Dar Zenour
 | |
| Nicknames | Golden city |
| Country | - |
| Founded | Founded in 350 by Baron Emberthorn |
| Location | The Southern Spine of Eden |
| Governing Body | - |
| Races | Denur (before the collapse) |
| Languages | - |
Dar Zenour
Tucked away at the base of the magnificent southern mountains is Dar Zenour, also known as the "Southern Home" and the Golden City. This sobriquet is derived from the abundance of silver and gold deposits that withstood the hardships of settlement, thereby standing out as a jewel of the Denur cityscapes. In the old days, Dar Zenour was renowned for its enormous network of mining tunnels that penetrated the depths of the earth and resulted in untold riches and prosperity.
Notably, the simple, unobtrusive door is furnished not for decoration but for privacy. This narrow passage served to isolate the city from the outside world, allowing its residents to wait and watch, patiently gathering their riches. While the outward appearance of Dar Zenour may suggest a place of quiet contemplation, it is anything but defenseless.
At one time, it boasted one of the best-equipped armies in the entire kingdom, built from the wealth and resources extracted from its plentiful mines. The soldiers of Dar Zenour were famed for their martial prowess and tenacity, a place which stood strong against all attackers. Beneath its shining surface lay a legacy of strength and cunning, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Denur people.
But over the last few centuries, Dar Zenour has become a thing of the past. A former hub of prosperity and authority, the city now lies in shadow and ruin, the city controlled by malevolent demons who have declared it their heritage. The bright silver and gold that used to stream from its mines has been tainted by the wicked powers now ashore, as the once opulent corridors of Dar Zenour have become a mournful testament to what they used to be. This once proud bastion of strength and unity now stands as a grim testament to the peril that can arise when darkness descends upon a noble home.
Founding
In the year 350, the Denur faced growing threats from the southern regions, where hostile forces lurked just beyond their borders. Keen visionary leader and strategic master, Harrikum Argilac Stoneguard, saw the necessity for a stand that would defend the Denur's southern border. He hunted one of the most skilled builders in history, Baron Emberthorn, whose mastery of design and construction was matched by none.
Baron Emberthorn walked into a country on the very edge of an immense savanna where golden grasses reached the horizon at the bottom of a dense, unexplored forest. For generations the Denur refused to go into this jungle and the threats that lurked beneath its canopy. However, upon his arrival, Emberthorn and his crew stumbled upon rich veins of silver, gold, and other precious resources hidden within the mountain range that bordered the jungle. Realising that gain is never taken for granted at this point, Emberthorn, drafted a plan, to build something that, not only would protect from outside forces but would create a stronghold that, below the surface of the earth, would both mine and utilize the wealth that, so far, has remained hidden.
Under Harrikum Argilac’s patronage, construction of the bastion began. The entrance, a modest and unassuming archway carved from the very sandstone that surrounded it, blended seamlessly into the mountainside. It was created to beguile anybody who might be tempted to underestimate its importance. While the exterior appeared simple, the true marvel lay within. Baron Emberthorn's dextrous fingers rendered the interior a maze of chambers and strongholds, cleverly exploiting the very caves and passageways of the mountain itself.
As the work progressed, stories began to spread of the vast underground halls and storied vaults that were being carved from the rock. Emberthorn's vision took shape, creating not just a fortress, but a thriving stronghold filled with provisions, armories, and living quarters for soldiers and their families. Such a busy space inside provided an asylum for Denur families to escape havoc in the outside world.
Historic Events
Due to the fall of Dar Zenour, much of the fortress’s history has been lost to time. The once-proud Golden City now lies in ruins, its archives destroyed and its glory faded. What little is known comes from the fragmented accounts of surviving witnesses and the tales of adventurers who have dared to explore its depths. These scattered stories, drawn from recent experiences, form the fragile foundation of our understanding of Dar Zenour’s rise, prosperity, and eventual descent into darkness.
Discovery of the Black Stone (1303)
In the year 1303, the Denur stumbled upon an extraordinary discovery deep within the heart of their lands: a mysterious black stone, impervious to all forms of destruction. Amazed and stimulated by its hardness, they started to dig around it and found out that it is a big monolith, hereinafter referred to as the Monolith of Dar Zenour. Inscribed upon it in an ancient script was the history of the Denur, stretching back to a time long before the first Harrikum, Arduan Starforge. Unfortunately, definitive chronologies have not survived to be used, leaving much to speculation. But what was undeniable was that the stone was magnetic, hypnotic, and therefore inexplicable, the natural attention and fascination of the Denur was directed to it. In a sense, they hadn't any idea that a malevolent lurked in its core.
