IS CARLIN A CITY AT THE WORK OF EVIL FORCES?

This is one of the articles that was submitted to the Secrets of Tibia 3 contest. It was written by Drakeri. 

IS CARLIN A CITY AT THE WORK OF EVIL FORCES?

Among several mysteries that surround the Tibia lands, of unsolved missions, undiscovered rewards and mysterious locations, the mysteries that attract my attention are those related to the history of Tibia, and how the world has developed since the arrival of the heroes (us).

There are several chapters in Tibia's history telling events from the creation of the universe to the arrival of the heroes. However, the changes and events that happen in the world after that are noticed through observation. Changes in locations, new constructions, new islands discovered, all these changes in Tibia are history-changing events in the lore. And some of these changes may hide some dark secrets.

CARLIN'S HISTORY

Originally Carlin was planned to be a Thais colony. King Xenom wanted the city to be an example of Thais' grandeur, a city to noble families of the kingdom live.

However, the constant attacks by orcs on the city were a great difficulty in keeping the place a safe place. As the king was not willing to tolerate failures, Carlin ended up becoming an exile for people the king did not want in Thais, such as enemies of the kingdom.

As a result of poor government and foolish decisions, which included withdrawing all of the city's workers to build a huge castle, the men of the city became unable to support their families, not even their basic needs were met. That way, supplying the city with food was the responsibility of the druids, the women of the city studied with the druids to learn from them they knowledge. In this way, the city became more and more dependent on women.

This way, over time, Carlin gained its freedom and independence from Thais, and a women-only kingdom was created with the coronation of Carlin's first queen, Queen Elorana.

This information can be found in the books Carlin and the Rise of the Women 1 and Carlin and the Rise of the Women 2 Pt 1.

FERMUBRAS AND CRUNOR’S CARESS

Goshnar is one of the best-known evil figures in Tibia, his birth name was Falnus and he was a former member of the Nightmare Knights, until he was converted by the forces of evil and became the leader of the Brotherhood of Bones.

Goshnar had a daughter named Fermubras. Both were persecuted by royal forces for Goshnar's knowledge  and connection with evil.

Fermubras was then pursued until the gates of the city of Carlin, where she hid there with the help of the Brotherhood of Bones, as explained in the book Report on Goshnar's Daughter:

“We tracked Goshnar's daughter to the gates of Carlin but lost her within the city. Of course we got no help by the 'authorities', so I think she could hide there somewhere. It's likely that the brotherhood of bones has agents in the city that gave her shelter. We think she doesn't know her father's secrets though. Her magic tricks seemed quite ordinary to us. I can't say whether the rumour that she is pregnant is true. If so, nothing is known about the father of this child. Considering that Goshnar was allied with darkness we must fear the worst. So the search for Fermubras continues.”

The evil organization led by Goshnar appeared to have shelter in the city and even support from the authorities.

It's known that Fermubras was pregnant at the time she fled to Carlin and gave birth to her son in the city while she was a refugee. This is how Ferumbras was born.

With a strong presence of the Brotherhood of Bones in Carlin, it is to be expected that the city hides some dark secrets.

It's not said anywhere, but Ferbubra can be Yenny the Gentle. Yenny is known for being a powerful magician, and at the same time Fermubra is the daughter of Goshnar and mother of Ferumbras, both are very powerful magicians. She may have changed her name after becoming a target of the Nightmare Knights. But this is not confirmed, it’s just a theory.

Yenny the Gentle is one of the creators of Crunor’s Caress. The Crunor’s Caress was a druid order that was created by Yenny and other druid in Carlin. Possibly these were the druids who passed on knowledge to the women of Carlin in the past.

Zoltan: Ah, Yenny the Gentle was one of the founders of the druid order called Crunor's Caress, that has been originated in her hometown Carlin.

Crunor’s Caress is indeed na strange organization, and seems they control Carlin behind the scenes.

CARLIN AND FAFNAR

Some people may have noticed, others may not. But in update 8.5 in July 2009 the city of Carlin had a great change. While before the update Carlin had no mention of Fafnar, and the only god they revered was Crunor, after the update the city's veneration of the goddess Fafnar became explicit.

