#15700 The Path to the Keep~ You are heading toward a bleak blackstone keep, sitting in the middle of a field of scorched earth. Surly guards patrol both on the battlements and below before the gate, but they pay you little heed. Evidently the guards are used to strange visitors... ~ ~ 5 2 D1 ~ ~ 1 -1 1524 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 15701 S #15701 Before the Keep~ You are standing outside the massive bronze-bound oak portals that bar the way into the keep. They currently stand open, though, as if the warlock were expecting visitors... ~ ~ 1 1 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 15700 D3 ~ ~ 1 -1 15704 S #15702 A Guard Tower~ This tower sits above the gate you just entered. Guards march back and forth. They seem mildly surprised by your entrance, but they don't move to hinder you. The stairs continue up and down. ~ ~ 9 0 D4 ~ ~ 0 -1 15703 D5 ~ ~ 0 -1 15704 S #15703 The Roof of the Tower~ You emerge onto the roof of the tower. From here you can see far across the plains of Past Anon. The ancient city of Thalos, ruined in your own time, lies far to the south, while to the east lie the jagged peaks of the first mountain range of Anon. It is rumored that the gods temselves reside at their lofty peaks. Beyond them, you can see the peak of Mount Doom, whereupon the castle of the dread Lord Krogthar is located. ~ ~ 0 1 D5 ~ ~ 0 -1 15702 S #15704 Inside the Keep~ Guards march to and fro in this small courtyard. Wooden portals lie to the north, west and south, while the entry gate looms to the east. A set of stairs leads up into the tower of the gatehouse. The floor looks funny here. ~ ~ 1 1 E floor~ It looks like a panel has been replaced recently. Odd. ~ D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15705 D1 ~ ~ 1 -1 15701 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15706 D3 ~ ~ 1 -1 15707 D4 ~ ~ 0 -1 15702 D5 ~ ~ 193 -1 15100 S #15705 The Stables~ Here the guards of the Keep keep, or kept, rather, their steeds. A particularly harsh winter left the Keep short of food, and necessitated the eating of the horses. They have not been replaced yet. ~ ~ 9 0 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15704 S #15706 Barracks~ This room quarters some of the guards of the Keep. There are several bunks littered with dirty underwear and frayed tunics- evidently the warlock is not a stickler for discipline. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15704 S #15707 The Inner Courtyard~ You have passed into the inner courtyard, which lies before the stark black walls of the inner keep, wherein resides Baragar and his consort Alara. Guards occasionally stroll past, as does the occasional servant. The servants appear to be rather lifeless and cold... ~ ~ 1 1 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 15708 D1 ~ ~ 1 -1 15704 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15709 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 15710 S #15708 The Inner Courtyard~ You have passed into the inner courtyard, which lies before the stark black walls of the inner keep, wherein resides Baragar and his consort Alara. Guards occasionally stroll past, as does the occasional servant. The servants appear to be rather lifeless and cold... ~ ~ 1 1 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15741 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15707 D3 ~ ~ 0 0 15711 S #15709 The Inner Courtyard~ You have passed into the inner courtyard, which lies before the stark black walls of the inner keep, wherein resides Baragar and his consort Alara. Guards occasionally stroll past, as does the occasional servant. The servants appear to be rather lifeless and cold... ~ ~ 1 1 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 15707 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15742 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 15712 S #15710 The Inner Courtyard~ You have passed into the inner courtyard, which lies before the stark black walls of the inner keep, wherein resides Baragar and his consort Alara. Guards occasionally stroll past, as does the occasional servant. The servants appear to be rather lifeless and cold... The doors to the inner keep lie to the west of here. ~ ~ 1 1 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 15711 D1 ~ ~ 0 0 15707 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15712 D3 ~ ~ 1 -1 15715 S #15711 The Inner Courtyard~ You have passed into the inner courtyard, which lies before the stark black walls of the inner keep, wherein resides Baragar and his consort Alara. Guards occasionally stroll past, as does the occasional servant. The servants appear to be rather lifeless and cold... ~ ~ 1 1 D1 ~ ~ 0 0 15708 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15710 D5 ~ ~ 1 -1 15713 S #15712 The Inner Courtyard~ You have passed into the inner courtyard, which lies before the stark black walls of the inner keep, wherein resides Baragar and his consort Alara. Guards occasionally stroll past, as does the occasional servant. The servants appear to be rather lifeless and cold... ~ ~ 1 1 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 15710 D1 ~ ~ 1 0 15709 D5 ~ ~ 1 -1 15714 S #15713 The Garbage Pit~ Here the keep's occupants dump their garbage, to be devoured by the offal- eating creature they keep in here. It smells very bad.... very VERY bad... ~ ~ 9 0 D4 ~ ~ 1 -1 15711 S #15714 The Crocodile Pit~ Here Baragar keeps his pet crocodiles, whom he feeds insubordinate guards or slaves to. They are rather hungry, and they would take great pleasure in devouring you. ~ ~ 9 0 D4 ~ ~ 1 -1 15712 S #15715 The Inner Keep~ You stand within the inner keep. The entry room is a small dark chamber, with only four wooden doors to break the monotony of the black walls. