been so cruelly wrenched away! The glaes mines drew their attention first, but the hives must have made them salivate with thoughts of more power! Like the kiramon, we were dragged here and set to labor for the cruel beasts who will sap every bit of mana from Elanthia if left unchecked. To Estrion, we are not even as valuable as the monstrous insects we work alongside, and so they proliferate, while we grow fewer and fewer in number. Lybella thinks she must be the luckiest woman alive. After all, who would not want to be married to the adventurous, Kalin Thistle! She could hardly believe her luck to discover he wished to share with her all his discoveries. Lybella finds herself standing next to a pool, after nearly being dragged here by her husband Kalin. The look of utter glee on his face and the excitement in his voice tells her she is about to see a wonderful discovery made by her husband. Glancing at the mysterious pool and again at her husband she asks, "Jump?" Nodding excitedly, Kalin says, "Aye, love! Jump in and swim to the bottom, make certain that ye have ye sword in hand and pry that gap open quickly afore you run out of air. Then, ye will be inside!" Barely able to contain their excitement the couple quickly jump into the pool and work their way into the castle...... As Kalin tells Lybella of the history of the castle they both become more aware of their surroundings. He tells her of the four levels of inside the castle. Walking through the courtyards and the land surrounding the castle Lybella notices a rumble underneath her feet. Quickly grasping tightly to Kalin's arm she asks, "What was that?" Suddenly, a roa'ter bursts from the ground! With surprising speed, Kalin quickly kills the foul best. Kalin says, "There are beasts all over the castle. Out here there are centaurs and the roa'ters like the one I just killed. Ye must be careful that you do not carry too many things to encumber you around here. Inside on the first level there are Gargoyles and Mein Golems! I warn ye though, you must perform a slightly embarrassing task to get inside the castle. Evidently, the maker had quite a sense of humor." Lybella listens intently, taking awhile to carefully absorb all she has been told. Finally, she asks, "What task?" Kalin chuckles to himself and says, Ye will see for yeself soon enough, love!" With a wink he leads them to the drawbridge and they soon find themselves performing that slightly embarrassing task. Lybella blinks in astonishment at her husband, for surely he must be joking about what he just asked her to do! Laughing, Kalin says, "Go on, love, be quick I shall wait for ye on the inside!" With a quick kiss and a wink he was gone! Not wanting to stand there alone for another moment, Lybella took a deep breath and quickly followed him. Once again ready, Kalin tells Lybella more about his discoveries. Kalin says, "There are the remains of guard towers that I want to show you." Passing by a few Gargoyles and killing a Mein Golem, nearly being killed by an exploding shard, Kalin finally comes to the tower he is interested in showing Lybella. Reaching the top of the tower, Lybella notices a statue. Eyes wide with wonder she asks in a whisper, "What is that?" Kalin takes her hand in his and leads her closer to the statue and says, "That is a statue of a Jackal, it was dedicated to Sheru. It is said there is a secret to this statue that plays a part to this castle. One must explore and solve its puzzle to discover its purpose. I tell you now, there are many secrets and puzzles inside this castle." Lybella gently reaches out and touches the statue. Suddenly, with a shock, she finds herself on her backside! Kalin laughs and says, "Oh yeah, I forgots to tell ye about that, make sure ye know the puzzle of the statue before touching it!" Scowling, Lybella stands up dusting herself off and mutters something about conveniently forgetting things. Heading out of the tower and continuing on their way, Kalin speaks about the second level. "The dungeon", says Kalin, "There are critters down there called Kiramon, tough bugs." Shuddering, Lybella invisions a dungeon of skeletal remains decaying and covered with grime and bugs. Gently rubbing Lybella in a comforting way, Kalin says, "There is also an iron maiden down there. Adventurers should seek it out and find its purpose. It is hidden in the dungeon." Lybella stares at her husband and says, "There is no way that I will be climbing inside of an iron maiden, Kalin!" "It can stay hidden for all I care!" Kalin chuckles again and says, "Aww, come on, love, where is your sense of adventure?" Lybella quickly reminds him about the last time he said that. Both wincing, Kalin proceeds to tell Lybella of the third level. Kalin says, "The third level of the castle is underground, beneath the dungeon. It is here where creatures called Banshees and Sentinals dwell. Whatever ye do, nae ever touch a shimmering circle! If ye do, expect to die and all who are with ye tae die as well!" Lybella makes certain that she stays far away as possible from any circle she comes across. Kalin says, "Somewhere down here there is a room with a secret passage that allows ye tae find Troll Kings, Harbingers, and Nightmare Steeds." "I think we can pass that and continue on with our tour." Spooked once again, Kalin and Lybella carefully pick their way through the old fallen castle. Lybella remembering her husband mentioning four levels asks, "What about the fourth level, Kalin?" "Ahh", says Kalin, "The fourth level is rumored to be the Deep Mist and lies south of the Troll King Lair. Some say that the Deep Mist once was an opening to the realm of Lornon as it still spawns Harbingers, Nightmare Steeds, and the occasional lost Troll King." Lybella quickly and politely says, "I think we can pass that area too. You know how we often get lost and surely would mean our deaths to be lost down there!" Nodding in agreeance, Kalin says, "Aye, love, indeed. One last thing before I ask you to return us home. There are magical spheres inside this castle that are known to be a form of teleportation inside the castle. These are, however, the heart of the castle and one needs to solve this puzzle on their own." Lybella asks, "You mean you can make a sphere and transport yourself further down inside the castle?" "Aye", says Kalin, "and outside of it too, I am told. Shall we go find out?" Lybella exclaims, "Nae Kalin, we are to head home. I have a big pot of cockatrice soup simmering over the fire and I am hungry! Off we go before ye get us killed!" With a slight gesture Lybella and Kalin disappear in a fog......
Silvean Rashere Selkar Stonegrotto Starsnuffer Sunslayer Amerlise Vinsaile Valdarrow neCedra (my inspiration for Kalin) |