Revision as of 16:25, 25 September 2018

Benwick Research

                                    Displayed is the research gathered by Spiritwalker Corbin on the Ruins of Benwick

Research Notes: Founding

A paladin known as Galahad the Builder approaches the druids of the Heartwood Grove for permission to build in the woods. Once granted, he builds Benwick (the name changes over the years between Benwick and Light Keep). He marries an elven druidess Xyndal that later takes his place as ruler when he passes.

At some point during the founding, the myth says that, the Light was brought to Benwick by a Gold Dragon that entrusted it to the paladins as it connects directly to the Shores of Lunia in Celestia and suppresses the evil beneath the Keep.

This appears to have been lost in time because later reports state that shadows attack the Keep and a Harbinger of the Triad, a Knight, approached the paladins to tell them that the Light was waning due to their inactivity and isolation. This is when Queen Xyndal sacrifices herself to the Light to strengthen it.

Research Notes: Notable Attacker: Dionne

Dionne was said to be a drowish demi-power that attacked the Keep as far back as AR 40. It is believed that she has a connection with First Lady Protector Meegat (this may stem from the rumor that Meegat fell on hard times or possibly even from Grace due to attempting or succeeding in having a peer assassinated) and Anisha; individual buried at the old gravestone outside the Keep.

Although the purpose of her attacks have been lost in time, she was sealed within an artifact however expected to have escaped as she has been seen haunting the Keep on a separate occasions.

Research Notes: Opening of the Gate

At around 52 AR, the Gate beneath the Keep was revealed, along with the completion of the Last Bastion beyond it. I have found no remarks on its construction however over the years it has been said that a darkness was lurking beneath the Keep since the arrival of the Light.

Its main defense was the Last Bastion. Paladins were encouraged to visit regularly to aid the Chosen Ones in combating the hoards and fending off Underdarker attempts at siege.

Interview: Amadeo Pneuma & Crinukh (Celestial Keystone)

This interview was conducted in the deserts of Sibayad. The pair stated that the blight present around the ruins of Benwick is merely a symptom of a disease. What we are dealing with is hole in the fabric of the planes; an imbalance that has led to an open rift to Baator. If it were a simple gate, it could be shut down with magic.

One attempt to close the rift involved the celestial keystone. Daijin Helefnerien preformed Oneiromancy on Earl Manfried using re-purposed items designed Mortimer Asen. This revealed information about the theft of the keystone by a Baatezu that played a role in the genesis of the gate.

Ameliea Selana and her husband Thazmudin used the vision to track down and retrieve the keystone. This keystone was unlike those used during the Rift Crisis and appeared to be unique; it had an aura that enveloped the user. A sealing ritual was conducted and the keystone vanished (unclear how). The sealing was only partial, preventing the passage of native Baatorians but not Primers.

Crinukh theorizes that a keystone from Arborea would work better since Celestia is fully opposed to the Abyss, not Baator. The sealing was eventually undone by Maztican and Necromancer Huemacoatl and accomplice Thaddeus. They used a Stygian dragon's horn which allegedly instructed them how to accomplish this. The horn too vanished after the ritual; unclear on how.

Interview: Amadeo Pneuma (Sword of Benwick)

This interview was conducted in the deserts of Sibayad. Amadeo states that another attempt to close the rift within the ruins of Benwick was by Knight Daltanius Silverarms. He had received a vision of a sword belonging to founder Galahad. He was convinced this was a means to seal the gate.

The quest helped unify the Triadists of the island. Allegedly this is not uncommon among knights; these are called Chelsambyr Hunt. The Sword of Benwick was believed to be the sword embedded in the ground at Lake Minmir. Attempts to remove it physically were made but all failed.

This caught the attention of divine forces leading to an artifact falling from the sky. While the knights believe it was the sword of Benwick, Amadeo believes it was likely the blade of Concordant Opposition after inspecting it using a magic mirror. It arrived as a small dagger but grew longer as it tasted planar blood.

Additionally its influence grew, encouraging the leader to slay more. The blade's nature was influenced by the manner of outsider it killed. It grew opposite to the nature of the entities it killed so it slew devils, it became holier. It served as a vessel for planar energies. Amadeo states that if those energies could be released, they could be used to seal the gate however how to do this is unknown.

