#15000 The King's Road~ You stand at the beginning of the actual King's Road. The road is wide enough for several horses to ride along side by side with room to spare. The stones which make up the road have been put into place with such skill that the road seems to be perfectly smooth and perfectly straight. You spot a small trail leading to the south through the undergrowth which surrounds the road at this point. A traveller passes by and waves cheerfully at you. ~ 150 c 1 D1 The King's Road continues in a straight line to the east towards a grand castle. ~ ~ 0 -1 15001 D2 A small overgrown trail leads through the undergrowth to the south. ~ ~ 0 -1 15061 D3 The King's Road thins out a bit into a lane just to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 3502 E traveller~ The traveller smiles cheerfully and calls 'hello' when you greet him, but continues on his way. The traveller is in excellent condition. ~ S #15001 The King's Road~ You stand in the center of the great King's Road. The road is very well built, and goes in a straight line due east-west. ~ 150 0 1 D1 The King's Road continues in a straight line to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15002 D3 You see that the King's Road continues westwards towards a large city. ~ ~ 0 -1 15000 S #15002 The King's Road~ You stand on the King's Road, which leads east and west. The skill of the builders is apparent, since it is impossible to notice any turn or irregularity in the road. ~ 150 0 1 D1 You see a castle in the far east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15003 D3 The King's Road continues in a straight line to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 15001 S #15003 On The King's Road Outside A Castle~ You are standing on the King's Road. Before you is a large Castle, evidently built not so much for strength as for beauty. It is not totally without defences, though, for it is surrounded by a deep moat, and its windows are just narrow slits for archers to shoot through. To the north there is a drawbridge across the moat. ~ 150 0 1 D0 You see the drawbridge. ~ ~ 0 -1 15004 D3 The King's Road continues in a straight line to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 15002 S #15004 On The Drawbridge~ You have arrived at the drawbridge leading into the Castle. Before you is a huge, double-doored gate. It seems very strong. You see some whirls in the moat. ~ 150 c 1 D0 The gate has huge, but intricately carved hinges. As the Castle itself, it seems designed not only for strength, but also for beauty. ~ gate door~ 1 -1 15007 D2 You see the King's Road. ~ ~ 0 -1 15003 E whirls whirl moat~ You can't see much, but it seems that something beneath the surface is creating them. ~ S #15005 The Kitchen~ You are in the Kitchen. Lots of helpers hurry to do the Chief Cook's bidding, and there is a wonderful smell that makes you feel very hungry. All around the room, there are shelves with different kinds of cooking gear stacked on them. There is an exit to the north, and one to the east; both leading to small passages. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see a small, dimly lit passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15010 D1 You see a small, dimly lit passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15006 S #15006 A Small Passage~ You are standing in a small passage, that is clearly intended mostly for the servants of the Castle. It is only dimly lit and quite narrow. The passage leads west, and to the east there is a small door. ~ 150 d 0 D1 The door is small and uninteresting. ~ door small~ 1 -1 15007 D3 You hear clanging of pots, and smell cooking meat. ~ ~ 0 -1 15005 S #15007 The Entrance Hall~ You are standing in the impressive Entrance Hall of the Castle. To the north is an exit into the Great Hall. There is also an exit east, and a small door to the west. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15012 D1 There seems to be a small guard room to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15008 D2 To the south, there is a gate, that leads to the Drawbridge. ~ gate~ 1 -1 15004 D3 The door is small and uninteresting. ~ door small~ 1 -1 15006 S #15008 The Guard Room~ You are in a small room, evidently meant for guards currently not on duty. There is only one exit, back to the entrance hall. ~ 150 d 0 D3 You see the Castle Entrance. ~ ~ 0 -1 15007 S #15009 Under The Tower~ You are below one the three mighty towers of the Castle. There are no guards here, and you sense that this part of the Castle is largely unused. There are stairs going up to the tower, and there is also an exit to the north. ~ 150 cd 0 D0 You see a small, dimly lit passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15014 D4 The stairs are old, but in good repair. They lead up into the tower. ~ ~ 0 -1 15034 E stairs~ The stairs are old, but in good repair. They lead up into the tower. ~ S #15010 The Small Passage~ You are standing in a small passage, that is clearly intended mainly for the servants of the Castle. The passage leads north and south. