Black Hollow

A cave system beyond the protected area of the Silver Glade, Black Hollow is the prison in which the dictatorial wizard was placed centuries ago. Although not its original name, it earned its new moniker upon the dictator's imprisonment, as well as from the sacrifice which is believed to have sealed him inside.

Appearance:

Black Hollow appears to the outside observer like a terran black hole, with the rocks and dirt around its outer edge resembling a sort of Accretion disc.

Curse:

Centuries ago, when the wizard Mandrake Harcus was at the height of his powers, and therefore at his most cruel, the Fairies and Unicorns of Atlantancia came together in aid of the human population. Placing the wizard in a deep slumber, they originally imprisoned him in his own Castle; unfortunately, this soon proved too dangerous.

Searching for an alternative, they discovered a cave system beyond the protected area of the Silver Glade, and far from the edge of their own forest. After some negotiation with its former inhabitants, they buried the wizard's sarcophagus in the deepest cavern of the system. To prevent anyone from disturbing his slumber they enacted the curse, which contained the following elements:

- it bound the wizard's powers, leaving him almost impotent

- prevents his escape

- requires that a pure heart willingly enter the cave in order to break the curse

Because of this last element, it is mistakenly believed (even by the wizard himself) that a blood sacrifice must be performed in order to break the curse. In actual fact, the curse clearly states that 'a willing heart must enter the cave.'