Lorekeeper

Lorekeeper is an NPC in spawn, introducing you to brief summary of Avardon's history. This article serves as a transcript of her monologue.

Hello, outsider! Whether you were taken by the Mists, or decided to enter Avardon of your own volition, there's no going back, at least not for now. Let me summarize the history of this realm for you, so you know what to expect.

Avardon was a county in between Anauroch and The Moonsea, bustling with trade. The last stop before desert, or the first one after passing through. Traders loved it not only for its location, but also for its biggest export - Avardonian Salt.

For centuries, this land was ruled over by House de Brasov, a powerful noble family whose rule was interrupted only for brief 7 years after death of Count Gabor, father of the current ruler, Farkas. Which is a name you'll hear often.

Once Farkas took the reigns, he became obsessed with eradicating the dynasties of rivals who could challenge his power, executing children, creating diseases. With every step, things got more out of hand, and he only strengthened his iron rule.

Count's obsessions were many, one of them was to have a son, a male successor. But Farkas caught a disease that was to render him infertile. His last chance was on the way, after two daughters, one last child to be born.

It was another daughter and before she was even named, she had to witness a wicked act. Farkas murdered his own wife in rage. That was enough for Dark Powers to make him another eternally imprisoned Darklord in what has become a domain of dread.

From that point on, Avardon was transported here, into a corner of Shadowfell. Without trade, the prosperous county collapsed into poverty and famine. Uprisings, civil wars, monsters devastating the land. We've seen it all.

Now? Not that there's hope, but the county is being rebuilt. Count Farkas doesn't really leave his castle that ominously looms over the land. It's his daughters and other powerful nobles who divide control and fight over it.

Avardon is a prison for many, a purgatory for its Darklord, and an interesting destination for those most brave, who are here to extract the secrets of this realm. Home to locals, wanderers, outsiders.

And soon enough, you will enter Avardon yourself. Perhaps to never leave again, perhaps to stay intentionally, or to carry out whatever mission you have and get out. Either way, good luck.