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see a small, dimly lit passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15015 D2 You hear the clanging of pots, and smell cooking meat. ~ ~ 0 -1 15005 S #15011 The Great Hall~ You are standing in the south-west end of the Great Hall. It is truly vast; the roof is so high above your head, that it seems no closer than the clouds outside. The roof is beautifully painted, by someone who must have been a true master. The hall is very large, and could easily seat several hundred people at a banquet. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15016 D1 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15012 E roof paintings paint~ The paintings on the roof depict the great heroes and gods. One of the gods is fairly heavy-bellied and incredibly hairy, with a massive beard. Also among them are the great enemies and wrongdoers, such as the evil Goddess Yochlol and the powerful evil Wizard Tharoecon. ~ S #15012 The Great Hall~ You are standing in the southern end of the Great Hall. It is truly vast; the roof is so high above your head, that it seems no closer than the clouds outside. The roof is beautifully painted, by someone who must have been a true master. The hall is very large, and could easily seat several hundred people at a banquet. To your north, you see King Welmar's great throne, and to the south is the Castle Entrance. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the part of the Great Hall where the throne is. ~ ~ 0 -1 15017 D1 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15013 D2 You see the Castle Entrance. ~ ~ 0 -1 15007 D3 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15011 E roof paintings paint~ The paintings on the roof depict the great heroes and gods. One of the gods is fairly heavy-bellied and incredibly hairy, with a massive beard. Also among them are the great enemies and wrongdoers, such as the evil Goddess Yochlol and the powerful evil Wizard Tharoecon. ~ S #15013 The Great Hall~ You are standing in the south-east end of the Great Hall. It is truly vast; the roof is so high above your head, that it seems no closer than the clouds outside. The roof is beautifully painted, by someone who must have been a true master. The hall is very large, and could easily seat several hundred people at a banquet. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15018 D3 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15012 E roof paintings paint~ The paintings on the roof depict the great heroes and gods. One of the gods is fairly heavy-bellied and incredibly hairy, with a massive beard. Also among them are the great enemies and wrongdoers, such as the evil Goddess Yochlol and the powerful, evil Wizard Tharoecon. ~ S #15014 A Passage~ You are standing in a passage, that leads north and south. To the south it leads towards one of towers. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the small passage continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15019 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 15009 S #15015 The Passage~ You are in a passage, that leads north and south. To the east there is an exit to the Great Hall. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the passage continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15020 D1 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15016 D2 You see the passage continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15010 S #15016 The Great Hall~ You are standing in the north-west end of the Great Hall. It is truly vast; the roof is so high above your head, that it seems no closer than the clouds outside. The roof is beautifully painted, by someone who must have been a true master. The hall is very large, and could easily seat several hundred people at a banquet. To your east, you see King Welmar's great throne, and to the west there is an exit to a passage. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You see the part of the Great Hall where the throne is. ~ ~ 0 -1 15017 D2 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15011 D3 You see a passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15015 E roof paintings paint~ The paintings on the roof depict the great heroes and gods. One of the gods is fairly heavy-bellied and incredibly hairy, with a massive beard. Also among them are the great enemies and wrongdoers, such as the evil Goddess Yochlol and the powerful evil Wizard Tharoecon. ~ S #15017 By The Throne In The Great Hall~ You are standing by the King's huge ivory throne. The throne is, to an even greater degree than the Hall itself, a masterpiece. It is intricately and beautifully carved, and it seems to be made out of a single block of ivory, though you shiver at the thought of meeting the animal that died to yield a piece of that size. The Hall continues to the east, west and south. