Darkwood Castle

“The walls were made from a polished black stone, as was the castle itself. It was a remarkable feat of engineering, undoubtedly aided by some form of magic. The castle looked like it had grown out of the ground. The walls and towers appeared to be in peak condition despite the age of the unkept structure. The smaller buildings within the castle, however, were in utter shambles. Nothing more than rotting wood and piles of rubble. It looked like no one had lived there in a very long time. Except that there were people wandering the streets.”

-Excerpt from Ella’s POV.

Purpose

The purpose of this building was to serve as the centre of operations for the monarchy which ruled the first empire. It provided safe housing for the nobles and officers, a secure location to store the empire's wealth and knowledge, and could be retreated to as the last line of defense if needed.

History

Darkwood Castle was built to serve as the main residence of the Red Emperor, his officers and his allies, including the infamous Dragon-Mage who directed the construction of the castle and reportedly cast it's magical defences.

The castle was constructed in a suspiciously short amount of time, adding to the belief that it was constructed using magic. The unnaturally smooth stone already lends itself to that conclusion.

Following it's construction around 6 DtE, the castle was used as the centre of operations for The First Empire. Along with serving as an impenetrable fortress and personal dwelling-place for the ruling monarchy, the castle served as a meeting place for political gatherings, the storehouse for tax collection, the training-grounds for new soldiers, and a place for hosting large celebrations.

The castle withstood three sieges before it's abandonment after the fall of the empire, making it one of the few castles in Uria to never have been officially breached by enemy forces.

Landscape & Location

Darkwood Castle is located on a hill along the west-coast of Uria, nestled between the dark woods (from which the building received it's name) and the marshlands of the lower coast of Scymour.

With cliffs and crashing waves directly behind it, a dangerous marshland around the north-side, and an impenetrable forest to the south, the only way to reach the castle was from the front or from above. Then again, with the only ridable flight of dragons being those under the command of the Dragon-Mage, attempting an aerial attack appears to have also been out of the question.

The castle was built near the centre of what is now the old trading route, putting itself in a good position to intercept trade and ensure travellers could see and potentially visit the power ruling them. Additionally, being located near the centre of the coastline gave the monarchy equal access in all directions to every part of Uria, including the seafront. This advantageous position gave the First Empire an advantage over any who thought to oppose them openly.

Architecture

Darkwood castle takes up roughly four acres of land (174,240 square feet / 16,187 square metres), and is designed in a style similar to earth's Romanesque or Norman style architecture. This lends itself to compact shapes, and a clear silhouette that echoes the natural topography. The structure includes simple geometric shapes, powerful walls, narrow windows, massive towers, and semi-circle arches and doorways. The tallest point of the castle is the top of the main keep, which stands at around 100 feet / 30.4 metres high. (Not the tallest tower of the time, but certainly within the top five.)

The defensive walls around the castle are roughly 9 feet / 2.7 metres thick, and 30 feet / 9.1 metres high. The rounded wall towers stand just 15 feet / 4.5 metres above the wall for a total of 45 feet / 13.7 metres tall.

A large black-iron portcullis serves as the main gate leading into the castle. The front bars are flattened and smoothed out, are at least two hands wide, and extend down into sharp triangular points. The top of the portcullis is straight, but the stone archway on either side disguises this fact completely. The combination of angles and edges gives the entrance the impression of an open maw. Behind, the thinner bars supporting the front create a diamond pattern in-between each bar, reinforcing the portcullis and giving the gate an added scale-like pattern. The combination of scales and gaping maw would have undoubtedly reminded all who entered of the draconic power behind the throne. Through the use of chains, levers and wheels, the portcullis slides down into a metal beam set deep in the stone ground, further securing the gate in place. Behind the portcullis (Within the walls of the black castle) are two heavy wooden doors -which, according to reports, were always swung shut and bolted at night. Currently those doors remain open, and the portcullis half-lowered.

The castle keep is the focal-point of the structure, with it having the tallest tower above and the widest base below. The throne room is located on the ground floor along with the kitchen, with the upper floors including the library, a study or alchemical lab, washrooms, and various sleeping quarters for the ruling couple and others. The treasury is believed to be located somewhere beneath the throne-room, or somewhere else in the keep, but no one has been able to verify such claims.

Defences

The castle's high, smooth, and thick walls, paired with a reinforced black iron portcullis gate, provide an effective barrier against incoming forces. Ballistas and smaller catapults line the walkway atop each wall to allow for far-reaching attacks. The walkway also allows for rows of archers to take aim atop the walls during closer attacks, and for soldiers to casually patrol the edge each night. The winding spires and towers of the castle allow for easy viewing of the surrounding area, making sneaking up to the castle extremely difficult.

The magical defences of the castle remain relatively strong to this day. These defences include a heavy and lethargic fog surrounding the walls, which disorients and slows attackers, making them easier to pick off from atop the walls, and an army of magically-created soldiers who can patrol or fight at the base without being effected by the previously mentioned spell.

These soldiers, the unofficial guardians of the castle, consist of an army of ghouls which wander the marshlands along the coast. Due to having been created by the Dragon-Mage, they are one of the few beings which can pass by the -as of yet unknown- barriers and -currently known- defences to enter and exit the castle itself. Though neutral from a distance, they will automatically attack any who approach the castle. It is still unknown as to how the magic that created this army did not dissipate following the defeat of the Dragon-Mage.

Special Rooms & Buildings

It is believed that the castle contains the collective wealth of the first empire, the majority of it untouched thanks to the impressive defences still surrounding it. For those privileged to have entered the castle during the time of the empire, a few places of note have been documented:

The Armoury & Barracks

The everyday armoury was known to be located in a basement below the barracks, with multiple hidden exits. The barracks were in turn connected to the inside of the outer-wall, in-between the two stables and a few other smaller buildings.