Interview: Crinukh (Devil Steward of Benwick)

This interview was conducted in the deserts of Sibayad. Crinukh states that Knight Gracielo attempted to take back the ruins, mostly through force. Their main objective was to kill the devil steward of the ruins; Luc Deitrich. They had the theory that if Luc was dead then the place would at least be more manageable to take back.

Crinukh says he has faced Luc twice; a very powerful and cunning devil. Easily the most dangerous he has ever faced. Allegedly, Luc has multiple consciousnesses active at any one time; he once went by one Maximillion for some time. Luc had a fortress but account suggested that one can only arrive by being teleported there so even now the exact location is unknown.

Luc has a number of avatars doing his work on Baator and the Prime. Luc was largely unconcerned by the group's attempts, calling them pests of Benwick. Crinukh became involved in this because Vippin, the Vile, sold the souls of his entire tribe to the infernalists so he tried to negotiate for their release however any preparation Crinukh had was quickly dismantled by Luc.

The group believed they had everything under control but Luc took them all done easily; the greatest defeat Crinukh has suffered. [The specifics are loose here due to how long ago this had occurred.] A long time later, with the help of kin Dartak, and demons, they managed to steal a soul gem from Luc that contained the souls of the tribe.

They took the gem to Dragon Eyrie to petition the dragon gods to place the souls in safekeeping and Luc was there again. Luc tried to prove with arguments to the court that the souls were his but ultimately it was shown that they were unwillingly taken by Vippin. As such the Arbiter of Chronepsis declared that the pact was invalid.

Crinukh warns that Luc uses twists and word play and it takes a lot of effort to out fox him.

Interview: Amadeo Pneuma (Shadows in Benwick)

This interview was conducted in the Heartwood Grove. Amadeo states that this incident happened during a quiet period for the ruins, when they were still sealed by the keystone. At this time, there was no presence within the ruins however hauntings had begun.

Reports came forward of shadowy presences that toyed with those that entered. This shadow presence laid claim to the ruins. Dionne is known as a possessive spirit and the claim this presence was making roused her. Why she did not rise during the baatezu invasion is unclear.

The dispute was expected to be settled through a game. Catalin and Amadeo were in Wharftown, speaking privately when a projection of the Shadowy Presence appeared and said the games would begin soon.

Both entities grew dormant afterwards. No more hauntings were reported.

Interview: Amadeo Pneuma (Thomas Miller)

This interview was conducted in the Heartwood Tree-house. Amadeo states that Thomas Miller, last leader of Benwick, crumbled under the burden of leadership. During the course of the siege, Miller saw many of his companions die in battle; among them was a close confidante, Caldus Oat, who was killed by Haston Reyne.

Haston would later try to take credit for Thomas' fall. He wanted to witness the breaking point of a good man however, Amadeo states that it was grief of battle and his addiction to Mordayn that crumbled Thomas Miller's psyche. Allegedly, Miller only wanted peace and for everyone to stop fighting.

So in his delusion he vasseled Benwick to the forces of Vippin (that were leading Guldorand at the time). This allowed them to step inside the sanctum without resistance.

Research note: The siege happened during the Rift Crisis when the barriers of the realities were thinned. Vippin's cultists were able to form large rifts to the Hells but they played a passive role in the skirmish itself which makes Miller's choice even more questionable.

After the vassalage, the Infernalists wreathed the Light in shadows preventing it from being used as a weapon against the devils. However it also prevents them from using the Light which leaves them stuck at a stalemate.

Research Note II: The Infernalists conducted a ritual at the gate but it is unclear what happened; what is known is that it altered the nature of the portal to allow Baatezu to pass through.

Research Note III: The siege was broken by using the Light reflected through mirrors. While this did occur when the Light was untainted, it does suggest that it is movable and able to be weaponized.

Interview: Sydney Harrow AKA Witch of Lies (Sword of Benwick)

This interview was conducted at the Crow's Nest. Sydney says that the sword was a great pursuit of the Silverarms dynasty but that she couldn't be bothered to recall which one it was that actually found it. The sword was not entrusted to a single individual; it was cycled through various members of the Temple of the Triad in Cordor.