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15018 D2 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15012 D3 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15016 E roof paintings paint~ The paintings on the roof depict the great heroes and gods. One of the gods is fairly heavy-bellied and incredibly hairy, with a massive beard. Also among them are the great enemies and wrongdoers, such as the evil Goddess Yochlol and the powerful evil Wizard Tharoecon. ~ E throne ivory~ It is large and very beautiful. The carvings are mainly of animals and magic beasts. ~ S #15018 The Great Hall~ You are standing in the north-east end of the Great Hall. It is truly vast; the roof is so high above your head, that it seems no closer than the clouds outside. The roof is beautifully painted, by someone who must have been a true master. The hall is very large, and could easily seat several hundred people at a banquet. To your west, you see King Welmar's great throne, and to the east there is an exit to a small passage. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You see a passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15019 D2 You see the King's Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15013 D3 You see the part of the Great Hall where the throne is. ~ ~ 0 -1 15017 E roof paintings paint~ The paintings on the roof depict the great heroes and gods. One of the gods is fairly heavy-bellied and incredibly hairy, with a massive beard. Also among them are the great enemies and wrongdoers, such as the evil Goddess Yochlol and the powerful evil Wizard Tharoecon. ~ S #15019 The Small Passage~ You are standing in a small passage, that leads north and south. To the west, there is an exit into the Great Hall. ~ 150 d 0 D0 The passage continues to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 15024 D2 The passage continues to the south. ~ ~ 0 -1 15014 D3 To the west you see the Great Hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 15018 S #15020 The Passage~ You are standing in a north-south leading passage. There is a door to the east. ~ 150 d 0 D0 The passage leads to a staircase. ~ ~ 0 -1 15025 D1 The door is quite small and unobtrusive. ~ door~ 1 -1 15021 D2 The passage continues to the south. ~ ~ 0 -1 15015 S #15021 The Servants' Corridor~ You are standing in a corridor, that stretches further to the east. There are doors to the north and west. The corridor itself is mainly used by servants, and lacks some of the beauty of the rest of the castle. ~ 150 d 0 D0 There is a door there! ~ door~ 1 -1 15026 D1 The corridor seems to come to its end a bit further east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15022 D3 The door to the west is made out of wood. ~ door wood~ 1 -1 15020 S #15022 The End Of The Servants' Corridor~ The corridor leads only west from here, but there is a door to the north. ~ 150 d 0 D0 The door leads to a room intended for the butler. ~ door~ 1 15009 15027 D3 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15021 S #15023 The Training Room~ This is the Training Room of the men of the Castle guard. It is very large, with weapons standing in racks by all the walls. Most of the weapons seem to be intended for training only, with blunt edges and the like, but there are some that might be useful for real fighting. There is a door to the north. ~ 150 d 0 D0 The door is large and heavy. ~ door large heavy~ 1 -1 15028 D1 You see a small passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15024 S #15024 The Small Passage~ You are standing in a small passage leading north and south. There is also an exit to the west, from which grunts, cheers and heavy blows can be heard. ~ 150 d 0 D0 The passage leads north to some stairs. ~ ~ 0 -1 15029 D2 You see the passage continuing. ~ ~ 0 -1 15019 D3 You see the Training Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15023 S #15025 The Stair Room~ You are standing below a great staircase, that leads up to the second floor of the Castle. The stairs are made of marble, and there are pillars carved in the likenesses of trees with little animals running up and down the trunks. ~ 150 d 0 D2 You see the passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15020 D4 The stairs lead up to the second floor. ~ ~ 0 -1 15049 E stairs stair~ Made out of marble, and as all the rest of the Castle made primarily for beauty and with great skill. ~ E pillar pillars tree trees~ Very nice. Squirrels and little birds all over. ~ S #15026 The Servants' Quarters~ You are standing in a large room, that seems to house many of the servants. The room is full of comfortable-looking beds. There is also a large chest, probably containing some of the servants' belongings. ~ 150 d 0 D2 The door is made out of wood. ~ door wood~ 1 -1 15021 E bed~ The beds all look comfortable, despite the fact that this is just the servants' place. ~ S #15027 The Butler's Quarters~ You see at once that this must be the butler's room, for it lies in the servants' wing, and still it is large and comfortable; almost luxurious, in fact. There is a large bed and a drawer in the room. The only exit is via the door to the south. ~ 150 d 0 D2 You see the corridor. ~ door~ 1 15009 15022 E bed~ Looks very comfortable indeed. ~ S #15028 The Guards' Barracks~ You are standing in a very large room with bunks all over. It is obvious, that this is where the guards off duty spend most of their time, drinking and gambling or, probably, mostly sleeping. ~ 150 d 0 D2 The door is large and heavy. ~ door large heavy~ 1 -1 15023 E bunk bunks~ They look a bit hard, but you could sleep in them. ~ S #15029 The Stairs~ You are standing by a staircase leading down. As you look down, you notice that for the first time since you entered the castle, things are not aesthetically made. Instead it looks more functional and prison-like. ~ 150 d 0 D2 You see the small passage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15024 D5 The stairs down lead into darkness. ~ ~ 0 -1 15055 E stairs stair staircase~ They seem to be made of granite, and stretch down into a more dimly lit area than where you come from. ~ S #15030 At A Bend In The Corridor~ You are standing at a place where the corridor bends from east to north. