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Author: Adelyn Belle'rose

Rozen Chalice Publishing, a division of East Arelith Trading

Original Publication: 167 AR "Benwick and the Capitulation of Light Keep"

Revised & Updated Edition: 175 AR "Arelith: A History of Benwick"

"The Arelith Antiquarian Society is instituted to examine, preserve, and publish all antiquities as connected with the art, language, literature, and history of the Arelith Archipelago. Articles bearing this notation have been selected for conservation regardless of race, faith, alignment, or affiliation. While all efforts have been made to ensure the information within is accurate regarding the subject matter covered, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies herein, whether such errors or omissions are the result of negligence, accident, or any other cause. If any such errors, inaccuracies, or omissions are discovered please contact the author who will address the issue."

I: THE FOUNDING

Early in Arelith's history, around the year 15 BR (Before Arelith Reckoning) a paladin known as "Galahad the Builder" approached the druids of the Grove with a proposal to build in Arelith Forrest. Once granted permission, he constructed the Light Keep around which the town of Benwick developed. Galahad would marry the elven druidess Xyndal and be crowned the First King of Benwick.

  • The Light

During the founding of Light Keep, as myth has it, 'The Light' was brought to Benwick by a Gold Dragon who entrusted it to the paladin order within the settlement in order to suppress a great evil buried deep beneath the fortress. Whether this account is correct or not is unknown. What is understood is 'The Light' connected directly to the Shores of Lunia in Celestia, allowing travel to the plane. While 'The Light' can still be visited in the ruins of Benwick, its function has long since been lost due events later explained in this chronicle.

  • Exodus

Soon after the King's coronation, a disagreement occurred between himself and Lord Darius Tristam over ideologies. With the estrangement, Lord Tristam departed with his followers from Benwick to settle in the Kingdom of Kohlingen which had been established on an isle north of Arelith. Once there, he would be granted leadership of the kingdom and the title of First Justiciar.

II. DESTRUCTION OF KOHLINGEN

The Kingdom of Kohlingen flourished under First Justiciar Darius Tristam, with its southern border expanding to include the lands of Minmir. Montgomery would be named Duke of Minmir and Manfried its Earl during this time. In 02 AR (Arelith Reckoning) The Earl Manfried, with the aid of the Twisted Rune, conducted a necromantic ritual during a celebration held within his Estate. The act of butchering the feeble-minded son of Duke Montgomery, which he then fed to his guests, acted as the ceremony's catalyst. The rite turneding the party-goers into ghouls and spread the revelry's music across Minmir. Being part of the sacrament, the song corrupted the inhabitants of the nearby village, transforming them into undead. Only the children and nearby temple of Bane would be left unaffected. The ritual concluded, Earl Manfried marched upon Kohnlingen with his undead army. Foreseeing the fate that would befall the kingdom, First Justiciar Darius Tristam hastily evacuated the island's citizens before gathering the kingdom's wizards. Together they would draw upon the area's magic in their own ritual, collapsing the nearby leylines to destroy the city. With his prize lost below the waves, Earl Manfried returned to his Manor in Minmir, where he remains to this day. The undead hordes under his command forever marching upon Arelith across an endless battlefield. Darius Tristam and the last of the Kohlingenites found their way back to Benwick and resettled with King Galahad's blessing.

III: THE KING IS DEAD. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

Upon king Galahad's death in 11 AR, the crown was transferred to Queen Xyndal. Under her reign she appointed Lady Meegat, wife of the knight Duty Bond, to the newly established position of 'Lady Protector'. Known for being a strict and disciplined commander, her role as the Queen's right hand would end after a mental breakdown in 15 AR when it was discovered she hired an assassin to kill Sir Frand, whom she suspected of causing the death of her children. Lady Meegat would be sentenced to life imprisonment within Light Keep, where she eventually died. Legend had it, years after death, her spirit haunted the keeps many passages to spread omens of ill fates yet to come.

IV. STONEHOLD WAR

After the brutal attack on Bendir in 13 AR by the Banites of Stonehold, Benwick mustered a large army under the command of Queen Xyndral's husband, the Praetorian Grandmaster Lord Severian. Along with the knight Duty Bond, the gathering marched against The Black Hand's bastion. Knowing the Banites employed large numbers of Devils in their ranks, the Benwick clerics called upon the heavens for aid and a host of celestials descended. Together the army of mortals and gods assaulted the fortress. Though gravely wounded, Praetorian Severian defeated the infernal army of Dreadmaster Ryan Valtheran and his Drow Mistress, bringing Stonehold to the ruin. Praetorian Grandmaster Severian would later die from the wounds suffered in the battle.