One of the strange things is Queen Eloise denying her belief in Fafnar. When asked about “gods” she responds:

Queen Eloise: We honour the gods of good in our fair city, especially Crunor, of course. 

The statues around the city do not show that they worship Crunor, and despite the many decorations in honor of Fafnar, when asked about the goddess, she remains silent.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT FAFNAR?

Fafnar is the goddess generated from the first creation of life bisides Tibiasula, alongside her twin brother Suon. Fardos in his first attempt to create life united with the element of fire produced two children, Fafnar, the daughter and Suon, the son. The two chose to live in the sky, and this way, two suns emerged to illuminate and warm the world.

The two brothers did not get along well due to their difference in personality. While Suon was calm and helpful, his sister Fafnar was wild and impetuous. 

Fafnar infested the land with his torrid flames, until Suon lost his patience and began a fierce combat with his sister. In this fight, Suon emerged victorious, so Fafnar fled, and runs to this day through the skies of Tibia. And that is the reason why the two suns move way and disappear from Tibia for a few hours and darkness takes over the lands.

This is an interesting fact about Tibia that many players don’t know. The Tibia world has two suns.

One of Fafnar's evil deeds was based on her envy of Bastesh, the goddess created from Uman's union with the sea. Bastesh showed excessive beauty, and resembled Uman and Fardos of Tibiasula in her appearance. Fafnar in one episode attacked Bastesh with all her fury and envy. In the attack, Fafnar dug her fiery claws into Bastesh, leaving scars across her body. Her beauty had been ruined and the worst would be her inner scars and sadness, Bastesh grew up being shy and melancholic being, preferring the silent solitude of the ocean, whose salty waters, according to the stories are her incessant tears.

Some quotes from around Tibia that make reference to Fafnar:

This is a quote from the book The Birth of the Elements 4:

"Zathroth however was delighted by the destructive potential, which Fafnar showed, and he looked upon her with delight. He flattered her with compliments, and he succeeded in seducing her. Thus they conceived Brog, the fiery raging berserker."

This is a quote present on a decoration item called Symbol of Suon and Fafnar:

"It represents Suon the Benevolent Sun and Fafnar the Destroying Sun, the Tibian sun gods.”

Also, in a book called Fafnar, the Wild Sun emphasizes this information:

“Fafnar is the wild and relentless daughter of Fardos and also called the Smiter or the Scorching Sun. Unlike her brother Suon, she observes creation with hate and jealousy. Her worhip is forbidden in Kilmaresh since the downfall of the old empire as her followers once caused a religious civil war that led to the old empire's destruction. But the cult of Fafnar secretly survived and the cultists still plague the new empire. They cause plenty of trouble in Issavi and in all of Kilmaresh.”

Some NPC transcripts regarding Fafnar:

Lugri: The glorious gods of darkness are Zathroth, Fafnar, Brog, Urgith, and the Archdemons.

By the way, there is another curious quote about Lugri:

Oswald: Some say he is Ferumbras in disguise.

This can be connected with the "magic crystal" that Gamel (rebel) and Lugri are looking for. And the "pass code" to talk with Lugri about the crystal is "death to noodles" (He can be talking about the dog, or about the academy).

One detail that has to be taken in consideration is that Oswald is a gossip, so I don't know if we should consider what he say, but he says some things that are true.

Now returning to the quotes about Fafnar:

Tibra: The gods of good guard us and guide us, the gods of evil want to destroy us and steal our souls!

Tibra: The gods we call the evil ones are Zathroth, Fafnar, Brog, Urgith, and the Archdemons!

Tibra: Fafnar is the scorching sun. She observes the creation with hate and jealousy.

Well, it's clear that Fafnar is a goddess who represents evil according to the NPCs' reports.

Based on the descriptions, it is interesting to relate Suon and Fafnar with the analogy of the difference between the morning sun and the afternoon sun, where one is serene and it’s good while the other is intense and harmful.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THAIS AND CARLIN

As many know, Thais and Carlin have a troubled relationship. With both King and Queen convinced that they have the right to reign completely in the lands of Tibia.

Queen Eloise: I am the Queen, the only rightful ruler on the continent!

