Latest revision as of 18:08, 16 February 2022

Author: Adelyn Belle'rose

Rozen Chalice Publishing, a division of East Arelith Trading

Original Publication: 175 AR

"The Arelith Antiquarian Society is instituted to examine, preserve, and publish all antiquities as connected with the art, language, literature, and history of the Arelith Archipelago. Articles bearing this notation have been selected for conservation regardless of race, faith, alignment, or affiliation. While all efforts have been made to ensure the information within is accurate regarding the subject matter covered, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies herein, whether such errors or omissions are the result of negligence, accident, or any other cause. If any such errors, inaccuracies, or omissions are discovered please contact the author who will address the issue."

FOREWORD

I have found the Underdark of Arelith to be as mystifying as it is vast. With an intricate history to challenge that of any surface location, even I have found it vexing to accurately record every alteration that has occurred within this sunless domain. Therefore, I have chosen to compile this chronicle of the Underdark's major events so, at the very least, one might better understand the realm's current landscape and the explanations for its development.

I. ANTIQUITY

- Izlude's Torment - From a time unknown the Mind Flyers, also known as Illithid, of the Izlude's Torment colony have ruled a large subterranean kingdom in the deepest part of the Lowerdark. This hidden kingdom, reachable only via a tunnel complex known as 'The Vault,' continues to remain the Underdark's greatest menace. While little is understood about this particular settlement, we can conclude it is similar in construction to the Mind's Eye colony currently reachable from Arelith's Lowerdark. From our understanding of the Illithid society, we can hypothesize that an Ulitharid from Izlude's Torment likely established the Mind's Eye colony. This theory of course is speculation on the author's part, though one not without its merits.

- The City of Splendors - The Shadow Dragon Mllikiek'zztts was recorded to have ruled over a city of splendors in the deep Lowerdark as described below from Ilmeth's Report:

"In ancient times, before Udos and Grond, a city of splendor gleamed in the night like a jeweled heart. It was a dark place, a brooding place. However it was beautiful in its darkness. The shades of shadow were like various curtains of non-light in the city. It was ruled by a shadow dragon named Mallikiek'zztts and her disciples were part shadow and part corporal."

The city would eventually grow decadent as the dragon's enemies grew in power and wormed their way into positions of influence. As a result, Mallikiek'zztts would ultimately be betrayed from within. This internal strife would destroy the city and lead to the dragon's banishment, with her remaining loyalists fleeing into the plane of shadow.

II. FALL OF TOLLIDOR

The town of Tollidor was brutally assaulted by the Mind Flayers of Izlude's Torment some 440 years before the founding of Urblexis Grond. The Illithids used slaves and Umber Hulks to rupture the earth benight the town, collapsing the settlement and dropping all its inhabitants into the Underdark. While most died in the event, those that survived were quickly enslaved.

Either by design or poor planning, the city of Tollidor collapsed atop the singular regional ingress point to a major junction of various caverns in the deep Lowerdark known locally as 'The Vault.'

While now mostly forgotten, the ruins of Tollidor remain near the current outpost of Saltspar, adjacent to the Crinti-occupied ruins of Elg'Nizrul, opposite the Great Scar from the city of Andunor. If visited one may still locate evidence of the island's past, including the sealed entrance to the subterranean 'The Vault' complex.

III. THE VAULT

At some point in the millennia before 'The Cataclysm,' House Freth and House Claddath were exiled from Udos Dro'Xun after being declared renegade by the city at large, presumably due to non-conformity with the Temple of Lloth's orthodoxy. The two Houses, on conditions and terms of their exile, resettled into opposing facilities constructed within a large cavern dubbed 'The Vault.' From within this cavity the primary entrance to the deep Lowerdark was situated and secured by the construction of a massive gate sealed with two great locks. This cavern complex was only reachable via a straight descent of several hundred meters from an entrance located in the fallen city of Tollidor.

Each of the Exile Houses possessed keys to only one of the gate's locks, and in their state of hostility with the Underdark at large and active war with each other, it was believed that both locks of the Vault's Seal would never be opened. Thus, the grave danger posed by the Mind Flayers of Izlude's Torment would be kept contained.

