196 rooms · levels 45–55
This dark road is almost completely overgrown by various kinds of plants. For some reason it seems that not many come here. A dark structure has been built at the end of the road. To the north looks like some kind of tower.
To the north stands a tall tower. A fog covers the area, and it makes it hard to see what lies ahead in the darkness.
Nearby, a small wall has been built. The stones making up the wall are old and covered with mold, and in some places the small wall has even collapsed. A small, iron gate is set in the tiny, stone wall.
The wall here is more for decoration than protection. It is only about 3 feet tall and the decor was lost many decades ago. A closer examination of the small gate shows that the gate is rusted and only one single steel bolt prevents it from falling off its hinges.
This lawn is wild and untamed. It might have been very pretty many years ago, but now the plants are growing wild. The huge, black tower looms before you. There is only light in the top window of the tower, but the light is a cold, ghostly, blue light.
A huge, oaken double door is set in the black tower wall here. The hinges of the door are crafted from pure gold and unlike the garden and the wall, the doors and the tower seem quite well maintained.
The entrance to the tower consists of a small hall that is sparsely decorated with a few tapestries on the walls. Only a few torches illuminate the room and a large spiraling staircase leads upward. There is a wooden door in the northern wall with something written on it...
This small chamber seems to be a storage room of some sort. Potions, scrolls, wands and other magic devices are located on nearby shelves. Large tomes with magical symbols are placed on a small table near the wall.
The black obsidian stairs lead upwards into the darkness. Only the gods know what awaits above. Still, only a few torches light the way ahead.
A small landing breaks the seemingly endless flow of stairs. In the western wall a door is placed. The stairs continue further up, into the darkness.
This small room is cloaked in darkness. No light illuminates it. A few bookshelves are standing randomly around the room. The books on the shelves are all wrapped in azure covers.
The bookshelves give room to a small study table on which a book is lying open. From a small balcony to the west one can look down upon who walks towards the tower...
The dark corridor continues up, towards the top of the tower. Ascending further, a deep, dark chant can be heard. Perhaps the master of the tower is working on some twisted spell.
A large obsidian door looms up before you, the door is completely black save for a large white circle painted upon it. A deep monotone chant can be heard from the other side of the door.
Upon entering this huge hall one cannot help but wonder how this enormous hall can be placed in a tower of such relative small size. The large chamber is brightly lit by magic orbs hanging from the ceiling. The orbs radiate a ghostly but bright light. At the end of this huge hall, a large magical portal is shimmering. The portal's surface seems like water and it casts a clear reflection. The portal is of such a size that five giants easily could march through it at the same time. There is no furniture in this room and the floor is completely bare. Strange tapestries adorn the walls though, otherwise the room is free of decorations.
A broad staircase leads up to the small plateau on which the portal is standing, radiating great magic. A shallow fog surrounds the portal, emanating from the portal itself. As well as the portal, the lord of the tower is standing here, and it was from him the strange chant came...
As you enter the shimmering portal it suddenly seems as if all your limbs are being torn apart by some unknown force trying to keep you out of the Demi Plane of Dread. The pain seems to go on forever and just as you are about to give in for the pain, it stops...Before you can regain your senses a cloak of darkness suddenly surrounds you and all is black.
You regain your senses at a cold road. This gravel road only leads in one direction, the other direction is blocked by an impenetrable wall of fog. The road only leads north...
Upon entering this road, the fog consumes the path behind you. And again the only way ahead is north. A huge gray fog is to the east and west.
The road splits here, one part of the road continuing north and another west. A wooden signpost is placed in the ground near the road turning west. The road to the north is blocked by a dense wall of fog.
Before you is an old iron fence which seems to continue north and south forever. It seems as if the fence almost surrounds all of the land. An old, rusty gate blocks the way to the west but a long, broad road stretches behind the gate to the east. To the east the fog has consumed the road, but somehow it seems as if the fog will leave you alone for a while.
Here is a long road which leads west into a dark but beautiful forest. The fence here seems to be of some importance, but for some reason it has not been properly maintained and is now old and rusty. The fence was not created to withstand attacks from hostile forces. It is far too fragile for that, but it must have been important in some way.
Taking the first steps towards the forest to the west you notice that something is carved into a nearby tree. The luscious surroundings make this place seem calm and peaceful but will it last?
The plant growth is dense here, and the landscape begins to resemble forest. But unlike all other forests, there are no birds singing, in fact, there is not a single sound.
To the west is a forest. It seems like any other forest save that there are no sounds to be heard from within. There is nothing but absolute silence here. In one's dreams alone has such a place been imagined.
