EbonstarImân-Sabâr

Category	Strongholds
Continent	Brucrumus
Region	Lands of Purity
Alias	Imân-Sabâr
Owner	Malacost
Built	17 Brightstar 931 LE
Map	Hadraniel

When constructed by the Lith-Crillion, this formidable stronghold was known as Imân-Sabâr. Over time, this appellation was streamlined to Ebonstar. The fortress is crafted from a unique stone that alters hue to correspond with the prevailing illumination. Bathed in sunlight, it gleams a brilliant white, while cloaked in darkness, it assumes an ebony shade. This extraordinary material is exclusive to the region.

Ebonstar is situated north of the Marrow Fields and along the western slopes of Storsald. The fortress is constructed into the side of a mountain, with a magnificent waterfall cascading down the cliffs before it. Ebonstar can be accessed by air and through a labyrinth of passages, traps, and monsters. These obstacles have been cleared by various forces in the past. However, when they departed, the monsters returned, and the clockworks rebuilt the traps and restored the fortress to its original state, as designed by the Lith-Crillion. The Lith-Crillion clockworks continue to carry out their orders to this day, their sole purpose being to ensure the maze remains operational and mechanically deter intruders from reaching Ebonstar.

From 1465 to 1474, Ebonstar served as an outpost for the Sanguine Whispers. In 1474, vanguard forces led by General Garn of the Black Tide expelled the Sanguine Whisper garrison. Garn then designated the settlement as his future palace and ordered his labor battalion to commence reconstruction. This endeavor concluded on 17 Lunar 1475, when Garn was assassinated by Squad X7E.

The assassination of Shathalgin, daughter of Pinth Blackstrike, had transpired, and our Saboteur once more demonstrated his exceptional capabilities. He expertly detonated four Nilience satchel-charges, creating a sizable 20-foot diameter breach in the ceiling.

The floor of the chamber was constructed of transparent crystal. Beneath it lay the severed heads of countless Tragarans, Theegans, elves, Githirmil, goliaths, dwarves, gnolls, giants, jara, and other sacrificial victims.

The walls presented a horrifying sight, with rivulets of blood cascading down the sickly mauve stone.

The archway leading to the chamber was adorned with the skulls and bones of otherworldly entities. The doors to this place were crafted from rose-hued quartz, their surfaces etched with dark invocations to Thasmudyan.

The throne of the chamber was a colossal, excavated black dragon skull. To one side of the throne stood an alabaster statue of a diabolical man with the head of a lich, adorned with a crown of worms and wielding a barbed black iron staff crowned by a decaying hyena's head. This was evidently a statue of Thasmudyan.

The massive, towering 6-foot bone vulture head flanked the throne. Slender purple and yellow worm-shaped pillars supported the ceiling, crafted from stone sourced from Mughakh-Gol. The obsidian dais holding the throne was blanketed with iron spikes protruding upward. Another disturbing sight was the impaled Tragaran upon the dais, with maggots and worms steadily consuming the lifeless body.

Squad X7E, Sanguine Whispers mission report - "Operation Pit Viper"

After the Black Tide War, Ebonstar was reconstructed, becoming a prominent stronghold of the Black Tide of Thasmudyan.

After the Athenian Crusade (1539 - 1551), the location underwent a comprehensive remodeling and substantial expansion orchestrated by Malacost. The fortress now houses an aerie accommodating a pair of gold dragons, training areas for an order of paladins, and schools for Athena priests. At the very heart of Ebonstar stands the grand Athenanean temple, Mezenakalgas, whose soaring spires are visible from the distant Marrow Fields.