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15035 D1 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15031 S #15031 The Corridor~ You are standing in a long corridor, decorated with tapestries depicting old times and old heroes. It leads east and west. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15032 D3 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15030 S #15032 The Corridor~ You are standing in a long corridor, decorated with tapestries depicting old times and old heroes. It leads east and west. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15033 D3 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15031 S #15033 The Corridor~ You are standing in a long corridor, decorated with tapestries depicting old times and old heroes. The corridor continues west, and to the north you see the luxurious guest wing. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the guest wing. ~ ~ 0 -1 15038 D3 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15032 S #15034 In The South-East Tower~ This part of the tower is fairly uninteresting, but it leads further upwards... ~ 150 d 0 D4 The room at the top of the tower seems darkish for some reason. ~ ~ 0 -1 15052 D5 You see the stairs at the bottom of the tower. ~ ~ 0 -1 15009 S #15035 The Corridor~ You are standing in a long corridor, decorated with tapestries depicting old times and old heroes. It leads north and south. There is also an exit to the east here. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15040 D1 You see a small room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15036 D2 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15030 S #15036 By The Treasure Room~ You are standing by a great iron door. The door is very large, and seems very solid indeed. There is a sign posted by it. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You see a large steel door. ~ door steel large~ 2 15007 15037 D3 You see the corridor. ~ ~ 0 -1 15035 E sign~ TREASURE ROOM Authorized personnel only - all others keep out. ANY trespassing will be SEVERELY punished!! ~ S #15037 The Great Treasury~ As you enter this room, you are astonished by the riches that are stowed away here; not so much in gold, but paintings, tapestries, skillful carvings and sculptures all over the vast room. You realise, however, that most of these things are too well known to be sold anywhere, without branding yourself as a thief, and condemning yourself to instant death at the hands of the Royal Guard. ~ 150 d 0 D3 You see a large steel door. ~ door large steel~ 2 15007 15036 E painting paintings carving carvings sculptures tapestries~ It seems they are stored here temporarily to enable changing of the decoration in the Castle on a regular basis. ~ S #15038 The Guest Wing~ You have arrived at the part of the Castle where prominent guests are housed. To the east there is a large, ornamented door, and a somewhat smaller one leads north. ~ 150 d 0 D0 The door seems to lead to a guest room. ~ door small~ 1 -1 15043 D1 You see the guest suite behind the ornamented door. ~ door ornament ornamented~ 1 -1 15039 D2 You see the corridor. ~ ~ 0 -1 15033 S #15039 The Guest Suite~ This must be where only the most highly regarded guests stay, since it is luxurious beyond your wildest imagination. This is only the living room of the suite, but it is huge and tastefully decorated. All the furniture is not only beautiful, but also made for comfort. To the north, there is an exit to the bedroom, and there is a door to the west. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the bedroom. ~ ~ 0 -1 15044 D3 Behind the door you see the entrance to the Guest Wing. ~ door~ 1 -1 15038 S #15040 The Corridor~ You are standing in a long corridor, decorated with tapestries depicting old times and old heroes. It leads north and south. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15045 D2 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15035 S #15041 The Ball Room~ You are standing in the great Ball Room. It is a truly large room, with a stage for an orchestra in the south-east end. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the Ball Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15046 D1 To the east you see the stage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15042 S #15042 By The Stage~ Before you you see the stage. It is large enough for some 40 musicians to play on at the same time. The Ball Room continues to the west and north. