174 rooms · levels 49–53
Arctic winds whip across the peak of a giant mountain. Snow drifts scattered across this barren terrain create a glistening, frosty landscape. No mortal could survive the sub-freezing temperature. Many strange creatures stand frozen in their tracks, inanimate and lifeless. Danlis has claimed this mountaintop as a building area. A place where she can shape and create magnificent creatures before giving them life in the mortal realms.
The passage of many hunters and adventurers has forged a small dirt path through the lush green grass on the mountainside. Beautiful evergreens, moist from a recent rainfall reach out across the trail. The trail climbs steadily upwards to the north, higher and higher towards a bright blue sky.
Climbing ever higher, the dirt trail forces its way through a dense copse of fir trees. The sharp smell of pinon permeates the air as if the trees themselves are breathing, making their presence known with each exhale. The path cuts through the trees to the north and south.
A nearby fir rustles chaotically and a sinister black bird flies away to the north, as if on an urgent mission. Perhaps someone or something monitors travel through this pass, possibly setting up an ambush for unwary adventurers. The trail gets steeper to the north, climbing higher into the pass.
Sharp rocks jut outwards from the lofty mountain walls rising to the east and west. Fir trees crowd the path, providing shelter from prying eyes. The many rocks in the path make for tricky footing, any misstep could result in a painful fall. The trail levels off a little to the north, approaching a split in the path.
A thin crevice in the mountainside reveals a well-groomed dirt path leading westward. Tiny evergreens sprout from the crevice walls, doing their best to soak up sunlight before it reaches the tops of the tall, dense firs growing in the pass. The rocky trail stretches northward, attempting to make this treacherous terrain easier to negotiate.
Unscalable rock walls stretch upwards to the north and south, and the occasional stone falls from above. This short path stretches from the rocky path into an alpine clearing full of evergreens. The clearing to the west forms a nice sanctuary for travelers through this pass.
Fir trees line this clearing in which a large cooking fire burns hotly. Thick smoke rises from the center of the clearing where freshly cut wood burns slowly. Sounds of the mountain forest emanate from all directions.
A smoky fire tries its best to burn the wet, green wood that has been fed to it. Needles fallen from the surrounding trees create a thick carpet across the length of this clearing. A small area has been carefully cleared around the perimeter of the fire.
A steep rock wall rises to the west, and a small trail appears to exist about halfway up the cliff-face. A large black recess on the other side of the trail could possibly be the entrance to a cave or shelter of some sort. From this point, the path above cannot be accessed due to the incline and jaggedness of the rock wall.
Fir trees line this clearing in which a large cooking fire burns hotly. Thick smoke rises from the center of the clearing where freshly cut wood burns slowly. Sounds of the mountain forest emanate from all directions.
Fir trees line this clearing in which a large cooking fire burns hotly. Thick smoke rises from the center of the clearing where freshly cut wood burns slowly. Sounds of the mountain forest emanate from all directions.
Fir trees line this clearing in which a large cooking fire burns hotly. Thick smoke rises from the center of the clearing where freshly cut wood burns slowly. Sounds of the mountain forest emanate from all directions.
Beneath a high ridge in the corner of this clearing, the firs sway slightly in the brisk mountain air. Far above, the cry of a predator bird can be heard in search of its next meal. Smoke from the fire to the east drifts lazily between the treetops.
Fir trees line this mountain clearing. To the south a ladder has been placed alongside the cliff, leading up to a small ledge. The crackle and pop of the green wood burning in the fire is audible to the north. The clearing continues to the west, bordered by the ledge upon which the path to the south leads.
Fir trees line this clearing in which a large cooking fire burns hotly. Thick smoke rises from the center of the clearing where freshly cut wood burns slowly. Sounds of the mountain forest emanate from all directions.
This ledge leads westwards, circling the clearing and approaching a shadowy cave. Lights and shadows flicker about just inside the cave opening. A ladder to the north leads back down to the clearing.
The rocky ledge leads to the east and west around the mountain clearing. The treetops sway to and fro just a few feet below the edge of the trail. A warm draft of air creeps out from the cave entrance to the northwest.
The trail twists to the north and east, circling the treetops below. The chill of the mountain air has been diminished here due to the warm air flowing from the cave entrance to the northwest. Loose rocks line the clifftops far above, teetering on the edge menacingly.
A large cave mouth opens to the west. The warm air from inside the cave provides a pleasant atmosphere for a traveler to rest his or her weary bones. The treetops sway just to the east near the edge of the ledge.
A large fire crackles to the north, creating shadows that would make it hard to spy in on whatever resides in this cave. The inside of the cave appears quite rustic yet very peaceful. Both human and some not so human footprints lead in and out of the cave entrance.