Though the empire was greatly hated and feared in it's time, it was also known to treat it's living soldiers surprisingly well. The barracks were made up of numerous well-ventilated wood-walled rooms which could comfortably fit two bunks for four soldiers and their belongings. A window was included in each room to give added sunlight as well as increase ventilation even further, and to provide an emergency escape route should the door become barred. There was also a dining hall and two washrooms. It was also rumoured that there was a full bath-house near the washrooms, connected to the barracks though originally constructed as a separate building.

The magical armoury, containing crystallic weapons and the other more powerful devices of the time, were rumoured to have been located beneath a small building attached to the keep, which in turn housed forges that never went out. There are undoubtedly magical wards and defences in place to prevent thieves from entering and stealing the contents of the magical armoury.

The Library

Few have managed to glimpse the extensive library contained on one of the higher floors of the keep. With the Dragon-Mage dwelling at Darkwood Castle, and being the most powerful magic-user of the time, it seems reasonable that the mage would have moved an extensive collection of grimoires, scrolls and other texts, and artifacts to the safety of the castle keep. Those who have seen it reported spotting wall-to-wall shelves packed full with old books and scrolls and magical items, the room itself hiding behind chocolate-brown doors.

Despite how much time has passed, it is believed that the largest magical library to date still barely comes close to the one cultivated by the Dragon-Mage.

The Stables

Controversially, there are actually three stables at Darkwood Castle. Two sit comfortably within the castle itself, while the third was built near the cliffs edge behind the castle. None but the dead have seen the third up close.

The first of the horse stables is located within the inner courtyard, and was where the visitor's steeds and local workhorses were stabled.

The second stable is located closer to the keep, and was likely where the higher-bred and more important steeds of the monarchy were kept.

The third stable, located behind the castle, is firmly believed to have been where the Dragon-Mage's namesakes were kept. The first ridable dragons in Uria. It is doubtful any stablehand sent there would have lasted more than a few days, as the dragons kept by the mysterious magic-user were of pure wild decent. All first-generation bonded.

The Throne Room

The throne-room, or throne hall, is located within the largest and tallest building within the castle, the castle keep. The room is roughly 20 feet / 6 metres wide and 40-50 feet / 12.1-15.2 metres long. This room is among the better-documented, as this was where diplomats would regularly convene to pay homage to, or otherwise meet with the Red Emperor.

Brass torches lined the walls, bathing the room in a warm light. Between each torch hung a different tapestry, each depicting a different event in the empire's short yet impactful history. There were only four windows, two on either side of the centre of the lengthy throne-room. These let the east and west sun movements cast fiery lights across the centre of the room, right where a visitor would kneel. Many reported feeling blinded on either side as they moved to speak.

A 6 feet / 1.8 metre wide dark blue rug lead from the doorway to the foot of the throne, which sits atop a wide oval black stone dais only three steps tall. Many have noted the existence of what looks like spells carved along the edges of the dais, leading some to speculate the dais may have been made of crystallica, a crystalline structure capable of containing large amounts of magic. This implies the presence of heavy protection spells defending any standing near the throne. A black and blue curtain hung from the ceiling, draping around the dais and above the throne (though not blocking the wall behind), casting much of that area into shadow.

The throne itself was reportedly constructed using black-iron, red-wood, and gold, with deep red-coloured cushioning. Different coloured gems (black, red, and blue) were reportedly set into the top of the headrest. Though these were only viewable when no one was seated on it. The arms of the throne were carved into the shapes of dragon-heads. One reportedly had red eyes, the other indigo.

Controversially, no throne is mentioned for the Black Empress, a figure rarely seen or mentioned, but who undoubtedly existed. Those who managed to gain audience with the Emperor (usually to discuss surrender terms or partnerships) described in their letters a shadowy, pale and slim figure in a collared dark blue and gold-laced gown, standing ominously at the right side of the throne.

Denizens

Thanks to the infamous Dragon-Mage of the first empire, the marshlands along the lower coast of Scymour have been full of an army of the undead, made up primarily of ghouls. They are considered the unofficial guardians of the castle that lies behind those marshlands. No one dares to go there, and luckily the ghouls rarely leave. 

Attempts have been made to purge them from the land so that the black castle can be either reused or simply destroyed so that the people can forget that part of their history. But despite -or possibly because of- the fact that they are already dead, the ghouls living there have proven remarkably hard to destroy. 

The ghouls of the marsh usually mind their own business since they have no discernible task to do, wandering through the marsh and castle halls without incident. But they do have a sort of inborn urge to attack humans. For those of the marsh, it is likely because they were brought to life solely to fight humans in war. For those that originated outside the marsh, however, it may be that the spirits are just acting out of anger at their own unnatural predicament.

Alterations

Abandoned pieces of construction work within and without the structure imply that Darkwood Castle was originally intended to become a palace. However, due to the rising rebellions and sieges leading up to the end of the empire, it seems those plans were put on hold -indefinitely.

Tourism

Most people avoid the abandoned castle due to the still-active defences and it's current undead occupants. But many also avoid it simply because it serves as a unmoving reminder of a darker time in their land's history.

Despite this, the youth will sometimes make the journey there along the old trade route to test their bravery or stand in awe at the power that their ancestors helped to defeat. A few wayward souls have also attempted to raid the premises -with little success. Most who try, die in the attempt. Perhaps for obvious reasons, none have made it past the inner courtyard.

--Atelier