Category:Darkstone Castle creatures

Tsoran's map

Darkstone Castle

This category lists all creatures found in the Darkstone Castle hunting area. The Darkstone Castle hunting area is nearest to the town of Wehnimer's Landing. It is found on the Tsoran map WL-darkstone. As of the events of Octaven, part of this original map is no longer accessible. Only the castle itself was moved to the Bleaklands, beginning with the drawbridge room. The initial areas of the Gorge and Cavern (with centaurs and the external roa'ters) is presumed to be destroyed and no longer accessible.

Darkstone Castle was built from the ruins of an older castle by a sorcerer named Estrion near Wehnimer's Landing. The results of the dark experiments conducted there still reside in the castle in the form of huge mein golems, stone gargoyles, stone sentinels, and the like. Estrion was killed while attempting to destroy the world, after he was abandoned for his failed betrayal of Sheru. It is believed that his ghost still inhabits the castle, and was summoned there once by a Tehir spiritcaller.

However, Estrion has appeared at Ebon Gate festivals before, mocking the mage who killed him. Estrion's partner, Siarl, is believed to still be alive, and is wanted for petty theft by the Kobold Village.

As a result of the events with Octaven, the entire castle was transported from its original location to the Bleaklands of Talador. Access to Darkstone can now be made through a portal in Melgorehn's valley, where lesser burrow orcs reside (lich room 7927).

The Castle

Dark Caverns

Sometimes called the dungeons, these caverns are located underneath Darkstone Castle; however, entering them is a puzzle. The more powerful creatures, like the massive troll kings and the Sheruvian harbingers reside in the caverns. The machine that Estrion was building in order to destroy the world is located on the third level. It now sits broken along with the bodies of numerous sacrifices.

Random Dispel Events

When inside the castle walls, adventurers may experience an occasional random dispel. Note the 'energy surrounding <you/him/her> is weakening' clause which immediately precedes the dispel event (see messaging below). Arcane Decoy (1701), contained in dull gold coins, does not afford protection from this event. This is caused by the lingering mana storm anchored over the castle, caused by a backlash from Estrion's attempt to force a portal to Lornon.

For an instant, the whole world seems blanketed in darkness as the clouds thicken and swirl outward, like some malignant tumor eating away at the light.

Faint tracings of static electricity begin to crawl up and down Luicindas's body, as if the energy surrounding her is weakening.

The brilliant luminescence fades from around Luicindas.

Suddenly there is a faint tingling sensation that seems to course through your body, you feel as if the energy surrounding you is weakening slightly.

Your sense of faith and conviction wanes.  You are less sure of yourself.

Circles

In some areas, there are various types of circles, which are environmental hazards.

[Darkstone, Dungeon]
A reinforced, iron door appears to have been ripped from its hinges by a remarkable force.  It hangs by fragile, twisted bits of metal from its frame, revealing the utter darkness within the cell beyond.  You also see a banshee and an intense shimmering circle.
Obvious exits: north, south

An intense shimmering circle explodes in a shower of shimmering sparks.
You are hit by the explosion.
   ... 30 points of damage!
   Electric blast goes right to the heart!  You'll miss that steady beat.
(All spells fall)
A barely perceptible pulse radiates from your imflass plate, harnessing your connection to the Paladin to alert your brothers and sisters of the Order of your need.
It seems you have died, my friend.  Although you cannot do anything, you are keenly aware of what is going on around you...
You mentally give a sigh of relief as you remember that the Goddess Lorminstra owes you a favor.
...departing in 16 mins...

Circles can be destroyed with many offensive spells, but their destruction is often violent and may injure anyone in the area.

Behind the Scenes
The Estrion story line happened in the I.C.E. Age, when it was still called Castle Claedesbrim. Claedesbrim Bay was changed to Darkstone Bay, and the castle was re-named correspondingly. The castle existed in the game for a few years prior to being remodeled, with a different set of creatures and layout tweaks for the building. No one seems to know the premise of the original castle, which was haunted by creatures that should have required a master necromancer and golem constructor. However, there is no guarantee the castle has any narrative basis, and provides nothing suggesting it.

One theory is that it is part of the Etrevion storyline, having been a feudal construct in Kestrel Etrevion's territory, whose associated areas were being developed simultaneously. It is most likely these were the people Kestrel (barely) conquered. But the castle may have instead been a failed siege by the nephews or Lorgalis, explaining their epitaph in The Graveyard. It might even be related to the fall of Quellburn, or else completely devoid of historical context. All of the other areas associated with the Etrevion story are heavily laden with subtle references to Shadow World and literature.

Claedesbrim Castle
Very little is known with certainty to survive of the original Claedesbrim Castle. The following is an excerpt of a religious site known to exist at the time, which leans toward the conquest by Kestrel interpretation. However, it is important to note that the maps of the original castle are still mostly valid, which suggests most things of relevance for interpreting the original were not changed.
A magnificent stained-glass window and a gold-trimmed altar fill you with awe as you enter this simple temple to the gods of Kulthea.

The Dark Path would not have had such a temple (unless mockingly) if it was using the castle at the time it was sieged, nor would have it been built by other members of their family. Its haunted ruins and monstrosities would be the meaning of "sorcerous intervention" by Bandur Etrevion. It is not inconsistent with the Quellbourne theory, but it would require The Iron Wind, since Zenon himself was sieging the citadel. It may even be arbitrary. These possibilities would be easy to distinguish if old logs were discovered of the original castle, so it is clear how the room descriptions were changed. For example, the stone pedestal in the Great Hall with its demonic reliefs and the unstable void above it is a Lord of Essaence style gateway, and would strongly suggest Bandur if it was present before Estrion.
See Also
* Saved posts
* The History of Darkstone Castle
*Darkstone Castle on Play.net