Harrow states that the sword was not some generic holy thing. It was not aligned with the celestial spheres. It was a concordant blade, a very powerful one. It was joined with the Prime and the Outlands. It could hew the flesh off an angel just as easily as that of a fiend. She says that the sword was not 'good enough' for them so they sought rites to sanctify it.

In the meantime they cycled it through themselves so their enemies wouldn't know where it was an seize it. Paladins are corruptible because they stand on the edge between good and justice which makes them easier to push in one direction or another so she just waited for the moment it fell into Kyle Frayer-Eldafire hands.

Kyle was smitten with one of Harrow's agents. Although Harrow is vague on how he lost the sword it appears that it was during a tryst and he was 'showing off'. She later traded it to a buyer but the details of which she refuses to share.

Interview: Yeto Emil (Sword of Benwick)

This interview was conducted within the Heartwood. Yeto states that he became aware of the Sword of Benwick when it came into the possession of the Church of the Triad. They had been searching for it for years; it had allegedly been lost to a prison island. He is unsure how they came to find it. He asked to join the expedition to close the portal.

Yeto says that at the start the sword was a tiny dagger. The church and their allies went to fix the sword and turn it from a dagger into a real sword. With them was Kyle Eldafire, Eric Lugger, Noiren, Buppi and Azrael. They marched on Benwick without any real plan on how to fix it. The main goal was to place the sword in the light under Benwick, the Celestial light.

After a long ritual, the sword grew into a short sword. They chanted in celestial at the blade and praised their Traidic gods, begging them to restore the sword. It worked so Yeto call it a ritual but states that it wasn't well thought out. The Triadists wished it to be a larger sword so Kyle came up with the idea of slaying devils with it.

They went to Baator and were joined by Aerin and Inquisitor Obren and Amadeo. They were beset by Juggernaughts at one point and Aerin fell, Yeto was struck down and lost his flail attempting to save him. They were both rescued by Amadeo.

The group pushed on deeper into Baator and the more the blade fed, the larger it grew, growing into a long sword. It was then that Kyle took the blade for himself to wield it. Upon their return, they wished to check to see how much the blade had 'charged' so Kyle attacked one of the pillars. It did little, causing the portal to wavier briefly but it prompted fiends to pour out.

The group was quickly overwhelmed and fled back into the forest to tend to themselves and their fallen. Yeto says that he and Buppi left the Paladins to brag about how they got the sword charged even though it didn't appear to do anything. It should have been a great sword so they didn't even finish charging it and didn't know how to.

Yeto states that the sword remained with Kyle for a while but dropped from sight for a time as the Triadists planned their next attempt to charge it. Sarina Dragonsong had fallen in with Infernalist Sydney Harrow. Dragonsong was Kyle's lover as well as Azrael's.

Kyle decided to travel to the Underdark to convince Sarina to return. While he was there, he was knocked out by Sydney and the sword was stolen. She held it captive but then it was retrieved by Amadeo before disappearing from sight.

Interview: Azrael (Sword of Benwick)

This interview was conducted within the Radiant Heart. Azrael says that he was part of the Order created by the descendants of Erik Silverarms of Benwick; The Order of Benwick. Which were a group of Knights dedicated to fighting the Sword of Benwick and closing the portal. The blade was finally found but only after the last (at the time) Silverarms descendant left the island.

The blade revealed itself as a small dagger, at first, to a young woman whose name he cannot recall. It grew in size and power as it was used to fell devils. He was part of the questing as the Temple of the Triad, at the time, led the conquest. Eric Lugger was the last to have the sword and he gathered keystones based on information given to him by Celestia.

Azrael states that the Keystones were held by various entities, most of fell intent. The Triadists traveled to the Frost plane and did battle with a horde of their forces to attain the keysyone. They were defeated. Another keystone was found in the Cordor sewers among a group of fallen celestials intent to bring back a fallen God.

Azrael says that they were heretics that renounced heaven so the Triadists felled them and secured the keystone. They saw their deity as superior to Celestia and the Heavens and they forced his party to do immoral acts; taking off clothes and walking through dangers or killing party members. He was not there for this but didn't like how the Temple handled it.

