Recommended Levels: 2–4
East of Mosscrag Camp, where the forest grows thick and ancient pines block out much of the sunlight, lie the forgotten Grimstone Ruins. Broken walls of black granite rise from the earth, covered in moss, ivy, and the roots of enormous oak trees. Crumbling towers lean precariously over weed-choked courtyards, while shattered statues stare silently toward the heavens.
No one knows who built Grimstone.
The ruins are believed to predate the kingdoms of Eyr, the rise of Blackhat, and even the Four Sisters themselves. According to the oldest passages in The Book of the Four Sisters, Grimstone was already ancient when the sisters were children.
Many scholars believe it belonged to the mysterious First Civilization, a race whose knowledge of magic far surpassed anything known today. Their cities vanished thousands of years ago, leaving behind only scattered ruins, strange relics, and unanswered questions.
The surface ruins are only the beginning.
Collapsed stairways descend into vast underground halls, forgotten libraries, ritual chambers, and ancient vaults sealed by magic that still functions after countless centuries.
Throughout the ruins are strange crystal pillars that emit a faint blue light, though no one knows what powers them. Massive stone doors are engraved with symbols unlike any known language, and enormous statues depict tall, faceless beings wearing elaborate crowns.
Some chambers appear untouched since the fall of the First Civilization.
Others show signs that something still lives below.
The people of Bramblebrook tell many stories about Grimstone.
Some claim it was once the capital of an empire.
Others believe it was a temple built by gods.
The goblins refuse to enter its deepest halls, believing invisible spirits guard a sleeping king beneath the ruins.
The Witch Mother has sent servants to investigate the site several times, but few have returned.
Nyx has openly declared Grimstone to be "the greatest archaeological treasure in Eyr."
Many dangerous creatures have made the ruins their home:
Giant spiders
Giant bats
Giant centipedes
Goblin scavengers
Kobolds
Skeleton guardians
Zombies
Animated armor
Flying swords
Shadows
Swarms of rats
Giant rats
Mimics
Gray oozes
Gelatinous Cubes
Giant snakes
Some explorers even claim to have encountered magical constructs that have stood watch since before recorded history.
Adventurers may discover:
Ancient coins from the First Civilization.
Crystal keys that unlock forgotten vaults.
Enchanted weapons forged with lost techniques.
Stone tablets describing forgotten history.
Magical gemstones that still hum with arcane energy.
Maps revealing hidden locations throughout Eyr.
Fragments hinting at the true origin of the Demon Amulet.
Far beneath Grimstone lies a sealed chamber known only in legend as The Hall of Echoes.
Upon its walls is carved the oldest known history of Eyr.
It tells of a time before witches, before kings, before elves and humans ruled the land.
It speaks of the First Civilization, whose greatest mages imprisoned an ancient being known only as The First Darkness. Unable to destroy it, they forged four magical seals across Eyr and created a single artifact capable of opening them all.
That artifact would one day become known as...
The Demon Amulet.
Few believe these stories.
Those who do rarely live long enough to prove them true.
For most adventurers, Grimstone is simply an old ruin filled with treasure and monsters.
For those willing to descend into its forgotten depths, it may reveal the first clues to the greatest mystery in all of Eyr.