IV. PRE-CATACLYSM UNDERDARK

- Udos Dro'Xun - The pinnacle of the Spider Queen's supremacy in Arelith, Udos Dro'Xun was constructed atop a sprawl of towering stone pillars straddling a huge subterranean abyss. Interconnected with suspension bridges and breathtaking architecture, the city served as the heart of regional drow culture under a rigid, dogmatic Lolthite orthodoxy. It is believed that geographic and religious inflexibility contributed significantly, if indirectly, to its inevitable collapse. While the settlement would boast many landmarks of renown, the great magical clock tower, Temple of Lloth, and city gates inscribed with the Laws of Lloth were the most notable.

- Urblexis Grond - The settlement of Urblexis Grond was founded by refugees following 'The Great Banishment' of 20 AR. An event that forced the various monstrous races of the surface to be driven into the Underdark. While little is written of the city's architecture, copious records of the settlement's achievements remain. Of these accounts, those of the renowned svirfneblin Skeflock, first to hold the title of Tyrant over territory after being elected in 29 AR, and of the famed Oogooboogoo goblin clans formation are most significant.

- Bonefields & Obsidian Asylum - Hundreds of years before its discovery in 30 AR by Urblexis Grond forces, the liches Jhaerem and Mohrk would spend half a millennium whittling away their tedium playing 'Blue Orbs' in the area known today as the Bonefields. In this game, two blue orbs were placed at opposite ends of a giant cavern to be fought over by undead armies. The magics in the orbs compelling the undead to defend them. Now just a barren field of bones, the Blue Orbs have weakened to be nearly harmless over eons.

For whatever reasons, the pair eventually grew tired of this game and relocated to the deep Lowerdark beneath 'The Vault.' Before departing however, they constructed the Obsidian Asylum near their preferred playground. This bastion of complex conundrums continues to tempt the courageous and desperate alike with its promises of forbidden knowledge. A fitting memento from a pair known to enjoy such sadistic games.

V. PRE-CATACLYSM ERA EVENTS

- The Dark Bazaar: 33 AR - A great trade fair to improve relations between the two settlements was held in Udos Dro'Xun by the Urblexis Grond Trade Guild.

- Grondian & Wharftown War: 35 AR -

Skeflock, The Tyrant of Urblexis Grond, sent an army to siege Wharftown. Bendir's Captain Biad Scheppen would launch a counterattack, forcing the svirneblin's army to retreat into the Underdark.

- Battle of Gambler's Bluff: 35 AR - A large Underdark army, led by Skeflock the svirfneblin Tyrant of Urblexis Grond, seized the small palisade fort on Gambler's Bluff for nearly a week in an attempt to create a surface outpost. The Underdark force eventually withdrew after repeated counterattacks from a Cordorian coalition army.

- Mllikiek'zztts Revenge: 39 AR - The Shadow Dragon Mllikiek'zztts, disguised as the gnome Zedeln, aids a traitorous drow in building a golem army to destroy the Lloth controlled city of Udos Dro'Xun and install a Sorcery led government. However, the plot is uncovered by the Urblexis Grond Tyrant Skeflock. Working together with the First Ilharess Ulath'Taller, the two settlements confront and defeat the threat.

- Second Grondian War: 42 AR - The drow Matron Oblodra Dra'Kaa declares war against Urblexis Grond after tensions between the two settlements boil over. As the war progresses with no end in sight Murag, who replaced Skeflock as Tyrant of Urblexis Grond prior to the conflict, resigns and the kobold Orn Gixi comes to power. The conflict quickly ends with Urblexis' surrender and vassalage to Udos Dro'Xun. A rebellion, led by the newly elected Tyrant svirfneblin Satho Cradfoot, rises to free the city from drow control. Hostilities again resume as the uprising takes hold. In response, a large force from Udo Dro'Xun assaults the city, forcing their way inside the gates after a bloody battle against the rebels to ransack the settlement and put down the city's revolt. Regardless of the victory, political turmoil within the drow city of Udos Dro'Xun, mixed with the population's general fatigue over the conflict, leads to a truce between the drow houses and the insurgents. Unfortunately for Urblexis Grond, the agreement did little to change the settlement's subjugation to the drow, only managing to end the bloodshed. Afterward, the rebel leader Satho Cradfoot and close allies were exiled from the settlement for their part in the revolt following the next election.

- Baator's Awakening: 53 AR - The First Matron of Udos Dro'Xun, Oblodra of House Drak'aa, mobilized a combined force to breach eight scattered gateways leading to the realm of Baator. Her plan to infiltrate the Nine Hells and seal the ways was sabotaged from within by the kobolds Vippin and Orn Gixi, who instead desired the gates remain open. The Matron's attempt ultimately failed as a result.

