Post by The Storyteller on Feb 11, 2015 8:09:11 GMT
What is the Hollow Earth?
The Hollow Earth is the great subterranean maze running beneath the Land. It can be accessed through various caves and crevices in most major regions, and the tunnels reputedly run as deep as the core. Legend has it the maze was dug by ancient dragons to hide secret treasures, but the only drgons drow have encountered are more dumb animal than immortal trickster.
Who lives down there?
The only known sentient occupants are the Firstborn, having fled the surface to escape the mad spirits of the surface. However, there are also...
* The Vriskae, a species of semi-telepathic insects that have colonies scattered throught the tunnels. Individually, a Vriska is no threat at only a meter across, and half a meter tall, but a single alarmed scarab can alerts its brethren through any of its nearby brethren, which can number from dozens into the hundreds. Vriskae typically feed on the lichen and the dead, but will turn their sights on the living if they feel threatened. They are often used as an easy means to dispose of the dead.
* Dragons. They are much smaller than their surface brethren, and don't breathe fire, but often spew a sort of acid that normally assists it in digging tunnels and defending themsels.
* Aetherian explorers from above. Rare, but sometimes the Hollow Earth recieves visitors. Still, they typically get lost and die of starvation, or are found and die of something much quicker.
How does one survive in the Hollow Earth?
Typically, you don't. The Firstborn had access to powerful rune magic when they fled the surface. Without the ability to create light and heat, summon water, keep the air fresh, and shape homes, the Firstborn would have died out very quickly. Even then, the more complex runes, such as those directly effecting life force, are all that prevents most of the population from succumbing to disease and starvation.
Major Settlements in the Hollow Earth
There is only one proper city, and that is Drowheim. Drowheim originally meant 'Dark home', not 'Home of the drow', but younger generations simply picked it up through the generations. This is why 'drow' is synonymous with Firstborn today. The Assembly is typically held here. Lord Hel'thor himself resides in Drowheim.
Outside Drowheim, there are a multitude of smaller townships. Any thriving township can be recognized by the Assembly, but it must first acknowledge both the authority of the Assembly and its own Eldest member. Due to the harsh unofficial caste system of drow society, in which only the wealthiest can afford proper healing services and only the eldest can hold political power, it is not uncommon for the Eldest of one toewnship to find themselves relying on another for support in politics.
Noteworthy townships include Brightfalls (directly beneath Camlann), Hearthfire, and Bastion. Players are expected to have strong connections to Brightfalls, either through the patronage of Lady Mar'samah, or more personal ties.
Other Interesting Locations
The Great Dragon-Between Brightfalls and Drowheim, explorers uncovered the remains of a dragon so massive, it would have to curl in a fetal position to fit inside the cavern housing Drowheim. Scholars love arguing when it lived, how it grew so big, and occassionally, how it died.
The Whispering Catacombs-Scattered throughout the world are clearly marked caverns covered in runes unknown to modern elves. Whenever one is discovered in the Hollow Earth, the Assembly assigns a small trusted group of warriors to guard them. Noone ever actually enters them, even Assembly members, and all Assembly members are prohibited from ever discussing what is believe to be inside. The name 'Whispering Catacombs' is inspired by the curious sounds occassionally heard emanating them. There are many folk tales and songs suggesting everything from secret camps for dissidents to asylums for Aether spirits.
The Hollow Earth is the great subterranean maze running beneath the Land. It can be accessed through various caves and crevices in most major regions, and the tunnels reputedly run as deep as the core. Legend has it the maze was dug by ancient dragons to hide secret treasures, but the only drgons drow have encountered are more dumb animal than immortal trickster.
Who lives down there?
The only known sentient occupants are the Firstborn, having fled the surface to escape the mad spirits of the surface. However, there are also...
* The Vriskae, a species of semi-telepathic insects that have colonies scattered throught the tunnels. Individually, a Vriska is no threat at only a meter across, and half a meter tall, but a single alarmed scarab can alerts its brethren through any of its nearby brethren, which can number from dozens into the hundreds. Vriskae typically feed on the lichen and the dead, but will turn their sights on the living if they feel threatened. They are often used as an easy means to dispose of the dead.
* Dragons. They are much smaller than their surface brethren, and don't breathe fire, but often spew a sort of acid that normally assists it in digging tunnels and defending themsels.
* Aetherian explorers from above. Rare, but sometimes the Hollow Earth recieves visitors. Still, they typically get lost and die of starvation, or are found and die of something much quicker.
How does one survive in the Hollow Earth?
Typically, you don't. The Firstborn had access to powerful rune magic when they fled the surface. Without the ability to create light and heat, summon water, keep the air fresh, and shape homes, the Firstborn would have died out very quickly. Even then, the more complex runes, such as those directly effecting life force, are all that prevents most of the population from succumbing to disease and starvation.
Major Settlements in the Hollow Earth
There is only one proper city, and that is Drowheim. Drowheim originally meant 'Dark home', not 'Home of the drow', but younger generations simply picked it up through the generations. This is why 'drow' is synonymous with Firstborn today. The Assembly is typically held here. Lord Hel'thor himself resides in Drowheim.
Outside Drowheim, there are a multitude of smaller townships. Any thriving township can be recognized by the Assembly, but it must first acknowledge both the authority of the Assembly and its own Eldest member. Due to the harsh unofficial caste system of drow society, in which only the wealthiest can afford proper healing services and only the eldest can hold political power, it is not uncommon for the Eldest of one toewnship to find themselves relying on another for support in politics.
Noteworthy townships include Brightfalls (directly beneath Camlann), Hearthfire, and Bastion. Players are expected to have strong connections to Brightfalls, either through the patronage of Lady Mar'samah, or more personal ties.
Other Interesting Locations
The Great Dragon-Between Brightfalls and Drowheim, explorers uncovered the remains of a dragon so massive, it would have to curl in a fetal position to fit inside the cavern housing Drowheim. Scholars love arguing when it lived, how it grew so big, and occassionally, how it died.
The Whispering Catacombs-Scattered throughout the world are clearly marked caverns covered in runes unknown to modern elves. Whenever one is discovered in the Hollow Earth, the Assembly assigns a small trusted group of warriors to guard them. Noone ever actually enters them, even Assembly members, and all Assembly members are prohibited from ever discussing what is believe to be inside. The name 'Whispering Catacombs' is inspired by the curious sounds occassionally heard emanating them. There are many folk tales and songs suggesting everything from secret camps for dissidents to asylums for Aether spirits.