Northeast of Adventurers' City, perched atop a small hill overlooking a quiet lake, stood a dilapidated castle.
The lake below served as one of the primary sources of fresh water for the adventurers in the City Hall. They frequently came to its shores to fill their waterskins before venturing into the woods.
But few dared to approach the hill.
In the distant past, the castle had been the seat of power of King Louis of House d'Aubigny. From within those ancient walls, he had ruled over the Kingdom of Valouis.
Now, however, little remained of its former grandeur.
The towering walls had cracked with age. Several of the castle's spires had collapsed entirely, leaving behind jagged ruins that clawed toward the sky. Thick vines crept across the weathered stone, while shattered windows stared out over the surrounding landscape, like hollow, lifeless eyes.