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the Ball Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15047 D3 You see the Ball Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15041 S #15043 A Guest Room~ You are standing in a large room. Although it is comfortable enough, you can tell it is not meant for any of the most illustrious guests, since it lacks that extreme luxury found elsewhere in the Castle. ~ 150 d 0 D2 Behind the door, you see the entrance to the Guest Wing. ~ door~ 1 -1 15038 S #15044 The Bedroom~ This room is dominated by the huge four-poster bed, that stands against the northern wall. The room is large and cosy, and the bed virtually begs you to lie down in it and sleep. ~ 150 d 0 D2 You see the living room of the suite. ~ ~ 0 -1 15039 E bed~ Large, comfortable, bolstered... Invites you to sleep in it. ~ S #15045 The Corridor~ You are standing in a long corridor, decorated with tapestries depicting old times and old heroes. It leads north and south. There is an exit to the east, that leads to a large room. ~ 150 d 0 D0 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15049 D1 You see the Ball Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15046 D2 You see the corridor continue. ~ ~ 0 -1 15040 S #15046 The Ball Room~ You are standing in the great Ball Room. It is a truly large room, with a stage for an orchestra in the south-east end. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You see the Ball Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15047 D2 You see the Ball Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15041 D3 You see the corridor. ~ ~ 0 -1 15045 S #15047 The Ball Room~ You are standing in the great Ball Room. It is a truly large room, with a stage for an orchestra in the south-east end. ~ 150 d 0 D1 To the east, you can enter a tower. ~ ~ 0 -1 15048 D2 To the south you see the stage. ~ ~ 0 -1 15042 D3 You see the Ball Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15046 S #15048 In The Tower~ You are standing in the north-eastern of the three great watch- towers of the Castle. To the west, you can enter the Ball Room and there are stairs leading up into the Tower. ~ 150 d 0 D3 You see the Ball Room. ~ ~ 0 -1 15047 D4 The stairs lead a long way up to the top of the Tower. ~ ~ 0 -1 15054 E stairs~ The stairs are made out of granite, and seem solid enough. ~ S #15049 The Grand Staircase~ You are standing on a great staircase, that leads up and down. To the east, there is a large oak door, and a corridor leads south. ~ 150 d 0 D1 The door is large and made out of oak. ~ door oak large~ 1 15014 15050 D2 You see the corridor. ~ ~ 0 -1 15045 D4 The stairs continue up to the top of the tower. ~ ~ 0 -1 15053 D5 The stairs lead down to the first floor of the Castle. ~ ~ 0 -1 15025 E stairs~ The stairs are made of marble, and there are pillars carved in the likenesses of trees with little animals running up and down the trunks. ~ S #15050 The Cosy Room~ You have entered a large, cosy living room. There is a fireplace with a fire burning, and a few comfortable chairs around a little table. There is a door to the west, and also an exit to the east. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You see a large bedroom. ~ ~ 0 -1 15051 D3 The door is large, and made out of oak. ~ door large oak~ 1 15014 15049 E fire fireplace~ The fire is built out of logs, and seems to be able to burn for quite a while longer. ~ E table~ The table is made of mahogany, and elegant in a cosy way(!) ~ E chairs~ The chairs are arranged around the fireplace. ~ S #15051 King Welmar's Bedroom~ This is a large room, with a wonderful view. To one side of the room, stands a large four-poster bed. All around the room there are massive bookshelves, filled with all kinds of books. The titles include works such as: 'A Treatise on the History of Midgaard and surrounding areas', 'Magic - A Beginner's Introduction' and many others. There is an exit to the west. ~ 150 d 0 D3 There is a large and cosy room to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 15050 E books book shelf shelves bookshelf bookshelves~ Most of the books seem worn, as if thoroughly studied. The King evidently is interested in keeping himself educated. ~ E bed~ Seems nice enough to sleep in, though you would never dare to, since it is a Royal Bed! ~ E history midgaard~ A dry tome, filled with boring knowledge. ~ E magic~ Beginner? This book goes beyond most of what YOU know about magic anyway. But then, there are levels of magical knowledge, it seems. ~ S #15052 Up In The Tower~ After a long climb, you finally reach the top of the tower. This room is small, and the only light source is a flickering candle, on a cluttered table, in the middle of the room. The only obvious exit is back down the stairs. ~ 150 d 0 D5 The stairs go down the tower. ~ ~ 0 -1 15034 E table~ On the table are various objects, all very strange-looking. ~ E candle~ Small, uninteresting... A candle that is as normal as can be. ~ S #15053 The Top Of The Tower~ You have arrived at the top of the tower. This tower is pretty uninteresting, and seems made purely for reasons of defence and guarding. The windows are slits for bowmen, very narrow on the outward side and broad inwards to allow a wide shooting angle. The only evident exit is down