A hot fire crackles in the center of this stone room beneath the mountain. Tanned animal skins cover the floor, providing a warm place to sit and rest. Drawings have been etched into the rock walls of this room depicting the many animals of the forest. Most notably, a large charcoal drawing of a giant kodiak has been carefully etched into the north wall.
Despite the steepness of this trail, it appears to be easily accessible, probably due to the large number of hunters that have traveled this route. Large rock walls rise to the east and west barring travel in those directions. The trail stretches onwards to the north and south.
Nearing the top of this initial climb up Mon Crewyll, a rushing river can be heard to the north just over the rise. The mountain air has been known for its ability to work up one's thirst. The river to the north could be a gathering place for the creatures of this mountainous forest.
The waters of the Aspenglow rush swiftly across large rocks placed in this shallow area of the river. The many stones and boulders have been carefully placed to allow a dry crossing of this icy water. Evergreens grow densely to the north just across the river. Steep cliffs chart the course of the river to the east and west, and the large ridge to the northeast stretches upwards out of sight. The forest has filled in the flat area to the northwest.
Swift rapids rush over and around the boulders and rocks that have fallen into the river from the cliffs above. Icy mist sprays into the air as the water crashes into the rocks. In spite of the rushing waters and jagged rocks the atmosphere is quite relaxing.
Many ages ago, the river must have decided it was easier to turn to the west than keep flowing south. Water splashes into the air as it makes its tight turn through the canyon. The rock walls tower above leaving only a small portion of the sky visible.
Slippery moss covered rocks create a series of very wild rapids on this part of the river. The crystal clear water rushes southwards chaotically but with great determination. The cliffs above seem to grow taller and some waterfalls are visible to the north.
Waterfalls great and small create a loud roaring as the river forces its way down the mountainside. The forces of nature work slowly yet surely, the riverbed canyon growing deeper by the second. To the north are some rapids leading into this series of falls.
Thundering rapids create waves of mist, making the air here tough to breathe. The rapids here lead into a series of small waterfalls to the south. A very loud roaring sound is audible to the north.
There are less rocks in this section of the river, yet strong currents create several small whirlpools. Water is sucked downwards into the icy depths of the Aspenglow, only to resurface a few feet away. A majestic waterfall nearby to the northeast creates a cacophony of crashes and booms.
A magnificent waterfall tumbles down the eastern cliff-face. The pounding of water on the rocks is deafening, and cold mist fills the air. The canyon comes to a dead end, towering cliffs on all sides. The Aspenglow river roars its way southwards.
This misty cave, hidden by the waterfall, tunnels into the mountainside. A soft rumbling can be heard to the north. A bright blue algae grows on the walls, softly illuminating the interior of this cavern.
This giant cavern beneath Mon Crewyll has been claimed by an ancient silver dragon. The algae on the wall has lessened, and shadows stretch across the cavern floor. Somewhere from deep inside the mountain, a dull rumbling can be heard.
Flowing westward at a blinding rate, the Aspenglow hugs the side of a large cliff to the south. On the northern bank, lush evergreens on the forest fringe have grown right up to the edge of the river. Fewer rocks in this part of the river give the surface a deceptively peaceful demeanor.
The river continues its journey westward at a rapid rate. The cliffs to the south grow ever higher, majestic and unscalable. The forest trees grow right up to the bank, drinking from the moist soil on the riverside.
The river changes course to the north, slowing down as it crashes into the rock wall to the west. Further north, the river begins to widen. The looming peak of Mon Crewyll juts upwards into the sky a few miles to the north. From this vantage point about halfway up the mountainside, one can see the outline of a keep higher at the very top of the pass.
As the river widens it encounters another grouping of boulders fallen from atop the towering cliff to the west. The water roars as it forces its way through the rocks. The rapids seem to die down slightly as the river progresses northwards.
The river has widened enough so that the water has more room to navigate the rocks in its path. Small rapids playfully swirl between a few of the smaller boulders near the center of the river. To the north, the river continues to widen.
The river flows into a crystal clear lake to the north. The current has slowed down dramatically, and the water appears inviting. However, the icy chill of melted snow would quickly dash any ideas of going for a swim.
The crystal blue water of this mountain lake holds a mirror image of the towering peak of Mon Crewyll across its surface. The snow capped peak high above the top of the mountain pass is breathtaking, one of the most beautiful creations nature could have inspired. The lake continues to the north and east, bordered by a towering cliff on its western shore.
The lake laps softly against the bank to the east and south. The evergreens along the shoreline grow several yards back from the shore and appear sickly and brown. Something strange seems to be affecting the forest. The corpse of a dead deer lies alongside the shore, slowly rotting.
The icy waters of the lake stretch in all directions. A small island is visible to the northwest, and the shore and forest are visible nearby to the east and south. A silvery fish splashes across the surface of the lake, scales glinting.
