163 rooms · levels 40–50
A small game trail disappears into thick brush here, heading generally west and east along a small ridge. To the west, the soil seems rather fertile, but the lack of life in the area means something out there must have scared it off. East of here leads further into the forest.
A small campground lies here, with a handful of tents pitched to allow those here some cover. By the crests on their armor and shields, it appears that the Harpers have taken interest in the area for one reason or another. To the east lies a small copse of trees, while to the west a dark hill rises above the land, and a fortress sits atop it like a black sentinel.
This appears to be the bottom of the Black Hills. The soil underfoot is amazingly fertile, but lies dormant for the time being. Very little can be said about the slope upwards to the west, save for the looming figure of a fortress, its towers pointing like black fingers of death into the skies. East of here is a small encampment, while the slopes north and south are clearly impassable.
This appears to be the middle of the slopes of the Black Hills. The terrain is generally smooth, though a small crevasse runs north to south along a ridgeline. Much of the area is rather quiet, and gives a feeling of uneasy peace between the encampment at the bottom of the hills eastward and the fortress sitting atop the region to the west. North and south, the line of hills continues, but is impassable to those without the proper equipment to scale their heights.
The steep slopes of the Black Hills gradually normalize here towards the top of a sheer plateau. A short distance away to the west lie dark walls, forged of some unknown stone, and a pair of gates adorning their center. To the east, a dizzying drop leads downwards towards a base camp of sorts, while to the north and south tower massive cliffs, unscalable by anything that man could come up with.
This appears to be the main entrance to the Fortress of the Black Hills. Towering ebony gates span the middle of the walls that encircle much of the construction, with exits leading onto the walls north and south from here. The gate itself is adorned with many sigils and symbols, some of them apparently Zhentish in origin. Sentinels on the roof of the fortress seem to be spreading an alarm, so company might soon be here.
This is the northern branch of the security walls of the Fortress of the Black Hills. Put simply, this is a narrow walkway, about the width of two humans, that runs along the top of the walls. The northern area of the fortress is visible to the west, mostly a large stone construct of sorts. To the east, the downhill regions of the Black Hills are visible, but nothing intriguing or interesting lies there.
The walkways along the walls of the keep continue north and south here, curving gradually towards the west. It appears these walls encircle the northern branch of the dark fortress, allowing guards to keep watch both on those within and those without. Much of the northern area is shrouded from view, but a balcony of sorts can be seen, and inside that a small bed chamber. Little stirs within view, which might explain the general lack of guards.
This area of the walls of the keep runs just east of a shrouded balcony, concealed both in shadows and by its positioning on the fortress. To the north and south, this narrow catwalk continues, barely wide enough for the guards to use, and rather impervious to siege. The cliffs drop a long way to the east.
The walls slope inward slightly towards the keep here, turning around the northeast corner just slightly. The northern wall of the fortress is now within view, and is as dull and boring as the eastern wall. To the east of here, a huge chasm drops before the walls, making this place very much invincible to conquest, but there still must be a reason for this catwalk and the guards nearby.
The sloping walls outside the Fortress of the Black Hills end here, intersecting with a vast cliff to the north. The east is similarly impassable, as a sheer drop of several thousand feet meets anyone foolish or daring enough to take the plunge. The fortress itself is visible to the west, a dark bastion of evil looming over the landscape. Narrow catwalks continue to criss-cross the wall, which heads away to the south.
This is the beginning of the southern end of the walls circling the eastern side of the Fortress of the Black Hills. Like their mirror to the north, these walls are made out of reinforced masonry, and somewhat patrolled by Zhentarim fighters. A steep drop awaits those who fall off the walls, down the Black Hills and into a ravine that lies before the wall. Despite this natural obstacle, the guards are on alert.
The walls surrounding the Fortress of the Black Hills run close to the southern part of that keep here. Little is visible of the inside of the fortress, for the lone window available has no illumination behind. Most of these walls are made of magically reinforced stonework, and are garrisoned by sturdy guardsmen. To the east drops a large cliff into a forlorn ravine.
The walls of the fortress continue to wander along a ridgeline placed precariously above a several thousand foot drop into the foothills below. Despite the seemingly impregnable position here, a handful of guards wander the area, though their attention seems more directed towards the bastion just west of here than outside. The walls run north and south.
The walls of the fortress curve inward slightly, approaching the dark towers of the keep a short distance away to the west. On the outside of the defended areas lies a sharp drop to jagged foothills well beneath the normal line of sight. The walls run north and south.
The southern region of the walls of the fortress ends here, running into the rocky cliffs that drop thousands of feet into darkness below. To the north and west of here lies part of the dark keep, a dark shadow on the black sky. East and north of here lie foothills, mostly thousands of feet below as well, but close enough to warrant a small garrison upon the walls.
This is a region of trampled mud just west of the dark gates that mark the entrance to this bastion of evil and decay. Large tracks within that mud serve as notice to what might be inside, given their number it implies it's a large number of somethings. To the north, south, and west, the courtyard continues.
This is the northeastern corner of the inner courtyard. Much of this area lies in the deep shadows cast by the walls to the east of here, and the rest isn't much to look at. A handful of figures congregate near the inner gates to the southwest, but pay this area little attention.
This is the northwest corner of the inner courtyard, leaning up against the outside walls of the Fortress of the Black Hills. A number of large crates and barrels are stacked here, apparently holding such innocuous items as feed for horses and large amounts of cooking supplies. To the south of here lies the main doorway into the fortress.
This is the western end of the inner courtyard of the Fortress of the Black Hills. Just west of here lies the dark structure's main entrance, a black archway leading indoors into further darkness. To the south, east, and north of here, the ground has been trod into mud by the passing of many hundreds of booted feet, a sign that many enemies must lurk within.
