Bane Watcher Citadel

Type: Citadel (Organization Headquarters)
Region: Central Odessia (Island in large lake)
Status: Active
Tags: #location/citadel #location/island #location/magical #location/bane-watcher #location/active-quest

Description

Hidden headquarters of the Bane Watchers organization, located on a mountainous island in the centre of a large lake in central Odessia. Ancient citadel dedicated to training members in managing Bane corruption and mastering abilities that Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian cannot teach. Home to the Bane Watcher leader and organization's accumulated knowledge about The Bane. Urgent destination for Elvva Beltavar whose corruption is advancing faster than expected.

Geography

Location:

Island in centre of large lake (central Odessia)
Lake location: Central kingdom region
Distance from other locations: Unknown

Island Features:

Mountain range on island
Citadel built into/on mountains
Natural isolation from mainland
Accessible only by boat or flight

Terrain:

Mountainous island
Lake surrounding (natural moat/barrier)
Elevated position (defensible)

Key Features

Bane Watcher Citadel - Main headquarters building
Training Facilities - For managing Bane corruption
Knowledge Repository - Accumulated lore about The Bane
Leader's Residence - Bane Watcher leader resides here
Mountain Range - Natural defensive position
Island Isolation - Protected by lake, difficult to access

Population

Primary Inhabitants:

Bane Watchers (number unknown)
Leadership council (presumed)
Trainees managing corruption
Support staff (presumed)

Demographics:

Unknown - likely diverse races united by Bane connection
Members dealing with various stages of corruption
Experienced Bane Watchers training newer members

Leadership

Leader: Bane Watcher Leader (name unknown)
Organization Head: Unknown council/structure
Wanderers/Scouts: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian (not based at Citadel), two others (one in Immortal Draconic Empire, one in Nolunia)

History

Origins:

Ancient organization (founding date unknown)
Created to combat The Bane
Survived since First Age (when Bane corrupted dwarves)
Maintained knowledge through centuries

Purpose:

Train members to manage Bane corruption
Prevent corruption from "overflowing and taking over" hosts
Master abilities that wanderers like Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian cannot teach
Preserve knowledge about The Bane

Significance:

Only known organization dedicated to fighting Bane
Repository of critical knowledge
Training facility for managing dangerous corruption

Current Situation

Urgent Need (Session 26):

Elvva Beltavar requires immediate training (corruption advancing)
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian assessed her: "You're further along than I thought"
Green sprite manifestation indicates serious progression
Risk: Corruption can overflow and take over host

Party Status:

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian directed party to visit "quickly"
Timing flexible but increasingly urgent
Can visit before or after northern rally mission
All party members initiated as Bane Watchers (Session 18)

Active Training:

Members learning to manage corruption
Advanced techniques beyond Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's teaching
Preventing lifespan reduction from Bane connection
Mastering Bane-related abilities

Organizational Role:

Wanderers (like Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian) scout and recruit
Citadel trains and maintains knowledge
Three known wanderers across three regions
Coordinated effort against The Bane

Connections

Part of:

Odessia (geographically, though may operate independently)

Nearby Locations:

Central Odessia region
Large lake (name unknown)
Distance to other locations unknown

Related Organizations:

Bane Watchers - This is their headquarters

Inhabitants

Known Leadership:

Bane Watcher Leader (name unknown, resides here)

Known Wanderers (Not Based Here):

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian (currently in Odessia)
Unknown wanderer (Immortal Draconic Empire)
Unknown wanderer (Nolunia)

Initiated Members:

All Riders of the Storm (initiated Session 18, not yet visited)
Unknown number of other members
Various stages of Bane corruption

Quests - Active#Visit Bane Watcher Citadel - URGENT (Elvva's sprite manifestation, remove dormant commands, advanced training)
Quests - Active#The Bane - Organization dedicated to fighting Bane

Appearances

Session 18 - 2 November 2024 - Location mentioned during Bane Watcher initiation ritual, party initiated but did not visit
Session 26 - 16 July 2025 - Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian revealed location details: island in centre of large lake, central kingdom, mountain range on island. Urged party to visit "quickly" for advanced training. Explained Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian is wanderer/scout, not based at Citadel. Citadel has resources and expertise he lacks. Urgent for Elvva Beltavar's corruption progression.

Bane Knowledge Available (Session 26)

Nature of Bane Watchers:

"Sad existence" - difficult path
Can shorten lifespan
More attuned = worse corruption becomes
Corruption can overflow and take over host
Requires proper training to manage safely

About The Bane:

Living entity
"The earth itself"
Origin unknown
Progressive corruption (starts subtle, becomes overwhelming)
Manifests as green sprites in corrupted individuals

Training Offered:

Master abilities Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian cannot teach
Prevent corruption from taking over
Manage Bane connection safely
Potentially reverse or slow corruption progression
Meet Bane Watcher leader for guidance

Strategic Importance

For Party:

Elvva Beltavar's survival may depend on training here
All party members initiated - may benefit from advanced knowledge
Understanding Bane critical to defeating it
Only known source of Bane expertise

For Campaign:

Repository of ancient knowledge about The Bane
Potential allies in fighting Bane threat
May have information about "the vessel" prophecy
Could provide tools/techniques for combating Bane

Timing Considerations:

Urgent for Elvva Beltavar (corruption advancing)
Can visit before or after northern rally (flexible)
Party must decide priority: Rally north first or train first
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian suggested "quickly" but timing up to party

Mysteries

About Citadel:

Who is the Bane Watcher leader?
How many members total?
What is organizational structure?
How old is the Citadel?
What knowledge do they possess?

About Training:

What specific abilities can be mastered?
Can corruption be reversed?
How long does training take?
Can they remove dormant Bane commands?
What happened to members who failed training?

About Organization:

How are new members recruited?
What are criteria for membership?
Do they have other facilities?
What is relationship with kingdoms?
Are there other wanderers unknown to party?

Notes

First mentioned Session 18, detailed Session 26
Central location in kingdom (accessible from multiple directions)
Island isolation provides security
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian is wanderer, not permanent resident
Urgent quest destination due to Elvva Beltavar's condition
Party must balance northern mission urgency vs training urgency
Only known organization fighting The Bane
May hold answers to many campaign mysteries