This old monastery was once occupied by the Brotherhood of the Wall. Overrun by Karrnathi undead during the Last War, it is now home to a number of undead of both the Karrnathi and “standard” varieties.
The outer walls of the monastery served as both primary defense and living space. They are made of heavy stones, carefully mortared together. The three gates are iron; the doors between rooms and allowing egress to the courtyard are heavy wood. The walls in the northwest corner have collapsed, exposing the library that was housed within. The south gate is shattered, as well. The courtyard contains a large vegetable garden, now old and rotting. It also features a guesthouse and the ruins of a second guesthouse, a combination smithy and tannery, stables, and the chapel itself. In the center is a fenced-off practice area, where the monks and soldiers honed their skills. Part of this fence has collapsed. Finally, two large pits open up into tunnels below. These pits are the result of undead soldiers sapping away at the foundations during the attack.
As a martial order, the Brotherhood of the Wall recognizes the need for retreat and regrouping. The monks constructed the Monastery of the Unyielding Shield with escape tunnels and staging areas beneath the surface. These consisted of simple chambers, accessible by spiral stairs from the chapel, the smithy, the guest house, and the northeast watchtower. The warriors of the Sovereign Host could regroup beneath the chapel, where additional weapons were stored, or retreat through the passage north, eventually surfacing some 600 feet beyond the walls.
Karrnath’s spies learned of these tunnels and sent undead soldiers as sappers to attack the monastery from below. For months, the tireless undead dug until their tunnels intersected the Brotherhood’s escape passages at multiple points. They collapsed the northern tunnel, ensuring no escape was possible. Their digging weakened the earth above, causing pits to open up within the monastery itself, and through these the undead attacked, slaughtering all within.
In the years since, the undead that remained have expanded the tunnels farther, forming the beginnings of what could eventually turn into a veritable warren of catacombs.
- Armory and Lair of General Raulz. General Raulz, a Karrnathi skeleton and necromancer (cleric 9 [Blood of Vol]), abandoned the forces of Karrnath and remained behind with his soldiers, taking the monastery for his own.
- Tomb. Raulz and his minions store the bodies of travelers whom they slay in this chamber, until he has the opportunity to animate them.
- The Great Pit. The undead keep living prisoners here, so that Raulz can learn of current events before slaughtering them.
- Home of the High Priest. The former high priest of the monastery has become a spectre. It lairs here, wailing in eternal torment and hatred of the living.
- Brood Chambers. There are four areas keyed to this entry. Each contains a troop of Karrnathi skeletons and zombies (twelve to fourteen creatures, mix varies).