Dar Havark

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Dark as the night, a black tower stands upon the centre of a desolate countryside, barren and lifeless by the touch of Jorel himself. Ominous clouds hang over, the very air thick with a strange sense of dread, as if something could be awakened at any moment. Recently rebuilt and bearing the signs of a defensive structure, its top had turrets where eager archers waited, and around the tower itself was a high wall of black stone. Standing northeast outside of Acumin, fortified steel gates cold and oppressive stand to greet those who would dare set foot towards it. Yet whom resides there still remains a mystery.

Rumors had indeed spread on the elusive owner of the tower. Some knew him to be Lord Avanthar Dra’Aran, a wealthy businessman who possessed some darker agenda. Having entered Acumin and purchased a wide range of businesses, the fact that he was generous in offering jobs and wealth was widely known. The Shadow Blade Forge, the Coin and Quarrel and Acumin’s main trade, the Black Axe Lumber Mills, all were under his name. For those who lived in the darker side one would know of his name… his deeds… his skill… and his demonic might.

A loud voice broke his thoughts as he looked upwards at the great walls to find goblins in black armor drawing arrows while a large Orc stood atop bearing a large axe. Each were equipped in the same material, their armor costly and no doubt high grade. Sounds could be heard in the courtyard of creatures training, the sounds of wooden weapons clashing entered any adventurer’s ears. Some even said they could hear the very earth shake and rumble beneath.

‘Who stands before the gates of Dar Havark?’

A great voice overruled the sounds of battle as a brutish guard stood over the gates with a company of goblins. Erlok, the Orcish leader of the guards stood with strange alertness, his beady eyes gleaming as great muscles rippled beneath his high quality armor. Their Lord and Master had gifted them all with exceptional items to further aid them in battle, and from the way they stood with weapons drawn they were well trained… and dangerous. Yet this was but a small part of Dar Havark’s defense, for few have ever truly witnessed them in full muster, or had seen the power they hold.

On Surface
Between its great walls and the tower itself is an amount of land acting as a court and training yard. A small stable for several horses lay while also a small hut for the guards stands absently in one corner. Wooden targets are imbedded all around the area, acting as target practice for Avanthar’s chaotic troopers.

The tower itself consists of five levels, with twelve rooms altogether from the second floor upward. There are several traps and secret passages leading from one room to another. On the main floor, there consists a the lounge etc, while on the firstbasement floor there lies the kitchen and dining area. Also on this level are three jail cells. For some reason one of the cells has a name etched upon it... Cerius

The level beneath it consists of storage rooms, a strange ‘cell’ and also a passage deeper into the underground… where the true strength of Dar Havark lies.

Below Surface
Deep below the surface, from the lowest floor of Dar Havark a spiraling stairway of rock and mortal eventually leads to a large cavern where ratta and other minions continually work. With entrances from one room to another, the entire complex is completely carved through rock and stone. To one side stands the area for Avanthar’s troops, a large barracks where a eating hall, kitchen, and other necessities stands. A confinement and a pit exists for personal prisoner torture…

At the centre rests Avanthar’s throne room where important guests and matters are taken and discussed… and to another side stands the living quarters of Avanthar’s more highly ranked followers, with a large library, a study and training hall. Great caverns, with walls depicting of their Master's epic battles are spread throughout the place.

Strangely enough, there was another entrance within the great training hall, one that deterred even the stoutest of Dar Havark. It was a tunnel that led to Avanthar's beloved, a Dracon Mistress of notable power whom commanded a far larger force than Dar Havark. It was an entrance to Terra.

[Len Gio]

Lenny jumped up and down with chaotic glee. "OH boy oh boy oh boy, a neighbour!" He danced and pranced all around outside the tower, furry little body scampering to and fro in the desolate countryside. He personally thought the tower should be painted a cheery international orange, but hey, to each his own. Maybe the owner was colorblind or something.