Sparkling waters lap against the sandy shores. The forest along the shore has been struck with some sort of blight, the trees slowly dying. The rhythmic lapping of small waves against the shore is very calming, and a cool breeze blows in from the north.
Sparkling waters lap against the sandy shores. The forest along the shore has been struck with some sort of blight, the trees slowly dying. The rhythmic lapping of small waves against the shore is very calming, and a cool breeze blows in from the north.
The middle of the lake has grown choppy, as a strong breeze picks up from the north. A small island to the west would provide shelter from the wind due to the large number of trees thereon. The evergreens on the island grow strong and green in comparison to the diseased trees along the shore of the lake.
The northern edge of Blue Diamond Lake is bordered by a rock wall of immense proportions. The trees to the east along the shoreline rustle softly. The pass across Mon Crewyll continues northwards just out of view to the east on the other side of the trees. The waters of the lake stretch to the south and west, bordering a sandy island covered with firs.
A thin stretch of water runs between the steep rock face to the north and the small island to the south. Both of the shores of the lake are visible here, the giant rock wall bordering the lake to the west, and the dying trees withering along the shore nearby to the east. A soft whistle can be heard coming from the small island intermittently.
The waters calmly lap against the cliffs to the north and west. This northwest corner of the lake is sheltered by the cliffs, and the trees on the small island to the southeast. The sandy bottom of the lake can be seen far below.
Icy water laps against the cliff to the west. The sandy shore of a small island lies just to the east. Dark green trees line the shore, unaffected by the blight that has attacked the rest of the forest. A tiny golden fish darts about just below the waters surface.
Rocky cliffs rise upwards to the south and west, bordering the icy waters of Blue Diamond Lake. The lake stretches north and east, and a small island is visible to the northeast. The sandy bottom of the lake can be seen far below through the crystal clear water.
The waters of the lake flow flatly in all directions. A small island sits peacefully in the center of the lake to the north. The cliff along the shore turns westwards, and the shore of the lake is visible to the east.
Hearty evergreens grow thickly in the rich soil on this island. The trees provide shelter from the chill winds that blow down from the heights of Mon Crewyll. There is an indescribable peacefulness here, the source of which seems just out of reach.
A small path leads north through a dense forest of evergreens. The trees here don't look as healthy as those lower down on the mountainside. Perhaps an infestation of some kind has affected the forest near the top of the pass. The rushing of the Aspenglow can be heard to the south, and the path north leads further into the quiet forest. The trees grow close together to the west, but one could manage to find their way with only a few minor nicks and scratches. A huge rock wall rises to the east and stretches northward out of sight.
The trees sway in the cool breeze coming from atop Mon Crewyll. The sound of rushing water makes its way through the trees from the south. The ground is moist here where a thick bed of evergreen needles carpets the floor.
The trees sway in the cool breeze coming from atop Mon Crewyll. The sound of rushing water makes its way through the trees from the south. The ground is moist here where a thick bed of evergreen needles carpets the floor.
The trees sway in the cool breeze coming from atop Mon Crewyll. The sound of rushing water makes its way through the trees from the west. The ground is moist here where a thick bed of evergreen needles carpets the floor.
The trees in this part of the forest are dying, turning a dark yellow-brown color and losing all their needles. There is no sign of an infestation of any sort. Perhaps the problem the trees face has no scientific explanation, the stories of an evil wind from atop the Spine of Mon Crewyll might just have some factual basis after all.
Cutting back and forth through the trees, this hunting path winds its way northwards into the mountain forest. An unclimbable rock wall borders the trail a few feet to the east. The trees to the west invite adventurous travelers to forge their own trail.
The hunting trail winds its way northwards, deeper into the woods. The steep cliff to the east blocks out whatever light might penetrate the treetops, and the overhang of the cliff stretches halfway across the trail. The trees to the west are dying, something foul destroying their natural beauty.
The trees in this part of the forest are dying. They are turning a dark yellow-brown color and losing all their needles. There is no sign of an infestation of any sort. Perhaps the problem the trees face has no scientific explanation, for the stories of an evil wind from atop the Spine of Mon Crewyll might have some factual basis after all.
The trees give way to sandy ground, bordering the Aspenglow River and Blue Diamond Lake. A foul smell permeates the air, ruining what would normally be considered a breathtaking landscape. The tall rock walls of Mon Crewyll loom fearsomely further to the north across the lake.
The trees along the shore of the lake have fallen or been knocked over. They have died off completely along this stretch of the water's edge. The trees to the north, south, and east are still standing, but just barely. Everything aside from the crystal waters of the lake appears to be in decay.
The need for a trail in this section of the woods is nonexistent. The trees grow sparsely here, most of them already dead. The cliff to the east overhangs most of the forest here, and the trail leading north grows strangely darker.