VI. THE CATACLYSM

In a deliberate act of war and prelude to future invasions the Illithid of Izlude's Torment, sited within the deep Lowerdark, launched a massive psionic attack against the settlements of Urblexis Grond and Udos Dro'xun in 61 AR damaging both cities. Great tremors would pummel the Underdark from this event, destroying or modifying many passages and caverns. The attack would also weaken the great gate located within 'The Vault,' which helped contain their threat.

VII. POST-CATACLYSM UNDERDARK

- Pit Town - After the collapse of the Underdark's two major settlements, survivors would gather in the 'Pit of a Thousand Sorrows' after the discovery of a latent anti-psionic anomaly in the area. With help from others, a drow mage managed to establish an advanced psionic shield, further protecting the region. A curious side effect of the area's ward would make any attempt to harm another within the settlement impossible. Refugees soon immigrated to the newly formed town with the Nineth Tyrant of Urblexis Grond, Vippin, claiming the title of Regent to become the first elected leader in 62 AR.

- Udos Dro'Xun Ruins - A large number of drow would return to the ruins of the settlement to rebuild their lost empire. While never returning the city to its former glory, they did achieve a reasonable level of success in the endeavor.

- Urblexis Grond Ruins - The goblin clan Oogooboogoo returns to the former settlement in an attempt to build a new realm among the ruins. They met with far less success than their drow counterparts.

- Foundation of Blingstonhold - After 'The Cataclysm,' the deep gnome Permistone would lead the svirfneblin survivors from Urblexis Grond to the entrance of Blingstonhold which had been uncovered by the shifting of the Underdark's tunnels to establish a new settlement in 62 AR. This haven for the deep gnomes would be later renamed 'The Great Grotto' in more modern times.

VIII. POST-CATACLYSM ERA EVENTS

- Pit Town & Udos War: 76 AR - Udos Dro'Xun and Pit Town enter into a conflict that results in the fall of the drow House Zar'Rocc.

- Udos & Blingstonhold Wars: 78 AR - In a campaign to secure total control of the Underdark, the drow of Udos Dro'Xun moved to subjugate the various settlements in the area. This doctrine would lead to the First and Second War between Udos Dro'xun and Blingstonhold. However, the diplomatic maneuvers of Fraya Stensamler, Regent of Blingstonhold, resulted in armistices being signed to end both conflicts.

- The Almost War: 79 AR - The Ust'ilharess of Udos again gave an ultimatum to Blingstonhold to surrender or be destroyed. The Regent Fraya once again avoids conflict through successful diplomacy. However, the near war spurs the Regent into enacting a plan to secure Blingstonhold by destroying the cave entrance, which allowed unrestricted access to the settlement. The strategy was carried out by Fraya Stensamler using explosives gathered from Pit Town. While the plan was a success in securing Blingstonhold for svirfneblins, now only reachable via a magical portal, the political fallout resulted in Fraya stepping down as Regent. She would later dedicate her life to the Library of Andunor after the city's founding.

IX. THE DELUGE

In a catastrophic event, believed to have been caused by a migrating brood of aboleths, floodwaters from the deep rose to swallow the Lowerdark around 96 AR. The settlements of Udos Dro'Xun, Urblexis Grond, and Pit Town are wholly submerged and lost. The denizens of the Underdark migrate up, away from the nearing danger to the higher ground of the Middledark. The noble House's Freth and Claddath evacuate 'The Vault' after sealing its Tollidor entrance and trapping the Mind Flayers of Izlude's Torment to a likely death below. Just as abruptly, the floodwaters receded after permanently altering the Underdark's landscape. To this day evidence of the event can be observed in the various waterlogged passageways and great subterranean aqueducts that grant access to surface oceans for seafaring vessels.

X. MODERN UNDERDARK

- Andunor - Following 'The Deluge,' refugees journeyed with the remnants of Houses Freth and Claddath through the twisting caverns of Arelith to establish a new city in 96 AR. It is decided the settlement would be a trade city open to all, from which relations with the surface could be tempered. This commerce epicenter would be under the direct control of the mysterious 'Hub Master' and his independent Peacekeepers, both of which are detached from the Underdark's politics with a focus on trade and profit. To better accommodate the many diverse races now forced into cohabitation, which now included outcasts fleeing prosecution on the surface, the city was separated into districts around this central trade hub.

