Crusslev is a widely feared abandoned kingdom that most commoners would certainly avoid. It seems like an ancient ghost town of sorts, as there are no residents in its murky confines. Gigantic angelic statues with the ghastly faces, half obliterated with erosion are located in perfect succession upon the entrance of the city. Within the city itself, there are large buildings and other large abandoned temples. The bygone slender of the eerie structures seem to emit dreadful whispers in the darkness as the chilled black winds dance by that could well send tremors up the spines of the boldest of men. The decimated buildings remain scattered throughout the town, some clustered more than others. Erosion claims the majority of the buildings, causing their walls to crumble upon the immense aging of time. An odd dark grayish fog also seems to be incessantly present, billowing and spreading upon the town. Upon the, dismal, highly tarnished streets, it is not out of the ordinary to see skeletal remains of fallen warriors or thieves. The only rumored entrance to the once great kingdom of Crusslev is thought to be through Drelin Path. However, it is said that a massive water cavern winds up into the extensive catacombs underneath Khagruid’s Castle.


Darkness
Hundreds of years ago, an immense dark curse (known to this day as “Arinius”) was cast upon the city of Crusslev by an ancient archmagi. It causes the sky to always be blanketed with an ominous darkness. This being so, the production of vegetation and natural wildlife is utterly lacking. It also generated the appearance of vile creatures, of unknown origins, to take residence within the confines of the great city walls.

Khagruid’s Castle
Nearly four hundreds of years ago, the castle and main site of Crusslev, Kankrar Castle, was constructed by a prominent and vicious warlord named Lord Khagruid. The castle was profoundly magnificent in its day, as Khagruid only used the finest of materials. Being a widely feared and hated man, Khagruid had the structure built so the only way of reaching his castle was by a protracted bridge. Hundreds of feet below seem to be bile black liquid surrounding the castle, as myth has it that malevolent demons inhabit the waters. What seems to attract most thieves is the legend of Khagruids vast wealth. It said to have been sealed deep within in his tomb. His tomb lies well concealed within the grand castle. The home of Khagruid is utterly capacious and filled with secluded passageways. He mercilessly took the city by force, slaughtering hundreds of innocent men, women and children in the process. As he did so, he swiftly took power and established a harsh order upon the land. Khagruid was well known for taking high pleasure in public executions, killing even the pettiest of thieves. To this day, the discomforting pendulums, the thumbscrew, breast rippers, the wheel, the Judas cradle, the head crusher, chair of spikes, the boot, the caschie-laws, the langirnis, the narrow-bore, the iron collar, the pynebanis, the bilboes (which compressed the ankles), the pilliwinks (which squeezed the fingers), and the brakes (a device used to break the victims' teeth) were remembered. Victims were burned with fire, had gauzes forced down into their stomach, and had water poured into their throat. Iron Maidens, guillotines, racks, hooked bladed chains, and other perilous execution devices still stand upon the center plaza area of the city. Though no commoners reside here, it seems to be a refuge for criminals, murders, and thieves. However, it is not entirely a safe haven, as the land litters profusely with savage scavengers, and other grotesque beasts that prowl in the darkness.

Catacombs
An extensive sophisticated network of narrow passageways and graves located beneath the castle. A large decayed statue can be found toward the center of the catacombs, willing to greet any venturers that are lucky enough to make it to him. The graves consist of innocent men, women, children, fallen evil soldiers, and other creatures, malicious and benign alike. The warlord enjoyed having the executed brought to the catacombs to add to his “collection” of dead.

Blackwood Forest
The large gloomy city of Crusslev is encompassed by Blackwood Forest. Staying true to its name, all of the trees in this dark forest are black. Although they look lifeless, and attain no leaves, it is a natural trait for them. Oddly enough, Blackwood trees are not flammable, and extremely tough. A weapon made of Blackwood could prove as strenuous as a blade of steel if properly honed. The protracted branches drape downwards about 15 feet, as the average height of the trees reach an apex usually of 53 feet. Those massive, rigid, and hardened trunks, spiral upwards in an eerie manner. The trees aren’t very scanty, as they only have about a 5 foot spacing, leaving the thin, elongated branches to profusely entwine, forming massive knots, and wide spread ceilings of wood over the majority of the forest. Affixing to this, the close proximity of these trees gives way to massive interlacements, and large bundles of roots to litter profusely upon the lifeless soil. There is only one clear walking path through Blackwood Forest (Drelin Path) due to the crisscrossing of the black roots. As no sunlight shines upon Crusslev or Blackwood forest, no plants, grass, of bushes grow here, it almost semblances as a capacious sea of black rigid trees into darkness. No “natural” wildlife lives in the forest, since there is no source of food for them. However it has been documented that dark and vicious creatures roam the forest. With this immense darkness, normal vision is greatly impaired, as one should have some sort of light source before venturing here. It wouldn’t be hard at all to get lost in Blackwood forest, as decomposing corpses and other remains lie upon the ground of lost travelers. It is not out of the ordinary for a criminal to commit vile murders, and bury the bodies with the gloomy forest. This tactic was used a great deal, as it would be difficult to find a body in the veil of darkness. Much of the intertwining roots have overgrown, or tied down many skeletal remains...tombs of black wood...

Drelin Path
Drelin Path is hundreds of years old. It is a dark, narrow pathway made of highly tarnished and cracked granite pavingstones. The narrow path is only about 7 feet in width, but highly durable. It gradually twists and turns upon rugged, steep hills, which lead directly to the Crusslev’s gates. The journey through the pathway upon foot would take around 32 hours. Story has it, that an audacious youthful drow elf, named Drelin Hathlore leads a suicidal expedition into Blackwood Forest. His dauntless goal was to create a pathway straight through the dark forest. Back then, Blackwood forest was much more deadly, as the nefarious creatures were rather large in size. Remarkably, after months of fierce and difficult endeavors, the path was complete. Thus, his name still holds title upon the only pathway to Crusslev. Though the path is primarily intact, it would not be wise for commoners to venture upon it, as it is quite dangerous, and commoners shouldn’t be visiting the abandoned city. It would be wise to bring a sufficient amount of food and water along, as there is no reliable basis of either. However, about 3/4’s of the way through Drelin’s path is a massive bridge made from Blackwood. The bridge is in fact ruptured towards the center from age, leaving a 16 ft spacing. Its distance would be quite perilous to leap for a normal person to engage in. The width of the Blackwood Bridge is about 8 feet, with accompanying thin rails. Blackwood forest is so dark, that the length below the bridge is not perceptible. Rumor has it, that an abundant, vast river rages thousands of feet below, filled with massive, razor-like boulders. Supplementing to this, the waters are a black coloration, and emit a very dark green poisonous vapor that rises upward. The vapors rise several hundred feet. Story has it, that a falling man from the bridge would be dead before he ever adjoined the violent waters and sharp boulders.

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