The hunting trail begins to slope slightly upwards and the beginnings of the mountain pass known as The Spine of Mon Crewyll is visible further ahead to the north. It leads steadily upwards between two enormous rock walls. The trees here are struggling to stay alive, and from the looks of it they are not faring very well.
The trail continues alongside the shore of the lake. The air here chills to the bones, and an unexplainable darkness shadows the path. Dark figures move about beneath a high ridge in the corner of this clearing. A sharp snapping sound comes from the north, followed by deathly silence.
Darkness shrouds the path, and shadows close in from all directions. The air itself seems to press inwards, making it nearly impossible to breathe. Boney tendrils of mist swirl between the dead trees, and a thick grey fog fills the mountain forest.
The trees which once grew thickly in this corner of the forest are struggling to stay alive. A large rock wall borders the forest to the north, turning northwards into the pass nearby to the east. Shadows dart in and out between the remains of the forest trees.
Faint light filters in from the opening at the top of the stairs. The air becomes chilly, and the sound of wind whipping across flagstones comes from above. There must be an exit out of this dismal dungeon nearby.
Do you have any sense whatsoever? How in the world did you ever make it that far? Do Daleville a favor and don't give exploring advice to anyone! Now get out of here...
Long shadows are cast northwards down the hall as small amounts of light from the south invade the darkness. The flagstone walls are old and crumbling, and the earth behind them is clearly visible. A short, steep flight of stairs lies to the south and the passageway continues north.
The darkness here is complete. A chill dampness fills the air, surrounding the living in its icy embrace. A plain looking wooden door separates the hallway from a room to the north.
This large room has shelves all along the walls containing numerous alchemical supplies. All the bottles are labeled, tightly stoppered, and sealed with wax. A plain looking wooden door to the south creaks slightly, as if something is pushing it from the other side.
This large room has shelves all along the walls containing numerous alchemical supplies. All the bottles are labeled, tightly stoppered, and sealed with wax. This southwest corner of the room has a thick dust covering all the shelves.
This large room has shelves all along the walls containing numerous alchemical supplies. All the bottles are labeled, tightly stoppered, and sealed with wax. A large work table contains a heavy scale, hot pads, tweezers, and a small vial.
This large room has shelves all along the walls containing numerous alchemical supplies. All the bottles are labeled, tightly stoppered, and sealed with wax. Along the north wall, a hearth has been stoned up. A thick door provides passage to the east.
The cold flagstones lining this hall are cracking, and dirt has begun to seep through. A thick layer of dust covers the floor. Skeletal footprints mark the center of the hallway. A large iron door blocks passage to the west, and another smaller door leads north.
The cold flagstones lining this hall are cracking, and dirt has begun to seep through. A thick layer of dust covers the floor. Skeletal footprints mark the center of the hallway as it twists around the corner to the south and west.
The hallway turns here, passing a large stone door to the west. A set of iron bars secures the cell to the south. Small amounts of dirt sprinkle down from overhead as the dungeon strains to support the keep above.
A large pile of bones lies in the center of the hall destined for some malevolent purpose. The air here tastes like stale bread and smells of something much worse. The hall leads a short way to both the east and south.
The hallway ends here outside a large stone door. Scratch marks cover the door as if someone tried to claw their way to freedom. The dried blood on the floor just below the door is evidence that whoever it was met with a bitter end.
Large stone steps connect the dreadful dungeon to the keep proper. Light streams in from the top of the stairs, and lit torches line the walls of the stairwell. The air is dry here, and much warmer than the dark hallways below.
Scraps of cloth and splintered wood are scattered about in this cell. Nothing recognizable remains other than the thick iron rings on the wall which must serve as some primitive torture instrument. Dust saturates the air, making it increasingly difficult to breathe.
The bars to the north are solidly fixed into the wall of the cell. The cold flagstones press inward, seemingly from the weight of the keep structure above. The walls appear sturdy enough, but one would not want to spend a lot of time trapped in this cell.
Thick black smoke fills the air as the torches smolder in their sconces on the walls. A faint scratching sound like that of bone being dragged across steel is audible for a short time. A rotting door leads south, and the hallway continues east.
Thick black smoke fills the air as the torches smolder in their sconces on the walls. A faint scraping sound like that of bone being dragged across metal is audible for a short time. The hallway stretches to the north and west.
Thick black smoke fills the air as the torches smolder in their sconces on the walls. A faint scraping sound like that of bone being dragged across metal is audible for a short time. The hallway stretches to the north and south.
Thick black smoke fills the air as the torches smolder in their sconces on the walls. A faint scraping sound like that of bone being dragged across metal is audible for a short time. Large double doors are set into the east wall, and the hallway continues to the north, south, and west.
The torches have been extinguished, and a small amount of light flickers in from the south. Heavy black smoke drifts in the air. The hallway ends here at a dead end.