the stairs again. ~ 150 d 0 D5 The stairs go down to the second floor. ~ ~ 0 -1 15049 E window slit~ As you look out the windows, you are granted a view of the countryside. ~ S #15054 The Top Of The Tower~ This is the highest of all the towers, and is obviously used for lookout purposes. The view is splendid in all four directions. All around you, the rich countryside spreads out to the horizon. To the north and east you see a vast mountain range, and far to the west a beautiful lake. A bit closer, the town of Midgaard lies at the end of the King's Road. The only exit you can see is down again. ~ 150 d 0 D0 To the north, the tall White Mountains have their highest peaks. The mountaintops disappear in the white clouds, far above the plains. The sight of those high, far mountains fills you with a desire to scale them, to see the world from that vantage. ~ ~ 0 -1 -1 D1 In the east you see an arm of the dominating mountain range on this continent, the White Mountains. Though not as high as those in the north, the sight of those mountains fills you with awe. ~ ~ 0 -1 -1 D2 To the south, rolling hills stretch away, as far as you can see. ~ ~ 0 -1 -1 D3 As you look west, you see a river flowing through all of Midgaard and continuing beyond it towards a great lake. Still further away, you can glimpse something silvery that has to be the Sea. ~ ~ 0 -1 -1 D5 You see the stairs going back down to the second floor. ~ ~ 0 -1 15048 S #15055 The Bottom Of The Stairs~ The stairs lead down to a damp part of the castle, you can hear water dripping somewhere around you. The area is lit by a single torch flickering in the room which this staircase is built off of. The stairs lead upwards and they open up onto a fairly small room to the east. ~ 150 d 0 D1 A small room opens up to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15056 D4 The stairs lead upwards out of this dank, dark place. ~ ~ 0 -1 15029 S #15056 The Guard Room~ You are at a loss to explain why someone would want to spend all day down here. The only explanation that seems even remotely logical to you is that there must be an important prisoner kept in one of the cells through the south door. The decorations of the room are sparse, merely a table, a chair, and a deck of cards. A stairwell has been built into the western wall and it leads upwards. ~ 150 d 0 D2 Through the peep hole at the top of the small wooden door you can see that there is a small corridor leading past several cells. ~ door wooden~ 1 15017 15057 D3 A small stairwell built into the western wall of the room leads upwards. ~ ~ 0 -1 15055 E table cards deck~ There is a deck of cards on the table in a small pile. There is one card lying on the floor however. ~ E card floor~ The card on the floor seems to be the Ace of Spades... a bad card to find indeed. What could be the bad luck brought about by this discovery? ~ S #15057 The Prison~ This small passage is about thirty feet long and is well lit by the torches on each wall. The torches have been locked inside small metal cages to ensure that they are not removed. The strangest thing about the torches however, is the manner in which they burn, they have what appears to be a constant flame in that it does not flicker whatsoever, and does not give off any smoke. Perhaps they have been magicked to burn forever... There are three cells along this passage way, one on each side of the corridor right near the north end and one isolated at the south end of the corridor with a small metal plaque located over the door in the keystone of the archway. ~ 150 d 0 D0 A small wooden door blocks the way out of the prison. ~ door wooden~ 1 15017 15056 D1 A cell door is set into the eastern wall. ~ door cell~ 2 15017 15060 D2 The cell door to the south has been double padlocked and there is a plaque placed in the keystone above the door. ~ door cell~ 2 15017 15059 D3 A cell door is set into the western wall. ~ door cell~ 2 15017 15058 E plaque keystone~ The plaque in the keystone is engraved with four simple words: Ergan, Murderer of Townsbridge ~ S #15058 A Cell~ This cell is in a shambles. There is a small hole in the western wall where something has broken through the stones into the cell. There is a cell door in the eastern wall. ~ 150 d 0 D1 The cell door to the east leads back to the prison hallway. ~ door cell~ 2 15017 15057 E hole~ The hole is much too small for you to clamber through. ~ S #15059 Ergan's Cell~ This large cell is almost like a living quarters with a cot in one corner serving as a bed, a small table built out of the wall in another corner. There is even a rug in the center of the floor to keep some warmth. It seems that the prisoner kept here is treated quite well, almost too well for a murderer of an entire town... ~ 150 d 0 D0 The cell door to the north leads back to the prison hallway. ~ door cell~ 2 15017 15057 S #15060 A Cell~ This small cell is damp and dark and looks like noone and nothing has lived in it for quite some time. A small cell door is located in the west wall. ~ 150 d 0 D3 The cell door to the west leads back to the prison hallway. ~ door cell~ 2 15017 15057 S #15061 An Overgrown Trail~ Moving off of the King's Road, you find