This dense forest appears to be like any other forest but for some reason something feels strange. Perhaps the missing sounds of the fauna and flora, perhaps the rusty gate to the east or perhaps just instinct?
The plant life here is extremely healthy and, although there is no sign of animals, the forest seems in a superb condition. The sound of running water can be heard. Perhaps there is a river nearby.
A bridge can be barely made out to the west, and a large river can be seen flowing underneath it. The sound of the running water is still the only sound to be heard.
The road splits here, some slightly smaller paths lead north and south, but the King's highway continues to the west beyond the huge stone bridge.
The King's highway lies to the south, while a path continues north in the beautiful forest. The path is almost overgrown but it seems that it must have been a busy road some time ago.
The river here turns west, away from the path which continues northward. Through the trees one can barely make out some kind of structure further to the north.
The path ends here in front of a huge white fortress. The fortress is extremely well maintained and seems to belong to some kind of military organization. A huge gate blocks entrance to the fortress.
The white walls tower above and the sound of bustling activity now fills the area. The gate is to the south, while the way to the north leads further into the fortress.
This large courtyard is surrounded by huge white walls, except to the north where there is a large, white staircase leading to a large platform.
This seems to be a set of huge stairs leading to a huge white platform. There appears to be some buildings on top of the platform. It is as if the creators of this place wanted to get a good overview of the forest surrounding this fortress.
Standing on a huge white platform one gets a good overview of the fortress and the forest that surrounds it. Below is the courtyard and further to the south is the gate that leads out into the beautiful forest. Three large buildings have been erected here at this platform, one in each direction.
This is a small room, the only thing in this rooms is a metal spiral staircase that leads up and down. The walls of this room are crafted from a strange white form of stone. The fresh smell of the woods emerges from above.
This is a strong metal staircase. Above is a look-out tower which makes it easier for the inhabitants of this place to watch the forest surrounding their fortress.
This is a strong metal staircase, leading down. The smell of newly made roast wafts in the air. This staircase seems to be in use very often.
Here is the bottom of the staircase. A stone arch-way is placed in the northern wall and the smell of roast emits from the hall beyond the arch-way.
This hallway is well lit, and the many torches on the wall make it seem quite appealing. For being under ground it is not cold, the hallway is warm as if there was a fireplace nearby. There are doors on both sides of the hallway. An arch-way leads south as well.
In this room a small altar is placed, upon which are placed large, wax candles. The altar is placed on a small plateau that makes it seem a bit more holy. Only the items that are absolutely necessary for a temple are placed here. Even so, the humble decor does not make this place look less holy.
The pleasant smell of good food fills every nook of this room. This little comfortable kitchen serves a good purpose, and that is filling all the empty stomachs of the fortress.
The hallway is lit by large torches that line the walls. Other than that, nothing is placed on the wall. The hallway ends at large wooden door in the north wall. A smaller but much stronger door is placed in the western wall and a strong lock has been placed in the door. The lock seems to have been made of gold...
This room is filled with weapons of all sorts. In addition, strong gleaming armors are placed on racks lining the wall. Huge shields are placed upon the wall and shining swords are standing against the four walls. Stealing from this room would be a pure act of evil.
This large room contains a large number of beds used by the knights when they rest and sleep. A small night-table is placed beside each bed.
This tower is perfect for its purpose, to watch the strange, but beautiful forest. One can see in all directions from here. A large manor can be spotted in the horizon to the west. The manor is surrounded by a large stone wall. The beautiful forest stretches as far as your eye can see, to the north, south and east. But to the west the forest seems to change...Its trees are strange in some way, but it is hard to determine from such a great distance. What might lurk in the forest to the west?
This large building seems to radiate an extreme power of good. It would be difficult for even the darkest of creatures not to feel calm and focused here. It is a place where all of one's troubles can be forgotten the minute they step foot into this room. Obviously this is a very holy place and without doubt, a temple of some powerful, good god.
In this part of the temple, the sense of good gets even stronger. It is as if a powerful good source draws you further into this temple. The main part of the temple is further to the east.
The white walls, the idols of great gods, the golden altars and the awesome force that seems present here, all are evidence that the people living here are very religious. A white tapestry covers the back wall behind the golden altar.
This little but comfortable chamber seems to belong to the religious leader of the fortress. A small bed, a little table and a closet is all that is in this room.
This large stone building is decorated with paintings of ancient paladin heroes. A large chandelier is hanging from the ceiling here, causing a calm light to illuminate the room. A stone hallway leads north through an archway.
