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    \_|                            Kontaur                              |
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      |  Among the most corrupt of the lands of Despair, is Kontaur,    |
      |  which lies south of the Old Marsh. Once a lush forest filled   |     
      |  with wild vegetation and beautiful sylvan and elven races, it  |
      |  is now the heart of evil in the southern lands. The cause of   |
      |  the land's devastation is not completely known. Sages believe  |
      |  that either Laschte or Vl'arescht opened a gate to a race of   |
      |  astral travelers known as the Carnifex, which brought legions  |
      |  of balrogs to Despair long ago. The balrogs waged war against  |
      |  all sentient races, seeking to destroy at the leisure of their |
      |  masters. The avatars of Darkhaven were truly oppressed and     |
      |  fought for their very lives against this evil army. After      |
      |  years of war, the Carnifex were finally driven across the Pits |
      |  of Banishment and into a legendary castle from which they      |
      |  could not escape. Without their masters' guidance, the balrogs |
      |  lost their edge and began losing the war. They retreated to    |
      |  Kontaur, the first realm they had conquered, and erected a     |
      |  castle. Although there have been many attempts to destroy the  |
      |  Balrog race, none have succeeded. Many new races have come to  |
      |  the forests of Kontaur recently, and made the Realms even more |
      |  perilous. Foul pixie that were corrupted by Laschte, savage    |
      |  beastmen and, Vl'arescht's creation, the goblins all guard the |
      |  paths to and from the Kontaur castle. Yet there lies a shining |
      |  hope in this foul land, for A'enaar lifted her hand and        |
      |  protected a tribe of forest elves known as the Misinkii.       |
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