He was also not present for other ventures but heard of them such as when the Triadists went to the Temple of Poison to then to the Plane of Poison to recover a keystone there. [Research Note: It appears to be the consensus that the keystones look like rods.]

Interview: Buppi (Sword of Benwick)

This interview was held at the Dark Heart Grove. Buppi says that he doesn't know how exactly the Triadists got the sword but it was handed between different members before ultimately landing in Kyle's hands. According to Buppi, Kyle is an idiot.

It was around this time that the paladin of the dragon god (Sarina) fell into the hands of the Witch of Lies; Sarina fell in love with the witch and supported her. Now Kyle, Buppi says, loved this fallen paladin ad tried to bring her back. He also foolishly carried the sword around with him everywhere he went.

The sword itself caused people to try to get it such as the Banites that tried to raid the Triadic Temple in Cordor to find it. They were defeated. So Kyle was secretly meeting with the fallen paladin and at one instance he got in close with her.

They were having a pre-mating session; hugging and kissing. The Witch of Lies was present as she did not trust Kyle alone with the fallen paladin. Kyle put his sword on the ground so it was not in the way. The Witch stole the sword and lens'd out. Buppi thinks that the fallen paladin went with her.

This put the beacon of the Arelithian Triadists, the Sword, in the hands of one of the island's most terrible Infernalists. The sword was retrieved by someone (no specifics given) and it was stated that because of the Triadists misuse of it, before it could be returned, they would have to prove their worth through the example of the First Knight of Cordor.

One showed his worth; Eric. He began to train with the sword and tested how it could be used to close the gate, if it even did such. Buppi states that on one outting the Triadists amassed a large group and set out into Benwick and the Hells slaying devils with the sword. The sword proved its magic. It was powerful and as it slew it grew in size and sharpness.

It was a very small sword before and grew into a /very/ long long-sword. Many voiced how stupid it was to bring the sword into the Hells and they were right. The devils reacted and swarmed them. Buppi says they had to retreat back through the gate.

After that there was more talks about how the sword worked and more testing. Then he doesn't know what happened. People stopped talking about it.

Interview: Eric Lugger (Sword of Benwick)

This interview was held in the Radiant Heart. Eric states that it all started with Daltanius Silverarms, related to the fabled Erik Silverarms. He had a vision of a sword that would put an end to the rift beneath Benwick. Daltanius and Obern were leading the Triad back in Cordor then, along with Noirin. Daltanius searched for the weapon for a long time until he fell from grace.

Eric says that Daltanius got a lead that suggested he would find the answer in the slave pits of Andunor so he went to go confront the pit master. The pit master fooled Daltanius. He told him that if he fought the Swarm blind he would give him his answer.

Instead, Daltanius slaughtered defenseless slaves that were thrown in without his knowledge. From this act, his remorse was so great that he dropped the quest and sought redemption. There quest was almost completely abandoned for a time until they decided to seek it out again.

There is a holy spot in Lake Minmir with an ancient statue of a great Knight who is said to have gave his life and soul to protect that spot. The statue appeared regular but had an aura of holiness. Present was Noirin, Kyle and Laura Sinclair. There was a sword with its blade sunk into the ground.

Laura tried to take the sword which prompted a beam of light in her hands and the dagger appeared. The dagger had an inscription that read "The Light Never fades". Eric states that the dagger appeared regular at a glance but on closer examination it seemed to draw any sort of planar energies nearby like the Astrolabe which is capable of drawing erratic planar energies.

The dagger would seek planar energies to feed itself. He likes to think that the Sword of Benwick has its own will. He says he could feel it. It wanted to feed on the blood of devils but it would have just as easily fed on celestial blood because of this, they hid it so that it didn't fall into the wrong hands that might feed it demon or celestial blood.

In secret they called out their allies like the Grove, Myon and the Tower to go to the Hells and slay the most powerful devils to feed the blade. After much bloodshed the sword grew from dagger to short-sword then to long-sword then to bastard sword size. After that it seemed satisfied and didn't need more energy.

Since they were trying to hide the sword, they passed it around their most trusted members. When it fell into the hands of Kyle Eldafire, Sarina, the one he loved took it from him. Amadeo saved them by retrieving it but he didn't give it back right away. Amadeo set them on a quest for knowledge.