This is the southwest corner of the inner courtyard of the fortress. Much of this area lies deserted and unused, and as such the ground is in far better condition here than elsewhere within the courtyard. To the west lies the dark edifice of the fortress, blocking out the skies above and shrouding this area in deep shadow. Little else is noticeable from here.
This region of the courtyard lies between the towering walls of the keep to the west of here and the outer sentry walls to the east. As such, this area is darkened by thick shadows much of the day and little is capable of growing here. Despite the ideal conditions for thievery and other foul deeds that could take place here, the guards nearby pay no attention here, and as such this seems a safe place to rest for a moment. The gates exiting the keep lie just north of here, but they are the lone landmark in view.
This area stands right underneath an arch built of black marble, which glows softly despite its dark shading. As such, this area is rather protected from the elements, at least when the wind is blowing the right way. Just west of here lies a large pair of double doors leading into the fortress itself. To the east lies the inner courtyard, a large area of trampled mud and weeds.
This appears to be the main foyer of the Fortress of the Black Hills. The room itself is rather plain, though both the north and south walls seem to have illustrations upon them. To the east of here lies a large double door, and west of here a dark corridor leads further into the keep.
This hallway is cloaked in thick shadows, partially magical in nature given that areas of the room seem brightly lit. The main corridor itself leads east and west, seemingly the main thoroughfare through the keep. To both the north and south, lesser branches vanish into the gloom, shrouding their endpoints in mystery.
A rickety staircase, hastily built and poorly maintained, is the only significant feature of the hallways here. The corridor is dark enough that it seems impossible to see far in either direction, and not even to the top of the stairs without magical aid. The air is still, and it is very quiet here.... too quiet in fact.
The hallway is cloaked in darkness here, and a slight chill runs through the air as well. That chill might emanate from the stone stairs that lead downward, probably into some sort of dungeon from the odor. The hallway itself runs east and west, heavily shadowed in each direction and as such visibility seems cut to a minimum.
A thick stench of decay flows into the corridor from the west, making one wonder what lies there and who could stand such a place. The hallway also leads east, disappearing into darkness just a couple of yards away. Other than that, there is quite little to say about this place.
This is a large antechamber, lying just south of one of the great wings of the fortress. The room is sparsely decorated, and poorly lit, but through the gloom a handful of runes are visible along the walls. Beneath large runes depicting the crest of Zhentil Keep and the image of Shar, Mistress of the Night is a third unknown rune, but likely has some connection to the group whose headquarters are to the north. It's silent in here for now, but that can't last for long with enemies near.
The hallway is constructed from a very black marble here, absorbing what little light there is and making it very difficult to find one's way. To the east and west of here are large rooms, with furnishings for many within each. To the north, the area opens up into a large room, lit from some inner source it seems, and bustling with activity. The exit from this wing of the fortress lies south.
This is a rather austere chamber, bunk beds lining either wall as if this were a barracks room. In the center of the room lie several tables, holy symbols of Shar discarded here and there across it. The room itself is not lit, implying whatever uses it has good night vision of a sort. Doorways appear in the eastern and western walls.
This is the back room of the eastern barracks of the Brotherhood of the Night. Only a few beds are scattered about the room, providing far better comfort than the main room to the west of here. Obviously, this is where the lesser captains of the brotherhood take their rest, though the room seems deserted now.
This dark room seems like a barracks at first and second glance. A number of crudely assembled beds take up most of the floorspace, with small tables, chests, and trunks scattered about holding the personal effects of anyone who uses this room. An incense burner hangs suspended from the ceiling, burning something that lets off a rather putrid odor. In the east and west walls are doorways, leading further into or out of the barracks area and the keep.
This appears to be a relatively lavish chamber reserved as the sleeping quarters for the moderately powerful priests of the Brotherhood of the Night. A large portrait of the dark goddess Shar hangs from one wall, emitting darkness and a feeling of evil and doom. The only exit out of this room is to the east, and it's starting to seem like a good idea to use it before the priests return and find undoubtedly unwelcome guests.
This is the southern entrance into the main chamber of the Brotherhood of the Night. Much of the room is done in black marble, reflecting and enhancing the darkness that seeks to drown out the few light sources in this area. The chamber expands greatly to the east, west, and north, the latter direction seemingly the front of the room where most major activity takes place. A small hallway can be seen to the south.
This is the southeast corner of the main chamber. A handful of chairs and tables are strewn about, probably used for the leaders of the clan here to hold less formal and more private meetings with their underlings. To the north and west, this vast chamber opens up, and is a bit more brightly lit than here as well. Dark figures seem to be moving about the shadows.
This is the eastern end of the main chambers of the Brotherhood of the Night. A handful of carved benches rest upon the marble floor, most likely the main seating for public meetings or prayer sessions when those events are held. Along the east wall is a heavy, oaken door, probably the entrance to some important chamber. To the west of here, and somewhat to the south and north as well, the main chamber continues.
This is one of the dark corners of the main chambers. Only a few lights glow here, causing deep shadows to be cast about. Those shadows seem to be moving as well, though what moves within cannot be seen. To the west and south of here lies most of the main chamber, with heavy doors seen along the outer walls of the room in each direction.
This is the front of the main chamber of the Brotherhood of the Night. A small altar lies here, dedicated to the evil goddess Shar, immortal matron of the Night and Darkness. Some putrid incense simmers in a small brazier on the altar. To the north lies a heavy door, barring access beyond this end of the chamber. The room opens up in the other three directions.
