Kestrel Etrevion
Kestrel Etrevion was "Lord of the West Country", serving as the viceroy of a fiefdom carved out along the shores of Darkstone Bay. The borders of the fiefdom were the Coastal Cliffs in the west, extending east without ever going further north than The Graveyard which was built later. The West Country was usurped by his elder brother, Bandur Etrevion, who was serving as regent in his absence. Kestrel had built a fleet of war ships he had used to plunder the rest of the Bay region, and would have had to sail very far from home in order to avoid assaulting the territories of Lorgalis the White. Though essentially acting as corsairs, they also tamed the seas, slaughtering the bellacorn.
Whether Kestrel was serving Lorgalis or someone else is not clear, as there are symbolic references to a black sea drake in areas associated with him. This would represent either the Cult of the Sea Drake, which was an aspect of Lorgalis' forces of the Unlife, or the Dragonlord Ulya Shek who would have been a rival conqueror in the Wars of Dominion. These would have significantly different implications for the political context of what happened next.
Kestrel was known to have sons who would have been his heirs, whom his brother gave the epitaph "princes all" who died attempting to reclaim their "ancestral homeland." Neither princes, nor with ancestral lands, this mocking eulogy seems to imply they attempted to reacquire the fiefdom with force. It is impossible to know for certain, as the original Claedesbrim Castle was within their territory, but was heavily modified by Estrion such that no archaeological evidence remains. There was an underground stronghold along the Coastal Cliffs housing a cult of Luukos, apparently owned by a royal, which was purged with foul hordes and extreme violence in the rise of the theocracy.
Kestrel was slain by his brother in a heated argument over these issues, supposedly with a Spell of Absolution Pure, but possibly a darker absolution which would better account for the guilt and torment of Bandur. He was interred in a possibly fake sarcophagus in a war ship shaped burial mound covered with toxic salorisa flowers, but may actually be the skeleton used for the underground throne room of The Graveyard. His epitaphs were subtly mocking as well, emphasizing his lesser rule, and playing off the word "deeds" to imply his brother was the true sovereign. Bandur supposedly told his high priests that Kestrel was waiting for him, and that they should not follow if they value their souls.
He was referring to the "Under Barrow" ultimately leading down the Ice Room, which was not originally accessible from the surface of The Graveyard. It might be symbolic of "the dark path" in Purgatory.
Behind The Scenes
The possibly false sarcophagus of Kestrel Etrevion, implying his soul continued to exist after death, but not in the Gates of Oblivion.
[Graveyard, Burial Mound]
This is the burial chamber of a great warrior-king. There are empty chests made of precious woods, now mildewed and rotten with fittings of beaten gold and silver. Rusted weapons are scattered about. A wooden coffin, carved in the shape of a proud warship with a dragon prow, lies at the far side of the circular room.
Obvious exits: west, southeast.
>l coffin
The coffin was pried open long ago and damaged in the process. The hinges are now so deformed that it cannot be shut. The wooden casket is carved with broad, primitive strokes and covered with faded traces of paint and gilt. A silver plaque is affixed to the casket.
>read plaque
It reads:
Our Lord and Liege, Ruler of the West Country--Never at peace while he lived, and yet to find peace beyond the grave.
>l in coff
In the wooden coffin you see a kingly corpse.
>l corpse
The corpse wears a deathmask of beaten silver and gold, the facial features grim, determined and cruel, beneath a jewel-encrusted coronet. Swathed in a plain burial shroud with arms crossed over his chest, the warrior-king still inspires awe and dread.