Queen Eloise: They dare to reject my reign over them!

King Tibianus: They dare to reject my reign over the whole continent!

The fight between Thais and Carlin is clearly for power, to the point where they consider each other true enemies

Queen Eloise: Our enemies are numerous. We have to fight vile monsters and have to watch this silly king in the south carefully.

King Tibianus: Our enemies are numerous. The evil minotaurs, Ferumbras, and the renegade city of Carlin to the north are just some of them.

Between cities it is also common to talk to some NPCs and when asking about Thais and Carlin, they will respond negatively about each other.

You can see more between Thais and Carlin's fight in the Secret Service quest, which also includes a fight with Venore, but more comercial.

CARLIN'S CONNECTION TO THE FORCES OF EVIL

In some research and conversations with NPCs I was able to find some lines and quotes that were at least curious about the city of Carlin, check it out:

 Chester Kahs: Who knows what power drove those women to break from the Thaian rule? There might be sinister powers at work.

Tibra: There's something strange in its neighbourhood. But whom we gonna call for help if not the gods?

In the Secret Service mission when you choose to work for Carlin's Girls Brigade, an intelligence organization in the city of Carlin, Emma sends you on some missions and in the transcripts we can identify some things:

Emma: Our relations with Thais can be called strained at best. Therefore, it's not really astounding that the Thaian financed Edron's academy but refuse to share some knowledge with our druids ... But we won't accept this so easily. With the help of divination, we learnt that the knowledge our druids are looking for is found in a certain book ... It will be your task to enter the academy and to steal this book for us.

Here we can identify two things:

1 - Carlin's Girls Brigade works together with the druids of Carlin

2 – Carlin’s druids do not work together with the other druids around Tibia.

Furthermore, in the second mission, Emma makes a request and tells you that a druid, while walking through the Green Claw Swamp near Venore, noticed an evil presence in that region. The investigation concluded that the bonelords were spreading dead trees with negative energy corrupting the area. In this mission she asks you to go there and bring her the Rotten Heart of a Tree.

Emma receives the item and doesn't mention that it will be destroyed or anything like that, she just says that the druids will be relieved to know that the threat has been resolved.

THEORIES THAT MAY LINK CARLIN TO THE FORCES OF EVIL

Here I will present some events of connection between Carlin and strange events, which may have some clues to solving this mystery.

Sandra

Walking through the Jakundaf Desert I met an NPC called Nemal, and when talking to him he said something very interesting:

Nemal: Aaaahh, Carlin, yes. I know this town. Strange graveyard there, isn't it?

But which graveyard is he talking about? Carlin has its cemetery, that is very well knowed, which by the way has the presence of cultists hidden inside, but the cultists were added in update 11.40, way after the NPC Nemal was added. It could be Ghostlands too. Or it could be some graveyards present around the city, for example on the way to Northport.

When asked about the topic, the general Bunny Bonecrusher responds:

Bunny Bonecrusher: Bah! Just men's tales! Who believes in such rubbish? Perhaps we should put some men there overnight and see what happens. Hehehe!

Here! I think this is a point worth investigating, so let’s go.

I started my investigation with the cemetery, since she mentioned putting someone in a place, I assumed she was talking about a closed location, not something outdoor. And I’m also always suspicious when an NPC tries to discredit a story.

Unfortunately I didn't find anything related in the cemetery, so I started looking at other options.

Then I found something. There is a particular graveyard at the north of Carlin. A few graves are mourned with grave flowers, except for one, which has a red rose instead. This is what you can read on the grave:

You see a grave. You read: Sandra, inhabitant of Carlin Way of death: Suicide

Now from the grave just by its side:

You see a grave. You read: Narcus, inhabitant of Carlin. *You read more below written with a red color* I can't live without you. I will follow you now. I will love you forever. Sandra.

I couldn't find any information about Narcus, But these two graves are strange, right? Not as much as it will be now.

There is an NPC in Edron called Sandra, the curious thing about this NPC are two interesting facts. First, when asked about Thais she responds:

Sandra: A city full of disgusting people with ill manners.

Do you remember the troubled relationship between the two cities?

And the second and most interesting thing is: Sandra is not a simple potion saleswoman as she appears to be.

