m (fixed link) |
(Citadel of the Raven name corrected so that the link works. was showing no page exists because 'raven' was pluralized to 'ravens' which is incorrect.) Tag: Visual edit |
||
| (10 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Location |
{{Location |
||
| title = |
| title = |
||
| − | | image = [[ |
+ | | image = [[File:Darkhold.jpg|250px|Darkhold]] |
| − | | caption = Darkhold, with |
+ | | caption = Darkhold, with the Pereghost in the foreground. |
| name = Darkhold |
| name = Darkhold |
||
| − | | aliases = |
+ | | aliases = Keep of the Far Hills <br/> Farkeep <br/> Sunset Keep <br/> Wild Hold<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179" /> |
| size = Large castle |
| size = Large castle |
||
| area = [[Western Heartlands]] |
| area = [[Western Heartlands]] |
||
| − | | ruler = |
+ | | ruler = The [[Pereghost]] and [[Dhamir Ercals]] |
| government = Dictatorship |
| government = Dictatorship |
||
| population = |
| population = |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
| alignment = {{alignment grid|off|off|off|off|off|off|on|on|on}} |
| alignment = {{alignment grid|off|off|off|off|off|off|on|on|on}} |
||
}} |
}} |
||
| − | '''Darkhold''', originally called ''' |
+ | '''Darkhold''', originally called the''' Keep of the Far Hills''', was the western stronghold of the [[Zhentarim]], located near the [[Sunset Mountains]] in the [[Western Heartlands]].<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179">{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast|177-179}}</ref> |
| + | ==Description== |
||
| ⚫ | Darkhold was led by the [[Pereghost]], who commanded its 800 warriors, and [[Dhamir Ercals]], who led the resident [[clerics]] of Cyric. Though both leaders were servants of |
||
| + | The Darkhold was situated on the side of the mountain known as the [[Grey Watcher]] or alternately, the Grey Watcher of the Morning. The fortress itself was made of a black stone that had been fused together by some unknown means and was not native to the region. This led some to believe it was formed by elementals summoned by a [[Netheril]] [[sorcerer]].<ref name="FGCS-CotR-p37">{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Set/Cyclopedia of the Realms|37}}</ref> |
||
| + | |||
| + | The Darkhold was huge and could house over a thousand men, but it was believed to have been originally built for and occupied by giants. Tunnels and rooms were bored into the side of the mountain to serve as escape routes and storage chambers, and perhaps some secret tunnels were the home of the ancient sorcerer-turned-[[lich]] who originally had the castle built.<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179" /><ref name="FGCS-CotR-p37" /> |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
| + | Giants were thought to be the original inhabitants of the castle. There is some debate whether or not these giants were slaves to Netheril mages, but regardless, when the Netheril empire fell, the giants continued to occupy Darkhold. The Giant-Emperors raided the surrounded lands including the [[Tunlands]] and the [[halfling]] lands of [[Sunset Vale]]. They did so until they fell to in-fighting among themselves. It was thought that two rival giant-princes vied for the throne and slew their father, all of the other giant occupants, and eventually each other. Rumors persisted that the princes haunted the castle, whispering conspiracies into any current occupants' ears and setting them against each other.<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179" /> |
||
| − | ===Construction=== |
||
| + | |||
| − | Darkhold was built to suit giant sized humanoids.<ref name="VoloSC-p177">{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast|177}}</ref> Some said that the looming castle was built a millennium prior to 1370 DR by [[giant]]s as a summer capital for the [[Giant Empires]].{{fact}} |
||
| ⚫ | Darkhold remained empty until [[Othlong Blackhelm]], also known as the "Robber Lord", made the keep his home. [[Angarn Surfyst]] slew Othlong via treachery and used the keep as a base for his brigands. Known only to history via his self-proclaimed title, the [[Wolf Knight]] was a follower of Angarn until he slew him and took his place.<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179" /> |
||
| − | <br/><br/> |
||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | [[Othlong Blackhelm]], also known as the "Robber Lord", made the keep his home. [[Angarn Surfyst]] slew Othlong via treachery and used the keep as a base for his brigands. Known only to history via his self-proclaimed title, the [[Wolf Knight]] was a follower of Angarn until he slew him and took his place.<ref name="VoloSC-p177" /> |
||
| ⚫ | [[Sarunn Thoon]], who was best described in the ballad ''[[The Witch of the Far Cold Hill]]'', was originally a captive of the Wolf Knight until she slew him in his bedchamber and took over the helm of the brigands. [[Mind flayer]]s killed Sarunn and held the brigands in service until they died, but the white dragon [[Cryomantipelica]] crushed the mind flayers and laired there until killed by [[Harristor Thunderswing]]. Harristor did not occupy the castle and it fell to a roaming [[beholder]] and a [[leucrotta]] at various times.<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179" /> |
