Lud's Gate

Purpose and History

942-1009 CN

The fort was originally constructed for the purpose of studying ways to combat necromancy and guarding the border between Blackreach and the Kingdom of Norodny. Its original compliment included 16 sorcerers, learned in various disciplines but principally skilled in combating the Black Arcane. They were assisted by 100 servants and the fortress had over 200 soldiers for guard duty at full strength. Five years after construction, permission was granted to undertake expeditions north of the border to salvage ruins purported to have connections to necromancy during the Pale Dawn war six years earlier.
Several examples of dead wights were brought back to the fort for study, though nothing new was learned. While searching an abandoned farm, evidence was found of occult activity in the old house. A circle had been drawn on the floor of the living room, long since covered in a thick layer of dust. Candles had been arranged it and there was a scorch mark in the center. A weathered tome was discovered in a bucket down a well, the young sorceress who retrieved it later developed searing blisters on her skin where she touched it.
Upon returning to the fort, the tome was studied by the master sorcerer after taking many precautions to avoid further harm. After months of intensive work, no progress was made. The book seemed to resist all attempts to understand it and it was stowed away deep within the bowels of the fort. In the meantime, the threat of necromancy waned and the forts' staff and garrison gradually trickled down until only a skeleton crew remained by 1008 CN.
Communications between the fort and the nearby Castle Drustav had always been limited to one message a month, more if supplies were needed. In 1009 CN, the castle's lord began noticing changes in the letters he received; the handwriting became increasingly poorer in quality and in the last two letters, there were complaints of a 'strange figure skulking about in the hallways.' Fearful that they were in danger, the lord immediately dispatched several of his men to investigate the fort.

RUINED STRUCTURE
1557 CN

Founding Date

942 CN

Type

Fort