Dark Under was created when the skravyn were sealed in the tunnels of Nevre. Dark magics seeped out from the sealed portal and creatures in the tunnel were twisted by it. The survivors of Dark Under speak of a darkness darker than black and an oppressive dread. They also say that if you turn around then you may yet survive.

Though most creatures from Dark Under stay below the ground some of them have been seen above the surface. The noxious flyers periodically fly out in small numbers, and every hundred years or so a flight of hundreds razes the surrounding landscape. Gaseous tendrils, gas sacs with tentacles that range from small floating balls to giant lumbering bags of flesh that can no longer float have been known to terrorize small towns. Skittering creepers have replaced many large insects on the surface of Nevre.

In the deeps of the Forest of the Elves, where not even the elves go, the skittering creepers have taken a niche as the apex predator. Every few decades the elves have to push them back or risk the forest being overtaken. The skittering creepers that still live in Dark Under are much more fearsome than their surface brethren. Few have escaped alive from encountering these roaming packs.

– Excerpt from the works of Jergolt, The Scholar

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[Note: Chapters 1-3 are in the archives under “Fractured Mountains”.]

Draveth was about to take his first step out of Galta in years, and knew he wouldn’t be returning soon. It was a strange feeling to leave the village, but it wasn’t overwhelming. He was stepping from somewhere that he knew everyone and everyone knew him and into a world full of strangers. His mind started wandering to memories of the kindness of people in the village. Continue reading →

Gaem helped set up camp as well as he could in his ferret form. This mostly consisted of collecting firewood. When the others started assigning watches for the night he volunteered for the first watch, and if Dreekt didn’t show up in time he would take the second watch as well. He settled outside the warmth of the fire so he wouldn’t fall asleep, and transformed into his humanoid form. He waited to do this until the sound around the fire had settled down. He pulled the humanoid armor from his pack and put it on. Alongside this armor were plates that would go onto his back in his animal form. He stood for a while, a jagged, two handed katana strapped to his back. His skin was red and white patched just like his fur had been, and his hair had the same colors. It took him almost ten minutes to realize that he couldn’t hear his companions breathing by the fire. At the same time as he made this revelation Dreekt ran around a bend and came into sight. Continue reading →

Dreekt and Kreet were both born in the outskirts of Rentaz, the Capitol of Zentar. Being siblings they knew the same people and being skravyn most of the people they knew didn’t like them.

Worst of all were the humans. It seemed like most all of them went out of their way to verbally assault skravyn. Especially children. They did know some great humans who cared just as much for them as they did their own children, but as they got older fewer nice humans noticed them.

About the time they were full-grown (the age of 14 for skravyn) they didn’t notice any good in humans. They knew it was there because they had witnessed it, but it became harder for them to believe it.

One day their parents caught wind of a prophecy. Dark Under was set to attack Rentaz through The Cave. They didn’t tell their children anything specific but said Dark Under forces were amassing. Overik was far from any Dark Under entrances so it would be safe they thought.

Dreekt and Kreet never made it to Overik however as they left the boat at different stops along the river. Something was calling them north, and Dreekt knew he would never go to Overik. Kreet disillusioned herself that she would go with their parents but at the stop after she left the boat, planning to meet up with Dreekt.