The Dark Manor

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The Dark Manor
Type Standard
Author Molo
Location Ocean/Islands


Area Lore/Back Story

General Information/Trivia

There are a variety of nods and references (some obvious, many only implied) to specific characters throughout the Dark Manor:

Mobs: The Paladin locked in the basement was a nod to Molo's unending conflict with Keller. Nikki the Silkweaver is a nod to Cordir, who created many of the fancy clothes in Molo's various zones.

Descriptions: Paintings and portraits can be found in many of the rooms. A painting hanging in A Wide Hallway of the Dark Manor: "The painting depicts scenes of innocent beings running in stark fear and confusion throughout the cities of this realm. Evil Nashite shamen and clerics are cackling gleefully as they give chase with sword and spell." Molo described it as portraying "The original crew: Huey, Sadow, Ozious."

There is also Nashite Lore scattered here and there throughout the area. As well, one of the mobs has a keyword of 'Nash' to prevent it from being a player-usable name.

Player Provided Information

Tiax hosted a storytelling contest, inviting people to write the story of various places within the world. Cordir wrote the story below, about the Summoning Chamber.

The Summoning Chamber

[Exits: east]
This room is rather spartan except for the strange glyphs and wards drawn 
upon the portal, floors, walls and ceilings.  The mystic runes seem to be 
made to imprison a summoned creature and contain them here indefinitely.

My makers knew not what they wrought. Ignorant fools; that their goal was met was all that mattered. The spells of entrapment and binding functioned perfectly within the boundaries of the chamber as planned. They did not think to wonder at the ease with which the lines of power were laid.

Eagerly, I waited until the last glyph was inscribed; every surface was bound, and I became one with my home, born at last. It was that moment my thirst began. Greater than that of any addict of the halfling's leaf or that of the crazed vampires of Sanguinna, I ache for that which fulfills me - souls. Their butterfly caress as they escape pain filled mortal flesh is to me as exquisite and delectable as the finest wine is to a snobbish Cillidellian connoisseur.

Murderers think me a tool, or a means an easy mark. It is I that use them, for without their clumsy efforts, I would starve. None have seen my glyphs and sigils brighten, pulse, and grow as I devour that brief, fleeing morsel before spirit rejoins newborn flesh in some distant, filthy holy place anathema to my kind.

I have drunk deeply of puritans, sinners, amazons, whores, paladins, priests, witches and even a queen. I remember each perfectly, like it was but a moment ago. Every emotion adds its own piquant flavor, but it is the sour tang of betrayal I love best.

Footsteps, stealthy and soft, grow steadily closer and a cloaked figure slips within my boundaries, locking the door with the sole key held by the head researcher that caused me to be built. Whispered spells cloak the intruder with protections, and his weapons rise, held at the ready as he waits for the moment his mage-friend will sorcerously drag prey into my enclosing web-like embrace... and my thirst surges. It is I who am the spider, and they merely unwitting servants who supply me with flies.

With a loud crash of thunder and the scent of brimstone, a portal opens. Friend reveals themselves to be foe, the two cohorts turn upon the third, and I eagerly await the feast to come.

Nashite Lore in The Dark Manor

(Click Link above for page)

Mobs & Shoppies

  • Mistress Ardant, the Matron of the Manor
  • Caest the Obsidiansmith
  • Ruftus the Librarian
  • Riolem the Quartermaster (Shopkeeper)
  • Klein the Cook
  • Nikki the Silkweaver
  • Gorlok the Master Slaver
  • Akard the Master Torturer
  • Jabbqerzitevans the Quasit
  • Tarla the High Wizard's Apprentice
  • Tuff the Champion
  • manor servants
  • tortured slaves
  • a mage's assistant
  • a researcher
  • a cowering test subject
  • The handmaiden (of the High Priest)
  • The squire (of the AntiPaladin)
  • an alchemy student
  • the zombie

The Quartermaster

Riolem the Quartermaster says (in common), 'For 292 gold a black silk pouch.'.
Riolem the Quartermaster says (in common), 'For 65 gold a torch covered with black pitch.'.
Riolem the Quartermaster says (in common), 'For 5 gold some hard tack rations.'.
Riolem the Quartermaster says (in common), 'For 82 gold a hard leather apron.'.
Riolem the Quartermaster says (in common), 'For 30 gold a glass vial.'.

Maps

The Dark Manor: Map by Soloban