The quest set them on the path of the Great Knights of old. Eric says a sweet woman, Arael, guided him through the history of Arelith and that made him a better person than any other part of the quest did. Amadeo ended up giving him clues on the nature of the sword.

Amadeo had said to him that the energy fed into the blade was still stored inside and that it could be used to create a great explosion, one that could destroy the gate protecting the rift beneath Benwick. They traveled to the Plane of Earth that has wondrous forges filled with magic and power to work the hardest metals.

First they killed the largest and most powerful elementals they could find to fuel the forge with their remains. Present was a small group from the Triad and the Heartwood; He recalls Jantira, the Archdruidess of that time, Arcavius, Gareth and Noirin. Eric was familiar enough with the blade to molded the Bastard sword into a great-sword.

It was complete, holy. The Sword of Benwick from Galahad the Builder in its truest shape with Eric as its wielder. Eric says it is important to note that Daltanius got to see and hold it when it was in a smaller shape and he found his redemption.

Research Note: According to the information gathered by the paladins, to use the sword on the gate would cause a massive explosion that would obliterate everything nearby so they need people strong enough to preform a ritual to protect them.

Interview: Eric Lugger (Celestial Keystones)

This interview was conducted in the Radiant Heart. Eric states that Amadeo suggested that he add an additional point of safety to his attempt on closing the gate by finding and using the celestial keystones which were used in the most successful attempt by a powerful magus of the Arcane Tower and her husband.

The keystone was left in the ruins of Benwick. When the Triadists attempted to find it to use for their ritual they discovered that Aurilities found it and took it. They went on a crusade to their only temple to find that it was split into five pieces and used to trade among powerful beings. The high priestess of Auril traded the blue rod of the keystone to Garon Tybolt of Talos.

She traded the green rod with Agatha of Talona. She gave the yellow rod to an Unseelie Fey which in turn traded it to a group of Celestials who believed that the only way to protect the Prime was to resurrect a dead god. Some believed they were attempting to bring forth Cordoria. These rods the Triadists currently have.

Eric says that they are missing two pieces, red and blue. The red one was traded with a greater devil and the blue one is in the hands of a Matron and well hidden in the UD. Once they have the celestial keystones they will use it to weaken the protections on the gate that encircles the portal to the Hells.

Interview: Crinukh (Deitrich Incident)

This interview was conducted in the Dark Heart Grove. Crinukh believes that it is important to note that Luc Deitrich may have broken a Baatorian pact and angered Tiamat. The incident occurred when Crinukh was with Achuak'iejir Stormwind, devout of Tiamat.

She was helping him with the Vippin Pact matter. She made a bargain with Dietrich promising the protection of the Church of Tiamat to Benwick in exchange for any souls taken by Vippin's pact unwillingly. He agreed but then said that no souls were taken unwillingly.

Years later, Crinukh and Dartak were in the Eyrie, they discovered that there were indeed many souls taken unwillingly which means that Dietrich outright lied. Crinukh believes that Tiamat would take an affront to this. Crinukh expects the presence of Abishai Baatezu in the ruins as evidence that Tiamat's anger.

Research Note: Catalin Snow (Dionne)

Extract from Snow's personal notebook: “On 26 Mirtul 99 Amana Tarrynth was taken by one "Dionne" - some ancient evil spirit taking on the form of a drow femme bound originally to the depths of Benwick. Amana returned shortly after she was taken, with instructions to talk to both "Anisha" and "Dionne".

[Amana] said, she knew what had to be done, and wanted to write it all down so she wouldn't forget. She refused companionship thereafter, even that of her loved ones Euclio, Wesley and Gideion. Other than that, she looked much renewed after the encounter with Dionne, radiating beauty, benevolence and calm.

[Amana] did commission a painting from Catalin Snow though, a portrait of a woman “Aurora”. The meaning of either could never be determined.”

“On 24, Nightal, 99 [within the Bramble Woods] we were lured by a creature of which we later learned its name as "Legion". Sparkling lights and undead flickering, before us, leading us ever northward into the old Goblinoid Fortress, where suddenly all grew silent after an ambush by a Vampire-Girl. It cost much to fend it off, but suddenly it vanished like it had never been there.

