Emberhold

Overview


@Emberhold is the bastion of the @The Ashen Vigil within @Gloomdeep , built inside the scorched remains of the @Upper Galleries . It serves as the Vigil’s stronghold and staging ground — a fortress of endless pyres holding back the plague-infested ruins beyond. Its walls are blackened with soot and reinforced with ash mortar, the air heavy with smoke. Here, @Lord of Ashes Kaelen Morvane commands the Vigil’s eternal crusade against corruption.

History

  • The Vigil’s Founding: After the Order of Last Light’s failed attempt to cleanse Gloomdeep, @Lord of Ashes Kaelen Morvane returned alone, bearing the ashes of his fallen. Condemned as heretic for refusing to abandon the fight, he established the Ashen Vigil and carved @Emberhold from the upper ruins.

  • Century of Fire: For one hundred years, the Vigil has held its ground. Fires burn day and night, cleansing all corruption drawn toward the walls. The pyres have never gone out.

  • The Living Heresy: Though mortal, Kaelen has not aged. Many claim the flames preserve him.

Description


The fortress resembles a wound sealed in flame — scorched walls, blackened stone, and burning oil that lights every hall. Barricades of timber and iron seal every outer passage. Beyond them lies ruin, but within the walls there is order. Vigil soldiers move with discipline, tending fires, cleaning weapons, and guarding the sealed gates. Emberhold stands as the last known sanctuary in Gloomdeep.

Dangers (Ordered by CR)


No active dangers exist within Emberhold itself. All listed entities are encountered at or beyond the outer barricades.

  • CR 2 – @Feral Goblin : Endless swarms gather outside the barricades, drawn to light and noise.

  • CR 4 – @Bloated Gobin Corpse: Explosive plague husks lurching among the dead outside the gates.

  • CR 2 – @Corrupted Zealot : Fallen Vigil soldiers attempting to return to their former comrades.

  • CR 5 – @Feral Human : Infected wanderers and failed return expeditions drawn to the fires.

  • CR 3 – @Whispering Shade : Spirits mimic voices of the living to lure guards beyond the barricades.

  • CR 6 – @Corpse Garden : Fused corpses crawling along outer walls, burned daily by Vigil fire.

Points of Interest

  • The Ash Gate – Reinforced breach leading into the upper tunnels, guarded day and night.

  • The Pyre Court – Central square filled with roaring fires where all corpses are burned.

  • The Ember Chapel – Shrine where fire rites are performed to consecrate fallen Vigil members.

  • Dormitory Vaults – Spartan quarters carved from the walls for the Vigil’s ranks.

  • The Watchfires – Towers maintaining constant flame to repel the dead.

Faction Presence

  • @The Ashen Vigil : Holds Emberhold under the command of Kaelen Morvane. Launches purges into the necropolis below.

  • @The Mage Guild : Trades supplies and wards in secret for relics and @Demon Fragments recovered from purges.

  • @Order of the Last Light : Condemns Emberhold’s existence, believing it endangers the world above.