This nice little stone hallway has doors on each side, and it continues northward. A door can likewise be spotted further to the north. To the south is a large stone building.
A large, long table is placed in the middle of this large chamber. A very old letter is placed upon the table, perhaps the group of paladins were planning something. Perhaps looking closer at the extremely old letter will tell one more of the paladins' plans. A huge bed is standing close to the north wall. The bed is extremely well decorated.
The sweet scent of perfume still hangs in the air here, although it seems as if the room hasn't been in use for quite some time now. This humble chamber is not very richly decorated, only containing a small bed and a tiny table with a small wooden chair.
The air is slightly colder here than in the rest of the fortress. Perhaps it is because there is no source of heat nearby. For some strange reason flickering lights, as the light coming from a fireplace, is shining underneath the western door. A door is also in the eastern wall.
An unnatural cold is present in this room. There is a fireplace burning with full force here, but no heat emits from it. It must be a magical fire burning within the fireplace. The strange thing about this room is that it does not contain a bed, only a large table used for study by some sort of magician it seems. The room does not seem to have been in use for quite some time.
This large room contains nothing but a large table surrounded by exactly 10 chairs. All of the chairs look the same, nothing is the least bit different. Before the large table there is a small clearing where guests can be granted audience.
This road runs along the river. It continues south along the stream of the river and to the north there is a large stone bridge. A smell that you can't quite place yet reaches your nose.
This small road follows the stream of the river to the south. A strange smell seems to be getting stronger for each step you take but you still can't place it. The road seems to take a turn further to the south.
Following the river the road now takes a turn as does the river of course. Now you can begin to specify the strange smell, it reminds you of mold, what could it be?
The road still continues along the river, but something is changing to the south. The road seems to get smaller and smaller. The road is heavily overgrown but not enough to make you miss the road. The air seems to get more foggy as your travels bring you closer to something still unknown.
A dense fog now covers the ground as if a swamp was nearby. And the strange smell that clings to the air seems more and more recognizable. It is the smell of a swamp, moldy and harsh.
From here one can see where the river ends. The water flows in to the large uncharted swamp to the south. The swamp seems very unfriendly and the complete silence does not help at all.
This appears to be the end of the road. The road is now completely overgrown, and fog completely covers the ground. The plants in this area seem corrupted by the dirty water of the Phantasmal Swamp. And the smell is so horrible that one cannot resist holding their breath from time to time.
The large uncharted swamp can be seen here. Strange screams can be heard. What could live in this horrible swamp? The bank of the swamp is covered with a thick layer of brown slime. The water seems shallow, but one can never be sure as the water is brown and one's eyes may deceive them.
Upon entering the hideous Phantasmal Swamps, a cloak of darkness surrounds the area as the dense, dark fog overtakes the deep swamp. The brown water emits a dreadful smell, almost as if something dead is down in the depths of the swamp. You can continue into the swamp to the south and to the west - If you dare...
The fog is dense this far into the swamp, making it almost impossible to see. The exits can just barely be made out.
This is where the river joins the hideous swamp. As the cold riverwater mixes with the warm, but unpleasant, swampwater, smelly steam arises from the waters, forcing one to cover their nose.
The swamp bank to the north is covered by a layer of brown slime. The slime is all that is left from the foul foam that the dirty swamp water makes as creatures make their way through the swamp.
Twisted roots block any further passage to the west, but one can freely travel south and east. The forest on the bank to the north is too dense to pass. This swamp may seem horrible, but even so it might hold some dark secrets of this place.
Plants make it impossible to travel south, although travel to the west is possible for the brave-hearted. The eastern and northern paths are not blocked in any way either.
Travel to the south would be impossible as corrupted trees stand in one's way. The swamp does not continue to west, it ends at a small swamp bank. As all the swamp banks, this is covered with brown slime. To the north a strange nest like plant can be seen, what could it be...
Strange and twisted plant life blocks every exit except to the south. This place seems to be a nest of some sort. Small branches lie in a big pile here, almost as if some creature made it to guard its offspring.
Here the water is a bit more clear and it seems as if creatures of some sort inhabit this area. Strange white slime is covering nearby roots. It seems like some sort of vomit, and it definitely smells like that.
A small island covered with impenetrable plants is to the east, other than that one can freely travel in any other direction. The smell in this area is extremely horrible and it hangs, clinging to the air.
A small island covered with impenetrable plants is to the west. The plants on the island are so corrupted that one cannot help to wonder how they even survive. To the north, south and east the swamp continues.