This is the center of the main chamber of this portion of the keep. A number of benches and other assorted seats are arranged in neat rows, implying that this place is often used for audiences and general meetings of the Brotherhood that calls the north wing home. In all visible directions, the audience chamber expands, though it falls into thick shadows. Those shadows seem to be moving, and don't entirely seem friendly either....
This is the western end of the main chamber. The chamber seems to be unused in this portion in the very least, and serves more as the passage to the private quarters of some of the leaders, at least according to the runes along the heavy oaken door hanging in the wall. This area is cloaked in thick shadows, some of which are moving. To the east is a more well-lit area, while north and south continues to follow the western wall of this room.
This appears to be one of the back corners of the central chamber of the Brotherhood of the Night. Much of the chamber is covered in thick shadows, shrouding much and preventing anyone from spying in this region of the room. The room spreads out to the north and east, but no other exits are in sight.
A handful of seats are scattered around this dark corner of the central chamber, allowing the members of the brotherhood some rest when they pass through here. Other than that, there is quite little to notice about this chamber other than the view of the raised dais just east of here. The room continues south and east.
This appears to be a small room, sparsely furnished by whomever uses this as sleeping quarters. A handful of tapestries decorate the north wall, depicting Shar, matron immortal protector of the Brotherhood in her evil glory. A heavy door in the west wall seems to be the only exit, though the curtains near a window on the east wall billow in with the force of a strong wind keeping them in motion.
This is a rickety balcony hanging several dozen feet above the courtyards of the Fortress of the Black Hills. Overhead, a storm of great power and turbulence rumbles, bolts of golden lightning shattering the darkness now and then. Other than the doorway into the room to the west, there seem to be no obvious exits.
This is a small room just off the main chambers of the Brotherhood of the Night. Few items decorate this room, though a small table and a handful of chairs around it occupy the center of the room. In both the north and south walls, heavy doors lead into private quarters of the lieutenants of this clan, while to the east a door leads into the main rooms of the Brotherhood.
This is a lavishly decorated bedroom, decked out in luxuries for the lieutenant blessed with this spot as his own. A large bed seems to take up half the room, covered in satin sheets and fluffy pillows. A desk of rare and expensive wood lies along one wall, maps and other mysterious tomes spread along it. A gold statuette of some dark deity lies in one corner, incense burning in front of it. The only exit out of this decadence is to the north, into a small foyer room.
This is a mid-sized bedchamber, seemingly used for sleeping and not a whole lot more. Two beds lie on opposite sides of the room, each rather bare, as if comfort didn't matter to the occupants. A large table lies in the center of the room, and a chessboard lies upon it, some game halfway finished. A slight odor of tobacco hangs over the room, but little else seems to be of any importance.
A large table with several maps spread across it dominates the room, taking up at least half and making walking through here a most difficult proposition. A number of figurines on the map and scrawled notes seem to indicate that this is used for planning sorties and raids of sorts, implying that these Zhentarim don't intend to stay out of regional affairs for long. Doors hang in the north and south walls, allowing access to other parts of the keep.
This is a well-furnished room, apparently that of the leader of the Brotherhood of the Night by the looks of things. A small bed lies in one corner of the room, taking up little space and generally out of the way. A hardwood desk takes up much of the center of the room, with a mess of papers scattered across it in a haphazard fashion. To the south lies a large door leading back into the rest of the keep.
The corridor comes to an end here, running into a blank wall on the east side. Like most of the rest of these passages, it's pitch dark in here, and an evil black fog seems to hang over everything.
This seems to be a rather evil looking corridor. For one thing, a thick black mist seems to hang over everything, cutting visibility to a minimum. Two, the shadows seem to be moving in a most menacing fashion. Ignoring that, the corridor seems to run east and west, with little in sight.
The black marble corridor continues east and west here, disappearing into the darkness from which it seems to emerge from. A dark fog hangs over everything, creating a great chill in the air and disguising any beings that might be moving through the area. Exits lie east and west.
The dark corridor continues east and west here, slicing through the dark fog as it wanders through the backways of the keep. Ominous sounds seem to echo through the region, and the shadows themselves seem to be shifting in a most unpleasant fashion. Nothing else seems to be overly noticeable.
An evil fog flows over the black marble corridor here, reducing visibility and bringing a feeling of trepidation to all those that wander through the area. It seems the fog is hiding something, as the shadows seem to shift when one isn't quite looking right at them. The corridor continues east and west, disappearing into the mist and gloom.
This narrow corridor branches off the main hallway from the north and seems to be leading into a well-lit area just south of here. The walls are made of a carefully constructed black marble, polished to a somewhat bright sheen. Two tapestries hang from each wall, one representing the insignia of the Zhentarim, and the other the symbol of Oghma, god of bards and knowledge. Unlike much of the rest of the keep, this area seems rather peaceful, almost welcoming guests who aren't intending to destroy that which lies within.
The corridor branches into four different paths here, leading off in each of the major compass directions. The area is well enough lit that one can see small rooms just off the main hallway, which runs north and south, and the entrance to what seems like a library to the south. To the north, the hallway runs into a thick darkness after a dozen yards or so, so what lies out there is a mystery.
This seems to be a small antechamber, somewhat used as living quarters by one of the members of the clan that calls this area home. A small bed lies in one corner, and a desk takes up most of one side of the room with parchments spread out across it - probably a research project. The lone exit from this room lies to the east.
This appears to be a small chamber just off the main corridor, perhaps living quarters for one of the members of the clan that calls this area home. Like the antechamber on the other side of the hallway just west of here, this is sparsely furnished, with a simple bed and desk sufficing as furniture. A small bronze statue of Oghma lies in one corner.