Lenny padded up to Erlok. "Hi hi hi hi! Hello! Hey, how are you, want to come out and play?" Lenny bounded around for a few minutes, chasing his tail while waiting Erlok's response. "Hi, I'm Lenny, what's your name? Want to be friends? Roommates? Guys who pass each other on the way to work each morning?"

‘Who stands before the gates of Dar Havark?’

Lenny stared at the black-clad orc and nearly wet himself.

"Dar Havark? Who's he? You?" He then looked at the black tower behind Erlok. "Hey, Mr. Havark sir, that's a pretty big building keep castle tower fortress kind of place!" He stared at it goggle-eyed, unable to keep the awe out of his voice.

Or the desire.

"Can I have it?" He turned big brown puppy-dog eyes on Erlok. "Pleeeeeeeeeease? I'll give you a roast-beef sandwich for it, okay?" He knew it was a bad deal for him-- I mean you could EAT food, what could you do with a fortress?-- but he did not want Mr. Havark to think that he was anything except totally sincere. Should he throw in the bandana? That would certainly clinch the deal-- you could WEAR that. . .

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

It was obvious that the battle hardened Erlok was not pleased with the display of the furry otter, nor were the other guards whom now aligned the walls. Though their force were small, their Lord had taken great pains to train them as best as they could, bringing about coordination and order as to be expected from a Dracolord. Though there had been no news of their Lord as of late, there were others whom oversaw the safety and day to day running of the tower. The bestial orc was the one whom oversaw the defense of the surfers, while in the deep lay Sylphis, Grovan and Elkar.

Above all, there was brother of Avanthar, Shei’yein, and also, his wife, Kyoko. But for such trivial matters there would be no need to alert them of this pest. Grinning, his hand gripping the massive axe which gleamed under the canopy of darkening clouds, the Orc raised his voice in a bellow.

‘If you have no business here, then leave now… before we take other measures for your trespassing…’

With that being said, the Orc indicated for the others to prepare, and, in unison a dozen arrows were aimed at the dancing otter. Contempt was clearly in their eyes, and the satisfaction and pleasure of skewering the beast was proving too good to pass up. They had been training long and hard within the halls of Dar Havark, and, with a living target practice before them, they could not resist it.

The lands around Dar Havark were barren, rock and stone jutting up at odd places, the very earth in chaos… it was clear that Len Gio was trespassing upon another’s property, and, being a serious place there was, without a doubt, that trespassers would be dealt harshly.

[Len Gio]

This was not at all clear to Lenny, as he had no knowledge of human laws. If he'd known, he might have openly laughed anyone needing to hide behind them, for the only laws a Lutran respected were the laws of nature. He might be a small annoying Lutran, but at least Lenny was all man.

Whatever happened to him, he was no coward.

Still, Lenny was very dismayed. Not only were these people refusing his best offer, but they were not offering any beads or trinkets in return. Lutrans had no concept of danger and so the threats meant nothing to him (this might be why so many Lutrans were easily slaughtered in the last few years and why so few remained alive) but it was very hard to dissuade him once his mind was made up.

But one thing the guard said did bother Lenny. "I'll have you know I don't know the meaning of the word 'trespassing!' I...something about food?" Lenny was being literal. Lutrans had no concept of property ownership, as one could not buy or sell ocean currents. It rankled him that a guard would say something so unclear, and so he decided to leave and find out what it meant.

Whatever happened, he'd already won. The fact that such craven individuals needed to hide behind the law while quaking in a big fortress. . . such beings would not survive one minute in the oceans depth, where it was just you against nature. If this was what Acumin had as a typical resident, then Len would not stay in Acumin.

Shaking his head, Len decided he would return to the beach.

[Roland Moonstar]

OOC: Sorry, DSoul, Lenny's been booted away.

Companion Second PC
Serale Roland,

It seems that you are roleplaying in the same province as your second PC, Len Gio. Can you please rectify this situation ASAP, be withdrawing one PC from provinces that the other inhabits?

Thank you

Caerydd