The swamp ends here by a bank to the east, covered with a layer of thick, brown slime. Tiny footsteps in the slime indicate that someone or something is inhabiting this swamp. As you notice the footsteps in the slime a loud scream can be heard echoing through the swamp...followed by grunts and growls from creatures still unknown...one thing is sure though, you are not alone in this swamp.
A large stone block is south of here. It might be some sort of cave, but the entrance must be somewhere else as it is not visible from here.
This part of the swamp is completely stripped of plant life. This place is nothing but a large area of the brown, dirty swamp water. This is obviously one of the deepest places in the swamp.
The disgusting swamp opens to the north, east and west. Small bubbles burst as they reach the surface of the brown swamp, spreading the harsh smell as they burst.
Something with a slight resemblance of a path seems to lead to the west. Evil-looking plants crouch above, creating a path into darkness. What might lurk along this strange path? To the south the swamp continues.
In this part of the swamp, the plant life has created something that could be a path. A horrible growl suddenly fills the air. There must be a swamp beast nearby! Perhaps it is just your imagination but you feel that you are being watched from some bushes to the south.
The crouching plants overhead make this place as dark as the evil gods. The path-like part of the swamp here takes a turn south, towards something that could be a small island in the swamps.
The path seems to end here in a small lagoon-like part of the swamp. In the middle of the lagoon lies a tiny island. The island is no more than 15 feet from one side to the other, this small island is cleared from all kinds of plant life - or is it?
To the south there is a wall of large swamp trees. A loud scream echoes through the swamp, followed by a loud sound of flesh being peeled from bones. Large clawed footsteps lead east of here, towards something that might be a large cave.
Here is a large cave, made from a natural pile of rock. The cave entrance is to the east. Bones lie scattered around before the cave and grunts fill the air, grunts from extremely large creatures it seems.
This is a primitive entrance area and a large pool of fresh blood covers the rock floor. Broken bones and a large pile of swamp straw is on the floor. The cave continues east.
Here the cave ends in a large chamber, used by a pack of swamp trolls. The stench is, if possible, more disgusting than in the swamps. But nothing compares to what is lying on the floor. A huge pile of corpses lies here. Some of the corpses have already begun to rot while others are completely fresh.
The bridge and the King's Highway are to the east, you will venture into a dark forest if you travel west. Huge trees tower above, and this makes the road seem even more dark and gloomy.
A small wooden signpost has been placed in the ground here. The trees give way for a small clearing, but ahead to the west a dark and cold forest awaits.
A dark and gloomy forest spreads out here. Gnarled plants and trees rise from the black soil. But most frightening of all are the hundreds of screams echoing through the forest.
Traveling upon an old trail which is covered with the dark and corrupted plants might seem a bit frightening, but that is nothing compared to the horrific scream that suddenly echoes through the forest. It was a human scream, a scream of terror!
Although the tree growth seems dense, one can faintly spot a large structure among the trees to the northwest, but what it might be is uncertain.
Here lies the corpses of four adventurers. A knight, a wizard, a half giant whose head has been separated from his body, and a priest of Unicus. What things did this?
A structure is visible here. It seems to be a large manor house surrounded by a huge stone wall. A small gravel road leads north towards it, and the trail continues further into the dreaded forest to the south and west.
Dense plant growth is to the east and west making traveling there impossible. Still, the screams of the dead echo through the forest making this place a bit unpleasant. The path continues south, further into the dark forest.
Here the trail ends, leaving only dark and untamed forest... The Phantasmal Forest. Dark eyes seem to look at you from behind a nearby tree.
The plant growth is still too dense to travel to the east. Although to the south and west one can travel freely. The gnarled roots of a nearby tree seem to house a cute little mouse. At least something is normal around here, although the mouse seems to stare with dead, red eyes and grin with its tiny sharp fangs...strange.
An occasional bird seems to fly past here. Seeing a well known creature like that might bring back joy. But that joy is soon replaced by horror as the little bird turns out to be an undead bird, flying about to pluck out the eyes of curious adventurers.
Here it seems as if all the plants have found their resting place. Most of plants here are dead, all that remains are brown lumps of organic matter. Whatever force has caused this seems to emit from the south.
The dead plant growth seems, if possible, less dense in this area. As this was the home of a large creature. There are some very large holes in the ground around here, what could have caused that?
A foul odor emits from the west, and a dark force seems to flow from there as well. The plants around here are not only gnarled and dark, but dead as well.
A wall of plants bars further travel to the east. A small pond is located here. Dark shadows seem to move about down in the muddy water, might it be a normal fish?
Only the faintest light is allowed to penetrate this dark and gloomy forest from above. The road ahead is black as night and what lurks behind the next tree is still unknown.