In the mission The Shattered Isles, Raymond Striker explains that Sandra has an agreement with pirates to produce and deliver a dangerous substance called 'Fafnar's Fire', which according to Raymond is capable of burning even water.

In the Secret Service mission, when you choose to work for Carlin, there is also a non-direct relation with Sandra, but can be related.

Emma says that the Edron Academy of Magic has knowledge that they don't want to share with the druids of Carlin. Emma then asks you to steal a book from Edron's Magic Academy, do you know which NPCs work at the academy? Sandra.

But the interesting part is to come, when you lose the Nature Magic Spell Book that she asks you to steal. When you return to Emma and say that you lost the book, she will say that her internal contacts said that the book is back at the academy. Who would be this internal contact?

Sandra is possibly an agent of Carlin's Girls Brigade who faked her own death and then worked as an informant in Edron.

Yenny and Hugo

Xed is a distance weapon salesman and he mentions that Ferumbras' father was named Hugo.

Xed: I heard rumours somewhere that his father was called Hugo.

There are several possible “Hugo” within Tibia, but the one that draws the most attention due to the proximity of the facts and period is the famous Hugo, the demon bunny.

And that is another hint that Fermubras actually can be Yenny the gentle.

Hugo is the name of a immensely feared and powerful demon-bunny. It is commonly believed that Hugo, a human, got into a magical accident during some ritual and was changed into a rabbit, as these transcripts make clear.

Oldrak: Ah, the curse of the Plains of Havoc, the hidden beast, the unbeatable foe. I've been living here for years and I'm sure this is only a myth.

Oldrak: There are many tales about the fearsome Hugo. It's said it's an abnormality, accidentally created by Yenny the Gentle. It's half demon, halfsomething else and people say it's still alive after all these years.

Although Oldrak says it is a myth, there is a Nightmare Knights book that proves that Hugo, the demonbunny is real.

Hugo was captured by the Nightmare Knights and tricked into the dungeons where he is used in part of the Dream Challenge test for new recruits, as is mentioned in the book Hugo Trapped:

“At last we trapped Hugo in the dungeon cellars! The beast killed two dozen of our members in a wild chase. After a painful and long hunt, our mages kept Hugo occupied with some summoned dragons that distracted him long enough to prepare the trap. When Hugo followed the 'track' we laid for him, our druids trapped him with plant barriers and then moved earth around him. Now the beast is trapped. May Fardos, Uman and Banor give that we can keep him satiated and calm by using the trick the druids figured out. Our aspirants will have a hard time to pass the test that was created around this beast.”

As said by Oldrak, Yenny the gentle was a powerful mage:

Oldrak: Yenny, known as the Gentle, was one of the most powerful wielders of magic in ancient times. She was known throughout the world for her mercy and kindness.

In this case, Hugo would be Yenny's husband. But if this is true, would Yenny have done a demonic experiment on her own husband, or was it an accident?

Despite being known as “Gentle”, Yenny has several strange connections such as her closeness to the Brotherhood of Bones (if she really is Fermubra), the Hugo’s transformation and even the order of druids Crunor’s Caress.

Zoltan: A quite undruidic order of druids they were, as far as we know. I have no more enlightening knowledge about them though.

The Lubo’s house used to be a shelter of the Crunor’s Caress, known as Crunor's Cottage like Lubo says:

Ah yes, I remember my grandfather talking about that name. This house used to be an inn a long time ago. My family bought it from some of these flower guys.

Lubo: Oh, I mean druids of course. They sold the cottage to my family after some of them died in an accident or something like that.

Lubo: As far as I can remember the story, a pet escaped its stable behind the inn. It got somehow involved with powerfull magic at a ritual and was transformed in some way.

Lubo: My grandpa told me, in the old days there were some behind this cottage. Nothing big though, just small ones, for chicken or rabbits

These lines from Lubo made me think of something in relation to Hugo, demonbunny. What if these chickens and rabbits were some kind of Crunor’s Caress experiment? And if this is the case, why those experiments envolves demonic forces like the one that created the demonbunny?

