Oldwalls

Lore & Background

In the distant past, Oldwalls was part of the Engwithan civilization, a precursor culture that predates the Aedyr Empire by millennia. The Engwithans were renowned for their mastery over souls, and Oldwalls served as a site for their experiments and manipulations—not a city-state with a unique philosophy about death and preservation. The ruins consist of labyrinthine underground corridors, chambers, and mechanisms carved into the bedrock, now frozen solid. The fall of Oldwalls remains one of the great mysteries of Eora's history; it is widely believed that a catastrophic event, possibly linked to a breach in the veil between worlds or the collapse of Engwithan society, led to its abandonment. Over centuries, the snows of the White March buried the site, preserving its stone structures while turning it into a frozen graveyard. Today, the ruins are home to lingering spirits bound by ancient ties, as well as Engwithan constructs and undead that guard the secrets within. The soulless—a specific phenomenon from the Dyrwood—are not a permanent population here. Despite its desolation, Oldwalls remains a place of power, drawing adventurers, scholars, and those seeking forbidden knowledge to its icy gates.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the shattered archway, carrying with it the scent of frost and old dust. Elara pulled her cloak tighter, her breath pluming in the freezing air as she stepped into Oldwalls. The silence was heavy, broken only by the crunch of snow under her boots and the distant, mournful wail of a spirit drifting through the ruins. Before her stood a massive tomb door, its surface etched with runes that seemed to shift in the dim light. She reached out, her gloved fingers brushing the cold stone, feeling a faint vibration—a whisper from the past. 'Welcome,' the voice echoed, not in her ears but in her mind. 'The dead remember you.'

Reader's Guide

Oldwalls is a chilling, atmospheric location defined by its frozen ruins and supernatural inhabitants. The city's layout consists of winding streets lined with towering tombs, many partially buried under snowdrifts. Key landmarks include the Grand Necropolis, a massive central structure where ancient spirits gather, and the Frozen Archives, a library filled with scrolls on soul magic. Historically, Oldwalls was a center of necromantic study, making it a crucial location for players seeking lore about souls or the history of Eora. In gameplay, the city offers unique challenges, as combat often involves dealing with spirits and the soulless, requiring specific abilities to navigate effectively. The environment itself is hostile, with extreme cold affecting stamina and visibility. Exploring Oldwalls reveals hidden passages and secret chambers containing valuable artifacts and insights into the world's metaphysics. Players must be cautious of traps and ambushes by undead creatures lurking in the shadows. The city serves as a pivotal point in the story, offering quests that tie into the broader narrative of soul manipulation and the fate of Eora.

Did You Know?

• Oldwalls predates the Aedyr Empire and is associated with the ancient Engwithan civilization, not a rival state.
• The soulless are a specific phenomenon from the Dyrwood, not a permanent inhabitant group of Oldwalls.
• Many chambers in Oldwalls are still active, with spirits and constructs lingering within.
• The architecture of Oldwalls reflects Engwithan engineering, featuring intricate carvings and massive stone mechanisms.

The Oldwalls and Forbidden History

Among the most enigmatic features of Terratus are the colossal ruins left by an unknown civilization that predates Kyros' conquest. These remnants include the Spires, towering monoliths piercing the sky, and the Oldwalls, magically attuned fortifications stretching for hundreds of miles across the landscape. While the Spires remain a subject of curiosity without explicit prohibition, Kyros has issued a strict, death-penalty decree forbidding entry into the Oldwalls. This absolute ban suggests that these ancient structures hold secrets or dangers that even an overlord of immeasurable power wishes to keep buried. The mystery deepens because no one knows why these walls were built or what lies within their magically sealed spans.

The Role and Power of Fatebinders

At the heart of Tyranny's narrative is the unique position of the player-character as a Fatebinder, a high-ranking agent within Kyros' hierarchy. Created by Tunon the Adjudicator, Archon of Justice, these individuals serve as judge, jury, and executioner in the newly conquered lands. Unlike typical heroes who fight for freedom, Fatebinders are tasked with restoring order after Kyros' victory, traveling the world to reduce conflict and enforce the Overlord's rule. Their authority is immense, allowing them to make decisions that directly shape the fate of surviving factions, determine which companions join their cause, and influence available spells and abilities. This role places the player in a morally complex position where they must navigate the brutal realities of an empire built on conquest, deciding whether to uphold Kyros' law or subtly undermine it through the choices made during their judicial missions.

The War of Archons and Civil Conflict

The central conflict driving the game's plot emerges from a fracture within Kyros' own forces. In the Tiers region, specifically Vendrien's Well, two powerful Archons clash: Graven Ashe leading the disciplined Disfavored, and the Voices of Nerat commanding the chaotic Scarlet Chorus. This infighting threatens to derail the pacification of the final major area resisting Kyros. The Fatebinder is initially sent to quell a rebellion but finds themselves caught in the middle of this escalating feud. When the Fatebinder chooses which army leads the assault on the rebel fortress, the other faction declares war, igniting the 'War of Archons.' This civil war forces the player to navigate a treacherous political landscape, choosing sides or forging an independent path while investigating treason that jeopardizes Kyros' ultimate goal of total order across Terratus.

The Edicts and the Fatebinder's Transformation

Kyros enforces their will through Edicts, magical superweapons capable of destroying entire regions if local conflicts are not resolved. The game begins with a specific Edict threatening Vendrien's Well, compelling the Fatebinder to act swiftly. However, upon fulfilling the terms of this first Edict and ending the siege at Ascension Hall, an unforeseen event occurs: the diffused magic alters the Fatebinder permanently. They absorb the power of the Edict and are transported to the summit of a Mountain Spire, becoming the first person in recorded history to survive such contact. This transformation grants them a unique connection to the Spires and allows them to eventually end other Edicts ravaging the land, such as the Storms in the Blade Grave or the Fire at the Burning Library. As they absorb these powers, the Fatebinder grows stronger but also becomes increasingly entangled with the ancient mysteries of Terratus.