Something is indeed lurking behind the trees...Strange noises can be heard throughout the dreaded Phantasmal Forest. The dark road continues to the west and to the east.
Even though it is extremely dark it looks as if there is a structure of some sort to the west. It looks like the entrance gate to some small village.
A large stone gate is here. It looks as if it has been here for many years. Once there must have been a wall too, but all that remains of the wall is a large pile of stone bricks. A small dark path leads into the village.
This small dark road is located inside the stone gates. This small village, once a great and prosperous society is now nothing but ashes and brick piles. Collapsed buildings can be found in a number of places.
Plant growth of different size and color has taken over most of the remaining buildings and has left little or no trace of the old civilization. Ahead to the west lies what looks like the village square, and south of here is a large, collapsed, stone building.
There is no roof on this building as it collapsed many decades ago. The building is now nothing but a large pile of rocks in the middle of the Hall. But somehow it seems as if this place must have been special in the past.
Removing the rocks reveals a staircase. These stairs lead down in to absolute darkness. What might await in the dark depths?
This dark tunnel leads north and south, only time will tell what lies ahead below this large stone building.
This tunnel ends at a large stone archway that seems to lead into a large, dark room. It sounds as if there is someone... or something in there.
This large circular room must have been richly decorated many years ago, but almost no trace of the rich decorations remain. There is a scent of fresh blood in this room, very fresh blood. There is a large crimson red tapestry covering the south wall. The tapestry pictures an old man with a long white beard.
This room holds the smell of death. The distinct smell is so strong here that corpses must have been piled here for decades. Few pieces of furniture are placed around the room and a visible green mist roams the room. Fingers, arms, legs, heads, torsos and other body parts lie scattered around the room.
This tunnel comes to an end at a solid stone wall. There seems to be a strange drawing on the wall but it is very poorly drawn, and you might not comprehend it. You can, however, make out something that looks like a man with a very large and long tongue.
This wide, open plaza is covered with white marble tiles, although it is difficult to see because of the many plants covering the ground. Three paths lead out from this village plaza, one to the south, east and west.
This small path turns south from the plaza and works its way along the collapsed stone buildings, towards something that looks like a local cemetery.
North of this path the village square is located, but what lies to the south is something much different. The local cemetery is just south of here.
This small cemetery is surrounded by a low stone fence that has collapsed in a lot of places during the years. Most of the graves consist of a tombstone and nothing more. There is, however, a small stone structure to the south, a crypt.
Unlike the rest of this village this crypt is very well maintained. The stone walls are clean and adorned with different paintings and tapestries. The stench of death in this room is so foul that one's bare skin might begin to itch.
This wide gravel road springs from the village plaza to the east and works its way towards the west. Walking through this old and dead village it suddenly seems as if some unknown force is drawing you towards a large stone structure which lies to the west.
Nearing the stone structure one can clearly see what this is. It is the old church of the village. The church is now covered with green vines, but one can clearly see the large symbol that hangs above the entrance door, the holy symbol of life.
This large church room contains a large number of wooden benches. Most of them, however, have been destroyed by the force of time. There is a huge stone altar at the north end of the church room and a small opening to the south. It looks like there may have been a door here some time ago.
In this small, humble chamber is nothing but an old pile of wood, probably the remains of a table and chairs. There is, however, a small staircase that leads down.
Here is a small, cramped, underground passage. This passage leads north and south into the catacombs. The well known smell of decay permeates the air.
In the walls are located small niches, only large enough to contain a corpse. Nothing but the skeletal remains exist, and in some places not even that.
This must have been where the more outstanding citizens of the village have been buried. It looks like this place was very decorative many centuries ago.
The, for some people, unpleasant smell of iron roams these corridors. Wandering down the corridor a thought springs to mind: It might not be iron, but fresh blood...It must be emerging from just down this corridor.
The smell of fresh blood is strong here. One can hear the dripping sound of some thick liquid echoing through the corridors.
This room is carpeted with a thick layer of crimson red blood. A stench of fresh blood fills the room. The thick sticky substance drips from the walls and ceiling. The source of this blood is unknown. For a second it seems as if the pool of blood is moving slightly.
This corridor leads south. A dense fog seems to cover the stone floor emerging from nowhere. The temperature is cold and the air is moist. A ghostly, gray mist hangs in the air here.
The fog becomes more dense for every step taken. One can only see a few feet ahead... what could lie ahead?
This room is completely cloaked in a white mist and the temperature is freezing. Through the mist some very large and very pointy icicles can be seen hanging from the ceiling, their points shining in the white haze.