The Crunor’s Caress seems to be seen with different eyes as Zoltan says: “the undruidic order of druids”. What if this knowledge that was passed on to the citizens of Carlin in the past was not such benevolent knowledge? The question remains.

All the connections with Yenny are very strange, and could relate with something that solve this mystery.

Wyda

Wyda is a witch who lives in Green Claw Swamp, and honestly she can offer us some tips that may be related to Carlin and connection with the forces of evil.

There is a book on the Isle of the Kings that mentions Wyda as a follower of Zathroth, called Inquisitor's log Pt. I:

(This book looks rather old and torn) Inquisitor's log Pt. I

Day 34: Finally we found her. By the sacred powers of all divine beings, it was a hard time catching that one. May all witches burn in the eternal hellfires. Though, there is no time for recreation; this witch was not the one I was looking for. Another disappointment in a long row. But I will stay strong - No, I must be strong! For the king and for the well-being of mankind...

Day 35: That foul creature! It was not her, she must have bewitched me and my guards. When the one which we mistook for the witch burned at the stake the enchantment fell off. Another innocent, murdered by that evil hag.

Day 36: Now I am sure, she must be in possession of the unholy formula that allows godless minions of Zathroth to fortify their physical and magical powers by brewing a potion out of God-fearing people. She managed once again to escape. We impaled four members of her circle in Carlin, but she managed to escape from a twofold guarded cell. The queen was very ...displeased about the death of four of her citizens. I doubt she would have said a word if it had been men.

Day 40: Finally! I found out her name! It is Wyda. I will hunt her down, I swear. And when I caught her I will be the only one in possession of the secret formula...

Day 45: We followed her to the region of the femur hills. I do not have the impression she is fleeing, she rather seems to hurry to reach some specific place - if I only knew where and why.

Day 46: I managed to get my best scouts in front of her to set up an ambush. This will be the day of my greatest victory. The fame for the inquisition, the defeat for Zathroth's minions... and the secret formula for ME! I will be the mightiest of all priestlords!

Also this book has a sequel, Inquisitor's log Pt. II:

(This book looks rather old and torn) Inquisitor's log Pt. II

Day 47: Everything seems to be going well. The scouts sent word that the ambush is ready at the Dwarf Bridge. Once all this is over everyone will kneel down in front of ME! With that formula in my hands and Wyda dead I will be the mightiest being ever. Nothing will be in my way, I will crush her and everyone who opposes me.

Day 48: No! No! With inhuman powers she managed to escape to the swamps. She must have a secret hideout somewhere. We have to push and get her. My advisors wanted to retreat. They maundered something of the dangerousness of the swamps and some "dangers" for the troops. Hah! The cowards. I had their heads chopped off and put them on spears. Noone dares to oppose me. We will ride tomorrow at dawn. And when the sun sets I will be amongs the mightiest beings of the kingdom.

-This is the last entry-

As seen, this book is a diary of a fanatical inquisitor. The inquisitor believed that Wyda possessed a formula for a powerful magic potion. In his mission the Inquisitor tracked Wyda to Carlin, and there he found and impaled witches of Wyda’s circle and the Queen was "displeased" with the situation, as the inquisitor said, showing some potential that the Queen has some connection with the witches. They are confirmed witches why the Queen is mad because of get rid of them?

Also, another thing we can see from this book is that Wyda has a certain ability, to mislead many times and defeat the soldiers, she has skills that are at least above average.

Wyda lives in an isolated house in the swamp, that's to where she ran away. And this is some information she can give us:

Wyda: I think it is the fourth year after Queen Eloise's crowning, but I cannot tell you date or time.

The only time reference she has is in relation to Queen Eloise's coronation.

Wyda: Carlin is a beautiful town, but far from here. Do you live there?

She know’s Carlin, which can confirm that she was there in some point.

For some reason she’s looking for Blood Herbs:

The blood herb is very rare. This plant would be very useful for me but I don't know any accessible places where it can be found.

Wyda: A quest? Well, if you're so keen on doing me a favour... Why don't you try to find a blood herb?

Maybe an ingredient for a magic potion?

And in the Bored Witch event you can actually give her a Blood Herb in exchange for a Torn Teddy.