Broken wooden furniture lies about the room. A large weapons rack has toppled over along the north wall, all the weapons having disappeared. Moisture forms on the ceiling, and small droplets of condensation fall to the cold flagstone floor. A large set of double doors lie to the west, and the room extends to the east and south.
Scraps and splinters of rotting wood are scattered around the guardroom. A few flagstones are missing from the floor, exposing the cold earth below. The guardroom continues to the east and north.
A large table lies here in many pieces, completely demolished. A small wooden door leads to the east attempting to stay attached to its hinges. The room continues to the north and west.
Scraps and splinters of rotting wood are strewn about the room. One of the stones has fallen from the ceiling and lies in the middle of the floor. Some sort of fungus grows in the bare earth left in the stone's absence. The room stretches to the west and south.
A steep flight of stone stairs rises to the east. A wooden door leads west into the guardroom on the dungeon level of the keep. The air seems lifeless and stale, the smell of the undead.
The stone steps are narrow and steep but luckily dry enough that footing is not a problem. A trapdoor at the top of the stairs leads up into what must be the main keep. The dark dungeon awaits to the west.
Shadows flit about the wall, the gray flagstones changing from light to dark. The sound of dripping water echoes through the tunnel. Ghostly whisperings hang heavily in the air. A reinforced wooden door blocks passage to the west, and the hallway continues to the north and east.
Thick grey smoke fills the air as the torches smolder in their sconces along the walls. The cold stone walls press inwards, invading the hall and radiating coldness into the air. The hall continues north and south.
The smokey hallway ends here outside two large doors. A torch flickers dimly on the northern wall. A sturdy wooden door bars access to the west, and a smaller wooden door blocks passage to the east.
This room is barren, all the furnishings have been either destroyed or moved elsewhere. Torches glow softly on the north and south walls. A steel door sits in the western wall, and a wooden door leads east.
This hallway in the dungeon leads to two cell doors. The cells are marked by small signs just above the doors. A heavy wooden door bars the cell to the west, and a cold steel door bars the northern cell. A reinforced steel door leads west.
The stone walls are covered with condensation, and the air chills to the bone. This cell must serve as temporary confinement since no one could survive here for very long. A strong steel door blocks the only exit from this icy torture.
The air in this cell reeks of refuse and dung. It seems to float in from a small crawlspace to the west. The crawlspace appears to be wide enough for one person to squeeze through. A large wooden door in the east wall leads out into the dungeon as one can tell by looking out the thin slot in the middle of the door. The crawlspace must have been an escape attempt designed by some previous prisoner.
A slimy dark substance lines the cold earth that envelops this narrow tunnel. The sickening smell from the west is overpowering. The buzzing of insects can be heard from the west.
This room serves as sewage storage for the keep above. A crack of light creeps through a very small opening far above. The skeletal remains of some unfortunate soul lie half buried in the refuse. The only way out lies back through the crawlspace to the east.
A large ladder in the middle of the room leads upwards out of the dungeon. The large stone room serves as a secondary watchpost for those who might try and escape from their capturers. A thick door takes up a good portion of the eastern wall.
This barren cell has been completely cleared of all furnishings. The only place to sleep is on the cold stone floor. A wooden door to the west provides the only exit from this solitary cell.
Cold air creeps in from the south, indicating that the current elevation must be very high up the pass of Mon Crewyll. Small arrow slits line the eastern wall, and a ladder leads up to the top level of the gatehouse. The courtyard of the keep is visible outside to the south.
An open doorway to the east leads out across a narrow stone catwalk. A ladder in the middle of the room leads down to the lower level of the gatehouse. The stone walls appear very strong, blocking the powerful north winds that buffet the keep from atop Mon Crewyll.
This narrow walkway spans the area between the large iron gates that protect the keep from invaders. From this vantage point any number of vile tactics could be used to destroy intruders trapped between the gates below. A sharp biting wind whips in from the north, and the snow covered peak of Mon Crewyll is visible close by to the north, several thousand feet up. The pass outside the keep runs around the keep to the south, back towards Blue Diamond Lake and the green forests below. It also stretches down the north side of the mountain through a rocky canyon and out of sight.
An open doorway to the west leads out across a narrow stone catwalk. A ladder in the middle of the room leads down to the lower level of the gatehouse. The stone walls appear very strong, blocking the powerful north winds that buffet the keep from atop Mon Crewyll.
Cold air creeps in from the south, indicating that the current elevation must be very high up the pass of Mon Crewyll. Small arrow slits line the western wall, and a ladder leads up to the top level of the gatehouse. The courtyard of the keep is visible outside to the south.
A dusty path stretches off in all directions through the courtyard. A large iron gate blocks the path to the north between the gatehouses. All the grass and shrubbery has blackened and died, leaving the courtyard desolate and barren.
The keep walls tower above the courtyard to the north. A large stone building to the south sits alongside the path. A dark doorway leads north into the gatehouse, and the path continues to the east and west.