This appears to be the entrance to the great library of the Fortress of the Black Hills. A small sign overhead seems to bear some sort of welcoming message. The hallway runs north and south, the latter leading into the heart of the library itself, and the former out into the rest of the keep.
This appears to be a small intersection within the heart of the library itself. A small sign overhead helps to direct people to the topics that interest them, while rows of shelves start here, just east of here, and just west of here as well. The air is a slight bit dusty, but that seems to be only a minor discomfort.
This is a narrow row of bookshelves, with precious little space left to walk through after the table in the area is considered. On the table itself is an open book, looking freshly scribed given the wet ink. Many old parchments and scrolls lie in cases along the shelves on the east and west sides of the room, magically capped so that one cannot open them without permission of the Black Robes. The shelves continue north and south.
The narrow rows of bookshelves continue here. Like much of the rest of the library, a small table lies here, with scrolls scattered across it. This area seems permeated with immense knowledge, and the books that line the shelves above probably contain more knowledge than is possessed by any great mage of the realms (save Elminster). A handful of robed figures shuffle through, ignoring all in their continued pursuit of knowledge.
The rows of shelves continue from the north here, though they come to an end shortly south of here. In between lie a handful of small reading tables, with piles of books for research stacked upon them. Some acolyte of the Black Robes has even left one open and easily readable from nearby, probably his or her present project. It might be interesting and useful to know what lies within....
This appears to be the back area of the library, with the north-south paths of the shelves interrupted by a crossing corridor leading east and west from here. To the south lies an open reading area, with several chairs and tables scattered to allow acolytes a quiet place to study and reflect upon their learnings. To the north lies the repository of great knowledge that these followers of Oghma keep.
This appears to be the reading room of the great library of the Black Robes. On each wall, a large glowing rune representing the immortal of knowledge glows with an inner light, casting enough glow for one to see by. A handful of robed figures occupy some of the tables, conducting their own research as they wish, undisturbed by the others for the most part. The only exit lies north.
This appears to be the back corner of the library. The shelves that line the outside of the room are primarily empty and unused, at least until more knowledge is acquired to fill them. To the north appears to be a vast collection of books and scrolls, while to the west of here lies another region of the library.
Parallel rows of shelves bracket this north-south aisle running through the eastern side of the library. Most of the shelves seem to be about half full of tattered scrolls, probably all about boring subjects. A book seems to have fallen off a shelf and is lying unattended, even unnoticed by the wandering acolytes of the Black Robes.
The bookshelves continue lining the east and west sides of the walls here. Most of the eastern shelves are empty and amazingly dust-free even though they seem to lack regular use. A handful of black-robed figures whisk through checking scrolls and books, but generally not doing anything out of the ordinary, if they even notice anything outside their own private worlds. A large tome seems to beckon one from those shelves that do contain information.
This appears to be the northern end of the bookshelves along the eastern wall of the library of the Black Robes. A dim glow shines down from above, illuminating musty tomes and a small reading table, on which a freshly inked scroll has been spread to dry. Little else seems to be of note here.
The library reaches its northeast corner here, turning north and west into dusty corridors that reach other sections of the great library. A handful of aged scrolls sit untouched upon shelves, though they seem bound by powerful magical sigils, preventing all but the most powerful of sages from devouring the contents within. A handful of black-robed figures shuffle through, but they seem to have their concerns directed elsewhere, as they move on shortly.
This seems to be a dark, back corner of the library. Very little in the way of books and tomes sit along the shelves, implying that the Black Robes still have much to do before they possess a complete library. Very little seems out of the ordinary, though an acolyte or two often passes through from time to time.
This appears to be a shadowed area of the shelves. Very little light falls down upon this place, perhaps to better preserve the ancient and yellowed scrolls that occupy slots along the western shelves. A handful of new books line the eastern wall of this corridor, though one sticks out halfway, almost as if trying to draw attention to itself.
This is a rather barren section of the shelves, at least in the way one would consider relative empty and full of a library. It's almost as if this is the reserve area of the Black Robes' archives, and those archives are awaiting fresh tomes from elsewhere. A book has fallen off a nearby shelf, and lies on a floor near the eastern area of this passage. A low chanting comes from nearby, perhaps behind the loose shelf along the eastern wall.
This appears to be the southern shelves of the western wing of the library. A handful of acolytes stumble through, stocking the shelves slowly, with both old scrolls and newer books. A scroll seems to have slipped off one shelf, and lies half-opened near a pile of books as of yet unstacked. No one seems to notice it, yet....
This is the back corner of the library. Much of this area lies rather unused, as the thick piles of dust would seem to indicate. A rat or two scurries out of view when light comes nearby, but they don't seem overly worried that they will be driven out yet. Perhaps it's a sign that this would be as close as one gets to a sanctuary in this dark keep of the Zhentarim. Shelves lie north and east of here.
This room seems like a smaller version of a library, somewhat used as living quarters and a spellcasting chamber as well. Shelves of magical tomes lie on three of the four walls, the fourth being occupied by a desk and a small sofa, used for sleeping. Much of the floor has a large, silver pentagram etched in the middle, somewhat blackened but obviously a summoning circle of some power. The thick odor of incense hangs in the room, probably a spellcasting component for demon summonings.
This is a generally small room, cluttered somewhat by the amount of junk the occupant seems to be trying to squeeze back here. A small blue globe floats about ten feet off the ground, shedding a warm glow over the whole room. Many scrolls and books have been tossed aside from the table in the center of the room, though a far larger pile remains to yet be examined by the owner. It must be some important work, for anything unopened seems to crackle with mysterious energies.
