Dominion Forest
Once a thriving expanse of the Feywild, Dominion Forest now stands on the outskirts of Castlemere, an otherworldly anomaly wrenched from its native plane by powerful magic. Its arrival was heralded by a surge of wild energy, twisting the land around it and infusing the very air with an eerie, enchanting essence. The forest retains its Feywild origins—towering trees with bioluminescent leaves, rivers that shimmer with liquid starlight, and flora that hums with an unseen melody.
Within its depths, time flows strangely, paths shift when unwatched, and the very ground seems to breathe with ancient magic. Mischievous and malevolent fey alike call Dominion Forest home, along with creatures never meant for the Material Plane. Some believe the forest still holds a tether to the Feywild, allowing those who venture deep enough to slip between worlds—though few who enter seeking such passage ever return.
Despite its dangers, Dominion Forest is a place of wonder and power. The city of Castlemere watches warily, for the forest seems to grow ever closer with each passing year, its roots creeping toward the walls like the grasping fingers of an encroaching nightmare—or a destiny yet to unfold.
It is rumored that the Crimson Empress herself summoned the forest, using powerful arcane magic to bring it forth as a defense against her enemies.
Cindershield Pyramid
A looming monument of blackened stone and scorched glass, the Cindershield Pyramid stands as both a fortress and a throne to the ancient red dragon Ottokar the Eternal Flame. Nestled deep within the Dominion Forest, this colossal structure radiates an ever-present heat, its walls bearing the marks of centuries of fire and fury.
From this fiery sanctum, Ottokar rules the city’s vast criminal underworld with an iron claw, his influence extending into every illicit trade, from smuggling and extortion to assassination and forbidden magic. His agents, a network of ruthless enforcers and cunning informants, ensure that no crime occurs in Castlemere without his knowledge—or his blessing.
The depths of the pyramid are said to be a labyrinth of treasure hoards, hidden vaults, and chambers filled with the bones of those who dared to defy the Eternal Flame. Some claim the very walls whisper the secrets of the city, their echoes carrying the screams of the dragon’s enemies. None who have seen Ottokar’s true form within the heart of his lair have lived to tell of it—only the distant glow of his fire can be glimpsed through the cracks of the pyramid, a reminder that the true ruler of Castlemere watches from the shadows, waiting for his moment to strike.
The Eternal Flame
The Eternal Flame is a fearsome and highly secretive criminal syndicate that commands the underworld of Castlemere and beyond. Led by the ancient red dragon Ottokar the Eternal Flame, this criminal empire is built on a foundation of terror, greed, and ruthless power. Ottokar’s fiery reign is enforced with unwavering loyalty by his most trusted lieutenants—each one a terrifying figure in their own right.
At his side is Tulshu, a Yuan-ti abomination who serves as Ottokar’s champion. Tulshu is a towering creature, a twisted hybrid of serpent and humanoid, with the cold, calculating mind of a serpent and the deadly prowess of a warrior. His presence strikes fear into the hearts of those who dare oppose the Eternal Flame, and he is known for his brutal enforcement of the dragon’s will, executing anyone who threatens the syndicate with terrifying efficiency.
Behind the scenes, Duelok, a mind flayer of exceptional intellect, serves as the chief advisor and second-in-command to Ottokar. Cold, calculating, and with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Duelok oversees the syndicate’s covert operations, manipulating both enemies and allies alike through his mastery of psionics. His subtle influence extends across every corner of the criminal network, from information gathering to assassination, ensuring that the Eternal Flame’s operations remain both secret and far-reaching.
Together, this trio commands an empire built on blackmail, smuggling, extortion, and forbidden magic, their grip on Castlemere’s criminal landscape unyielding. The Eternal Flame deals in more than just wealth—it traffics in fear and domination, with a legacy as burning and unrelenting as the dragon who leads it. Those who cross its path rarely live to tell the tale, and those who serve it do so with an understanding that loyalty is not just rewarded—it is enforced by flame, venom, and mind-bending power.