Not far from Wyda's house we see a Blood Herb stuck to a dead tree. And in front a sign that says:

14:49 You see a sign. You read: Blood Herb Presumably the last of its kind in Tibia. Under strict protection by the Royal Council of Carlin.

Wyda is after Blood Herbs, while Carlin keeps a Blood Herb in their care in the Green Claw Swamp near her house, and from observation apparently the Blood Herb has some life force-sucking characteristic.

Near Wyda's house there is a witches' hiding place, and in this hiding place in one of the chests you can find a voodoo doll with the appearance of the King.

<sisters> Wyda: Some sisters of mine are having a meeting nearby. Don't disturb them, or they will get angry and attack you.

And when you ask about voodoo:

<voodoo> Wyda: I don't practice such nonsense, that's just a rumour.

Why would she be lying?

Another thing about Wyda is her admiration for druids:

<sorcerer> Wyda: Sorcerers have forgotten about the root of all beings: nature.

<paladin> Wyda: Paladins can use bows, but no brains.

<Knight> Knights succumb to the blindness of rage and the desire for violence and blood.

<druid> Wyda: Druids are mostly fine people. I'm always happy when I meet one. After all, they are often a bit less prejudiced against my profession.

The druid favoritism, the Blood Herb protected near her house. Did she have any connection with the Carlin druids?

She appears to recognize Queen Eloise, when asked about “time” and on other occasions, but does not recognize King Tibianus, even though there is a voodoo doll of him at the meeting place of the witches she knows, and even being chased by one of the inquisitors in the name of the King.

<queen> Wyda: Eloise is the queen of Carlin. I don't care much about royals as long as they don't try to tax me.

<king> Wyda: There are too many royals on this continent if you ask me...

<Tibianus> Wyda: Haha, that's a stupid name. Who's that?

A funny thing is that she reacts the same way when asked by Ferumbras:

<Ferumbras> Wyda: Haha, that's a stupid name. Who's that?

It's almost as if she wanted to deny their existence, since they are two figures known to everyone, even among NPCs.

She is clearly lying about something, her statements don't make sense. But why she’s lying?

With all these clues, Wyda could be an agent working for Crunor’s Caress and Carlin.

An interesting fact about Wyda is that in his library there is a book written “Wyrd Sisters by Terry P.” which is a direct reference to the TV mini merie called Wyrd Sisters from 1997.

Also when you ask about “granny weatherwax / nanny ogg” she will answer:

<granny weatherwax or nanny ogg> Wyda: I think I've heard that name before...

Granny Watherwax and Nanny Ogg are names of characters present in the series. The show tells the story of 3 witches who set out to protect the baby son of king that was murdered. Does this have any connection to the story? I don’t know, but I thought it would be interesting to mention.

Thos informations are from IMDb - Internet Movie Database.

Another interesting fact to mention is that according to Scots Language Centre, ​​the word Carlin is raleted to carline, and its a disparaging therm for old woman, or witch.
 

ISN’T CARLIN'S WORSHIP OF FAFNAR RELATED TO HER BEING A FEMALE FIGURE?

Well, based on reports from NPCs and Tibia's history, we can say that Fafnar is a goddess who represents evil. So why choose her as the city's goddess?

Bastesh is a goddess, a female figure and represents good, why not Bastesh?

Queen Eloise keep saying that the city worships Crunor, but honestly Fafnar is the opposite, she is the flame that destroys nature. And besides that, her saying that she worships Crunor also doesn't fit with the theory that Carlin just wants to worship a female goddess.

So no, I don't think Carlin's adoration for Fafnar is just because she's a female figure.

CONCLUSION

Just the statues of Fafnar around the city are a concrete proof that there is something strange about this city. Also other facts that can link Carlin to obscure parts of history as well the current events in Tibia, really screams mystery.

Whether it's a coincidence or not, I'll continue investigating and looking for clues about this, this could reveal great secrets behind Tibia's hidden history, and maybe even be connected to other mysteries. 

I hope you enjoyed and became curious when reading my investigation into this mystery, thank you very much for your attention.

And to finish, I’ll let you with a strange line from Queen Eloise:

<Tibia> Queen Eloise: Soon the whole land will be ruled by women at last!