This seems to be a dead-end in the labyrinth of passages that lies behind much of the main parts of the Fortress of the Black Hills. A dark, damp fog swirls about, serving to cut what little visibility exists even further. The shadows around the walls seem to stir ominously, as if they didn't like guests very much. The only obvious exit is west.
This narrow passage cuts east and west through the dark marble that probably makes up the outer walls of the keep. Very little is visible through the gloom and mist that swirls in this corridor, just the exits and the moving shadows.
The narrow corridor continues east and west, disappearing into the dark mist from which it seems to appear in the opposite direction. Very little is visible through this mist, in fact, very little at all can be seen in this utter blackness. A feeling of impending danger seems to hang in the air, probably a result of the moving shadows.
The darkened hallway continues east and west into the darkness, quickly fading from sight in the limited visibility. A rolling black mist seems to coat the hallway, not only making it hard to see, but lowering the temperature considerably, and hiding anything that might be moving in the shadows. Something seems very wrong here....
The corridor continues here, steadily heading east and west into the continuing darkness. The walls and floor seem to be made of a cold, black marble, serving only to absorb what little light is here. A fine mist hangs over everything, raising the humidity, lowering the temperature, and hiding whatever might be stirring in the shadows. Danger seems to be all about here.
The dark corridor turns here, north to east, as it continues along the outer walls (seemingly) of the Fortress of the Black Hills. Much of this area seems to lie deserted, with only the shadows and the mysterious fog to keep one company here. The silence of this corridor is deafening, and if one isn't alone here, it's hard to tell.
This dark corridor continues north and south, cutting through the darkness like a knife. Very little out of the ordinary seems to be here, as this appears to be little more than a labyrinth of passages behind the main walls of the keep. What purpose this area has is a mystery to all, or at least to everyone that doesn't quite belong back here. The shadows seem to be shifting and moving somehow, which doesn't bode well.
The corridor continues north and south here, cutting into the darkness as it continues along the outer walls of the Fortress of the Black Hills. A fine mist hangs over the corridor, impeding visibility and hiding much, while leaving the area cold and dank. A vague sense of danger seems to be about as well.
The corridor here continues north and south, almost emerging from the dense, black fog that drapes the corridor and disappearing back into it a few dozen paces later. Much of the area is hidden from view, as the combination of the fog and black stonework makes it hard to see much of anything without a good light. Shadows also lay thick over everything, serving only to cloak whatever evil intentions might lie within those who hide there.
This corridor continues north and south, following what is probably the outer wall of the keep. The area is dark and shadowy, and visibility is further reduced by the swirling mist that collects in the air. As a result, this area is very cold and damp, and it's very hard to tell what might be lurking in the shadows, and what its intention might be.
Black marble walls absorb much if not all of the light here, leaving this corridor plunged into murky darkness. With the lack of visibility, it is virtually impossible to tell what lies in the shadows, and why it is there. A mist also hangs over the corridor, making this area of the keep that much more unpleasant.
The corridor continues east and west here, plunging into thick darkness just west of here. The masonry seems to be made of black marble, polished to quite a sheen. The putrid odor seems to be getting stronger from the west, now strong enough to make those weak of stomach seriously ill.
The corridor turns here, east to north, as it progresses deeper into the keep. Glowing runes on the wall provide the only light for the area, with symbols representing both the Zhentarim and the dark deity Cyric having prominence. The sour odor gets increasingly stronger here, as if one were getting close to the source. All in all, it seems rather revolting.
The putrid odor grows stronger here, obviously coming from the west, which would most likely house the inner chambers of the Deathriders. The hallways are dark and exude an aura of distinct evil, making those who do not have the owner's approval most unwelcome.
The corridor continues running east and west here, through the inky darkness that seems to permeate this area. Much of the area is rather chilly, and a bit smelly as well, as if some grisly ritual were going on nearby and this were a side effect. Other than a lack of light causing very thick shadows, and cracks in the southern wall in the general shape of a door, there is nothing of note here.
The corridor bends here, leading away east and south deeper into the keep. The area is very dark, a result of a general lack of light sources combined with the black stone that the hallway is constructed of. An extraordinarily horrible smell hangs in the air, though its source cannot be seen.
The hallway continues north and south through this area of the fortress. Much of the area is extraordinarily dark, possibly even magical in nature due to the lack of even dim light. A revolting smell is in the air, quite possibly a byproduct of some dark ritual the Deathriders perform on a regular basis, and quite enough to make one rather ill.
The dark hallway continues its twists and turns deeper into the Fortress of the Black Hills here. Like much of the rest of this area, a dark stone, perhaps black marble, has been used for the construction materials of this corridor, absorbing what little light may exist and plunging this area into total darkness. A putrid odor hangs in the air, perhaps the result of some dark ritual. A doorway has been cut out of the eastern wall.
This seems to be another of those short stretches of straight corridor that appears every so often within the Deathriders' domain. Like the rest of the area, there is very little light, if any, by which to see, making traversal of this area a long and arduous task. The awful odor in the air seems to be getting stronger to the west. Small streams of light shine through the wall to the north.
The corridor turns here, north to east, as it continues deeper into the fortress. Very little light shines upon this spot, what little there is coming from the west, only to be quickly absorbed by the thick shadows and black marble walls. A foul odor continues to waft down the hallway, seemingly from the north, and its increasing strength implies that the source might be nearby.
The dark hallway continues north and south, cutting deeper into the private area of the Deathriders. A horrible odor hangs heavily in the air, strong enough to make even the strongest of people pause. Only scarce amounts of light shine over the area, most of it absorbed by the shadows and walls of the corridor, thus cutting visibility to a minimum.