This small path leads up to the dark and strange manor house. Ahead a large, iron gate can be spotted. Although the structure seems a bit old, the large wall seems strong enough to secure the gate.
The wall surrounding this macabre manor looms here. Cracks run like spider webs across the forbidding stonework. Despite the damage time has caused upon the wall it looks like it could withstand even an angry giant.
The sturdy, iron gate bars admittance to the manor house. Its fiendishly sharp spikes seem to claw the air. Two brick pillars support the rusting gate, and a metal plaque corrupted with decades of rust and litter are set within the pillars. A heavy, though corroded, lock hampers your admittance.
Here lies the dark and evil manor, Tergeron. Small gravel paths lead in different directions, one toward what looks like some stables, one towards a large garden, and finally one towards the manor house itself. A large courtyard is ahead, with a large pool of water placed in the middle.
The tangled, overgrown shrubs reveal a long narrow pool placed before the manor house to reflect the image of the building. The pool is now covered with thick scum. The strange pool yields a foul odor as well as a sickly mist. A faint disturbance ripples through the pond.
This thick and disgusting water is almost impossible to see through. The waters are calm, although you have a strong feeling that you are not the only living thing in this pool.
This overgrown path works its way towards some stables, which look collapsed from here. Behind the stables is a large clearing, surrounded by a small, iron fence. There appear to be some stones placed in the ground. Could they be tombstones? The stable is to the west and the clearing is further to the north.
At the end of this overgrown path is a small stable. Some of its walls have been filled with vines over the years but the empty water post has been kept clear of growth.
This old, wooden structure has not been touched by human hands for decades. Its walls have been claimed as home by hundreds of vines, like hungry predators attacking defenseless prey.
The small path works its way towards a large clearing. It looks like the resting place of some poor souls. Many stone pillars have been put in the earth there.
Surrounding the western side of the manor are some white stone pillars, rising like uniformed soldiers from the earth. These tombstones are all without names. Who would bury so many dead without giving them the respect all life deserves? Who would mourn so little the passing of so many lives?
This tiny, brick paved road leads around the manor house further to the north. A small porch on the side of the manor house is further down this little dusty road. It looks like there are doors there too.
A massive wall surrounds the estate and the even higher and more forbidding walls of the manor itself lean towards one with a perceptive tilt. Only the faintest rays of light from the tower spill down into this creepy place. The porch is to the south and the small path that works its way around the manor continues to the east.
The rotting floor of the porch creaks loudly. This is a fatal sound when trying to be quiet. The cold, unmovable barrier of the manor's backdoors seem somehow solid in contrast to the floor.
The floor creaks loudly here. A large, double door leads into the house. Through the window, what seems like a storage room, can be seen.
Beyond the door lies a kitchen, or so it seems. It appears well kept but it is impossible to be sure as the glass in the windows is very dirty.
Here the small dusty road turns south, along the eastern side of Tergeron Manor. A small garden can be seen further ahead. Even further to the south is a much larger garden...
To the south there is a wild garden that seems to hold some rare plants. They might be spell ingredients.
The remains of a long neglected garden are here. Brambles from overgrown bushes overrun this space. The small path continues south into a much larger garden. The heavy aroma of strange blossoms hangs in the air as does a visible haze of yellow pollen. Is this the sweet smell of perfume...or poison?
North of here is a little garden. A small fence separates the small garden from this much larger one. The plants here have been grown to resemble creatures, some like dragons and others like normal humans. It seems however, like the plants to the south are a bit different...
The tangled growth in one corner of the garden gives way to an area populated by a collection of trees and shrubs which have been grown in topiary style. The menacing shapes resemble the forms of broken men and women. Deformed arms seem to grasp for you with nothing but sinister intents.
A small fence separates the manor plaza from this garden. A small path leads west towards the great plaza and a small gravel path leads further into the garden, which seems to have been grown into shapes of different creatures.
This small path leads towards a large garden to the east. Ahead is a small fence that serves as some sort of barrier. To the west is the large plaza that stands in front of the forbidding manor house.
The tangled grass gives way to the stone pavement of a courtyard. The growth of greenery elsewhere on the manor grounds seems restrained here, maybe because the dark walls of the manor house embrace three sides of the courtyard. The tower, to which the rest of the manor seems to have been anchored, arises high into the air spreading the light at its top uselessly out into the night, like a lighthouse long deserted by the sea. What sinister power might this light be beckoning? From this large plaza, two paths spring. One west towards a stable and one east towards a large garden. A larger and broader path leads towards Tergeron Manor. The manor is to the north.
