Iron Keep

Lore

High above the Earthen Peak lies the remnants of a once mighty castle. This keep was made out of iron, and it was so immensely heavy that it actually sank into the ground. This may just be a rumor, but there's no denying its sunken nature. Perhaps the real cause for this magnificent fortress's downfall was something more.

The Old Iron King lurks in the lake of lava surrounding the keep. The Iron King was powerful but short-sighted and exalted the virtue of might. He has been transformed into a demon. As his flesh burned away, his soul was possessed by the wicked things that lurk below. He possesses the soul of an ancient king from long ago - a king who met with a similar fate when he reached into the flames.

Connections

Belfry Sol
Brume Tower
Earthen Peak

The foes encountered here are:

• Alonne Knight: The Alonne Knights' loyalty to one another is the stuff of legends, and they held fast in their positions even as the once-great Iron Keep sank into the fiery earth. The blades they wield were forged by one of the true artisans entertained by the Iron King during his kingdom's heyday.
• Alonne Knight Captain: The leaders of the Alonne Knights don fantastic armor that retains its brilliant shine to this very day. Despite having an army of the finest warriors equipped with the best weapons and armor to be found across the land, the Iron King's reign did not last. A true king requires more than simply the strength of arms.
• Ironclad Soldier: Unlike the worn-down, decrepit Old Ironclads of the Forest of Fallen Giants, these brutes are in good condition. These brutish living armors created by the Old Iron King still fight on. Defeating them will break the enchantment of Souls used to lend will to the armor, and it will become wearable once more.
• Smelter Demon: A mass of iron that has come to life, the Smelter Demon was responsible for the fall of the Iron King and his castle. From the depths of the earth he sprang, and incinerated the short-sighted king in a single blow. What other demons lie beneath these treacherous grounds?
• The Pursuer: After vanquishing the Smelter Demon and returning to that room, the Pursuer will appear, intent on hunting down those branded by the Curse.

Theories

Title of theory.

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Text of theory goes here.

Sources

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Ironclad Set
Worn by Ironclad Soldiers.
Provides high defense, but is so heavy that
it requires great strength to move.
The Ironclad Soldiers were minions created
by the Old Iron King, their life granted by
an enchantment of souls.
Once, the Old King could have unraveled the
greater mysteries, with the aid of his great soul,
but he was led astray by his enormous fortune,
becoming nothing more than a vulgar hedonist.

Alonne Knight Set
Worn by Alonne Knights.
The bonds of the Alonne Knights, who
served the Old Iron King, were mightier
than the land's iron, but in the end the
knights were subsumed by the flames
that brought the castle down.

Alonne Captain Armor
Armor worn by the captain of the Alonne Knights.
The accoutrements of the Alonne Knights, who
served the Old Iron King, were created with an
advanced casting technique. They remain solid,
and handsomely crafted.
The design is styled after the armor worn by an
unusual knight who trained the Iron King's men in
the sword. He was said to have deserted his liege
after bearing witness to his descent into depravity.

Blacksteel Katana
Blacksteel katana wielded by Alonne Knights.
One of the sturdiest types of katana,
preferred by masters of the quick-draw.
In the heyday of his land, the Old Iron King
fancied entertaining dubious and eccentric
guests from faraway lands.
Most of them were charlatans, but among
the riff-raff was an unusual knight from
the far east. He trained the Iron King's men
in the sword, in obeisance to his new lord.

Alonne Greatbow
Unique bow equipped by Alonne Knights.
This very powerful bow uses greatarrows,
but each draw of the string requires a great
deal of time, leaving the shooter vulnerable.
In the heyday of his land, the Old Iron King
fancied entertaining dubious and eccentric
guests from faraway lands.
Most of them were charlatans, but among
the riff-raff was an unusual knight from
the far east. He trained the Iron King's men
in the sword, in obeisance to his new lord.

Black Knight Greataxe
Greataxe Wielded by knights who served
a lord of light in a long forgotten age.
Even after their flesh was charred by
flame, they remained as strong as ever,
and stood watch, challenging visitors to
their land.

Iron Key
Key to the iron door of the Iron Keep.
The Old Iron King's castle sunk into a lake
of fire, weighed down by the castle's iron,
and the burden of the king's conceit.
Over the ages, the iron was stripped from
the castle by opportunistic passers-by.
The iron door, too, must be somewhere, far away.

Heavy Iron Key
A piece of iron shaped like a key.
Past the altar deep within the Iron Keep
and through a door is the tower that the
Old Iron King used to produce iron.
The unearthly weight of this chunk of
iron is a reminder of the Iron King's
own immeasurable strength.

Dull Ember
An ember radiating a dull light.
This flame seems nearly exhausted,
but exhibits an eerie resilience.
Perhaps this is its ordinary state?

Chaos Storm
The chaos flame is said to have
devoured the mother of pyromancy.
Create multiple pillars of chaos flame.
Those who sought great power were
consumed by their own desires.
Where are these lost souls now?

Covetous Gold Serpent Ring
A gold ring depicting the snake,
both the servant and manifestation
of the god of desire, Zinder.
Greed is traditionally viewed as a vice,
but only a coward sees every chance
as something to fear.

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PREV: Huntsman's Copse

NEXT: Iron Passage

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