Darkon
At a glance
A vast Domain of Dread where the party began its journey, believing they had always lived there. Darkon steals the memories of those who enter, and the disappearance of its former ruler, Azalin Rex, has left the domain divided among competing powers.
Known facts
- The party awoke in Rivalis believing they were lifelong Darkonians, but records in Castle Avernus showed that at least some of them had arrived from elsewhere.
- Duskren Kalvar claimed that Darkon strips away newcomers’ memories and that Azalin exploited what the domain took.
- When the party crossed into Barovia, their pre-Darkon memories returned. The prisoner called Voss also recovered his identity as Mordenkainen.
- Mordenkainen believes the Book of Names and ancient magic within Castle Avernus store and steal Darkon’s memories, though he does not know how to protect the party if it returns.
- Erasmus showed Castle Avernus breaking apart and Azalin dissolving before Darkon divided among regional powers.
- Those powers include Alcio “Baron” Metus around Martira Bay, an unidentified undead noblewoman near Il Aluk, an unidentified elven representative of the Eternal Order in the east, the King’s Ravens, and the Brautslava Institute.
- A raven speaking for Ebb described Darkon as collapsing in Azalin’s absence and offered the party a route of escape through the Dark Delvers.
- A Darkon Talisman made from the ashes of a Darkonian corpse can guide its bearer back through the Mists.
Known settlements and strongholds
- Rivalis: The lakeside town where the party met, now partly consumed by the Shroud.
- Martira Bay: A major port beneath a central black tower and a center of Kargatane power.
- Castle Avernus: Azalin’s broken, self-repairing stronghold and the apparent center of Darkon’s memory magic.
- Neblus: An elven city of grave-paved streets and a fractured Eternal Order congregation.
- Il Aluk: A dead city associated with one of Darkon’s rival powers.
- Mayvin, Nartok, Nevuchar Springs, and Tempe Falls: Other settlements known to the party but not yet visited.
Open questions
- What happened to Azalin during the destruction of Castle Avernus?
- Can Darkon’s stolen memories be preserved or restored without leaving the domain?
- Which power, if any, will control the fractured domain?
- Can Darkon survive the collapse described by Ebb’s raven?