Howling Stones

Nestled deep in The Overthere, Charasis is a place of mystery and dread for the Iksar. Long ago, Charasis, the birthplace of Venril Sathir, was a cliff city of considerable power. Now, it is nothing but ruins scattered across a canyon floor. All that remains is the burial place – a tomb of unspeakable horror filled with deadly pitfalls and ancient artifacts.

Seeking to cheat death, Venril Sathir made a dark pact with Innoruuk. He began to sacrifice the weak and sick of the Iksar Empire to swell Innoruuk's Cauldron of Souls. When the Prince of Hate was satisfied, Venril was given the knowledge of lichdom. An amulet was prepared into which Venril siphoned his soul. Upon his suicide, loyal initiates were to enact dark rites upon the amulet with the aim of resurrecting Venril as an immortal undead king. However, his first son Rile, heir apparent to the throne, learned of his father's plans and interrupted the ritual, rendering it a failure.

Rile destroyed Venril's body and assumed the throne of his father's empire. However, the amulet was hidden in the crypts of Charasis by priests loyal to his father. There, a new dark cult dedicated to reviving Venril's soul was formed – The Cult of the Arisen.

Built into the steep walls of the Canyon of Misery, the entrance to Charasis is marked by a ring of obelisks known as The Howling Stones. Covered with ancient runes glowing with arcane power, the stones seem to wail in torment. Moans and howls can be faintly heard throughout the tomb, echoing in tortured whispers off the steep canyon walls. To enter this ancient place, the ambitious adventurer must complete a series of tasks to obtain a key that will unlock the power of the Howling Stones, and grant access to the tomb.