EverQuest: You're In Our World Now
More of Thurgadin Day 6
It has been a few days since we received a report from the exploration team, but their current missive explains this. It seems that the
Coldain were so happy to learn that there are others � both dwarf and otherwise � out in the world that they declared a day of thanksgiving!
The party was treated to a banquet of epic proportions! Having recuperated from the festivities, they have finally managed to continue their explorations of the city of Thurgadin.
The banquet was held in the Great Hall of the Coldain castle known as
Icewell Keep, a picture of which is shown from just outside one end of the hall. During the f�te, smaller wooden tables took up most of the room, providing seating for the revelers during the feast. Sadly, no images were recorded of the occasion � we expect the Coldain are perhaps even more fond of ale than the residents of Kaladim, if that is possible.
Icewell keep is located in the heart of the city. All the members of the council reside therein, along with the Dain himself. It lies in the most easily defensible area of the caverns the dwarves could find. Its architecture and decor are formidable and inspiring. Our party gathered some images for us to view, to share that inspiration with us, beginning with the impressive great hall shown above and continues with the throne room, the council and barracks.
The throne room is dominated by a large throne crafted of velium. That sturdy, ice-like material was the obvious choice both for beauty and symbolism here in the mountains of Velious. The throne room is where the Dain holds court, tries civil matters, and dispenses justice. An image of the throne itself is shown at left. Another image was provided of this room, which shows the council in session along the rear of the throne room. Between council and Dain lies the ever-present reminder of the severity of Coldain justice.
There is a nearly cylindrical shaft which opens from the throne room floor, dropping through the floors of the castle, and into the Pit. Apparently there was once a natural spring well in this location which dried up long ages past. The Pit below, which is a natural cavern, which may well have housed an underground body of water at one point, is now used as a means of maintaining law and order in Coldain society.
Enemy prisoners, too, have screamed on the way down to their just rewards.
The Coldain rarely take prisoners and so they took it upon themselves to populate the pit with some particularly nasty creatures. The pit can be entered only by jumping off Breakstone Bridge or falling down the Icewell, not something any of our adventurers cared to test. The Coldain explained that the pit holds terrors unknown, even beyond what they have released into it, and we�re satisfied with that information. We will simply accept their word for it!
Quarters for the Dain and the council members are always heavily guarded, and so, though assured these rooms are beautifully appointed as befitting their residents, were not readily available for touring by the party. The group did, however, manage to get a look at the royal guard barracks. This group is made up of the most elite of
Coldain warriors.
Our adventuring reporters tell us that there is a great wonder of the city which lies in the lower caves beneath Icewell. It is known as the Hall of Ancestors. There, the great Dains and Coldain heroes of the past are buried within the ice wall, creating a macabre museum of sorts. We have learned that there are four icy monuments to past leaders. Within the frozen displays are preserved the bodies of all three previous three Dains, Dain Frostreaver I, II, and III.
They, and the current Dain, are all named for Colin Dain, to whom the fourth display is dedicated. He was the original expedition leader who was responsible for discovering this continent. He and his men volunteered to remain behind when their brethren fled for safety during a massive attack by giants. Since Colin�s body was never found after his suicide ambush, only mementoes of this great dwarven hero remain, creating an eerily moving tableau in the ice wall. Alas, our adventurers neglected to obtain an image for us due to the sanctity of this place to the Coldain. Perhaps one of them will be able to sneak in a shot before they leave for further exploration...!
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