Rise of the Cult (1313)
By 1313, the political landscape had shifted dramatically. Balin Emberthorn, the Kalanfadur and ruler of Dar Zenour, was deeply troubled about the loss of Dar Nathros. The disappearance of the centre of the South, and with it the most important force, created great uncertainty. While he refused to close off his fortress to the world, Dar Zenour faced two growing threats: increasing attacks by the orcs and the sudden disappearance of individuals in its population. Those who vanished would often return, brutally disfigured and haunted.
During that time of chaos, an underground group emerged, who identified themselves as the Cult of the Night. They made offerings to the black monolith, who lived for its dark energy and broke the community even more irremissible. Their power grew, and with it the tensions between the parties.
Mor-Hormung of Dar Zenour (1315)
In 1325, Balin Emberthorn found himself cornered by despair and chaos. To safeguard his people from the rising Orc attacks, he reluctantly sealed the gates of Dar Zenour. However, the fortress was already rotting from within, plagued by fear and superstition.
The only records of this dark period came from the logbook of Balin, which was discovered later by Belegar Whitebeard. In his final entries, Balin chronicled the escalating extremism of the cult and the violent confrontations between the devoted cultists and the rest of the Denur. His works depicted a scene of gloom, describing the devastating outrages that happened within the walls of the fortress. And with its peak level of unrest, a huge earthquake shook the very bedrock of Dar Zenour. This quake destroyed the monolith, revealing an abyssal portal that released grotesque, altered creatures that resembled the Denur. Such beings induced a violent massacre on the fortress, indiscriminately murdering their peers. Balin Emberthorn, and a small band of stalwart warriors, bravely defended their dwelling against the flood of terror until the last Denur fell. Thus, the glory of Dar Zenour crumbled, swallowed by darkness and despair, leaving behind only echoes of its former splendor.
First expedition (1521)
That year, Belegar Whitebeard, in charge of a modest expedition, took the risk to undermine the perennial closed gates of Dar Zenour, searching for the solution to the enigmatic disappearance of its population. Gripped with fear and discretion the gang crawled into the abandoned spaces, only to be confronted with the crushing smell of putrefaction and with the unmistakable signs of voidal infestation. Every step they made made the sound of a horrible squelch, an ominous testament to the infected state of the fortress.
As they ventured deeper, they finally reached the chamber where Balin Emberthorn had met his demise. There, amidst the remnants of the past, they discovered his logbook, filled with the harrowing accounts of the fortress’s decline. But the adventurers were not alone. Lurking in the dark, a villain confessed to being "one of the first".
This black being materialized a monstrous being - a hybrid half Denur, half bull - manifesting the horrors that had befallen the fortress. The adventurers quickly grasped the gravity of their situation. A fierce and desperate battle ensued, culminating in a spectacular chase through the twisted corridors of Dar Zenour. Arm in arm and with tremendous courage and grit, they overcame the huge monstrosity and escaped the grasp of the fiend inside the castle.
Following this terrible experience, the High Council came together to examine the results of the expedition. Noticing the inherent risks and the lurking evil forces still lurking within, they declared Dar Zenour an area to be avoided, advising all of Denur not to venture near the cursed citadel and its haunted past.
Second expedition (1524)
| “Are you mad? Have you just seen what happened there! We almost lost our lives and you wish to set our ancient city on fire?
I will not risk the destruction of our ancient hold. I urge you to reconsider your orders, Empress, those monsters will react!”
|
During the coming of the year 1524, the coastal regions west of Dar Zenour became home to the Hinterland refugees from the Second Hadrian Civil War led by self-declared Empress Isabella Van Leuveren. Having found the realm of Valegro and ruling it from the city of Catamora, Isabella got wind of the various riches and relics remaining untouched within the mountain stronghold of Dar Zenour. In a short time, the people began to live a luxurious and indulgent lifestyle, which led to a shortage of gold and riches. Isabella, not wanting to replace her comfort for necessities for her new-found realm, sought contact with a Denurian explorer named Skalar Brísingavaldr, who was driven by ambition to uncover the secrets the Denur race left behind in their fallen holds. With reckless disregard and now aided by Empress Isabella, Skalar ignored the solemn warnings of the past and brazenly opened the sporadic seals that Belegar Whitebeard had put in place. The forces rushed deep into the fortress, not a moment's pause for thought in their hearts, their greed and their curiosity spurred them onwards. What transpired was all too predictable. Their intrusion disturbed a dormant darkness, summoning forth a massive horde of bloodthirsty Demons that lay in wait. Seeing the error of their mistake, Empress Isabella, with a disregard for the lives of her people, fled from the hold before they were overwhelmed. In the ensuing chaos, lives were lost, forcing Skalar and the survivors to flee for their lives.