    *Devil's Table*

The demonologists of House Freth chose to establish themselves as the de facto rulers of the Devil's Table District, allowing the local citizens the ability to elect their leaders under their oversight. This District would boast the city's Colosseum and Library.

    *Sharps*

In counter, the flesh crafters of House Claddath install themselves as the rulers of the Sharps District, also allowing the local citizens the ability to elect their leaders. Their District would host the Bank of Andunor, Orge Caves, and Communal Caves.

    *Greyport*

Construction of the port area was completed in 137 AR with the addition of an embassy. This building would mark the first time a foreign power had taken an interest in the affairs of Andunor. Later in 152 AR Greyport would officially become its own District, holding its first elections. The District would see massive renovations in 172 AR, which included the construction of the 'Red Tower.'

    *Boral Keep*

Construction on Boreal Keep was completed in 141 AR, making it the new center for the Underdark's arcane learning. The Erudite Arcanum would soon grow to rival the Arcane Tower in knowledge, allowing its students unrestricted access to studies forbidden elsewhere.

- Treadstone locks - Treadstone Locks, known before as the Underdark Shipyard, sees major reconstruction with the addition of shops, a tenement building, private homes, and a portal in 141 AR. While not as refined as other districts, the area lacks direct control from any authority, thus removing the worry of expulsion from its residents.

- Trade Post - The Ogre Fist Trading Company established a new Trading Post within the Upperdark around 141 AR. While small, it offers its residents greater access to the surface and freedom from Andunor's oversight.

- Saltspar - After undergoing massive reconstruction thanks to the monetary donations of the local citizens, the former small outpost became a significant holding of Andunor and was renamed 'Saltspar' in 168 AR.

XI. MODERN ERA EVENTS

- Minmir & Andunor War: 98 AR - Dread Lord Vistigor Torkill, of the Minmir Church of Bane, attempts to secure control over the Sharps District through voter manipulation of a forthcoming election. His plan is exposed and contested by Matron Va'sarra of House Xun'viir. The two factions collide in a colossal battle within Andunor's Hub. Upon its conclusion, the Drow forces held the field and the Banites withdrew from the Underdark settlement.

- Setting An Example: 117 AR - After an assault of a legionnaire by the blue wyrm Zeshyrr'kalik'straza, Rosenkranz III leader of the Second Dominion, marched his army to Andunor where they crucified the High Priest of the offending faction in the middle of the Hub. The one to hammer the nails in was none other than the famed 'Witch of Lies' Sydney Harrow, having recently just arrived on the island.

- First Illithid War: 126 AR - In an echo of the past, House Freth and Claddath face off against each other in an ever-increasing arms race. Several minor skirmishes break out between their forces as Peacekeeper presence in the Hub doubles. Civil war appears imminent until scouts from the Iron Order of Elven Death bring word that floodwaters have receded, revealing the ruins of Udos Dro'Xun. Arakh, Son of Mog and leader of the Sharps District, spearheads an investigation. Upon arrival, they find forces from House Freth and Claddath decimating each other in a significant battle over control of the ruins. When the dust settles, the group discovers Illithids from the Izlude's Torment colony sifting over the remains.

The Great Threat from the 'The Vault' has returned.

Throughout events, it was discovered that the current Elder Brain of the colony was a young one, as the previous Elder Brain is believed to have perished in the 'Deluge' which flooded the deep Lowerdark. After defeating a psionic projection of this younger Illithid Elder Brain, Princess May'riina Xun'viir recovers a crystalline splinter which she later fashions into a device known as the 'Mind Shard.' With this significant threat returned, the Houses of Freth and Claddath de-escalated their conflict to defend the city. No further contact was made with the Mind Flayer colony until the Second Illithid War.

- Brogendenstein/Andunor War: 142 AR - The final years of Thane Ghestaldt's rule over Brogendenstein was marked with open war against the Cyric Vance Gravelle operating out of Andunor as Tyrant of the Sharps District. Several campaigns were fought during the breath of the conflict, with Brogendenstein suffering a defeat at the Battle of Minmir Bridge, but ultimately claiming victory as Vance Gravelle's surface efforts were halted. A later assault on Andunor by a dwarven army successfully ended the war in Brogendenstein's favor.

