INTRODUCTION

This is first part of a history of the svirfneblin town Blingstonhold, as told to me, librarian and regent, Fraya Stensamler by Satho Cradfoot, Hectrod, Spora Moleburrow, Amy Silverscales, Doilli Troff, Dalvin Deepstone, Maël the Healer, Heltmanun Scringestone, and many more. And learned from ancient books, internal documents in Blingstonhold, and sources of all sorts, given to me

PRE-HISTORIC TIMES

Ancient lore will know, that the svirfneblins were led underground peacefully by our patron god, Callarduran Smoothhands. He voluntarily led us to the depths as a means of encouraging diversity among the gnomes. Most of us venerate the aforementioned deity primarily, and also the patron deity of all gnomes, Garl Glittergold.

Callarduran remains allied with the rest of the gnome pantheon (with the exception of Urdlen), and has also forged alliances with other deities of the Underdark who share a common interest in working together. His primary enemies are the drow deities, especially Lolth. He opposes deities venerated by evil humanoids, orc and goblin pantheon, illithids, kuo-toa, beholders, et cetera.

Ancient lore tells we fled Blingdenstone when Menzoberranzan-drow marched upon the Dwarven colony, Mithral Hall. A small force entered Blingdenstone and left after discovering it was uninhabited. We helped the Dwarves defeat the drow. Many Svirfneblin died, but the city was reclaimed. A treaty was enacted between Battlehammer and us that would stand for millennia.

FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO URBLEXIS GROND

On Arelith, svirfneblins probably before any other race came here, carved Blingstonhold straight from the rocks. We were like our surface kin are, only with an exceptional fondness and affinity with stonework. Which means, we care little for warfare, only mustering defenses to protect us from drow raiding parties. We dig rock, forming it at our whims and surviving when we need to.

We lived quiet and peaceful, developed a sullen, withdrawn nature. At a time, dwarfs dug into the earth, too deep, and opened a channel to the surface. We could resist the presence of the drow, and the occasional raids. Until tensions between underdark races, living on the surface, and the surface races increased. They were ousted to the Underdark, and took permanent residence.

We tried to hide from these underdarkers. But the number of kobolds, goblins, gnolls and orogs, increased, we could not resist the pressure and assaults. Including from svirfneblin who settled down in Urblexis Grond. Two of them, Narcysia and Felcia once ruled the settlement of halflings and gnomes, Bendir for a while. They did never unite with the svirfneblins of Blingstonhold.

Urblexis Grond was the boiling kettle of these “lesser races”. Grond was ruled by tyrants. One of them was the necromancer Skeflock. A svirfneblin and avowed enemy of the Sunlanders. He is said to have led a strong Grondian force to attack Bendir, and allied with the Drow of Udos in a number of other raids. Others were the Cradfoot brothers.

The drow demanded tribute for Lolth from Grond. And started killing people on the central place for no reasons. This was what another svirfneblin of Grond, Satho Cradfoot recalls as “Bow or die time”. With his brothers, Satho launched a war against the drow, took control of Grond, and kicked them out. But not for long. Orogs took power, betrayed the svirfneblin, and worked for drow.

The svirfneblin finally looked towards Blingstonhold, realizing that a unification were the only way for us. They took coins from Grond to Blingstonhold. The villagers were of course suspicious towards the newcomers. But time healed the wounds, and the Cradfoots became protectors of Blingstonhold. Which was very much needed: Kin were taken as slaves, or killed.

The intent to keep intruders out with violence to some degree was successful. But given the nature of our kin, and the overwhelming number of other races, this in the long run was not a viable path. Blingstonhold agreed to let others come and take our stones and gems, against leaving us alone. Even Satho expressed to me that this was and still is the only viable policy.

When the illithids attacked Urblexis Grond and Udos Dro’xun, the drow dug a tunnel close to the entrance to Blingstonhold (cave of the Sentient Jelly). The illithid drew attention away from us. But they also brought the drow dangerously close to Blingstonhold. The bridge, traditionally the entrance to Blingstonhold, were claimed by the drow. We could but accept that, or expect war.

The Cradfoots tried to interfere in drow policy, working with the drow houses they considered open minded and good for our kin. Weak houses, they would help to come to power. I have to say, this is not the policy of my present regent. I wish no other relations to the drow, than the most necessary to keep them off our back.

The arriving Grond-svirfneblin for a long time kept the reputation of a rather hostile relationship with any surfacers they came across. Unfortunately they brought this with them to Blingstonhold. But former Grond-svirfneblins like Satho even expressed that with time, we would be able to live on the surface, with the surfacers. I feel though, that we belong in the lands given to us by Callurduran.