A voice spoke out of the darkness then and I shudder to think of it still “Only one of you has proven worthwhile” And then, silence again”

“We feared, we were lured away from the Hilltop then, to allow whatever else wreak havoc there. We hurried back and when I thought, the nightmares would finally come to an end, she was there. Dionne. The Demon, masking herself in the dress and behest of a Drow Female. Kregor was still standing, but barely so.

He had lost a lot of blood on the way to the Fortress and back and I could see him sway. By now, I think only plain stubbornness kept him on his feet and it was for his sake that I bit down my own petrification and panic to address the Demon. The talk was short, to the point and she said as much as she didn't.”

Apparently, one of the four of us in the Brambles that night was "chosen" for their games. Dionne warned us, and told us to find Ela'driel Eldafire's Diary, seemingly full of information on the creature.”

“On 24, Hammer, 100 [outside of Wharftown] Dionne showed up, right inmidst of all of us, and of course in her Drow Form. I recognized her quickly enough and out of necessity and only knowledge of Legion stayed my arrows, though I know Dionne is not welcome in Wharftown. Not after the ordeal with Amana.”

“[Present was Amadeo, Catalin, Croft Stafford and an elven female] Croft challenged her, heedless to my warnings of her, heedless to my words. I do not know what Dionne did to Croft, but she demonstrated her power – which, was a challenge he should never have uttered – and soon thereafter, he stomped off, not to return.”

“Thanks to Dionne though, I finally learned the identity of the helpful elven Lady and had her introduced as "Serynn Eldafire", Ela'driel's Grandmother. Dionne took on a less offending form – her actually not being a Drow, shaping form at will – and explained more of Legions games to us. She said, she was an impartial adjudicator, chosen by Legion to oversee the games.”

“We now know, how Ela'driel sacrificed herself to foil their first trial of morale on the elven folk and how they learned. Neither High Magic, nor Sacrifice likely will have any impact. The only thing, that will get them to stop is to go through their games, come out victoriously and beat them that way.”

“On 16, Alturiak, 100, For the first time, we actually saw Legion. Amadeo and I were in the Lighthouse, sharing the meager information we had gained from Dionne on various occasions. Amadeo had an interesting theory of Legion being a creature of thought. A creature of idea.”

“The room suddenly darkened and when the light lifted, there it stood. A creature with arms and feet longer, than its torso should rightfully be able to support, the face an elongated mask with no discernible features part from deep lines where a nose could have been and pools of blackness where eyes would normally sit.”

“Its form was difficult to make out, as its form writhed with light and shadows, like storm clouds filled with lighting and ice. In the end, it lied. It said, one of our group of four was chosen. And today, we learned it was two of the group. Kregor and myself. (Why him?) Amadeo, Serynn Eldafire are two more, and two elves. Melaa and Lanfear.”

“It then explained, the Games would be soon. Trials, where we could advice one another, but each has to go through one on their own. The final trial will be between those that have completed their individual ones. A champion of those will be chosen to complete the final trial for all of them. It smells too much of sacrifice. Legion left, and left us drained and exhausted.”

Research Notes: Catalin Snow (Darrien Terringale)

Extract from Snow's personal notebook: “19 Mirtul 102 AR Darrien Terringale, Councilor of Cordor manned an attack into the heart of Benwick to deal a blow to the Devils present. Him and all others fell, save for Daeomonia Nymphe of the Bramble Watch, who subsequently organized a rescue mission.

A group comprising of Devin Fereth Kregor Boldheart, Jag-Jag, Vicarious (Half Orcen Brothers?), Yuri Evergreen, Clara Ders and myself ventured forth to try and recover the fallen men. Scouting ahead, and trying to remain hidden failed - the Devils lay hard into the group. In the end, the Mission failed. The Councilor still lay within the Keep.

On the way to regroup and plan, back to Burrowhome to restock on supplies, the group got intercepted by one Luc. A Devil with a treaty, to be signed by either one of us, to regain Darrian's body. Signing the treaty was refused, for none was willing to deal with a Devil.

While the Devil was distracted by the group, it must have come to pass that Maggie snuck into the Keep to retrieve Darrian's body. Subsequently, there is no treaty signed, the Crusade likely to continue and war with the devils brew.”