Dar Vziun

Dar Vziun

Nicknames	Gate of Shadows
Country	-
Founded	Founded in 240 by Kalda Emberheart
Location	Southern spine of Eden
Governing Body	-
Races	Denur before the collapse.
Language(s)	-

Dar Vziun

Dar Vziun, the Home of the East and often called the Gate of Shadows, is an unusual fortress. Its purpose is unlike that of any typical stronghold in any known realm. At its heart lies a vast, ominous black portal, a gateway to an unknown and forbidding realm. Strange and foreboding phenomena have always surrounded the portal, with many describing the thick, dark mist that seeps from it as unnatural and suffocating. The Denur, recognizing the peril this gateway posed, pledged to guard this treacherous part of their realm for eternity. However, their commitment was not without ulterior motives; they sought to secure the precious savanna surrounding the fortress, rich with untapped gold reserves.

Today, Dar Vziun is deserted, a remnant of its past glory. The portal, once under the watchful eye of the palace guard, now stands wide open, inviting any unholy creature to step across its threshold. The ghosts of bound oaths and fulfilled but forgotten orders float in the air. Dar Vziun is still a moth-eaten stronghold, but it awaits only the appearance of those who would claim its dark power for a return to vigor and valiant glory.

Founding

After establishing Dar Nathros in 210, the Denur wanted to avoid the fate of their southwestern forebears and instead sought to dominate the vast gold-rich savanna. However, their ambitions were countered by an ominous portent: a malevolent black portal from which emerged a constant, malign fog they called the "Graveyard". Its animus sought to devour all life, consuming the bodies of sentient beings and augmenting its own might. As this black fog spread, it willed swarms of the undead, who would murder everyone who dared enter into the misty territory. At the heart of this darkness was a demon, a formidable entity who had achieved symbiosis with the Graveyard, controlling its movements and amplifying its deadly reach.

The Denur knew they could not lose their newfound wealth easily and hence created a powerful army to deal with such a problem and close the portal once and for all. Blood spattered all over as a violent war took place and the clang of swords and the screams of the Denur cut through the silence of the fog, making their way through the fog while wolves of the undead came down on them. Harrikum Argilac Stoneguard led the soldiers with unparalleled valor and bravery, lending his courage and strategic acumen in the thick of the battle. Deep within the fog's center, they activated a specially designed wind machine, cleaving the fog into two parts. The portion severed from the portal dissipated instantly, halving its power. Exploiting the opportunity, the Denur pushed back demon into the portal and used the wind machine to disperse the remaining fog up to the portal's threshold.

In order to stop the Graveyard from coming back and becoming stronger, the Denur built a fortress around the portal, created not to guard what was inside there but rather to hold what it contained. This large gate earned the name the Gate of Shadows. The task of guarding this portal fell to the most skilled warriors, whose duty was to ensure that no darkness could breach their defenses. Notable among them was the commander of the fortress, Kalda Emberheart, who was active, bold and wise in this chaotic period. In the year 240, she put the last stone to the construction of the gate completing her mission and securing the Denur for many years to come.

Historic Events

In contrast to other fortresses, the details surrounding the fall of Dar Vziun are remarkably well-preserved. This is largely due to the near-destruction of the Emberheart Kalan, whose survivors managed to escape and report the harrowing events that led to the fortress’s downfall.

Rising Threat (1315)

Unlike the other fortresses, which were heavily involved in trade, Dar Vziun found itself isolated following the fall of Dar Nathros and the sudden cessation of all contact with Dar Zenour. With no aid or rations forthcoming, the fortress was left to rely solely on its extensive reserves for survival. Yet, the Gate of Shadows was built to endure such challenges, and many held onto the hope that reinforcements from Dar Azur would arrive in time.

What they were unprepared for, however, was the intensifying activity at the gate. As their forces struggled to maintain control, a more ominous threat emerged—the portal itself seemed to be growing, expanding unnaturally. The very fabric of reality around the portal began to warp, as if something far darker was preparing to break through.

