The Dark Gateway

The Dark Gateway is the base of operations for the Dark Wardens. Prisoners of the Assembly of Concorde are kept here under the careful guidance of the Head Warden who relays messages from Concorde, gives missions to the Wardens, designates research inquiries, and bestows Lyssras's Curse. The Dark Wardens have access to horses, equipment, coin, and weapons at the Gateway, and they also have a place to stay when they are not sent on missions into Fragmentia.   It was originally established at the edge of the Whisper Woods due to a portal to the Darkened Paths that they still have been unable to close. They built the large structure around it and have acted as wardens of the portal ever since, managing the undead that emerge from beyond and occasionally venturing to the Darkened Paths themselves. It has become a place of study of the Darkened Paths and a place of training for those who seek to close other rifts and portals throughout Fragmentia.

The structure has remained relatively untouched since its construction in 801 FP, with a few additional rooms added in the late 800s. It is a massive gothic-style mansion reminiscent of a castle, fit with numerous gargoyles, buttresses, and arches. It is constructed mostly with dark grey or black stone and boasts three main towers, each with a statue of Lyssras at the point of each arched roof. There are several stained glass windows depicting the history of Lyssras and what the Dark Wardens perceive to be her history with the curse placed upon her after the War for Creation. There are several wings that break off and curve around a large courtyard with arches overhead. This is where the portal to the Darkened Paths sits and is watched over by dragon-like gargoyle statues at the tops of the roofs.    An iron-wrought fence wraps around the estate and there is only one gate, accessible only by permission from the Head Warden himself. The gate consists of a few arcane patterns and symbols found in ancient texts from before the Shattering, mostly wards to protect the estate from those that would try to enter uninvited. The surrounding woods have begun to overrun parts of the fence and reclaim bits of the inside as well. The outside gardens are rather overgrown and untamed, though the courtyard with the portal is well-kept.    There are numerous rooms in the estate, all to house prisoners and wardens alike, though they are in opposite wings of the estate. The library sits in an underground chamber, with a skylight looking up at the inner courtyard. A fourth statue of Lyssras beckons visitors in through the main entryway, where a set of double doors are fit with a lavish portrayal of the Darkened Paths. It is eerie and some have even written that it appears almost abandoned to those that do not known any better.

For the most part, the Dark Gateway does not receive any tourism. It is, after all, a prison for the Assembly of Concorde, and thus, outsiders are not often welcomed beyond its walls. However, those in need of assistance closing a rift or portal to the Darkened Paths may speak with the Head Warden and ask for help, and they will often be allowed to stay for a duration until the Head Warden decides what to do about the situation brought to his attention.   Local villagers have stories about the Dark Gateway, claiming that it and the people inside are haunted. Some kids have even made games of trying to sneak past the wards into the estate, but these attempts are never successful, and often result in heavy consequences.