A large wooden porch is located immediately to the north. This seems to be the main entrance. To the east and west are two buildings. The one to the west seems to be a green house of some sort, although it is connected to the manor house. The stone structure to the east has only a few windows in it, but it appears to be a grand dining hall.
A pair of wooden doors separates the manor from the courtyard. Sun or moonlight from outside tends to shimmer through the delicate glass of the windows and streak across the black and white tiles of the marble floor. A broad stairwell, carved in strong granite, rises up and then separates into two smaller staircases, one leading east and one leading west. There are several doors leading further into the strange manor house.
This large hallway ends in a dead end to the north. A large painting is hanging on the wall to the north, illustrating a young man dressed in black. Doors lead both east and west from this hallway.
The large wooden door swings wide to allow entrance into the gallery. This elegant, square room is paved in the same black and white tiles as the entrance hall, but its walls are covered with strange tapestries. Upon entering the gallery one might be startled to find a large number of statues, looking like knights of The Circle, frozen in battle. Their faces are filled with horror as if making a last futile stand against an unseen and unknown enemy. What massacre is forever enshrined in this room?
The doors to this room hang from broken hinges, nearly falling to the ground. Inside the reason for the doors' condition becomes clear. A tremendous explosion took place here at some point. The walls of the parlor are blackened with heat, and the fine fabric has been scorched. The once plush carpet is nothing but ashes and bits of wool.
Beyond the eastern door in the grand entrance hall lies a small hallway. This hallway has two more doors, one to the north and one to the east. A large painting is hanging on the wall here.
An iron stove dominates the north-west corner of the kitchen, and pots and pans line the walls, as do racks of cutlery. A pump occupies the north-east corner of the kitchen, although there is no sign of water. The air here is bitterly cold...A large door seems to lead out onto a wooden porch, the door is to the north. Another door to the south leads out into a hallway. A small wooden door is placed in the eastern wall as well.
This pantry is lined with shelves containing numerous jars, each filled with fruits or vegetables. Dried meats hang from hooks in the ceiling, and barrels, probably filled with flour, sugar and the like, line the south wall. Oddly, the food shows no sign of decay, nor is there any sign of dust. There is a door in the south wall.
A huge wooden table covered with a fine, white table cloth and set with crystal glasses and porcelain dishes dominates this long dining room. Two silver chandeliers hang from the ceiling, swaying gently in some unknown breeze. Each of the four arms of a chandelier holds a white candle surrounding a black one. A door in the northern wall seems to lead into a pantry and another in the west wall leads to a small hallway.
The air here is cold and dry, and one's breath shimmers whitely when breathing. A strange spicy odor attacks your senses reminding one of an old spice cabinet. Crates and barrels, all unmarked and intact occupy most of this room. In the northwest corner, a large wooden staircase runs up towards a trapdoor in the ceiling. A small entrance leads south into what seems like a greenhouse and a large wooden door is in the western wall as well. It leads out of the house, onto a porch.
The glass walls and ceiling of this room are iced over with heavy frost. The green house is held together by a strange metal framework, faintly bearing resemblance to a spider's web. The remains of dead plants line the walls. The air here is frigid and filled with moisture.
This large and heavy staircase splits in two at a large landing, one turning east and one turning west. From the landing one can get a good look at the grand entrance hall below. Both of the staircases end at doors.
This staircase works its way along the wall towards a fine door in the eastern side above the grand entrance hall. Where could the door lead and why does the staircase split up in two?
This staircase works its way along the wall towards a fine door in the western side above the grand entrance hall. The temperature seems to fall as the stairs ascend. The further towards the top, the colder it gets. In the floor is a trapdoor, with a sturdy wooden staircase leading down below it.
This long hallway is covered with red carpeting, absorbing all noise and leaving the hallways unearthly quiet. The eeriness is enhanced by the existence of a dozen suits of armor, each holding a sword in battle readiness. There is a door in the north wall as well as one in the west wall. The corridor continues to the east as well.
Beyond the door in the south wall lies a hallway covered with blood red carpets. Large paintings are placed upon the wall. Strangely they all form the same image...a young man. Perhaps a closer look at the painting will tell more. A door is in the north and eastern wall. The red carpets roll like a wave of blood further down the hallway to the west.
The stone walls of this storage chamber are bare, save for the wooden shelves lining them. Linens of various kinds are neatly folded and stacked on the nearby shelves. Frost clings to the fabric and the bare stone walls.
A brass bed is set along the north wall of this bedroom. A large fireplace is placed in the southern wall, but it is empty. Not even old ashes are in there. A small door is set in the eastern wall.
