Benwick Research

                          Displayed are the records of Spiritwalker Corbin

Research Notes: Founding

A paladin known as Galahad the Builder approaches the druids of the Heartwood Grove for permission to build in the woods. Once granted, he builds Benwick (the name changes over the years between Benwick and Light Keep). He marries an elven druidess Xyndal that later takes his place as ruler when he passes.

At some point during the founding, the myth says that, the Light was brought to Benwick by a Gold Dragon that entrusted it to the paladins as it connects directly to the Shores of Lunia in Celestia and suppresses the evil beneath the Keep.

This appears to have been lost in time because later reports state that shadows attack the Keep and a Harbinger of the Triad, a Knight, approached the paladins to tell them that the Light was waning due to their inactivity and isolation. This is when Queen Xyndal sacrifices herself to the Light to strengthen it.

Research Notes: Opening of the Gate

At around 52 AR, the Gate beneath the Keep was revealed, along with the completion of the Last Bastion beyond it. I have found no remarks on its construction however over the years it has been said that a darkness was lurking beneath the Keep since the arrival of the Light.

Its main defense was the Last Bastion. Paladins were encouraged to visit regularly to aid the Chosen Ones in combating the hoards and fending off Underdarker attempts at siege.

Interview: Amadeo Pneuma (Sword of Benwick)

This interview was conducted in the deserts of Sibayad. Amadeo states that another attempt to close the rift within the ruins of Benwick was by Knight Daltanius Silverarms. He had received a vision of a sword belonging to founder Galahad. He was convinced this was a means to seal the gate.

The quest helped unify the Triadists of the island. Allegedly this is not uncommon among knights; these are called Chelsambyr Hunt. The Sword of Benwick was believed to be the sword embedded in the ground at Lake Minmir. Attempts to remove it physically were made but all failed.

This caught the attention of divine forces leading to an artifact falling from the sky. While the knights believe it was the sword of Benwick, Amadeo believes it was likely the blade of Concordant Opposition after inspecting it using a magic mirror. It arrived as a small dagger but grew longer as it tasted planar blood.

Additionally its influence grew, encouraging the leader to slay more. The blade's nature was influenced by the manner of outsider it killed. It grew opposite to the nature of the entities it killed so it slew devils, it became holier. It served as a vessel for planar energies. Amadeo states that if those energies could be released, they could be used to seal the gate however how to do this is unknown.

Interview: Amadeo Pneuma (Thomas Miller)

This interview was conducted in the Heartwood Tree-house. Amadeo states that Thomas Miller, last leader of Benwick, crumbled under the burden of leadership. During the course of the sieges, Miller saw many of his companions die in battle; among them was a close confidante, Caldus Oat, who was killed by Haston Reyne.

Haston would later try to take credit for Thomas' fall. He wanted to witness the breaking point of a good man however, Amadeo states that it was grief of battle and his addiction to Mordayn that crumbled Thomas Miller's psyche. Allegedly, Miller only wanted peace and for everyone to stop fighting.

So in his delusion he vassaled Benwick to the forces of Vippin and Jel (that were ruling Guldorand at the time). This allowed them to step inside the sanctum without resistance.

Research Note I: This first of two sieges happened during the Rift Crisis when the barriers of the realities were thinned. Vippin's cultists were able to form large rifts to the Hells but they played a passive role in the skirmish itself which makes Miller's choice even more questionable.

After the vassalage, the Infernalists wreathed the Light in shadows preventing it from being used as a weapon against the devils. However it also prevents them from using the Light which leaves them stuck at a stalemate.

Research Note II: The Infernalists conducted a ritual at the gate but it is unclear what happened; what is known is that it altered the nature of the portal to allow Baatezu to pass through.

Research Note III: The first siege was broken by using the Light reflected through mirrors. While this did occur when the Light was untainted, it does suggest that it is movable and able to be weaponized.

Research Notes: Catalin Snow (Darrien Terringale)

Extract from Snow's personal notebook: “19 Mirtul 102 AR Darrien Terringale, Councilor of Cordor manned an attack into the heart of Benwick to deal a blow to the Devils present. Him and all others fell, save for Daeomonia Nymphe of the Bramble Watch, who subsequently organized a rescue mission.

A group comprising of Devin Fereth Kregor Boldheart, Jag-Jag, Vicarious (Half Orcen Brothers?), Yuri Evergreen, Clara Ders and myself ventured forth to try and recover the fallen men. Scouting ahead, and trying to remain hidden failed - the Devils lay hard into the group. In the end, the Mission failed. The Councilor still lay within the Keep.

On the way to regroup and plan, back to Burrowhome to restock on supplies, the group got intercepted by one Luc. A Devil with a treaty, to be signed by either one of us, to regain Darrian's body. Signing the treaty was refused, for none was willing to deal with a Devil.

While the Devil was distracted by the group, it must have come to pass that Maggie snuck into the Keep to retrieve Darrian's body. Subsequently, there is no treaty signed, the Crusade likely to continue and war with the devils brew.”