The pungent, but foul, odor grows stronger here, being carried through the stale air by a light breeze from the west. The hallway seems to brighten a slight bit to the west as well, as if a little bit of light were escaping through cracks in the fine wall, such as is occurring just east of here. Other than that, the hallway continues to the south, but nothing is noticeable in that direction.
The dark corridor winds a narrow path east and west through the black keep here. The horrific odor is incredibly strong here, and seems to be coming from somewhere nearby, though exactly where remains a mystery. A bit of light seeps into the area, primarily from the west where a door can be seen around the next bend. Other than that, nothing is really out of the ordinary here.
This is another turn in the seemingly endless hallways of the domain of the Deathriders. A handful of the marble tiles in the floor seem to be a bit loose, as if they weren't fastened properly when this place was built. To the east of here, a really awful smell hangs in the air, though who or what is creating it is uncertain. To the south of here, the hall seems to be lighting up a bit.
This appears to be just about the western terminus of the black hallways here within the keep. Along the west wall lies a heavy door, solidly constructed and apparently having withstood some siege recently. To the south of here lies a small cubby, while to the north lies the rest of the corridor. From the latter direction comes a really bad smell, almost like the side effects of a magical experiment gone wrong.
This appears to be a small cubby set in the end of the black corridor. Very little light shines here, just the leftover of what comes from the north. A handful of empty crates lie discarded, their contents ransacked and taken away for whatever purpose might lie ahead. A somewhat strong odor of some sorts fills the hallway, it really is rather sickening.
This is a very richly appointed bedroom, perhaps the biggest picture of decadence one will find in this corner of the world. Many priceless treasures lie scattered about like tenpins, unloved and unused, almost stored here as if for future sale, when the owner feels like it. A small door lies hidden beneath tapestries in the northern wall.
This little room seems to be a bit of the sanctuary from the chaos of the rest of the world. It is unearthly silent in here, so much so that this must be the perfect place for reading or even taking a nap. The latter could probably be done on the feather bed that lies along one wall.... from the impression, someone uses it quite a bit. A door lies to the west.
This room seems to be pitch black, so much in fact that it's impossible to see much of anything that's in here. Anyone walking around in here would trip over enough loose debris to make listeners think a war had broken out, given the mess. A small doorway leads out into the hallway to the south.
This is as clean and pristine a place that one could possibly find in such a bastion of darkness and evil such as the Fortress of the Black Hills. In fact, this place is spotless, scrubbed down to the last tile on the marble floor, and all the walls are freshly painted. It's so clean, one might think their mother had forced them to do it.
Large incense candles burn steadily from each corner of this room, casting eerie shadows that play across the whole of this room. The incense also provides a most pungent odor, making it easy for one to relax and forget that they are within the bastion of a most evil force. Just in case though, a handful of bloody knives hang along one wall, and the shadows beneath almost seem to be in motion.
This seems as weird a place as might exist in the realms. Various hues of faerie fire flicker in and out all along the walls, making the room constantly seem to change color before one's eyes. A handful of interesting carvings and trophies line the walls, though they seem to have very little in common with one another. All this seems to be done in an effort to confuse guests and put them back on their toes, and it's probably having that effect right now.
If there is a lap of luxury in the fortress, this must be it. Apparently the master decorator had a budget somewhere along the size of the treasury of a mid-sized kingdom, and used it all in providing the utmost in comfort for the resident of this room. The large bed in the corner (complete with satin sheets) shows signs of frequent use, and the trails through the dust indicate a steady parade of guests coming in and out.
This dark hallway continues to run along the inside of the outer walls of the Fortress of the Black Hills. A cold, damp fog hangs in this area, further cutting what little visibility exists to almost nothing. The shadows in this area are thick and dark, and surely hide many evil and malicious things.
This dark hallway continues north and south here, disappearing swiftly into the darkness from which it came. Very little can be seen through the swirling mists and the deep shadows, which almost seem to suck any of the light out of this place that might already exist. Some shuffling can be heard beyond one of the walls.
A cold, dark, and damp fog lies over this region of hallways, blocking much of what might lie in the distance of one's line of sight. Instead, the fog only serves to reinforce the shadows and darkness that close in here, preventing anyone from seeing more than a few yards away. The shadows seem to be moving, implying something less than friendly lurks within, waiting for the right moment to strike.
The black corridor continues north and south along the outer walls of the keep here. Much of the area is very dark, and damp as well, probably from the mist swirling about concealing much of what lies more than a few paces away. The shadows are thick as well, and movement within them suggests that one is not alone.
The passageway begins to approach a turn in the distance to the north, though how distant is unknown given the swirling fog making it hard to tell distance. The fog also seems to absorb most of the scant light in the area, making it hard to see, and impossible to tell who else might be around here, and their intentions. The corridor also continues south.
The black corridor turns here, leading off east and south into the thickening shadows. Visibility is at a very low point here, both from the general lack of light and the swirling fog that hangs in the air. There is very little else worth noticing or mentioning about this area.
The corridor continues east and west into darkness here, both through a thick, black mist and through heavy shadows. Those shadows seem unusually dense, especially given the lack of light, as if something was in them. Visibility is rather low, making it impossible to see what lies either ahead or behind.
The passageway continues along the inside of the outer walls of the Fortress of the Black Hills here, running almost due east and west. A cold and damp fog hangs over much of the area, absorbing what little light shines here, and making it very hard to find one's way. The shadows too seem unnaturally thick, and they move as if almost alive.
The corridor continues here, fighting the shadows and a mysterious black fog for what little light remains behind these thick walls. Only a small area is visible around here, showing that the corridor simply runs a rather straight course along an east-west line, and doesn't seem to turn or end in the near future.