- The Battle of Minmir Falls: 159 AR - A large Underdark Warband led by 'The Witch of Lies' Sydney Harrow engaged a Surface force led by Myon's Coronal Anaria Liamytholen in the high grounds around the Nexus Falls portal. The battle ended in a victory for the Underdark Warband, which withdrew to Treadstone with many prisoners, including Myon's Coronal Anaria Liamytholen and Lord Zathlan Fen'ar.

- Second Illithid War: 160 AR - A massive flotilla of duergar ships arrive in Greyport carrying The Seventh Legion of Gracklstugh with the intent to assault the Illithid of Izlude's Torment. Before any campaign could be launched an invisible Psionic Resonance consumes Andunor, forcing the city into chaos as the settlement's inhabitant's minds are seized, altered, or destroyed. After this opening assault, a significant attack on Andunor's Northern Gate occurs. Creatures of all kinds, mentally dominated by the Mind Flayers, throw themselves upon the city's defenses. This attack is repelled by the combined efforts of the defenders.

Keeper May'riina of the Arcanum, a survivor of the First Illithid War, develops a series of Resonance Dampening devices that are placed in all the key Districts.

Mind Flayers later assaulted Greyport and the Devil's Table under the control of a 'Think Tank.' An Illithid brain suspended in containment and psychically directing the battle. However, no other encounters occur after these, leading to an end to the Second War.

Vance Gravelle, a former Tyrant of the Sharps District, returns the 'Mind Shard' to Keeper May'riina which was stolen decades ago after the First Illithid War.

- Skull Crag Schism: 167 AR - The Ogre Elder Ikarus of Andunor gathers a Warband to fight a war against the settlement of Guldorand in defense of the Skull Craig Ogre tribes. This campaign would last several years until a peace accord was signed in 169 AR.

AFTERWARD

Thus with the above, this chronicle comes to its conclusion. While direct in the telling, I am confident its simplicity will allow readers a more comprehensive range of enjoyment while still providing a baseline for understanding the often-confusing past of the Underdark.

FIN

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• Book(s):

[1] May'riina Shri'isstra, "First Illithid War with Andunor"

[2] May'riina Shri'isstra, "Second Illithid War with Andunor"

[3] May'riina Shri'isstra, "History of House Xun'viir Part 1: Founding"

[4] Sydney Harrow, "The Underdark: Eras of Upheaval"

[5] Ilmeth, "Report on Mllikiek'zztts"

[6] Bel'qualyn, "Research Notes on Mllikiek'zztts"

[7] Freya Stensamler, "Blingstonhold - Udo Dro'Xun Crisis"

[8] Nives Zar'Rocc, "Nives: The chaotic Family tree"

[9] Allie Lightfoot, "The Battle of Broken Dreams"

[10] Elidyr Hithlain , "The Battle of Minmir Falls, and Capture of Coronal Anaria Liamytholen & The Lord Zathlan Fen'ar"

[11] Adelyn Belle'rose, "Arelith: Skull Crag Schism"

[12] Adelyn Belle'rose, "Arelith: The Second Dominion"

[13] Unknown, "Urblexis-Udos War"

[14] Unknown, "Baator's Awakening"

[15] Unknown, "The Fall of Tollidor"

[16] Unknown, "The Cataclysm"

[17] Unknown, "The Cataclysm of the Underdark"

[18] Unknown, "The Seize of Gambler's Bluff"

[19] Unknown, "The Seize of the Bandit Lair"

[20] Unknown, "History of Blingstonhold"

• Written Record(s):

[1] Azaria, "Assault on Grond"

[2] First House Xymox, "Edict from the First Matron"

[3] Skeflock, "The Dark Bazaar"

• Interview(s):

[1] Alirios Freth

[2] Sydney Harrow

[3] The Sentient Jelly

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

[The modest portrait of a young vermilion-haired lady with pallid flesh is positioned next to the paragraph below. Her emerald gaze looks intently at the reader, betraying the aspect's alluring facade with callous indifference. The suggestion of a predatory smile appears hidden within the corners of full upturned lips.]

"The Vampire Adelyn Belle'rose has been charming readers with her historical works upon the island of Arelith for years. As the former curator of the Cordor's Museum, she helped bring the past to life through exhibits and displays. Later, as a member of Andunor's Erudite Arcanum, she would lead the research team to investigate Shadow Wharftown's Third Iteration. Through the founding of the Arelith Antiquarian Society and the East Arelith Trading Company, she continues to advocate for the preservation of knowledge across the archipelago."