Darkwater

Darkwater is an ancient city that dates back to long before the founding of any empire that exists in the world today. Over the centuries, the buildings and structures of the city have fallen into ruin and new ones have been built over top of it. This has created a city with layers of underground passages, secret tunnels and whole subterranean buildings that have been sealed up and forgotten for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. The cities layout is centered around the ancient Hall of Spirits, a manor that is home to the ruler of the city. Since the founding of Darkwater, this has been clan Grimseer. Rumoured to be the descendants of an ancient cult of witches, the Grimseers are one the most prolific families in the Free Kingdoms, with family members whose names are all across history. There have been great warriors, cunning politicians and bloodthirsty monsters who have all carried the Grimseer name. Through all of it, the family has endured. Today it is in a precarious position. Only one known member of the family yet lives, 22 year old Brynhilda Grimseer, and her reckless hot headed nature has led many to believe that her life will be a short one.

Darkwater lies on the banks of a branch of the Spiderweb River known as the Vein due to its dark red mud giving the water a tint reminiscent of blood. The river flows through the outlying farms, into the city where it passes directly through the city and past the Hall Of Spirits until it disappears into the Ghostwood. The city emblem represents this. A white, ghostly tree with blood red leaves over a dark blue background.

## Hall of Spirits

The Hall of Spirits is a large, three story manor home that houses clan Grimseer and their attendants and servants. Right now, it is home to Brynhilda Grimseer, her four clan guardians, several cooks, maids, butlers and various other house requirements. The clan guardians are four warriors chosen by the lord or lady of Darkwater that serve by their side as advisors and guards. Brynhilda has chosen a rather bizarre set of individuals as her clan guardians. One is a thief who she apprehended one day in the markets of Darkwater. Another is a wandering wizard who Brynhilda met on a diplomatic mission to Ilden. The final two are a veteran soldier who served as her fathers’ clan guardian as well and her childhood friend who she has been inseparable from since she was very young. She chose them all in quick succession in the year following her fathers’ murder at the hands of the emperor of Tellmir.

## Ghostwood

The Ghostwood is a large, imposing forest said to be cursed. Although many of the beliefs surrounding the forest can be chalked up to superstition, it is undeniable that the forest does give off an unnerving vibe. The trees seem to grow at unnatural angles and appear sickly and twisted. Few animals can be heard in the forest and the wind rarely blows, leaving the forest cloaked in an eerie silence. Few dare venture into the forest for any reason and not all that do return. There are no decent maps of the place and it is said the forest floor is home to the bones of many travelers who got lost and couldn’t find their way out. Why Darkwater was built so close to such a horrible place is unclear to many as not many records survive but with the city as it is now, near a water source and easily defensible, few actually consider the forest worth abandoning it over, especially since whatever gives the forest its unnatural energy seems to stay within the trees of the Ghostwood.