V. DEATH OF A QUEEN

Overtime 'The Light' would grow weak due to inactivity and isolation until in 15 AR a Harbinger of the Triad, a Knight, approached the paladins of Benwick to inform them that 'The Light' was waning and would soon be gone. This occurrence marked the end of Queen Xyndal's rule as she chose to ritually sacrifice herself to 'The Light'. An act of surrender that strengthened the Holy artifact with her life force and kept the gateway to Celestia open.

VI. THE COUNCIL OF LIGHT KEEP

Benwick would fall under the control of a council who abolished the tradition of 'divine right' after the Queen's death. Instead, the title of 'Lord Protector' was repurposed to serve as the head of state, with the Council providing administrative rule. This practice appeared to have continued uninterrupted until approximately 72 AR when Lord James Malhinde attempted to restore the monarchy. However, his effort failed to gather enough support and he departed for Guldorand to establish "The Forsworn" with his followers. After this challenge, no other attempts were recorded to have taken place against the Council's rule. While records of who served upon the Council could not be located, one can safely reason it functioned much as any other settlement at the time. With counselor's serving terms until replaced by election.

VII. THE GATE

Around 52 AR, "The Gate" beneath Light Keep was revealed. This one-way entrance to Baator spurred the creation of the current portal room and Last Bastion beyond. While little is known about why a rift in the planes even occurred below Benwick, some have theorized this darkness had been lurking beneath the surface since the arrival of 'The Light' - a counterbalance to the celestial connection to the Prime.

Whatever the reason, the Last Bastion manned by the Chosen Ones, held the Baator side of the Gate while the defenders of Benwick maintained the material plane entrance. The Silver Dragon Imperator aided them in this task, who is said to have judged the souls of mortals attempting to pass through the Gate. Paladins of Arelith were also encouraged to visit regularly, thus supporting the Chosen Ones in combating the hordes of devils or in fending off Underdark attempts at a siege, which occurred often.

VIII. WAR

While very few documents pertain to such interventions, various notations within other works lead one to conclude from 15 AR to 85 AR Benwick was involved in the multiple conflicts that occurred across Arelith. As such, those events of paramount importance have been detailed below.

  • The Blood Sail Incursion: 22 AR

Under the command of Admiral Valmer Faulschtaff, a great pirate fleet invaded Arelith in a campaign that culminated in two unsuccessful sieges against Stonehold and the Crouching Lemur Monastery. A united force from Light Keep, Myon, Cordor, and Stonehold managed to drive the pirate army off the island.

  • Battle of Gamblers Bluff: 35 AR

A large Underdark army led by Skeflock, the svirfneblin Tyrant of Urblexis Grond, seized the small palisade fort on Gambler's Bluff for nearly a week in an attempt to create a surface outpost. The Underdark force eventually withdrew after repeated counterattacks from a surface coalition army.

  • War in the North: 74 AR

The Frost Maiden Auril, in an attempt to steal the slumbering god Ulutiu's power, cursed land to eternal night & winter. With the aid of three servants, the goddess planned to birth a new avatar with Arelith serving as its womb. The island united and defeated the three servants of Auril, saving Toril from the goddess 'Endwinter'.

  • The War of Horns: 76 AR

The Twisted Rune's attempt to recover an ancient artifact known as 'The Crown of Horns' resulted in a massive undead assault upon Arelith. With the resurfacing of the Lost Kingdom of Kohlingen in the North Sea, a united force of surface settlements defeated the threat and recovered the crown.

IX. CAPITULATION OF BENWICK

Captain of the Keep Thomas Miller, last ruler of Benwick, would collapse under the burden of leadership. During the sieges spawned from the 'Rift Crisis' in 86 AR, a cult of infernalists known as 'The Sencliff Institute' took advantage of the weakening barriers in reality to besiege Benwick, Miller would witness many of his companions fall in battle. Among them was his close confidante, Caldus Oat, who Haston Reyne slew.

During one of these sieges, an army rose from the Hells and assaulted the Last Bastion directly. With the help of a large group of adventurers, the attack was rebuffed, but not before the 'Last Bastion' itself lay in ruin. Afterwards 'The Gate' would only be protected by the magical barrier preventing entry from Baator's side and the mortal defenders of Light Keep.

Cultist Haston would later try to take credit for Thomas's fall into despair, but it is believed that the grief of battle and his addiction to Mordayn were the true catalysts that crumbled Thomas Miller's psyche. Allegedly by the end, Miller only wanted peace at any cost and an end to the endless cycle of fighting and death.

