Demonsbrink Garrison

Sacred Order of Blackguards

In the shadowy depths of the Underdark, north of the Silkfields, stands a mighty fortress. Its walls are thick and barbed with spikes, its gates are forged from heavy iron, and its defenders are vicious. However, this citadel is not designed to repel attacks, but to contain them. Within the bowels of Demonsbrink, a dormant portal to the Fringelands slumbers. Fell energy radiates from it in murmuring ripples, whispering foul promises of an inevitable return. All who are wise pray that such a day never comes, for the Fringelands are the home of Demons.

Few souls are gallant or foolish enough to willingly stand sentinel by this dreadful gate. Even the most seasoned veterans of horrific campaigns shudder at the thought. It is for this reason that the guardians of this portal are those with no other choice. The Demonsbrink Garrison is composed entirely of violent criminals and wanted runaways. Some retreat to the fortress in times of great panic, thrusting themselves before the outer walls and swearing to serve loyally in exchange for protection. Others are given a choice: the castle or the noose. Most choose the latter.

Anybody who joins the Demonsbrink Garrison is absolved from all crimes that they may have committed (including heresy) until they leave the fortress. Even the most tireless bounty hunters will abandon the chase if their quarry finds refuge in Demonsbrink. Whilst any army of moderate size could overcome Demonsbrink from the outside, only the most foolish of rulers would do so - if Demonsbrink's immunity is besmirched, there would be little incentive for others to join its ranks, and so the order would decline. Nobody wants to imagine the dangers of such an event.

A Controversial History

The origins of the Demonsbrink Garrison are shrouded in mystery and legend. It has existed for at least a millennium and was rumoured to have been founded by Devils. As the arch nemeses of the demonic hordes, the Devils of Sarundel are said to have created this strongpoint to prevent the marauders of the Fringelands from infesting the material plane. This was not done with noble intentions, however. The fiends of Sarundel simply wished to terrorise the mortal realms without competition. Over time, the Devils were compelled back to their pits with the ownership and responsibility of Demonsbrink being passed into new hands. It is widely believed that the first mortal defenders of the fortress were cultists, and that many of their practices endure to this day as wicked traditions. The truth, however, is obscured. Outsiders are not permitted entry to the citadel, so only the frantic ramblings of deserters provides an insight into the inner machinations of the order. Regardless of the details, there is certainly no shortage of profane rituals that continue within Demonsbrink's walls.

Many folk decry the Demonsbrink Garrison's existence. Their complaints typically lament that it allows the law to be perverted and for vile criminals to evade true justice. Every few years, a mob will arrive at the gates of Demonsbrink, demanding the head of one of its members. Such requests are never indulged. Instead, the commander of the Garrison typically responds with threats of immense violence in an attempt to dissuade the protestors from pressing further. If this does not work, then the defenders of Demonsbrink will inform the Zurr Paville of Mazzogaraniz that he has two days to disperse the crowd, or three days to collect their bodies.

Those more informed on the Demonsbrink Garrison know of a more scathing controversy. After years of exposure to the muffled murmurs of the portal and the insidious energy that seeps from it, many of the guards have begun to change. Their flesh contorts into unsettling shapes, sometimes growing additional mouths or disjointed digits. Fangs and claws are also said to be common amongst the defenders. Perhaps these transformations will assist the Garrison in curtailing a possible outbreak, or perhaps it is a warning that they will march alongside the Demons.