The Ruins of Urmuz
Echoes of Astrid’s Reign
North of Banewood, nestled on the Island of Whalers between Encura and the Murknen Gulf, lie the desolate Ruins of Urmuz. Once a thriving hub of maritime ambition under Astrid, daughter of Bane, the ruins now stand as a haunting testament to her relentless drive and its ultimate cost. These remnants tell a story etched into the bones and earth of the island itself.
The Heart of Urmuz
At the core of the ruins lies Astrid’s throne, a chilling monument crafted from the bones of her conquests. Whales, dolphins, narwhals, and other sea creatures contributed to this grotesque display of dominance, their skeletal remains arranged with meticulous precision. Some even claim the bones of slain Sirens are interwoven with these relics, though time has rendered the truth indistinguishable. The largest of these, the great whale Urmuz, forms a natural amphitheater around the throne, its massive ribs framing the eerie tableau.
Fading Echoes of a Forgotten Village
The structures that once supported the settlement have long succumbed to the ravages of time. Wooden shacks and stone workshops lie in ruins, overtaken by the creeping embrace of moss and lichen. Only faint traces of paths and foundations hint at the bustling life that once thrived here. The silence is broken only by the whispering wind and the distant crash of waves, adding to the ruins’ spectral allure.
A Legacy of Power and Curse
Legends surrounding the ruins speak of Astrid’s crown of pearls, which is said to bear a curse for anyone who dares wear it. Those foolish enough to try are doomed to share her fate, driven mad by an unquenchable thirst for power. The crown, if it exists, is said to lie upon the throne, its shimmering beauty a deadly lure for the unwary.
The Secret Below
Beneath the ruins, hidden from prying eyes, lies a network of caves and tunnels. Originally constructed as a paranoid escape route by Astrid herself, Harrat Wing has reclaimed these passages. The once-forgotten caverns now serve as a clandestine base and grim prison, their walls echoing with the muffled cries of captured humans. The caves’ natural labyrinthine structure and the island’s forbidding exterior make it an ideal stronghold for their operations.
Urmuz is no mere collection of ruins; it is a place where history breathes heavy and the weight of ambition lingers in every shadow. To walk among its skeletal monuments is to feel the unrelenting presence of Astrid herself, a reminder that power, when left unchecked, carves its legacy into both stone and soul. The Ruins of Urmuz are a graveyard of dreams and warnings for those who dare to listen.
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