Gallowspire
The fallen, ruined city of Adorak, now known as Gallowspire, lies within Ustalav in the haunted region of Virlych. The city was the Whispering Tyrant's capital for the more than 600 years that the lich ruled that nation.
The Whispering Tyrant attacked the city with an orc army in 3205 AR and overwhelmed the city's defenses in three days. Son of King Ardurras Virholt and a bishop of the Ustalavic Pharasmin church, Prince Adamondais Virholt led Ustalav's armies and the forces of the church in the first crusade against the Whispering Tyrant. Adamondais carried the sacred mace Raven's Head into battle, leading the combined forces to the haunted city of Adorak and the nightmare tower of Gallowspire where the entire force, including Prince Adamondais himself, was destroyed by the dark powers of Tar-Baphon.
Soon thereafter, the slaves of the lich began the construction of the tower of Gallowspire to serve as their new master's seat of power. Citizens were either killed or enslaved, and the Whispering Tyrant terrified the survivors by publicly immolating his enemies from his tower. Those forced to serve as slaves were sent into the mines, which expanded to disturbing depths, and brought forth stubborn metals and dark stone infused with strange energies. The skulls and bones of slain crusaders were used to pave roads in parts of the city, creating animated undead walkways that would attack future invaders. The lich also turned some of the city's nobility into intelligent undead.
History
Before the arrival of the the lich-king, Adorak was a flourishing city and county seat of the county of Virholt. It had become wealthy due to the nearby iron and nickel mines. In addition to producing some of the finest weapons in Ustalav, Adorak was also the primary source of gems in the nation. Due to its proximity to the orc-dominated Belkzen, Adorak was also intended as a sanctuary and breakwater against the inhuman raiders.Whispering Tyrant's Invasion
The Shining Crusade
Feeling threatened by the Whispering Tyrant's continued expansion, the empire of Taldor, the dwarves of Kraggodan, and the Knights of Ozrem launched a military campaign against him in 3754 AR. For decades their relentless campaign advanced toward Adorak (now generally referred to as Gallowspire), finally reaching the lich's capital in 3827 AR. What little remained of the city was destroyed in the ensuing battles and siege, but eventually the Lich King was overthrown and imprisoned within his own tower of Gallowspire.
RUINED SETTLEMENT
3287 AR
Alternative Name(s)
Adorak
Type
City
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location