Page 81 - D&D - Player's Handbook

DARKHOLD CASTLE instance, I have no idea how they managed to open the
When l first beheld the great black walls of Darkhold, gates for my entrance without the use of magic.
I thought all the legends about it must be true. On my
second visit, I thought I'd try to confirm my suspicions. DENIZENS OF DARKHOLD
According to legend, Darkhold's story began more I didn't see the Pereghost during my visit, so I can't
then a millennium ago, when it was known as the Keep confirm anything about the man. But the seneschal
of the Far Hills. It was built as a summer capitol for the and everyone else with whom I conversed spoke of
the Pereghost in awed tones. Whatever the truth of
so-called "giant empires." Situated in the Far Hills, the
this savior of the Zhentarim, he is apparently too busy
castle was in a position to dominate trade routes north
out of the Iriaebor Valley. It could also dominate river to entertain curious visitors. While at Darkhold, I
heard the name of another leader of some importance,
trade down the Yellow Snake Gorge.
The role of the so-called Giant Emperors is still a Manxam, but my queries about this figure were redi-
matter of conjecture and discussion today. However, rected to other topics, and I didn't feel comfortable
pressing the seneschal on the matter.
there are some, scattered among the giant tribes of the
Of the rest of Darkhold I can relate only a little more.
North, who claim to be heirs to the ancient thrones.
The Zhentarim maintain two war units within Dark-
Whatever the truth of the empires might be, the castle
hold: the Storm Watch, a cadre of veteran Zhentarim
itself was definitely built for giants. Its size and con-
soldiers who act as heavy infantry, and the Gray Feath-
struction support no other explanation.
ers, archers primarily responsible for the defense of
Legend has it that Darkhold was lost to the giants
the fortress.
due to internal strife-a pair of brothers quarreling over
These aren't the only forces Darkhold can bring to
their inheritance. Through poison, magic, and merce-
bear, however. The years when a contingent of giants
naries, the brothers thinned the castle's population until
lived in Darkhold are long gone, but in their place is an
only the brothers themselves were left. The two fought
aerie of wyverns, bred and trained to defend Darkhold
and mortally wounded each other, and each dragged
and to obey the Pereghost. Their trainer is a ranger
himself off to die alone. The brothers' spirits are still
named Grigarr, whose body is pocked with myriad scars
said to stalk the castle, each still seeking his brother's
from wyvern stings. The man is a greedy wretch who
destruction.
claims he is now immune to the wyverns' venom, after
The keep was then occupied by a successioh of
having been stung so many times. He loves telling sto-
owners, including a dragon of some repute, but it was
ries in the Rookery about how he got his many stings,
not until a lich claimed it that the castle came to be
and thinks himself an entertaining storyteller because
known as Darkhold. The lich was called Varalla, and
people listen and applaud. The truth is that the locals
supposedly she conjured all manner of evil creatures
are terrified of him, so they humor him while he is
to serve her, sending them out to dominate the lands
in his cups.
beyond and establish an empire of evil. Varalla ruled
Darkhold until the infamous leaders of the old Zhen-
tarim- Manshoon and Fzoul- heard tales of her wealth ELTURGARD
in magic and gold. Lured by the promise of such rich Ah Elturgard! If any place in the world exemplifies
rewards, the pair defeated her and claimed the castle for humanity's potential for greatness, it is this nascent
themselves. nation. Who could forget the shining sight of a host of
Upon my arrival at the great gates to the fortress, I its Companions, paladins all, riding out on the field,
found that I was expected, as I must have been watched banners taught and snapping, breastplates and shields
since entering Darkhold Vale-perhaps even before agleam with the symbol of Elturgard, and each bearing
then. After a short wait, I was met by a seneschal, a a holy symbol of his or her god-armor for the soul. We
forthright woman with a strong handshake, who warmly have no shortage of the good and the just among my
referred to the person who secretly supplied me with the people, but the sheer zeal and genuine bravado the Com-
history of the Zhentarim. I found myself taken aback by panions have in pursuit of righteousness seems to me
this because I had thought my source and I had spoken something uniquely human. And it's not just those few
in confidence. As you no doubt have noticed, I've avoided touched by the gods who seek these high ideals; Eltur-
mentioning the name, gender, or physical description of gard's armed forces swell with men and women who
my source, for I swore an oath of secrecy. Besides my aspire to join the Companions. They are the Hellriders,
initial shock, my exchange with the seneschal was pleas- so named because long ago warriors of Elturel literally
ant, and I was given a tour of some of the mighty castle. rode through a gate into the Nine Hells to pursue and
When I asked about the legends of Darkhold's cre- destroy devils that had been plaguing their people. With
ation and occupation, she told much the same story as I these bright examples to look up to, is it any wonder that
have told, adding a few characters from its history that I the common people of Elturgard also tend to be devout
hadn't heard of before. When asked about castle haunt- in their pursuit of justice and worship of the gods?
ings, the seneschal only smiled in reply. Although it Oh how bright Elturgard's light burns! If only it could
seemed a genuine.smile, I could wring no truth from it. last. Humans are, after all, short-lived creatures, and
Of the castle's defenses, I can say little. My tour was fickle in their faith and attentions. Elturgard is the prod-
limited. But I did note that, while some things on the uct of just a generation or two of humans, and it seems
giants' scale have been modified to suit humans (such as implausible that it will last many more. Sadly, I think I
stairs and most doors), other things remain titanic. For shall witness Elturgard diminish. But it was a miracle
CHAPTER 2 I THE SWORD COAST AND THE NORTH
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