The path ends here outside a stone building. A door to the south leads into the broken-down shelter. The path continues back along the keep walls to the east.
A dirty path leads west into a desolate courtyard. A dark doorway to the north provides entrance to the eastern gatehouse. This tiny area between the gatehouse and a stone building to the south is deathly quiet.
Stone buildings sit to the east and west of a barren path through the courtyard of the keep. The black iron gates of the keep stand nearby to the north, and the cold stone walls of the inner keep rise nearby to the south.
Stone buildings sit to the east and west of a barren path through the courtyard of the keep. A door to the east provides entry to a fortified two-story building. The entrance to the main structure of the keep lies just to the south.
Cold, dark stone walls stretch upwards. The main compound has few distinguishing features, but light flickers forth from a large window on the second floor. Someone or something has taken up residence inside this desolate outpost.
A large iron portcullis provides entry to the main building. The iron bars of the gate are as thick as a man's arm and could withstand all but the greatest of forces. A shadowy figure passes the lighted window far above the courtyard as the wind howls mournfully.
The wind whistles soulfully as it passes through this narrow pathway between the buildings of the keep. The stone walls on either side are beginning to grow moss, and a rusty brown substance has dried on the stone wall to the north. In a shadow of the southern wall, a human skeleton lies crushed and broken.
The path around the keep turns to the south outside a blackened watchtower. The stones are badly charred, and the door of the tower looks like it could not even withstand a strong wind. The upper level has collapsed in on itself.
A small kennel stands alongside the path next to the stone wall. A heart stopping howl echoes through the courtyard. The long shadows here make it difficult to see very far in either direction. To the north and south, the path continues into darkness.
A crumbling water well stands next to the path, the pull-rope frayed and sliced. To the southeast, a large, dark watchtower rises upwards, surveying the mountainside. The path runs to the north, and turns east toward the tower.
A large watchtower lies to the south, and thick iron bars block the doorway to the tower. The dusty path runs west and east, rounding the corner of the keep. The backside of the keep appears extremely dark, and shadowy forms seem to move along the walls.
The shadows here make the thick, grey stone walls of the keep appear black. The dirt path winds its way between the keep and the outer walls, and it appears something large has been drug along this path recently. From the markings left in the trail one can tell that it was probably humanoid.
Dark brown vines reach across the path and grasp the walls with their brittle, dying fingers. A small fish pond by the keep wall has dried up, leaving a dirty hole in the ground next to the path. The ivy on the walls covers what was once a colorful fresco, probably painted by some travelling artist. It depicts a tall mountain peak, framed by a shining sun and a cloudless sky. Dirt and grime cover a large portion of the fresco, having accumulated over the past few years when the keep was unattended.
The brown vines here move about looking for their next meal. Deadly venom drips from their thorns. Several dog-like skeletons have been pulled down and the bones picked clean by the carnivorous plants of this rotted garden. A great evil influences this place, bringing death to all who trespass.
A heavy wood bench rests against the north wall beside the backdoor to the keep. The sturdy door is constructed of a strong black oaken wood, and engraved with images of forest life. The sound of footsteps escapes the keep from a small crack at the bottom of the door. The remains of what was once shrubbery lies about, rustling in the wind. The dark brown vines climb the wall, encircling the door and going up to a balcony on the second floor.
In the southeast corner of the yard, a crumbling watchtower stands looking out over the surrounding mountainside. Several stones have fallen from the tower and rest nearby on the ground. Down the path to the west, a dying garden is visible. The path stretches north along the eastern edge of the keep compound.
The dirt path runs north and south along the eastern edge of the keep yard. A balcony on the second floor of the main compound is visible overhead, the stone railings of which are covered with a dark brown ivy. The battlements to the east rise upwards, their crumbling stones do not look very secure.
The path between the main compound and the keep walls is shrouded in darkness. A groaning sound sinks into the courtyard from overhead, probably from somewhere on the balcony of the second floor. The baying of what can only be dogs echoes through the yard - a chilling sound.
The path through the yard branches off in three different directions, to the north, south, and west. The northern path leads behind the guardhouse to a watchtower. The southern path leads along the eastern edge of the main building, and the western path leads across the middle of the yard.
The dirt path leads up to a door leading into the main building. Tracks lead in and out of the doorway. A piece of stone railing from the balcony overhead has fallen to the ground just outside the door. The path continues to the east and west.
This small dirt path leads between the guardhouse and the main house to the south. The air grows colder for an instant, as if an icy gaze was surveying the path. A battered humanoid skeleton has been propped up against the stone wall to the south. The dirt path leads around the buildings to the east and west.
The path ends here outside a stone watchtower. Strong iron bars block entrance to the tower. The backside of the guardhouse borders the path to the west.