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15716 D1 ~ ~ 1 -1 15710 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15717 D3 ~ ~ 1 -1 15718 S #15716 Guard Room~ here some of the Trollish guards of the inner keep reside. They dislike intruders, though they are under orders from Baragar not to slay any, for he is intensely curious as to the nature of any visitors, welcome or not. ~ ~ 9 0 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15715 S #15717 Guard Room~ here some of the Trollish guards of the inner keep reside. They dislike intruders, though they are under orders from Baragar not to slay any, for he is intensely curious as to the nature of any visitors, welcome or not. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15715 S #15718 A Stairwell~ These steps lead up into the upper levels of the keep, or down into the dungeons. You can hear sounds of construction coming from below. ~ ~ 9 0 D1 ~ ~ 1 -1 15715 D4 ~ ~ 0 -1 15719 D5 ~ ~ 0 -1 15727 S #15719 A Stairwell~ These steps lead up into the upper levels of the keep, or down into the dungeons. You can hear sounds of construction coming from below. ~ ~ 9 0 D1 ~ ~ 1 -1 15720 D4 ~ ~ 0 -1 15726 D5 ~ ~ 0 -1 15718 S #15720 Antechamber~ This small room is totally windowless, and would be utterly dark were it not for your pale light source. You feel uneasy here. Far away, someone screams, and you shiver uncomfortably. ~ ~ 8201 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15721 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15722 D3 ~ ~ 1 -1 15719 S #15721 Assassins' Quarters~ Here the assassins of Baragar reside, spending their spare time playing cards, making poisons, killing peasant rabble captured by the guards, etc. They will not be impressed by your intrusion... ~ ~ 8201 0 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15720 S #15722 Apprentice Quarters~ Here resides Alara's apprentice and sometime bed-partner. The apprentice has little to do with Baragar, as Baragar envies and distrusts her, but he dares not slay her for Alara would be displeased... ~ ~ 8201 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15720 S #15723 Antechamber~ This small room is totally windowless, and would be utterly dark were it not for your pale light source. You feel uneasy here. Far away, someone screams, and you shiver uncomfortably. ~ ~ 8201 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15724 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15725 D3 ~ ~ 1 -1 15726 S #15724 Baragar's Chambers~ Baragar himself resides here, in this small room. It is rather spartan, furnished only with a small military cot, a desk and a shelf full of books. You are surprised that such a wicked man would be so neat and disciplined. ~ ~ 8201 0 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15723 S #15725 Alara's Chamber~ Yang to Baragar's Yin, Alara's room represents just how different they are. Her room is sloppy and messy, filled with useless junk and piles of unwashed clothing. There are two large beds, covered with expensive silks and pillows. A set of manacles hangs from one wall, used for some perversion you don't care to find out more about. ~ ~ 8201 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15723 S #15726 A Stairwell~ These steps lead up into the upper levels of the keep, or down into the dungeons. You can hear sounds of construction coming from below. ~ ~ 9 0 D1 ~ ~ 1 -1 15723 D4 ~ ~ 0 -1 15736 D5 ~ ~ 0 -1 15719 S #15727 The Dungeons~ You are in the dank, damp and dirty dungeons of the Keep. The passage you are in extends west into darkness. You can hear the sounds of construction more clearly now. ~ ~ 9 0 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 15728 D4 ~ ~ 0 -1 15718 S #15728 The Dungeons~ You are in the dank, damp and dirty dungeons of the Keep. The passage you are in extends west into darkness. You can hear the sounds of construction more clearly now. Doors lie to the north and south of here. The southern door has strange runes inscribed upon it. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15729 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 15727 D2 This door is inscribed with strange runes~ door~ 1 -1 15730 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 15731 S #15729 A Treasure Room~ This room has a huge chest cram-packed with loot in the middle of it. But as you enter, you feel rather uneasy about the whole situation. ~ ~ 9 0 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15728 S #15730 A Summoning Room~ Baragar and Alara use (or used) this room for practicing their gate spells, but when one spell summoned a denizen of the lower planes that they couldn't control, they hastily sealed it in this room. And now you have released it. Way to go. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15728 S #15731 A Junction~ You are at a rather busy junction in the dungeons. To the north runs a dark passage, while to the south lies a door. To the west lies the source of the noises you heard earlier. it is obvious that a team of workers is excavating down here. Perhaps Baraga wishes to unearth the treasures rumored to lie in the ancient caverns beneath his keep...? ~ ~ 13 0 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 15733 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 15728 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15735 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 15732 S #15732 The Entryway to the Mines~ Here there is a crude elevator which you can use to lower yourself into the lower caverns, wherein the excavation is occuring. But also down there lies the entryway to the ancient caverns, where no one dares travel. ~ ~ 9 0 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 15731 D5 ~ ~ 0 -1 15737 S #15733 A Dark Passage~ This passage extends north into a large cave. The cave emits a glow visible from here, permeating the perpetual darkness here. ~ ~ 8 0 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 15734 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15731 S #15734 A Fiery Cavern~ This cave is illuminated by a lava pool in the center of the room, in which a fire drake is currently dozing. He awakes as you enter, and prepares to cast you out! ~ ~ 8 0 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15733 S #15735 A Lab~ This room was once used as a lab, but Baragar grew bored with alchemy, and abandoned it. Eventually a Grell from the lower caverns made its way up here, and created a nest in this lab. Baragar was fascinated by the bizarre creature, and sealed it within, intending one day to study it. He occasionally feeds it the odd slave or guard. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15731 S #15736 The Roof of the Inner Keep~ You are standing on the roof, atop the highest point of the whole keep. The lands of Past Anon lay spread out before you, and from this windswept position you can see for miles. You hear the cry of some bird, and look above to see several vultures slowly winging their way toward the desolate deserts to the south. In those deserts there is rumored to be a fantastic place filled with wondrous treasures. ~ ~ 0 1 D5 ~ ~ 0 -1 15726 S #15737 The Mines~ Workers rush back and forth, busily carting bags of excavated stone to and from the digging sites. They are intent on their work, and ignore you. You see some rather valuable veins of ore in the walls, left untouched, and you assume the treasure below must be magnificent indeed for Baragar to ignore such wealth. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 15738 D4 ~ ~ 0 -1 15732 S #15738 The Mines~ Workers rush back and forth, busily carting bags of excavated stone to and from the digging sites. They are intent on their work, and ignore you. You see some rather valuable veins of ore in the walls, left untouched, and you assume the treasure below must be magnificent indeed for Baragar to ignore such wealth. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 15740 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15737 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 15739 S #15739 The Mines~ Workers rush back and forth, busily carting bags of excavated stone to and from the digging sites. They are intent on their work, and ignore you. You see some rather valuable veins of ore in the walls, left untouched, and you assume the treasure below must be magnificent indeed for Baragar to ignore such wealth. ~ ~ 9 0 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 15738 S #15740 The Mines~ Workers rush back and forth, busily carting bags of excavated stone to and from the digging sites. They are intent on their work, and ignore you. You see some rather valuable veins of ore in the walls, left untouched, and you assume the treasure below must be magnificent indeed for Baragar to ignore such wealth. ~ ~ 9 0 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15738 S #15741 The Dog Pits~ Here Baragar keeps his vicious war dogs, which he takes with him when on campaigns as guards and hunters of fleeing prey. They are incredibly savage and will attack anyone on sight save Baragar. They will even attack Alara if she enters unaccompanied. ~ ~ 9 0 D2 ~ ~ 1 -1 15708 S #15742 The Dog Pits~ Here Baragar keeps his vicious war dogs, which he takes with him when on campaigns as guards and hunters of fleeing prey. They are incredibly savage and will attack anyone on sight save Baragar. They will even attack Alara if she enters unaccompanied. ~ ~ 9 0 D0 ~ ~ 1 -1 15709 S #0