Castle Thyella

Set on a lonely promontory in the north eastern Desolation of Hissh, Castle Thyella is the seat of Phobosa Linniarital, the head of the Phobite Brood. The castle is a foreboding place that is considered to be ill-fated or cursed even by other Vampires, who avoid the place as much as possible, lest it corrupt them as it is said to have corrupted its former and present inhabitants.

Demographics

One thing that sets Castle Thyella apart from the other noble residences of Ymeris is that is has no serf population to work for and feed its Vampires lords, something which adds to the sense of reservation other Vampires have about the place. It is said that the castle is kept clean and in good working order by unquiet spirits who have been bound to its very stones, condemned to an eternity of servitude.
Of the Vampires who were thought to reside in the castle, all of whom belong to the Phobite Brood almost all of them have gone missing and their whereabouts are unknown, including the castle’s ruling lord Phobosa Linniarital (see below). The only permanent resident of the castle who is still accounted for is Efialtis Phobosital, who herself is often absent from the edifice for long, unexplained stretches of time.

Ruling Lord

Castle Thyella is ruled by the head of the Phobite Brood, Phobosa Linniarital. However, she has not been heard from for some time and has never been in residence when those few Vampires who have travelled to the castle seeking her out have called, nor has their been any explanation for her continued absence, other than that she is working to ensure that the work of her brood comes to fruition.
In her absence, Efialtis Phobosital has been given the stewardship of Castle Thyella, and whilst she too is absent from its halls for long periods of time, she has received guests there regularly enough for it to be clear that the castle is still being used by the Phobite Brood.

The Curse of Thyella

What makes Castle Thyella, and any who choose to reside within it so foreboding for the other Vampires of Ymeris is the connection to the castle’s namesake, Thyella Istarital. Now long considered to be deceased, Thyella Istarital was an ancient Vampire, thought to be older and therefore more senior to Linniara Istarital the current ruler of Ymeris, who gained an unhealthy fascination with research and experimentation linked to Divines and their infernal counterparts, Devils and Demons. It is this research that was thought to have led to her disappearance, but not before her work opened up a planar scar, exposing the castle and its immediate environs to corruption from the Lower Planes.
This corruption is said to have a warping effect on any who linger too long in or near the castle, twisting their physical forms into demonic abominations and driving the weak minded mad. This corruption is rumoured to be the reason that Castle Thyella has no humanoid serf population, as they were all killed, either by the corruption or to hide the spread of this taint. The other Vampires of Ymeris also whisper that it is this corruption which has driven Phobosa Linniarital into hiding, to shield herself and her new form from prying eyes, and some gossips have even suggested that the castle’s steward Efialtis Linniarital always has a whiff of illusionary or transmutational magic around her, as if she is trying to shield part of her physical form from prying eyes.  
Furthermore, it is still believed that the extensive research notes, related artefacts and innumerable other items linked to Thyella Istarital’s research are still kept within the confined of Castle Thyella, and there is always a concern amongst the Midnight Court that they could be used by other foolhardy, careless or crazed souls to create untold levels of carnage.

Defenses

The castle is surrounded on its western, southern and eastern sides by high curtain walls, enclosing a protected courtyard beyond in which sits the central keep. The castle’s built and natural defences (see below) mean that it is considered to be one of the most strongly fortified positions in Ymeris, and it would be a difficult task indeed for anyone to launch a direct assault against the edifice.

Geography

Castle Thyella sits on a rocky promontory, overlooking the Icefang Ocean to the north and its northern boundary is marked by a tall, sharp cliff that descends straight into the ocean’s frigid waters. Steep, rocky cliffs surround the castle on its southern, eastern and western sides too, with easy access to the castle being provided by a single winding path that snakes up the sides of the cliffs.
It’s proximity to the ocean means that Castle Thyella is considered to be bleak, even by the standards of Ymeris and its walls are constantly lashed with rain and spray flung up by the waves crashing against the base of the northern cliff.

Alternative Names

Nightmare’s Rest

Type

Castle

Parent Location

Desolation of Hissh

Owning Organization

Ymeris