INTRODUCTION

This is second 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.

BLINGSTONHOLD FOR ALL SVIRFNEBLIN

Nowhere in the Underdark you will find such a rich place like Blingstonhold: Marble, granite, iron, coal, alexandrite, greenstone, topaz and more. A perfect place for Deep Brother Callarduran’s People. Our village is complete, with Sanctuary, library, printing press, workshop and anything we need to work on stones and gems. Which is why we defend it with our lives.

Once the svirfneblin were united in Blingstonhold, our stonemasters found a rich cave of marble, greenstone, iron and coal. But someone found it before we did; we disturbed a place of undead zombies, and ice elementals. Why they are there, still remains a mystery. The dwarvens had also found that place. In this strange way, we had contact with the earthkin of Brogendenstein above us.

The sudden contact at first caused bloodshed. They saw us like allied to the drow. Our militia stroke back. One regent, K’ierov, tried in vain to established diplomatic relations and peace. Regent Maël the Healer, could do little: She was busy keeping the drow away. They demanded our loyalty, and that we observed what they considered surface invasion through Blingstonhold.

Any regent was in the delicate situation: Forced to stay on the good foot with our main enemy, the drow, to avoid extermination. Drow demanding we assisted them in their goals: Enslave what they call the lesser races, and raid the Surface. Only when their internal rivalry keep them busy, and they find themselves too weak for the hard work in the mines, we have a fragile peace.

In the times of matron Nives of first house of Udos, Zar’rocc, a treaty was “negotiated” between Merry Weil and Zar’Rocc. Blingstonhold was to contribute to the reconstruction of Udos Dro’Xun. It involved delivery of materials for the constructions of bridges and towers, as well as workers. It was not named slavery. Svirfneblins were not to sabotage the buildings.

On the drow side, Arkonnan Alaundip were responsible for the project. In an addendum to the treaty, probably as a confidential message to our kin, Merry admits its controversial, but on the other hand would give an insight in drow culture. There is a warning, always to be prepared for physical assaults and wear armours.

The year 65, Urdlenite svirfneblin Zabara Crimsonsoul took power in Pit Town. Her insanity became a problem. Elders exiled her, but damage was done. So a treaty of amnesty was signed with first matron Xunmice by the end of 65. Attacks continued, even when we officially, and without enthusiasm, supported the drow Athiuk for regent in Pit Town, like demanded by Zar’Rocc.

Tensions between Blingstonhold and goblins continued in the year 66. Goblins tried to bribe Blingstonhold leaders with gifts, but trust can not be bought with coins. In the year 67, secretly, Blingstonhold leaders traded stones with surfacers. Likewise, an anonymous surfacer produced a map of the area between the Arcane Tower and Cordor Sewers.

In the year 70, a contract was made between Blingstonhold and the first drow house of Zar’Rocc (ambassador Pharyx), that Blingstonhold would stand with the drow against all enemies of the first house. We have ancient quarrels with the kobolds, some clans of the orogs and goblins. Basically, we are on our own. This was the situation when I arrived to Blingstonhold, the year 75.