A large forge stands in the middle of this room, its smokestack leading up and out through the roof. The earthen floor is dusted with metal shavings, and a large whetstone is propped up along the northern wall. Doors to the north and east lead out to the courtyard.
This wooden stable has been ransacked and cleared of everything. A few large metal hooks jut from the walls, providing hangers for tacking and saddles. The wooden doors to the stalls have been ripped from their hinges and lie broken on the straw covered floor.
The barracks here are oppressingly dark as no outside light finds its way into the building. Shattered bones and broken weapons are thrown chaotically around the room, creating a grim picture for visitors. The back of the barracks lies just to the east.
The back of this stone building has a short flight of stairs leading up to the second floor. A closet along the eastern wall has been destroyed, its wooden door shattered and broken. The wind whistles down the stairwell, coming in from above.
The wind chills the room as it rushes through the open windows. The thick wooden shutters have been ripped from the windows and thrown to the courtyard below. A few overturned beds have been shoved up against the wall, and a weapons rack has toppled and broken.
Icy mountain winds whip through the room, coming in from the northern window and gusting out through the southern one. A splintered keg sits in the corner, all its contents having leaked out long ago. The ceiling has begun to collapse and a few scattered stones lie about the floor.
The atmosphere of the main house completely contrasts that in the rest of the keep. The furnishings have been swept clean of dust, and a polished wooden hall table rests against the east wall. Black candles in crimson holders cast flickers of light about the entryway. A large metal staircase twists upwards to a landing on the second floor. Two doors made from a polished black oak sit prominently in the east and west walls. A chilly breeze blows in from the courtyard to the north, almost extinguishing the candles.
Flanking the door to the east sit two ebony statues of large timber wolves. A crystal chandelier overhead contains crimson candles providing light in this area. A highly polished dining table sits in the middle of the room, covered with gold plated utensils and gold threaded napkins. A large candelabrum occupies the center of the table, smoke rising from the recently extinguished candles.
Standing at the head of the table, you can see the kitchen beyond, its counters and cupboards bare. Apparently everything has been placed out in the dining room; however, the one thing strangely lacking is food. A large fireplace for cooking sits coldly in the western wall, and a small wine rack stands against it, containing a large selection of red wines. A sturdy chair with a large red pillow has been pushed up flush against the dining table. A doorway to the south leads into a small, round room.
A narrow metal staircase spirals up to the second floor, and a crimson and black curtain hangs on the eastern wall covering the flagstones behind it. Attached firmly to the southern wall is a sconce containing a large burning torch. The bright flame lights up the room and reflects off the metal staircase.
Large oil paintings line the stone walls. The subjects include dark, shadowy landscapes, and depictions of gruesome battle scenes. Large polished doors provide exit to the east, south, and west. A guttural sound comes from the chamber to the south.
Small candles sit on the floor, lining the walls of this room. They cast long shadows about the floor and up onto the crimson and black tapestries lining the stone walls. In the eastern corners stand two large stone pedestals upon which rest human skulls, smattered with dried blood. The long chapel stretches westward, and an ornate metal door sits in the eastern wall.
Golden incense burners hang from hooks on the end of the pews. A dark red rug stretches from the eastern end of the aisle up to a golden altar nearby to the west. The walls are covered with mosaics depicting bloody battle scenes and human sacrifices. The designs look like they were done only recently.
A golden altar covered with dried blood stands atop a small platform. Stacked beside the platform is a large pile of fresh corpses and skeletons of all types. Incense burners have been placed all about, the strong scents masking the smell of death and decay. A crimson curtain covers the flagstones behind the altar, and it is flanked by two very large torches which burn brightly.
A sturdy iron maiden rests against the northern wall. Thick metal chains are bolted to the walls. Prisoners corpses lie about, an elven hunter, a mountaineer, and a travelling missionary. Their dead bodies are chained securely in place, waiting for some terrible fate.
The torches on the walls have been extinguished, and darkness fills the hall. The cold flagstones of the north and south wall make for a narrow passage as they press inwards on themselves. It seems the house is fully aware of visitors.
This room shows off the many creatures that roam the mountainside of Mon Crewyll. Stuffed animals ranging from timber wolves to a giant eagle are carefully positioned about the room. A doorway to the east leads into another room, and a hallway begins to the west.
A large door to the north leads outside the house and into the yard. This reception area has been meticulously cleaned. A large onyx statue of an evil looking dog sits against the eastern wall. Crimson and black tapestries cover the grey stone. Doorways lead out of the room to the west and south.
A stairway leads down into darkness, and a slight chill fills the air as an updraft from below breezes into the room. The dark tapestries on the walls move slightly as the gust brushes across them. A large backdoor in the southern wall leads outside into the yard, and an open doorway to the north leads into the reception room.
