Jastaath Castle was the name given to a massive ruined fortress that sat high on Mount Nar in Narfell.[1]
Description[]
The ruins were immense, and sat atop the western slopes of the mountain above a glacier.[1][2] They were buried under a perpetual blanket of snow and ice.[1][3]
History[]
The castle had been the seat of power for the ancient Nar kingdom of Jastaath. In ancient times, the magic of Jastaath's demonbinders had altered the weather on Mount Nar to make the castle warm and comfortable even in the winter,[3] but after it was abandoned for unknown reasons, the castle fell into ruins that became buried beneath snow and ice.[1]
As of the mid-to-late 14th century DR, no explorers had successfully found the ruins owing to the harsh climate and the dracolich Kryonar, who laired nearby and was known to kill any visitors to the area.[1][3] The castle's very existence eventually came to be regarded as a local legend.[4]
At some point around or before the Year of the Silent Tear, 1439 DR, the Red Wizard Branimern Rythil and her minions arrived at the ruins seeking the lost magical knowledge of Jastaath's ancient demonbinders. They destroyed Kryonar and erected a towering stronghold amidst the castle ruins, which was visible from as far away as Bildoobaris. From her stronghold, Branimern spent the next several decades researching and plotting to conquer the surrounding areas. All the while, the local Nars stayed away from the ruin out of fear that Kryonar might still be alive.[2]
Inhabitants[]
As of the late 15th century DR, the castle ruins were home to Branimern Rythil and her demon and fey minions, including a fearsome fomorian known as Hughan.[2]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 68. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 161. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 190. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
- ↑ Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 116. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.