||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | Brigands once again took over the castle at some point after that, but they were slain by an adventuring company called the [[Wildmen of the North]] and [[Brundar Tigerbane]] renamed the keep "Wild Hold" and refortified it. Brundar and his followers later fell in battle.<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179" /> |
||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | Over the next 200 years, the keep was held by a succession of petty rulers known by a variety of names, including the [[Lord Knight of the Far Hills]] and the [[Duke of Sunset Vale]]. The Keep of the Far Hills eventually became Darkhold when it was conquered and settled by the [[lich]]-queen [[Varalla]].<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179" /> |
||
| + | In [[1312 DR]], the [[Zhentarim]] invaded Darkhold. The combined effort of [[Manshoon]] and [[Fzoul Chembryl]] destroyed Varalla, gaining a base from which to expand their organization westward.<ref name="VoloSC-p177-179" /> |
||
| ⚫ | [[Sarunn Thoon]], who was best described in the ballad ''[[The Witch of the Far Cold Hill]]'', was originally a captive of the Wolf Knight until she slew him in his |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | In [[1372 DR]], Darkhold was led by the [[Pereghost]], who commanded its 800 warriors, and [[Dhamir Ercals]], who led the resident [[clerics]] of [[Cyric]]. Though both leaders were servants of Cyric and were preparing for the inevitable holy war against the [[Bane|Banites]], the hatred between them was such that more time was spent on assassination plots than their Zhentarim duties.<ref name="LoD3e-p97">{{Cite book/Lords of Darkness|97}}</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | Over the next 200 years, the keep was held by a succession of petty rulers known by a variety of names, including [[Lord Knight of the Far Hills]] and [[Duke of Sunset Vale]]. The |
||
| + | Following a series of disasters for the Zhentarim that left both [[Zhentil Keep]] and the [[Citadel of the Raven]] destroyed, Darkhold emerged as the only major stronghold of the Black Network still standing. As of [[1489 DR]], it was the primary headquarters of the reformed Zhentarim. The Pereghost (or a new ruler wearing his armor) was publicly acknowledged as the sole master of Darkhold, though the Beholder [[Manxam]] also appeared to be a member of the stronghold's senior leadership. In addition to the fluctuating ranks of Zhentarim agents using the castle as a base of operations, Darkhold maintained two war units (one of heavy infantry and one of archers) and an aerie of trained [[wyvern]]s.<ref name="SCAG-p78-79">{{Cite book/Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide|78-79}}</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | == |
+ | ==Appendix== |
| + | ===References=== |
||
{{refs}} |
{{refs}} |
||
| − | ==Further reading== |
+ | ===Further reading=== |
| − | <small> |
||
* {{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting|227}} |
* {{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting|227}} |
||
* {{Cite book/Lords of Darkness|97}} |
* {{Cite book/Lords of Darkness|97}} |
||
| Line 42: | Line 50: | ||
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20020724x,0|work=Perilous Gateways|title=Ghostly Portals – Bane's Eye|author=[[Robert Wiese]]|date=2002-07-24|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|accessdate=2010-10-30}} |
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20020724x,0|work=Perilous Gateways|title=Ghostly Portals – Bane's Eye|author=[[Robert Wiese]]|date=2002-07-24|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|accessdate=2010-10-30}} |
||
*{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast|177-179}} |
*{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast|177-179}} |
||
| − | </small> |
||
[[Category:Keeps]] |
[[Category:Keeps]] |
||
| − | [[Category:Settlements in the Western Heartlands]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Locations in the Western Heartlands]] |
[[Category:Locations in the Western Heartlands]] |
||
[[Category:Locations in West Faerûn]] |
[[Category:Locations in West Faerûn]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | [[Category:Locations on Toril]] |
||
| + | [[Category:Locations]] |
||
| + | [[Category:Castles]] |
||
Revision as of 02:24, 8 April 2020
Darkhold, originally called the Keep of the Far Hills, was the western stronghold of the Zhentarim, located near the Sunset Mountains in the Western Heartlands.[1]
Description
The Darkhold was situated on the side of the mountain known as the Grey Watcher or alternately, the Grey Watcher of the Morning. The fortress itself was made of a black stone that had been fused together by some unknown means and was not native to the region. This led some to believe it was formed by elementals summoned by a Netheril sorcerer.[2]