Oddly, the bathroom seems to have suffered considerable damage over the years. The hand pump in the corner is rusted to the point of uselessness. A tub carved in pure obsidian is covered with frost, radiating cold. Doors in both the eastern and western walls lead to guest chambers.
A luxurious curtained bed, standing along the northern wall, dominates this guest bedroom. It is an elegant bedroom, richly decorated with velvet and the like. An ornately carved marble fireplace is set with logs in the southern wall, ready to burst into flames. A leather chair and a wooden writing table complete the chamber and a door to the south leads out into the hallway.
The silk covers of this bed were once white. Now, however, they are soaked in blood. Two large pillows are lying at one end of the bed, they are white too, or rather used to be, for now they are covered in a thick sticky substance that emits a foul odor.
By far the most luxurious room in the entire manor, the master bedroom is covered with silver tapestries and a fireplace runs the length of one entire wall. There is a door in the southern wall.
Men's garments are located here inside the master bedroom closet. All are constructed of some inky, black material, that seems to absorb light. A black robe is hanging on the eastern wall, neatly taken away from the other clothes in this room.
Removing the ancient black robe reveals a secret door. Behind the door there is a small room. The room is completely empty save the small stone staircase that leads upwards into darkness.
The temperature on this staircase is well below the point of freezing and it seems to get colder for each step one is taking. The darkness here makes it a bit difficult to see, but it seems as if the staircase ends only a few feet above.
The staircase continues upwards, but comes to a sudden stop on this small landing. There is an entrance to the west. A peek inside will tell that it is to a large laboratory.
The temperature continues to drop. But not far ahead the staircase seems to end. You might be wise to watch your step as there is a thin layer of ice upon the stairs.
A huge steel door is placed in the western wall. The staircase ends here and does not continue further. The room that the staircase ends in is bare save the huge steel door.
The bone numbing cold of this room assaults you as you enter its dark depths. Then something more hideous touches your senses...an odor of decay and corruption so foul that you nearly vomit. A corridor continues and cells seem to have been built in on each side of the corridor.
The source of this evil stench is the half decayed bodies of prisoners held behind iron bars in small cells throughout the room. Some of the cells are piled high with corpses in various stages of decay. As if the prisoners were shut in without warning. A cell door is to the south and north.
This cell is piled with dead bodies, the cold has kept them from becoming nothing but bones. The iron bars are so old that they can be removed with the bare hands, although they are extremely cold to touch.
This cell is covered in old, brown blood. The reason to this bloodbath is unknown, but there could have been a bloody struggle in here some time ago. Time has been hard on this cell and its iron bars are corrupted with rust.
The room before you is overwhelming with its touches of the fantastic, the scientific and the macabre. It is a wizard's laboratory and is extremely well kept. Shelves line the north wall and contain all matter of boxes, bottles, vials and the like. They are all marked clearly in a language you have never seen before. An oak ladder anchored to the shelf many feet above is fixed with a wheel at its bottom giving access to all of the shelves. Unusual items such as rodent skulls and potions are scattered around the room. Something that looks suspiciously like a human heart is preserved within a glass container. There is an entrance to a large library to the west and to the east there is a staircase.
You step into the hall of an immense library. Its walls are filled with thousands of books, scrolls, tablets and the like. The items are placed on the strong wooden shelves. There are three books that look special in contrast to the others. The titles of the three books are: Death, Magic and Bells. The musty odor of old ink and old paper hangs in the air. A large table is placed in the middle of the library. A thick layer of dust is lying on the floor, stirring up as you pass.
Bitter odors from acids mingle with the unpleasant chill in this room. The air bites at your nostrils and stings your eyes. Indeed the place is so corrupted with strange chemicals that your exposed skin begins to itch. Despite the blurred vision of your eyes you can see that this room is filled with small and large boxes, in fact this room looks like a miniature warehouse. A staircase leads up.
This room, colder than any other on the previous floors is filled with cobwebs. The disturbed dust sparkles in the light and a layer of fine dust covers the floor, unmarked by the footprints of either man or beast. Numerous ropes dangle motionless from holes in the ceiling above. Despite the faint breeze that drifts the room, the bell ropes do not sway. Amber light falls through the holes, illuminating the ropes. A small staircase leads up towards a heavy iron trapdoor...behind it must be the belfry.
You have entered a room with a steel roof soaring high above you. A trio of giant brass bells hangs from the steel roof. 15 ropes hang from the bells and runs through some holes in the ground, to the room below. The cold in this room is almost unbearable, the blood in your veins almost freezes at this numbing cold.