Forlorn Kingdom

It is a little known fact that the crumbling graveyards, pathways and gatehouses that dot the Death's Head Orchard were once part of the infrastructure of a city that encircled the Great Forest in times long past. The name of this city has vanished into the mists of the Orchard, but historians and researchers refer to it as the Forlorn Kingdom.

History and Research

It is unclear who exactly inhabited the Forlorn Kingdom during its heyday, but the prevailing theory is that it was one of humanity's first, if not the first, attempts at urbanizing after the Godfall had taken place and humanity was given the task of perpetuating the Eternal Hymn.

Curiously, no ruins of chapels or cathedrals with the recognizable symbols of the church of Resounding Truth have been found in the scattered remains, which lends some credence to other theories that suggest that maybe the Forlorn Kingdom was the home of humans who did not want to partake in the holy mission the Progenitor appointed to man. The wildest theories suggest that perhaps the ancient city was not inhabited by humans at all, and is in fact much older than initial findings seem to suggest.

Architecture and Planning

The buildings of the Forlorn Kingdom have suffered considerable wear during its time abandoned, but there are some identifiable styles present in its construction. Stone bricks are the primary building material, though it is a matter of debate whether or not other, less durable materials have been used and they have just degraded with the passing of time.

The city seems to have been built around the Black Forest, in a sort of half-circle that runs along the land-based border of the forest in a similar fashion as the Death's Head Orchard itself does now. This design decision had an effect on the planning of the infrastructure as well, as the entire city, by best estimates, can be considered to be one central pathway running through its entire length. Along this boulevard were most likely all the amenities and services of the city. It is entirely possible these findings are just a part of a bigger, more complex city but there is at least no evidence yet to point to such a conclusion.

The best preserved building in the entire city is the Craven Court, which in all likelihood served as the royal palace.

Inhabitants

While the Forlorn Kingdom is uninhabited in the traditional sense, both due to it being in ruins as well as inside the borders of the Black Forest, it is far from empty. The spectral shades crowd the ruins and pathways of the ancient burgh, perhaps drawn in by the familiarity of civilization, the bitter nostalgia of lives they once had and now yearn for.

Deep in his funereal court, the Crestfallen Prince maintains a mockery of authority over the dead city.

How many people lived here, I wonder?

And what brought about their fall?

–Researcher from the House of Learning

by Midjourney

_{One of the better preserved parts of the Forlorn Kingdom}