So whether by corruption or desperation, following several years of holding against constant threats, Captain of the Keep Thomas Miller surrendered Benwick as a vassal settlement to the Infernalist Lord Governess Jel and Arch malefactor Vippin, who ruled over Guldorand and Sencliff.

[Terms of Benwick's Vassalage to Guldorand]

"This document lays out the terms by which Benwick (alias Light Keep) is in a state of vassalage to Guldorand. This document is not binding until such a time as it is signed by Knight-Captain of Light Keep Thomas Miller, Lord Governess of Guldorand Jel, and Arch malefactor Vippin of the Ninth Sect. In addition, one witness must be present, the Count Klemens von Reichenbach."

"The reasons for this vassalage are manifold – primarily to finally secure peace for our time between the often-conflicting factions present between Benwick and Guldorand's present occupants, while also retaining Benwick's freedom to "be Benwick" and all that entails, with few revisions."

"From the date of this documents signing, Benwick is a vassal and protectorate of Guldorand. All members of the Institute of Sencliff are henceforth removed from any and all lists of exile, bounty, and/or war in Benwick and will be given amnesty for any and all crimes. Select members to be agreed upon between the signatories will be afforded access to the Castle of Light Keep."

"Members of Benwick – to include citizens of the township, standing and reserve members of all militias, factions, guilds, groups and individuals associated with Benwick and/or the Order of Light Keep – will not commit any acts of harm, detriment, destruction, sedition or subversion by any possible definition to both the Institute of Sencliff and the parent vassal of Guldorand."

"In return, Benwick's people will be assured safety along similar lines, as long as they do not break the aforementioned terms. Benwick will continue to be allowed self-governance and given full neutrality with leave to continue operating in its own interests at home and abroad, including Avernus. We will allow them freedom of faith, freedom to make their own laws, and freedom to deal with domestic matters and trade."

"Guldorand will appoint an ambassador (title pending) with an associated embassy from which to operate within Benwick. The ambassador (title pending) will be given the authority to 'count' for two votes in the event of an intra-Council dispute."

"In the event of a defensive war in Guldorand or its Protectorates, Benwick will aid in the defense. Guldorand will also maintain the power to define Benwick's foreign policy. In addition, Sencliff will mediate peace-talks between Benwick and Wharftown. The outcome of these peace-talks is irrelevant to the rest of these terms."

"In the event that the non-aggression terms are violated, Benwick forfeits all benefits, with the remainder of the terms still in force."

[Count Klemens von Reichenbach's Legal Recognition] "I, Klemens von Reichenbach, Count, do certify that the Treaty of Vassalage concerning Benwick and Guldorand was signed and ratified in my presence following all the rules on international law."

<>Signed Count Klemens von Reichenbach, Chancellor of Guldorand<> Day 7 Month 4 Year 88 AR

This political defeat allowed the followers of Hell to step inside Light Keep sanctum without resistance for the first time. The Infernalists would act quickly on their fortune, wreathing 'The Light' in shadows, sealing passage to Celestia, and preventing it from being used as a weapon against the devils. A dark ritual was then conducted upon 'The Gate' itself, altering the very nature of the portal to allow two-way passage through it. With this change, the Baatezu were able to travel into the prime unhindered, and an army of the Nine descended upon the town of Benwick, razing it to the ground in 88 AR.

FOOTNOTE: The Fate of Thomas Miller

Miller himself fell entirely into insanity and despair after the Fall of Benwick. No doubt tormented by guilt and remorse over the series of unfortunate events his decisions set in motion. His fate was an entirely ignoble one, becoming a homeless wretch upon the various settlement streets of Arelith. While we are unable to know the ultimate fate of Thomas Miller, an optimistic soul might imagine the man finding redemption and happiness in lands far away from the shores that still carry his shame.

X. THE LAST QUEEN OF BENWICK

The self-declared daughter of Benwick's last matriarch, Ophelia Blackheart, attempted to claim the title of Queen after the city's destruction. Ophelia would spend her life in exile with her claim disputed until she suffered a mysterious death in an undetermined year. Sometime later, her tomb would be discovered empty, with the belief she had transformed into a Demilich with the power of her vengeful spirit. While a whimsical theory, it is far more probable that her reawakening in death resulted from the Twisted Rune's direct intervention.

