Fortress Virelay
Location: Abyss / Layer 1—Pazunia
Realm of Laraie
Situated in the guts of Pazunia, Fortress Virelay of the Abyssal Lord Laraie is a dark gem nestled in the bosom of a desolate and lifeless forest. Here, once grand trees are now eerie skeletons, a reminder of the vibrant life that once pulsated through the veins of this land. The branches reach towards the sky in agonised twists, shuddering in the howling winds.
The stronghold is woven from the corpses of ancient trees and crowned with thorns as large as towers. Oh, it ain’t just a fortress cutter, it’s an affront to nature, a putrid wound in the fabric of the planes that reeks of bitterness and hatred. This place oozes resentment—a physical manifestation of Laraie’s putrid soul, so it is.
And inside? Well cutter, inside it’s like walking through the corridors of a nightmare conceived by the most perverse of minds. The halls reverberate with the anguished wails of souls trapped within the wooden walls, forever conscious, forever in pain. The floor is a livin’ entity, a pulsatin’ flesh that squelches underfoot, a constant reminder of the living horror that is the Abyss.
But let’s cut to the heart of the matter: the central chamber, where Laraie holds court with a retinue of vile sycophants and demonic nobility. Its a savage parody of a royal court, where a monstrous, canopied throne dominates, crafted from the bones of eladrin who met their end in this godsforsaken place.
Oi, but don’t let the grotesque splendour fool ya, ’cause while Laraie’s court might have all the regality of a mad monarch, it’s a place of savagery, a den of malice where treachery is the order of the day. The demonic nobility vying for Laraie’s favour ain’t above a bit of backstabbin’, a lot of maimin’. Here, a nice murder is just another way to say ‘hello’.
The surrounding forest, though dead, ain’t as silent as you’d think. The tanar’ri lord’s malevolent influence breathes unholy life into the trees, givin’ ’em a twisted consciousness that revels in the sufferin’ of others. Aye, step foot in that forest and you’ll hear ’em, whispering secrets meant to corrupt and tempt the purest of souls, a forest of treachery and deceit. So cutter, if ya find yerself wanderin’ in this dreadful place, watch your step.
Source: Jon Winter-Holt