The Tale of Darkstone Castle

This tale was inspired by visits to Darkstone Castle.

The worthy come with Voln's own quest, To defeat evil within its nest, releasing souls is always best, To face one's fear the hardest test.

The air grows hot and cold in turn, Your mouth is dry and hands are wet, Your stinging eyes begin to burn, And muscles ache with heavy sweat.

A buzzing hum you barely hear, The light then fades making you blind, You feel a presence very near, And then visions enter your mind.

A frightened child cries alone, A booming bell tolls forth its tone, Points of light burst forth from stone, Vibrations shake your every bone.

The Walls and floor creak with great weight, A whistle shrill screams in your head, You sense an evil filled with hate, Your neck caressed by fingers dead.

Dull red-gold flames arc to the ground, Deep rumblings moan a tortured sound, To skin a pale blue mist is bound, As energy flashes all around.

Then shadows creep and darkness looms, The restless spirits stir from sleep, Emerging from their wretched tombs, Into the blackest night they creep.

Clouds of darkness spin and twirl, Blocking out the light they whirl, A womb of blackness in the swirl, From which nae sight nor sound can curl.

The Ebon cloak parts to display, a plague of crows which gorge on flesh, An entire race slain in one day, The bones of picked-clean bodies mesh.

Dark figures ascend a lofty height, Parade in line, an endless sight, their ripped-out hearts still beat in fright, to feed the elemental night.

And zombies claw from down below, up through the worm-filled graves they rise, their flesh decayed from head to toe, staring from sockets where once were eyes.

You hear your own voice scream and shout, Then kneel to pray in fear and doubt, You're lifted up and then cast out, Dizzy with pain you turn about.

Up high above Darkstone is seen, A gaunt robed figure extends his arms, To summon forth evil unseen, Again to work its cruel charms.