The black corridor continues here, working along what seems to be the outer wall of the keep. A little bit of light seeps in from the outside where the construction was rather hasty, though the thick shadows prevent one from seeing very much. A thick fog rolls through the corridor as well, obstructing both what lies in the distance, and hiding whatever else might be here.
The passageway continues here, east and west into and out of the thick darkness that seems to cover much of this fortress. Heavy shadows blot out what little light remains, thick enough to swallow many mid-sized creatures and hide them from prying eyes. Those shadows seem to be moving as well, and not in a very friendly way....
The thick black fog and dark shadows continue to cover much of this hallway, making it quite a difficult task to see where one is going and everyone that might stand in his or her way. What can be seen is a rather straight corridor, relatively well built, but almost as a bit of an afterthought. Something seems to be moving in the shadows, and given the nature of this place, it's probably not friendly either.
This is a narrow corridor, leading north away from here, and containing a staircase down. This has all the feel of a typical dungeon, as it's moldy and not very well kept. Very little can be seen or heard from here, though a room lies in the distance to the north. The sound of heavy boots can be heard echoing through the ceiling.
This is a damp, dusty corridor, leading through the upper level of the fortress. A handful of tapestries slowly rot on the east and west walls, depicting the sigils of Zhentil Keep and the Zhentarim in bold, dark colors. To the north appears to be a large pair of doors, probably leading into somewhere important.
This is the northern end of the small corridor on the upper level of the keep. The air seems a bit damp, and musty, like the climate one might find in more fashionable dungeons beneath the earth. A few bloodstains mar the stonework on the floor, as if someone or something was attacked here, but not overly recently.
Large rows of benches have been set into the stonework of the floor here, all facing north towards what appears to be the main part of this council room. Right now, the seats are generally unoccupied, as if the council were either not in session, or in private meetings. A large set of double doors lies south of here, leading outside the room, while an enormous table lies north.
A large table takes up most of the room, and is presently covered with a handful of maps and papers. Seats are arranged around most of said table, though a large indentation without a chair appears at the head of it. It's very puzzling, but probably not something to be answered here or now. The council chamber extends southward.
The bottom of these stone stairs opens up into what looks like a primitive cellblock. A narrow, stone corridor leads to the west, apparently between a double row of cells whose doors appear on the north and south walls. Above here lies the main keep, though this part of it looks to be quite deserted.
Moldy stone walls mark the edges of this corridor through the jail section of the Fortress of the Black Hills. Rusty iron doors lead north and south into individual cells, though neither looks occupied here at a glance. The corridor itself looks like it too could use some upkeep, as loose stones are a bit of a hazard to walk through. To the east lies the entrance to the cell block, and stairs leading out of this place.
This appears to be a rather ordinary jail cell. Much of the work seems to be fitted stonework, though old and decrepit enough that its rotting and mold is a common sight. To the south lies a rusted, but still strong, iron door barring access outside this small room. The skeletal remains of a former inmate lie scattered across the room.
The stonework of this jail cell is rather unmarred by decay and other forms of rot, probably a testament to the lack of usage of this particular spot. A neat straw bed still lies in the corner, letting off a heady smell as if it were still fresh. The air is a bit stale, but that can be expected in any place where air isn't permitted to circulate freely.
This is the western end of the cell block within the jail of the Zhentarim Keep. Most of the area is rather cramped, with a low ceiling not helping matters. Jail cells are on both the north and south walls, heavy iron doors preventing easy escape from either. A handful of torches burn slowly, illuminating a path to the east.
The best way to describe this cell would be to call it a cesspool of rotting filth and decay. A large pile of hay, perhaps once used as a bedpile by some unfortunate inmate, lies in one corner, with rats tearing chunks from it for their sustenance. The odor in here is overpowering, almost reminding one of a morgue. A door lies to the south, but it's unlikely the Zhentarim would want one out of here.
This jail cell looks almost luxurious, at least as far as jail cells tend to go. A small cot is perched in one corner, and other assorted bits of furniture are scattered about the room. From the candlelight shining from across the room, it looks like this is semi-permanent living quarters, at least as far as the Zhentarim would allow. A thick steel door lies on the north wall, strong enough to prevent any attempt at exit.
This appears to be a small room hidden behind the jail within the fortress. The area is rather cramped by discarded items of all shapes and sizes, and all useless. A small grate has been set into the floor, providing ventilation, and probably an escape route in an emergency.
This appears to be a dank passageway, far beneath the surface of the earth. Light is almost non-existent here, as what few torches line the walls sputter in the lack of fresh air. A grate lies in the ceiling of the room, leading back upwards towards daylight.
This appears to be the back end of the catacombs beneath the keep, at least for now. A pile of digging tools lies in one corner, along the west wall, tossed there when the last batch of slaves was probably herded out. A large statue of Manshoon, Lord of Zhentil Keep, has been left in the center of the room.
An awful smell pervades this rather cramped room, deep within the bowels of the earth. Several decaying bodies lie in the corner, some partially eaten by the carrion that must roost down here. The area is almost pitch black, with no obvious light sources nearby. A heavy wooden door has been set into the eastern wall, though what the Zhentarim might want to put further down here is a great mystery.
Ethereal runes flicker along the walls of this room, implying that some long dead wizard must have once used it for spellcasting. Now, very little is left of this place, as rubble is strewn about everywhere, including within the sacred pentagram that lies in the center of the room. The structure seems rather unstable, making an exit through the door to the west seem like a safe bet.
This seems to be the entrance to a stables area underneath the western wing of the Fortress of the Black Hills. Fresh air seems to flow through the area, both from the west, and through the roof above. A handful of equine forms can be seen through the shadows to the west of here, though they don't make any noise.