The Darkhold was huge and could house over a thousand men, but it was believed to have been originally built for and occupied by giants. Tunnels and rooms were bored into the side of the mountain to serve as escape routes and storage chambers, and perhaps some secret tunnels were the home of the ancient sorcerer-turned-lich who originally had the castle built.[1][2]
History
Giants were thought to be the original inhabitants of the castle. There is some debate whether or not these giants were slaves to Netheril mages, but regardless, when the Netheril empire fell, the giants continued to occupy Darkhold. The Giant-Emperors raided the surrounded lands including the Tunlands and the halfling lands of Sunset Vale. They did so until they fell to in-fighting among themselves. It was thought that two rival giant-princes vied for the throne and slew their father, all of the other giant occupants, and eventually each other. Rumors persisted that the princes haunted the castle, whispering conspiracies into any current occupants' ears and setting them against each other.[1]
Darkhold remained empty until Othlong Blackhelm, also known as the "Robber Lord", made the keep his home. Angarn Surfyst slew Othlong via treachery and used the keep as a base for his brigands. Known only to history via his self-proclaimed title, the Wolf Knight was a follower of Angarn until he slew him and took his place.[1]
Sarunn Thoon, who was best described in the ballad The Witch of the Far Cold Hill, was originally a captive of the Wolf Knight until she slew him in his bedchamber and took over the helm of the brigands. Mind flayers killed Sarunn and held the brigands in service until they died, but the white dragon Cryomantipelica crushed the mind flayers and laired there until killed by Harristor Thunderswing. Harristor did not occupy the castle and it fell to a roaming beholder and a leucrotta at various times.[1]
Brigands once again took over the castle at some point after that, but they were slain by an adventuring company called the Wildmen of the North and Brundar Tigerbane renamed the keep "Wild Hold" and refortified it. Brundar and his followers later fell in battle.[1]
Over the next 200 years, the keep was held by a succession of petty rulers known by a variety of names, including the Lord Knight of the Far Hills and the Duke of Sunset Vale. The Keep of the Far Hills eventually became Darkhold when it was conquered and settled by the lich-queen Varalla.[1]
In 1312 DR, the Zhentarim invaded Darkhold. The combined effort of Manshoon and Fzoul Chembryl destroyed Varalla, gaining a base from which to expand their organization westward.[1]
Darkhold was ruled by the wizard Sememmon until 1372 DR, when he and his consort Ashemmi vanished in response to the consolidation of Zhentarim power in the east by rival Fzoul Chembryl.[citation needed]
In 1372 DR, Darkhold was led by the Pereghost, who commanded its 800 warriors, and Dhamir Ercals, who led the resident clerics of Cyric. Though both leaders were servants of Cyric and were preparing for the inevitable holy war against the Banites, the hatred between them was such that more time was spent on assassination plots than their Zhentarim duties.[3]
Following a series of disasters for the Zhentarim that left both Zhentil Keep and the Citadel of the Raven destroyed, Darkhold emerged as the only major stronghold of the Black Network still standing. As of 1489 DR, it was the primary headquarters of the reformed Zhentarim. The Pereghost (or a new ruler wearing his armor) was publicly acknowledged as the sole master of Darkhold, though the Beholder Manxam also appeared to be a member of the stronghold's senior leadership. In addition to the fluctuating ranks of Zhentarim agents using the castle as a base of operations, Darkhold maintained two war units (one of heavy infantry and one of archers) and an aerie of trained wyverns.[4]
Appendix
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), pp. 177–179. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 37. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ Jason Carl, Sean K. Reynolds (October 2001). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 97. ISBN 07-8691-989-2.
- ↑ Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 78–79. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
Further reading
- Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 227. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- Jason Carl, Sean K. Reynolds (October 2001). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 97. ISBN 07-8691-989-2.
- Jeff Grubb, David "Zeb" Cook, Bruce Nesmith (1990). Castles. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-8803-8883-8.
- Robert Wiese (2002-07-24). Ghostly Portals – Bane's Eye. Perilous Gateways. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2010-10-30.
- Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), pp. 177–179. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.