The Tower of Despair

Area Directions

• ZMud: #6 s;ne;#2 s;se;#2 e;s;#2 sw;s;#4 sw;#4 s;#5 se;#2 s;d;s;se;s;#3 sw;u;#3 s;sw;s;sw;w;#3 u
• MUSHClient: 6s ne 2s se 2e s 2sw s 4sw 4s 5se 2s d s se s 3sw u 3s sw s sw w 3u
• General: 6s, ne, 2s, se, 2e, s, 2sw, s, 4sw, 4s, 5se, 2s, d, s, se, s, 3sw, u, 3s, sw, s, sw, w, 3u

Area Information

• Author: Vecna
• Credits: None
• Level Range: <40 - 50>
• Repop Message: Tortured screams echo throughout the tower, crying in supplication.
• Astral/Portal Point: <Unknown>
• Mob/Item List: The Tower of Despair

Description

The Tower of Despair has been a black stake plunged into the
heart of the land west of Darkhaven since the Age of Honor.
The god Strahd created this monstrosity as a gift to his most
loyal servant, Orcus, the Demon Lord of Death. Orcus crafted
foul minions in his tower to terrorize the lands of Despair
throughout the early ages of the Realms. Orcus was
unchallenged in might until meeting the legendary Darkblade,
Zarkas. Wielding the soulblade Nemesis, the Darkblade warrior
forced Orcus and his minions to return to the Tower. Invoking
the power of Scarab, Zarkas sealed the Tower and imprisoned
Orcus forever.
But Orcus did not spend this time idle. Though he was weakened
by his struggles with Zarkas, he was able to capture and
contain a Solar, a being of pure light. Unable to corrupt his
hostage, Orcus bided his time.
As the Ages passed, Orcus grew frustrated and irrational. His
imprisonment infuriated him to no end and he sought release.
These powerful feelings emanated from the Demon Prince so
fervently that another imprisoned being detected them. As the
moon rose that night, an offer was made. As the moon waxed in
the sky, haggling began. As the moon sank towards the horizon,
Orcus' lifeless form fell to the floor only to rise again.
Whatever spirit commanded Orcus' form had both power and
purpose. He shattered the wards Zarkas erected and sent
minions under cover of night to kidnap demi-humans from their
towns. He took these captives and subjected them to horrifying
experiments, twisting them through magicks into the horrible
entities. Those who had been bound to Orcus before his death
unknowingly entered into a Covenant with the entity in
exchange for more power. Only Hastur the Unspeakable
understood what had occurred and received even more power in
exchange for his silence.
The changes in the Tower of Despair did not go unnoticed.
Many flocked from Darkhaven seeking to unravel this riddle,
but none succeeded. However, it is possible their actions
weakened or altered whatever nefarious plans had laid dormant
within the Tower and lessened the impact of the Shattering.
Following the Shattering, the Tower stood quietly as it rose
crookedly from the Mire. Travelers who have spoken with
Tyrax, the Watcher of the Tower, say that he reports he can no
longer sense Orcus. Whether this is a new trick of the Demon
Prince or whether he has met his demise is as yet unknown.