Breaking Point (1316)

A critical state was reached when Graveyard once again tried to force his way through the portal. Although it again failed to break the main gate and leave the Hall of Death, it left behind another present. In the aftermath of their hard-fought victory, the celebrating Denur failed to notice the cracks forming at the edges of the portal. What began as a minor breach soon spiralled out of control, triggering a catastrophic collapse.

Deep in the night, the critical point was reached and the portal tore open with an enormous shock wave that trembled the southern part of Eden. Panic spread as the Denur raced through the fortress, choking on dust and debris. When they finally looked upon the portal again, they saw the true horror: the rift had grown tenfold, and far greater darkness now loomed before them, ready to consume all in its path.

Desperate, Drion Emberheart, the fortress's keeper, sent envoys in all directions, pleading for aid. But no help would come - each fortress and Kalan was preoccupied with its own struggles, leaving Dar Vziun to face the encroaching darkness alone.

The Last Stand of Dar Vziun (1317)

The quiet that followed the expansion of the portal was an uneasy sign, and the Denur prepared for the coming attack. One morning, horns sounded throughout the valley near Dar Vziun, producing a deep noise that warned of danger. Soldiers got ready for their last stand, understanding that this would be a fight for their lives. As the fog spreads and with it hordes of undead surged from the portal, the space between the gate and the portal soon filled up, looking like a dam ready to burst. The Denur, stationed behind the narrow arrow slits in the walls far above the fog, unleashed fire and metal on the undead, pushing the creatures back with accurate, unyielding blows.

However, the main gate began to cave in and the hallowed seal once placed by a powerful Lunarmancer began to break. Only a few Denur warriors were left, worn out and wounded, their ranks nearly decimated. Cracks spread across the old stone, and it was only a matter of time before it completely broke apart. Just as the main gate was about to collapse, unleashing untold horrors, Drion Emberheart made a crucial choice. After a thousand years, he resolved to open the Gate of Shadows for the very first time. With a great effort, the gate swung open, acting as a sluice that unleashed the pent-up fury of the Graveyard. While the black mass surged forth, Drion and his warriors activated a hidden escape route, enabling the Denur to evacuate Dar Vziun. As the last of his soldiers fled, Drion knew the fortress was lost, but the spirit of the Denur would endure.

Notable buildings

Gate of Shadows

The Gate of Shadows serves as the fortress’s massive outer gate, a towering barrier forged from black steel of unparalleled thickness. This monolithic structure was designed to withstand any assault, and it is said that even the siege engines of Dar Gur could not breach it. The surface of the gate is decorated with ancient runes and bears a sacred sigil placed in the middle by a powerful Lunarmancer. It stands as a testament to the Denur’s ingenuity and their fear of what lay beyond.

Portal Gate

It is the smaller inner gate leading directly to the black portal, is far less imposing in appearance but far more mysterious. Made of a strange, unidentifiable metal, it has baffled scientists and smiths alike. Its resilience is uncanny, and some believe the material is not of this world. Though less robust than the Demon’s Gate, it is imbued with an aura that unnerves all who approach.

Hall of Death

Between the Gate of Shadows and the Portal Gate lies the Hall of Death, a corridor built as the ultimate killing field. Lined with small slits and hidden mechanisms, it allowed the Denur to slaughter trapped undead with precision and efficiency. Its walls, marked by centuries of combat, tell the story of relentless battles fought to secure the fortress.

Endless barracks

Renowned for their comfort and design, the Endless Barracks of Dar Vziun were not only a place of rest but a refuge for the fortress’s soldiers. Built to be securely sealed, they protected their occupants from the bitter winds and dangers beyond the walls. Many soldiers stationed on a cold, exposed watchtower dreamed of spending their nights in these halls, surrounded by warmth and camaraderie, rather than shivering on a desolate post. Even in their abandonment, the barracks retain an aura of solace in denuran stories, a stark contrast to the fortress’s otherwise grim purpose.