As they failed to obtain the riches within, Isabella ordered Skalar and his company to set fire to the first halls and seal the hold to smoke out the Demonic inhabitants. Skalar protested, now realizing why his predecessors had forbidden anyone from entering. Yet he found himself forced to proceed by the drawn blades of the Catamorian soldiers. After the deed was completed, the Denur cautioned Isabella and the people of Catamora about the consequences of their actions, hoping to awaken a sense of clarity in them. However, the citizens were too busy continuing their indulgent lifestyle, ignoring the warnings and instead falling even deeper into the debauchery. Realizing their words were disregarded, the Denur under Skalar decided to abandon the region to avoid the coming fate.
Third expedition (1525)
Months had passed without a word from Valegro. Burdened by the shame of his past failures and convinced that their suspicions of doom may have been unfounded, Skalar Brísingavaldr decided to walk through the open doors of Dar Zenour again in 1525. This time, a shadow of uncertainty shaded his determination as he and his troops advanced into the ominous fortress. But as they went more and more into the obscure they realised that something went not quite right in the dark. Noticing stacked corpses originating from the civilian population of Catamora, the Denur party made their way toward the capital of Valegro in blind panic, only to be greeted by the haunted sight of a city fallen to decay, ruin, and Demonic influence. Its population was slaughtered and consumed, and their homes were twisted and corrupted into new dwellings for Demons to fester and reside. Skalar's predictions had indeed come true. The Demon population of Dar Zenour, in retaliation for the fire set in the hold by order of Empress Isabella, had breached the barricades Skalar had established and feasted on the unsuspecting inhabitants of Catamora, turning the city into their second home. Unable to proceed deeper into the city and forced by dark forces spewing from the city after having spotted the Denur, Skalar and his company fled the region once more, leaving Catamora and Dar Zenour to their fate. Word would never come out until the then-Therri'cill Aldir'tor Zaithrall and his Elven scouting parties reached the ruined city during the second half of 1525.
Notable Buildings
Gleaming Depths
Formerly the "lifeblood" of Dar Zenour, the Gleaming Depths is a labyrinth of enormous rooms and passages in which immense quantities of gold and silver were mined. Legends do not tire of stories of the immensity of treasure still hidden within those mines, treasure vast enough to feed a life for a thousand beings. However, their once colorful passages are now silent, in the black. Rumors suggest they have become birthing grounds for unspeakable evils, though many dismiss these as mere tales to scare away the curious.
Wondrous Forges
The Wondrous Forges of Dar Zenour were not normal workshops; they were technological works of Art and design, ingenious examples of artistry. In this very place, craftsmen made jewellery and crafts so exquisitely detailed and exquisitely carved that they seemed to breathe. Forges contained not only sophisticated tools but also machinery unsurpassed in the realm. After the city fell, the forges fell silent, yet some claim that the machines within still hum with an unnatural force as if the dark powers that now control Dar Zenour have breathed new life into the very tools that once forged beauty.
Tomb of Balin
The final resting place of the famous leader Balin is at once a holy place and haunting landmark. Known as the Tomb of Balin, its discovery by Belegar and his companions took place during their doomed mission, which led them to their first meeting with the dark guardians that now rule Dar Zenour. The sarcophagus Balin now lies within an uncanny mystical zone, no longer safe under ancient warding runes. Those who go there have been telling of visions so pervasive of misery and of blackness that the evil that defiled the city has invaded this sacred spot.
Black Stone
The Black Stone is a sleek, obsidian monolith full of mystery. There are no records of when it came into existence, or for what purpose it was, but scholars of Dar Gur think it might have been used as a holding place for the being that is now haunting Dar Zenour. The stone makes a sort of feeble, ghostly hum and it gives all who come near a feeling of apprehension. Legends say it harbors mystic wisdom - or the capacity to unleash even more monstrous evil if it is disturbed.