The Blight of Balthazar
The grandeur of the House of Aefir was once tainted during a dark chapter in its history. After the disappearance of Elendril Aefir and dismay of Alana Aefir, the manor became a temporary stronghold for the demon Balthazar the Blighted, who twisted its sanctity into a nightmarish domain.
Though the exterior of the manor remained a shining symbol of Vanir architecture, its interior was transformed into a grotesque, fleshy abomination. The walls pulsed with unnatural life, corridors twisted into labyrinthine horrors, and the air was filled with the stench of decay and sulfur. The once-pristine Aefir Archives became a tomb of corrupted knowledge, with Rift Magic perverted to serve the demon’s malevolent purposes.
The grounds were abandoned by the family, deemed uninhabitable as Balthazar’s influence spread. It wasn’t until Guy the Grateful, chosen by Zirael the Golden Dragon (aka Goldbrand), returned to his ancestral home that the curse was finally lifted.
Purge of the Curse
Guided by his unwavering faith and the blessings of Zirael, Guy entered the corrupted manor alongside Haellae Colaerth as the newly chosen Avatar of The Air. Battling through hordes of demonic minions and facing Balthazar in a climactic duel within The Crucible, Guy unleashed the purifying light of Zirael’s power.
In a final, desperate strike, Guy destroyed the demon and cleansed the manor of its abominable taint. The walls returned to their pristine state, the archives were restored, and the manor’s light shone brightly once again. The lighthouse, which had been extinguished during Balthazar’s reign, once more illuminated the northern sea, signaling the return of hope to Aerenal.
Legacy of the Lighthouse
The Curse of Balthazar remains a haunting memory for the House of Aefir, a reminder of the cost of vigilance and the ever-present dangers that threaten even the most sacred places. Guy’s heroic act not only restored the manor but also solidified his place as one of the greatest heroes of the house.
Today, the Aefir Manor stands renewed, its halls echoing not with despair but with the vibrant energy of its ancestral glory. However, faint whispers of its dark past linger, serving as a warning to those who would take its sanctity for granted.