Difference between revisions of "Azdun"

'''Azdun''' is a dungeon within the [[Dakhota Hills]], discovered by the [[serpent]] '''Azhrarn''' in 190 AF. It is located below the courtyard of a ruined castle and accessed via descent through a hidden well.

Azhrarn Amaratha (born [[Aeguary]] 6, 166 AF) is the [[adventurer]] responsible for the discovery of this area. While wandering through the [[Dakhota Hills]], Azhrarn chanced upon the heretofore unnoticed ruins of an old castle. Upon descending through a decrepit well in the courtyard nearby, he stumbled across a mining operation headed by [[goblins]]. Though the goblins chased him relentlessly, he found a sanctuary in which to catch his breath. Azhrarn was largely scoffed at by [[Sapience]] upon the revelation of his discovery; his tale did not gain credence until [[Sarapis]] Himself made a public [[news]] post that lauded the [[Serpent's|Serpent]] bravery and encouraged all to follow his example.  

The upper level of Azdun is the original area scouted by Azhrarn and was all that was known of the dungeon for the first twelve years following its discovery.

The west wing of the upper level of Azdun plays host to a massive goblin mining operation, complete with an on-site smithy. Those who come to work here dwell in a [[goblin village]] up above ground. It seems to be that, no matter what the history was between the goblins and [[Lachesis]] and her minions, the two factions have struck up a peace of sorts.

Holding dominion over the '''Forest of Webs''', a network of crisscrossing spiderwebs, is Lachesis, the [[Tsol'teth]] Spider Queen, who also rules over the entirety of the upper level of Azdun. Her [[spiders|spider]] minions accompany her here at one of the Tsol'teth bases of operations during their battles with the goblinoid races of Khazadmakan. Nearby, at the bottom of a pit, resides a strange, [[big-mouthed statue]].

Additionally, there is a long-forgotten library on the first level of Azdun, the '''Library of the Ancients''', that is linked to [[Lorielan]], Goddess of Knowledge. It is located in the southeastern corner of the dungeon and is guarded by [[Candlemas]], Last of the [[Lorewardens]]. The Library is the first and oldest feature of Azdun, and it is also here that Azhrarn sought sanctuary when he first discovered the dungeon in 190 AF.

Discovered in 212 AF, the lower level of Azdun is a dangerous place indeed. On this level lurks [[Xylthus]], the Outcast - once known as Lord [[Luxsyth]], son of the Countess [[Belladona]] and the vampire lord [[Zsarachnor]].

To the northeast lies the '''[[Underground Forest]]''' of Azdun. A river known as the Unicorn Run flows through this area, over which is built the aptly-named Unicorn Bridge. On the cavernous ceiling above is seated a magical portal through which sunlight streams, allowing the plants therein to photosynthesise as per normal.

Living (and unliving) creatures run the gamut in the Underground Forest. Among the more unpleasant things to be found here are [[Choke Creepers|choke creepers]] and [[:category:vampires|vampires]]. Also of note is a [[Hill Giants|hill giant]], as well as [[Faun]], the forest [[Satyrs|Satyr]]. A hidden [[fairies|faerie]] village is located here as well, though its faerie inhabitants usually hide within their homes and out of sight of any giant adventurers that might lumber by. The monstrous insect known as the [[ankheg]] dwells here, too. Naturally, the standard creatures you would find in any forest also make their homes here, such as rabbits, elk, and bears.

The Underground Forest was not always underground. In the wake of the [[War of Humanity]], when this forest still enjoyed the fruits of the surface world, there lived a [[Tsol'aa]] named [[Darnashta'i]]. At this time, many people were wary of [[humans]], as they had been prophesied to inherit the land. Darnashta'i shared in this sentiment. As a Tsol'aa, he had been pushed further and further into the forests as humans expanded more and more.

While most had simply accepted their fate, Darnashta'i wished to excise the blight of humanity from Sapience, eventually turning to arcane rituals to summon a hideous [[demons|demon]] lord, the [[Wyrm of Worlds]], from the [[Netherworld]]. This demon was so powerful as to never be under threat of domination by Darnashta'i, but play along the Wyrm did anyway. Darnashta'i presented his plea to free the forest of humans, which the demon granted. The demon produced a dark mist that stole the souls of the humans, transforming them into hideous, screaming haunts and spectres. The mist then proceeded to turn on the Tsol'aa as well, much to the horror of Darnashta'i.

But the demon was not yet done fulfilling the task asked of him. He raised his hands and uttered a chant that ripped the forest from the earth and placed it in a large subterranean cavern. Naturally, this drew the attention of [[Gaia]], the Goddess of Nature. She appeared before him, but, ignorant of the powers Dieties wield, the Wyrm was not impressed and warned Her not to intervene. Angered, She bound him in a cocoon of energy and turned to Darnashta'i, who begged for forgiveness at Her feet. This She granted him. Sensing a slight weakening of the cocoon, the demon secreted into the Goddess' essence a seed of his own hatred, paranoia, and arrogance. Gaia, unaware of this, turned then to the demon and sentenced him to an eternity without physical form, save for a writhing [[wyrms|wyrm]] statue of Her design. To Darnashta'i, She granted the gift of immortality so that he might watch over the statue unto eternity. Meanwhile, the Wyrm's seed festered silently within the Goddess, taking effect many years later in the form of [[Gaia's betrayal]].

In the northwest, one can find the fortress known as '''Khazadmakan''', which houses [[goblins]], [[hobgoblins]], and other belligerent creatures. This was the last stronghold of the goblinoid races in their struggle against the [[Tsol'teth]] forces of [[Lachesis]].

South of Khazadmakan, the '''Graveyard''' looms. Filled with [[zombies]], [[ghasts]], [[wights]], and [[:category:vampires|vampires]], it is quite the deadly place. Even worse, below it lies the crypt where [[Zsarachnor]], general of Prince [[Slith]] during the War of Humanity, makes his eternal home. It is at the west end of this crypt that the nefarious [[gargoyles|gargoyle]] was discovered, in reality a traitorous being trapped in stone by the [[Atavian shaman]] of [[Genji]]. The gargoyle was slain by the gold Gragon '''Garth'''.