yourself on a small fading trail which appears to have been so little used that it has almost completely grown over with vegitation from the woods here. Sounds of the forest can be heard all round and you feel a peaceful feeling come over you as you realize that mankind has not passed this way for some time. The faded trail appears to lead north and south. ~ 150 0 4 D0 The travel upon the King's Road can be heard off to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 15000 D2 The trail continues southwards. ~ ~ 0 -1 15062 S #15062 An Overgrown Trail~ Continuing through the heavy undergrowth, you find yourself in the middle of the forest. The sounds of the forest can be heard all round and you feel a peaceful feeling come over you as you realize that mankind has not passed this way for some time. The fading trail you are on appears to have been so little used that it has almost completely grown over with vegitation from the woods here. The faded trail appears to lead north and east. ~ 150 0 4 D0 The trail continues northwards. ~ ~ 0 -1 15061 D1 The trail appears to continue to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15063 S #15063 An Overgrown Trail~ Continuing through the heavy undergrowth, you find yourself in the middle of the forest. The sounds of the forest can be heard all round and you feel a peaceful feeling come over you as you realize that mankind has not passed this way for some time. The fading trail you are on appears to have been so little used that it has almost completely grown over with vegitation from the woods here. The faded trail appears to lead west and south. To the south a strange eerie silence seems to hang in the air, almost blocking out all the sounds that you can hear from the north and east. ~ 150 0 4 D2 The undergrowth begins to open up to the south and you can see what appears to be a small village to the south. It is very quiet, almost too quiet. ~ ~ 0 -1 15064 D3 The overgrown trail continues to the northwest. ~ ~ 0 -1 15062 S #15064 A Dirt Road~ As you leave the forest to the north, you find yourself at what appears to be the beginning of a dirt road and a small village. Upon first laying eyes on this place you realize that there is something funny about this settlement... there is no sound other that the whistling wind here. You would have expected to hear people going about their regular business, but the village is silent. You cannot see any movement around the village either. It is almost as still and silent as the woods to the north. There is a small sign lying by the side of the road here. ~ 150 0 2 D0 An trail leads into the heavy undergrowth to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 15063 D2 The dirt road continues through the village to the south. ~ ~ 0 -1 15065 D3 A house stands a short distance off the west side of the road, its door hanging ajar. ~ ~ 0 -1 15068 E sign~ /----------------------------------\ | Welcome to the hamlet of | | Townsbridge | | | | | | Population: 276 | | | \----------------------------------/ The number 276 has been scratched out and replaced with the number 0. ~ S #15065 A Small Intersection~ Continuing along the dirt road, you find yourself at a place where a small path splits away from the main road and leads off to the west. The woods around the village seem to be pressing inwards towards you as if the village hides a secret which they do not want to be spread about. There is another house standing on the east side of the road. ~ 150 0 2 D0 The dirt road continues to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 15064 D1 You can hear a wailing sound coming from the house to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15069 D2 The dirt road continues towards the south where a horrible smell permeates the air. ~ ~ 0 -1 15066 D3 A small, dark trail leads off into the woods to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 15072 S #15066 A Dirt Road~ This section of the dirt road is quiet, but there is an awful stench in the air. It brings to mind rotting corpses and raw sewage. The woods contiue to press closely about you, and almost totally surround the small building to the west with a thatched roof. There is a blackened shell of a building to the east with a small sign hanging out front from a black and charred chain. The dirt road continues north and south. ~ 150 0 2 D0 The small dirt road continues towards the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 15065 D1 The building to the east is merely a shell of what it once probably was. The walls are blackened as if they had been exposed to fire at some point in the past... ~ ~ 0 -1 15071 D2 The stench from the south is almost overpowering now... it seems that the source wouldn't be too far from here. ~ ~ 0 -1 15067 D3 A small quiet cottage stands on the west side of the road, apparently untouched by the desecration and destruction that appears to have hit this small village. ~ ~ 0 -1 15070 E sign~ The sign is covered with soot and the wood is quite charred, but you can still make out the following letters: T TO SB DGE NER L RE ~ S #15067 A Large Pit~ The dirt road ends at the edge of a large pit here and you now realize where