The last Queen of Benwick would return to the island in 163 AR. Her stated aspiration was to create an undead army to protect Arelith, thus never allowing the tragedy that was her home to be repeated. The invasion commenced with the Twisted Rune's successful plot to kill Archmage Mila Brown, the greatest student of the Archmage Thoramind, and de facto leader of the Arcane Tower with a magical bomb. Believed to have been the only mage capable of challenging Ophelia directly, her removal opened the way for the main incursion. Reclaiming the ruins of her old kingdom, Ophelia launched a series of campaigns against Bendir, Arelith Forest, Minmir, The Arcane Tower, Guldorand, and Brogendenstein over the next year. The prolonged conflict finally culminated with the establishment of 'Camp Young' west of the Benwick ruins and the long siege of Light Keep. All Arelith's surface settlements, excluding Myon whose presence was curiously absent, mobilized for the final assault into the heat of Light Keep. Upon entering the inner Citadel, Ophelia Blackheart made the below declaration.

[Ophelia Blackheart's Pronouncement]

"Within this hall, all that you touch and all that you see is all your lives will ever be. No things of steel, mithril, adamantine, fire, or else, can breach my defenses, nor can things of magic sway me from my course. I was not unprepared for the resistance of which I have been the object. For those of course who have a free choice in the matter and do not follow blindly their leaders, war is the greatest of follies. And if the only choice was danger in resisting and instead having your entire isle be brought to oblivion; and submission with the hope of preserving your lands, in such a case it is he who will not accept the negligible injury of loss of independence that deserves blame, not he who will. The offer is made, and it shall not be made again. Offer yourselves to me, and the glory and honour of Brogendenstein, Guldorand, Cordor and Bendir Dale shall not be diminished, while your lands shall be kept safe under the rulership of Ophelia and the Twisted Rune".

The Last Queen's offer was rebuffed, and the battle ensued. Having publicly repented for his evil ways, Vance Gravelle sacrificed his life to seal Ophelia's collaborator, Demilich Xhazhygix. With a Greater Seal, crafted by the mages of the Arcane Tower, the remaining adventurers imprisoned the Demilich Ophelia Blackheart. Both were interred in the Arcane Tower's Spellhold Prison upon the conclusion of the assault. With the threat ended, life on Arelith returned to normal.

AFTERWORD

Many attempts have been made to seal the Hell Gate below Light Keep or reclaim the settlement of Benwick after its collapse. Of these, the 'Sword of Benwick', 'Devil Steward of Benwick', and the search for the 'Celestial Keystones' are most noteworthy and can be found recorded within other transcripts.

To this day, Benwick remains a subject of controversy and remorse. Regardless of how one chooses to remember the once city, its history remains a lesson to heroes and villains alike.

FIN


BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • Book(s):

[1] Corbin, "Benwick Research"

[2] Aramentia Sendia, "The Bendir/Stonehold Wars"

[3] Loomwarden of Azur, "A Study of Minmir Manor and Kohlingen"

[4] Nelehein of Impiltur, "The Lost City of Kohlingen"

[5] Unknown, "Bloodsail Incursion"

[6] Unknown, "Erik Silverarms: Early Years"

[7] Unknown, "The Fall of Benwick"

[8] Unknown, "The Seize of Gambler's Bluff"

[9] Kensin Torellus, "The Forsworn: A History"

[10] Archamus Schelen, "The History of the War of 164 AR"

[11] Kaliyah Serafine, Anden Smith, Elwood Thron, & Anden Smith; "Librum Draconis: Arelithica Vol. I"

[12] Elanor Shortwick, "Rifts: Interview with Amadeo Pnuema"

[13] Amadeo Pneuma, "Interviews & Writings"

[14] Nelehein of Impiltur, "The War in the North"


  • Written Documents:

[1] Count Klemens von Reichenbach, Chancellor of Guldorand, "Terms of Benwick's Vassalage to Guldorand"

[2] Light Keep Council, "The Reign of the Great Queen"

[3] Baron Conway, "Conway Announces Candidacy"

[4] Geoffrey Talbert, "Ghost of Benwick"

[5] Geoffrey Talbert, "The Gate to the Nine"

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

[The modest portrait of a young vermilion-haired lady with pallid flesh is positioned next to the paragraph below. Her emerald gaze looks intently at the reader, betraying the aspect's alluring facade with callous indifference. The suggestion of a predatory smile appears hidden within the corners of full upturned lips.]

"The Vampire Adelyn Belle'rose has been charming readers with her historical works upon the island of Arelith for years. As the former curator of the Cordor's Museum, she helped bring the past to life through exhibits and displays. Later, as a member of Andunor's Erudite Arcanum, she would lead the research team to investigate Shadow Wharftown's Third Iteration. Through the founding of the Arelith Antiquarian Society and the East Arelith Trading Company, she continues to advocate for the preservation of knowledge across the archipelago."

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