A narrow dirt trail leads between a handful of stalls lining either side of this east-west path. The air seems vaguely smoky, but not in a way that implies fire is nearby, but instead strong magic. Through the light haze, equine forms can be seen treading in the shadows.
A small lamp hangs from a beam in the ceiling, illuminating this area of the stables slightly. Through a pale, smoky mist, a handful of stalls for horses can be seen, only whatever lies within them keeps to the shadows to avoid undue notice. To the east seems to be the exit, though a fresh breeze blows in from the opposite direction.
This is a narrow, filthy stall, very much like the ones that farmers use for their horses. The area here is smoky in a mysterious way, and it causes many in here to feel lightheaded. The shadows are also rather thick, given the lack of inside light.
This is a very cramped stall, obviously used to house some sort of beast. The odor in here is overpowering, and enough to make many a person retch in horror. The shadows are very thick, and the swirling smoke from somewhere doesn't help visibility any. An exit appears to be to the north.
This is another of the row of cramped stalls running along the edge of the Deathriders stables. By and large, this is a filthy and vermin ridden place, though some darker force seems to be about as well. This stall doesn't benefit from regular cleaning either, making the exit through the doorway to the south an attractive option.
This is a rather small stall set into the rockface of the caverns beneath the Fortress of the Black Hills. The air is very stale, and carries a rather putrid odor, probably the result of a lack of cleaning and other maintenance here. The air is a bit smoky, and seems to make one lightheaded. There is a small opening to the north.
This is a narrow and rocky ledge, just hanging off the cliffs that the keep perches on several dozen feet above. There is very little room to maneuver here, though there are several dozen hoof prints indicating that something comes out here regularly. To the east lies a narrow stone corridor, with multiple exits within view. Below is only a deep drop into nothingness.
This seems to be an ingeniously secluded chamber, probably a dozen or more feet beneath the hallways of the keep. This room is set up as a chamber where Zacharius and his lackeys can freely torture whomever they might like, as all sorts of devices lie scattered about the room. Small chambers have been carved out of the western and eastern walls, and a door seems to lead into a jail cell to the north.
A maniacal laughter echoes throughout this device as you enter. The door swiftly slams shut behind you, thrusting several freshly polished spikes into your body. The last thought before your mind goes dark is that you'll get even with the Zhentarim, one way or another.
This is a rather well-kept prison cell, all things considered. It is relatively clean, has fresh air flowing through small windows in the ceiling, and even is lit from above by a blue nimbus. All things considered, this is probably where Zacharius keeps his "guests" while deciding what to do with them. The room shows signs of recent habitation, so the great warrior must have been busy.
This is a small chamber, used as a combination office and bedchamber. A handful of swords and scythes decorate the wall, though other than that there really aren't any ornaments to look at. A slight odor of sulfur wafts through, as if something were burning. To the west lies a dark chamber.
This appears to be the master torturer's supply closet. It's filled with all sorts of grisly devices that little children probably shouldn't use at home, at least not without adult supervision. Stains of blood lie everywhere, as if the previous occupants weren't very careful with what they did here.
This looks like the roof of the fortress. Wide stone battlements spread out in all directions, allowing guards to view threats from all sides of the keep with but a few steps in any direction. The air is a bit chilly up here, probably an effect of the altitude.
This is the northwest corner of the battlements. The view from here isn't overly spectacular, just showing a series of cliffs and valleys that extend into the mountains near the keep. As a result, generally there aren't too many guards here, though they are rather alert.
This area of the Zhentish battlements overlooks the cliffs region just north of the Fortress. The area seems a bit quiet though, and even the wind has gone silent, making one check their weapons twice and glance around for hidden danger. None seems to be in the immediate vicinity though.
This area of the battlements region seems a bit poorly constructed, as loose stonework is everywhere, falling apart rather slowly. Out in the distance, one can see distant mountains, some even capped with snow to the north. To the east, one can stare down at the main land approach to the keep, which makes this a most valuable post to maintain.
This area of the battlements is a bit cold, as a chill wind blows in off the snowcapped mountains to the north. Despite this, it appears the Zhentish keep this post well manned, for the best view of the overland approaches lies here, with forest and tundra within view. To the west of here appears to be the exit down into the keep, for when the guards' shifts are done.
It's a bit cold up here, with a chill wind blowing across the roof of the keep, but the guards around don't seem to mind. From here, one can see the edge of the populated lands of Daleville to the southeast, though not enough detail to pick out very much. Still, the Zhentarim must enjoy this vantage and view, and this might be why they chose this spot to build upon.
This is a rather forlorn region of the battlements. A chill wind blowing straight in from the south at high speed has sent many of the guards fleeing for cover, leaving the area rather empty. From here, the southern wing of the keep is visible, and beyond that the dark forests that lie across the land.
This seems to be the corner of the battlements where the whelps of the guards are consigned to, for none of the regulars here seem to even care very much about their jobs. It is not much of a surprise, since very little of even remote interest is visible, just a series of canyons and some dark forest in the distance to the southwest. To the east and north, more guards of greater competence are visible.
This is the western end of the rooftop above the Fortress of the Black Hills. Many of the guards seem absent, not much of a surprise given the cool climate and the sharply bitter wind cutting through the ranks. Very little else of any note is visible, as not even the cliffs and valleys to the west can do much to stir one's interest.
This is the middle of a cloudbank overlooking the Black Hills region of Daleville. Some mystical force has provided floors and walls of the clear variety, allowing one to peer down upon the landscape. The fortress itself appears as a darker cross along the dark shape of the Black Hills.