Duskendale 

Duskendale, Once a Great and Peaceful Human Kingdom. Now it is nothing more than Ash and Smoke. 600 years ago, back when it still stood, Duskendale was ruled by King Doyle. Doyle was a skilled Swordsman and loved by his people. The King never had any doubt that his kingdom or House would endure, for his line laid secured in the lives of his many children. With his wife, Queen Sylvia, King Doyle produced 14 Sons and 6 Daughters. The Kings firstborn Deven would succeed him and his siblings accepted that, all except One.

The 14th and last born son, Derick, was young, but also jealous. Not just of Deven, but jealous of all his brothers. Since he was 14th in his line, any chance of becoming king was far from slim, but Derick wanted the Throne and did everything he could to get it. 
 
By the time he was 14, Derick excelled at swordplay and Knowledge, but it wasn’t enough. No matter how hard he tried to win his fathers favor, His older brothers outdid him. Derick tried to win his father over by secretly marrying the daughter of a lord who was both a good friend and Ally to King Doyle. But when his brothers discovered the marriage, they informed their father who was furious knowing that the Girl was already promised to another.

Both King Doyle and Prince Derick argued after the marriage was annulled. Derick claimed that he should be King and not any of his Brothers. “You are skilled at Much Boy, but here’s one thing you lack. The Love and Respect of the People. Mark my Words, Deven will be King and you shall Remain where you are, a Prince.” The King said to son. The words his father spoke infuriated Derick and he called the King Ungrateful and vowed he would do everything in his power to take throne and take down anyone who stood in his way. As a Result King Doyle had Derick sent away to a Monastery, hoping he would learn to respect his family and learn his place in it. But the King couldn’t have been more Mistaken.

Derick was sent to the Monastery, but escaped later in the Night. Derick knew that if his father wasn’t going to give him Duskendale, then he was going to take it. Over the next several Weeks, Derick hired an army of Sell-swords and Mercenaries to help him take Duskendale, along with Orcs and Trolls. He told them everything about the Kingdom and all it’s weaknesses. Derick told his men that if they helped him take Duskendale, they could have all the riches, wine and women they desired, but he promised them much more if they delivered him the heads of his father and brothers.

At the stroke of midnight, outside the walls of the Kingdom, Derick and his army attacked. While Derick and his sell-swords attacked the outer walls, a hand full of Mercenaries had entered the city earlier in the day, disguised as common folk. They attacked the Duskendale people and burned their homes. 

King Doyle awoke to the cries and screams of his people. It was then he discovered a Mercenary had climbed through his Window and into his bed chamber and attacked him. The King managed to kill the intruder and realized that they were under attack. The King ordered his men to take up arms, but then  heard the cries of his children. King Doyle discovered that his children were being attacked. Many of his sons were being put to the sword while his daughters were dragged from their beds and raped. 

Prince Deven was killed in his sleep, just like several others, but several Princes Fought back. Sadly all of King Doyle’s sons were slain until only one Remained. The Kings Eleventh born son Prince Darius was aroused from his sleep after he heard screams coming from city. When he saw a Mercenary climb through his bedroom window, he immediately drew his sword. Darius killed the Mercenary rather quickly and skillfully. When the Prince learned that his brothers were dead and the city was under siege, he urged his father to let him fight along side his King. King Doyle was then informed that many of his citizens had retreated into the lower catacombs, but couldn’t hold off the invaders much longer.

King Doyle looked to his wife, his daughters and then to his last surviving son. He told Darius to take his mother and sisters to the catacombs and get everyone to safety. While King Doyle and fellow knights fended off the attackers, Prince Darius led his family to the catacombs. From there, he led the citizens through the hidden passages and escaped Duskendale and traveled West. King Doyle was the last man standing when he was taken before his Son Derick.

“You’re a Disgrace.” They were the last words King Doyle said to Derick before they cut off his head. Derick then claimed the throne for himself, believing all his brothers were dead. Derick ruled Duskendale for 15 long years. Duskendale fell into ruin, Derick spent his days filling his belly with food and spending coin on women and wine. The remaining citizens were shackled, forbidden to leave the kingdom at risk of being executed. Orcs, ogres and trolls roamed the city terrorizing the people. 

When word soon reached Derick that a Kingdom in the West was expanding, he learned that the Kingdom known as Firefly was ruled by his brother Darius. At first Derick denied this, knowing his brothers were all dead. But eventually he received a message from his brother Darius and assembled his armies. 

Because Derick kept all the resources for himself, his men were hungry and exhausted after traveling for days on end without sleep. When they came to what was known as the Forest of Light, Derick and his men were ambushed. The Duskendale men were easily taken down and Derick was quickly subdued by his brother and then executed.

After the battle, Darius returned to Duskendale, but not to rule it. He freed all the citizens that were held captive and buried the dead. After he emptied the castle of all its wealth and values, Darius had Duskendale burned to the ground until nothing remained. 

Now Six Centuries later, all that remains is a ruin of black walls and broken homes and the castle ruins.