the awful smell was coming from. This pit appears to be a mass grave for the citizens of the village. There are bones and corpses lying all over the place. A lot of the corpses look too recent to be from the Townsbridge murders of almost a decade ago, but the village seems to have been empty for almost that long. The dirt road leads away from the carnage to the north. ~ 150 0 2 D0 Just near the north edge of the pit a small and narrow trail leads away. ~ ~ 0 -1 15066 S #15068 A House~ This house is a wreck, furniture has been strewn all about the room, and it looks like a tornado landed right in the middle of the room. The destruction that has taken place in this room is almost beyond belief. The oddest part of it all though, is how it all seems so recent, since there are no cobwebs, and there is no dust on anything. The dirt road can be seen to the east through the doorway. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You can see the dirt road through the doorway to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15064 S #15069 A House~ This darkened room is barely lit by the outdoor light, but what you can see of it gives you the creeps. There are cobwebs dangling from everything, a thick layer of dust begins to rise up at your passage, and a strange howl comes from somewhere around you. The furniture in this house is old and of a type that hasn't been seen around these lands for some time. If it was in better shape, you might be able to sell it as antique. The meager light of the road shines through the doorway to the west. ~ 150 ad 0 D3 You can see the dirt road through the doorway to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 15065 S #15070 A Small Cottage~ This cottage looks to have been left in exactly the same shape as it was in quite some time ago. It looks as if the residents left one day and haven't returned home yet. Oddly enough, the furniture is dust free and the food on the table still looks fresh. This house is really strange, perhaps it wuld be in your best interests to leave as soon as humanly possible. The road is back through the open doorway to the east. ~ 150 d 0 D1 You can see the dirt road through the doorway to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 15066 S #15071 The Burned Shop~ As you enter this small building, you notice that that blackened walls are due to a fire that seemed to burn here unattended for quite some time. There is almost nothing left of the roof that would have once covered this building, and the north and east walls have been burnt to almost half the height of the other two walls. There are some burnt goods around on the ground and the remains of a counter near what is left of the north wall seems to indicate that this was once a shop. The road lies to the west through the blackened wall. ~ 150 0 2 D3 You can see the dirt road to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 15066 S #15072 A Dark Path~ As you move away form the open air into the darkness of the path and the sinister looking woods around you, you get a feeling of awe and something almost akin to horror. The wood around is completely silent, not even the rustling of leaves or the cracking of branches breaks the silence. The final thing you notice is that the darkness all around you seems to be almost contrived, and doesn't seem natural for this kind of vegitation. The path continues west and you can see light to the east. ~ 150 ad 1 D1 The path continues towards a small intersection with a dirt road. ~ ~ 0 -1 15065 D3 The path continues through the darkness. ~ ~ 0 -1 15073 S #15073 A Dark Path~ This narrow path leads through the overhanging trees in the unnatural darkness. It seems almost as if the trees are crowding in on you here, as if they didn't want to feel your presence. The wood is almost totally silent and you wonder silently to yourself why this could be. The path appears to continue east and west. ~ 150 ad 1 D1 The path continues through the darkness. ~ ~ 0 -1 15072 D3 The glow from the west appears to be quite strong, but it does not give enough light to see by here, nor can you see the source of the glow. ~ ~ 0 -1 15074 S #15074 The Circle Of Stones~ You are at the edge of a circle of seven large monolith-like stones. Each stone towers over your head and appears to be at least double your height. The stones are made of a dark black material, almost black in colour. In the center of the ring of stones, you can see a black circular mirror-like disk on the ground. The surface is highly reflective and almost appears to be rippling. The trees surrounding the circle tower far above your heads blocking out the sky. A strange glow seems to be emanating from each stone, almost green in colour. This glow provides enough light for you to see with even though the sky above has been blotted out. ~ 150 d 1 D1 A narrow path leads away into the darkness. ~ ~ 0 -1 15073 D4 You cannot see the sky above since the trees around the stone ring block it out entirely. ~ ~ 0 -1 -1 E stones glow stone ring circle~ Each stone is at least fifteen feet tall, maybe more, and the dark material glows with a greenish aura providing more than enough light for you to see by. ~ S $