Fire has gutted this tower, the wooden stairs leading up lie in a pile of charred wood and ashes in the middle of the room. The stones of this tower appear very unstable, and could topple down on those underneath at any moment. The mountain winds whistle through the tower windows far above.
Small birds perch on the windowsills far above. The wooden stairs leading up to the walkway near the top of the tower are rotting and most have broken and fallen to the floor below. A barred doorway to the west leads back out into the yard.
The flagstones of this tower appear loose, their mortar weakened from the passing years. The slightest breeze could send one toppling down and possibly the rest of the tower with it. The wooden stairs lie collapsed in a rotten pile on the dirt floor.
A steep flight of stairs leads down into blackness. The twisting wooden stairs leading up to the top of the tower have collapsed about halfway up. Shadows dance merrily along the stone walls of this tower, staying just out of reach of the flickering light.
This small room atop the stairs is lit by two large pillar candles burning brightly on either side of the double doors to the south. The doors are polished oak and appear quite strong. Golden door handles, fashioned into the shape of a charging wolf, are attached just below a small keyhole. A window in the northern wall looks out over the courtyard.
Covering the stone floor of this room is a deep crimson carpet. A short cabinet supports a smoking brazier which gives a warm glow to the air. A dark leather couch along the west wall provides a place to rest while waiting for an audience with the master of the house. In the eastern wall, a magnificent stained glass door leads out to the balcony. The double doors to the north lead to a dark landing.
Dust spreads out like a thick blanket on the floor of this room. There are no traces that anyone has been here for a very long time. There are no windows and the small crack of light coming in from the north provides just enough light to see by.
Propped up against the western wall of this room lies an extravagant black oaken coffin. The coffin overshadows the rest of the furnishings, telling the true nature of the master of the house. Adorning the wall are tapestries made of a soft crimson velvet material. The black oaken door to the south provides the only escape from this chilling lair.
Large oaken shelves line the walls of this library. Hundreds of tomes, books, and scrolls line the shelves, providing a vast amount of reading material for any would be necromancer. A metal lectern stands in the corner upon which sits a large black and crimson book. The pages ruffle slightly of their own accord, and suddenly an unseen force slams the book shut. A jet black door looms ominously to the north.
A large amount of bookshelves have been placed side by side at this end of the library. The shelves and their contents cover the stone wall in its entirety. A large desk sits against the western wall. On top of the desk lies a bleached human skull serving as a bookstop for two large tomes. A crystal waterclock stands next to the desk, tracking the minutes between night and day.
Several black candles burn slowly, providing enough light to read by. An unused fireplace takes up most of the west wall of this room, its mantle made from the deepest, blackest onyx imaginable. A statuette depicting a beautiful lady in crimson and black robes stands on the opposite end of the mantle from another art piece. The figurine depicts a giant, vicious timber wolf. A small chair rests here, inviting someone to sit down and read a book.
A thick wooden door to the north is the only exit on this level of the keep. The stone landing atop the twisting metal staircase is lit by a burning torch on the western wall. The stairs lead back down to the lower level of the house.
A thick stone railing borders the balcony. The brown colored ivy has choked all the other plant life and covered the stone walls with its spindly fingers. The mountain air is cold and brisk. Looking over the balcony far to the south one can make out the evergreen trees in the foothills of the pass below.
A thick stone railing borders the balcony. The brown colored ivy has choked all the other plant life and covered the stone walls with its spindly fingers. The mountain air is cold and brisk. Looking over the balcony far to the south one can make out the evergreen trees in the foothills of the pass.
The stone railing along the edge of the balcony has crumbled, and tiny stones and fragments are scattered about on the flagstones. The windswept peak of Mon Crewyll looms nearby to the north. A bone chilling wind rushes in from the north, pushing a few of the tiniest fragments across the balcony to the south.
The stone railing along the edge of the balcony has crumbled, and tiny stones and fragments are scattered about on the flagstones. The windswept peak of Mon Crewyll looms nearby to the north. A bone chilling wind rushes in from the north, pushing a few of the tiniest fragments across the balcony to the south. A door to the north leads back into the main house.
Never before have so many candles been in one room together. Candles of all shapes and sizes line the floor and tables of this room. A wood burning stove stands against the east wall, and next to it sits a small table. On the table there are many small wooden boxes containing wicks and jars of candle wax. The window in the northern wall has been shuttered tightly and locked. Doors exit the room to the south and west.
As you walk between the guard towers, several tiny arrows with deadly poison pepper you. As the world begins to fade away, and your body twitches uncontrollably you notice a vat of boiling oil being poured on you from above. Sweet Dreams!
Fire has gutted this tower, the wooden stairs leading up lie in a pile of charred wood and ashes in the middle of the room. The stones of this tower appear very unstable, and could topple down on those underneath at any moment. The mountain winds whistle through the tower windows far above.
This room has a one way exit, if you are here you shouldn't be.