Post by blacknoise on Aug 24, 2015 19:03:06 GMT
The Great Estate looms over the countryside, walled away from the outside world it lords over the land now as much as it has since it's creation. Older than anyone can remember, the estate was founded long before the rule of the Sanguine Lord Sayre, and it stands still long after his death. Well protected and guarded by hired men at the walls, no one is able to enter without proper clearance by the estate owner. Although the current owner is Aleksandria Kostya, the building itself was not built by her family. Like many things, places, and people, it's founders existed before the rein of Sayre and have been subsequently forgotten.
Inside, the building reveals itself to be a massive library, holding tomes both new and old. Some are thousands of years old, protected by magic to keep out rot, others are barely passing their first century and are already falling apart. To say the library is underkept is a gross understatement, magical gargoyles, more monsters than caretakers, stride through the halls picking up and replacing the books. While there are but a few of them active inside, the statues dotting the walls and perching atop the bookcases are grim reminders that these stone warriors are ready to pounce on anyone they deem a threat.
The library is not at all like the Library of Etirath, not just in that it is exceedingly smaller, but also that it contains very little in the way of practical knowledge. The Great Estate is home to the rambling works of madmen and those deemed unfit for society in ages long past, most books are complete jibberish, some can be combed through for little bits of knowledge, and very, very few offer any practical knowledge. Those seeking books on magic should truly search elsewhere. However, the Estate has always been rumored to house something dark, something horrible. Deep within, behind bookcases and hidden doors there must be something to justify the existence of this magical home.
Indeed, there is.
Behind small, locked doors, there exist spiraling staircases that descend deep into the earth. Far, far beneath the estate, there exists a massive expanse of catacombs and tombs known as The Temple of Khali. Inside, a secretive cult worships and cultivates the dark arts, necromancy, dark summoning, and the art of manipulating the minds of the living. The follow no god, making gods of themselves instead, believing each man and woman to be harbinger of their own apocalypse. They deny the belief that Den created them, instead choosing to believe that they came into existence of their own accord, and of their own accord they will strike down the Divines.
With the help of Timore, a lesser divine himself, they manipulate those whom join their organization and cultivate a deep hatred of the Divines and the fear they cause. Slowly, they piece together a group of hateful youths, disgruntled men, scorned women, and all manner of criminals who seek refuge from the law. One day, they will seek to overthrow the Divines and give each man and woman over to his or her own anarchy. No Divines, no Leaders, only Humans. At the head of this organization stands Aleksandria Kostya, who hides this cult behind the front of a criminal organization, hiding behind the front of legitimate businesses.
Be forewarned, they will not stop until their goals are accomplished, or they have all perished.