Craduili

Stretching a forty day journey by foot, great crags enclosing the Suraba rose over the horizon. Rising far into the clouds, drakes made their roosts in the deeo crags. Obscured peaks draw the constant water that feeds the deep lakes and rivers pouring across the continent. For generations, the Suraba was seen as the origin of life. Fauna and flora adapted to the protected environment. The lush foliage drew on the minerals pulled from the depths. With overwhelming wealth, struggle for dominion arose among the creatures that sought its possession.
Ka’ada’gok was the ancient name of the Suraba, given by the inhuman, nomadic tribes. Generations of lower-common tribes roved through the lush ravine populated with vegetation accustomed to minimal sunlight. Flowers that blossomed under the loose canopy of trees were painted in deep crimson. These flowers, the kayatxi’gok, served as an omen to the chasm dwellers. For the inhuman tribes, these seeds sprouted from the veins of the world serving as both a symbol of life and death.
Pestilence of the eastern woodland pushed woodland elves into the chasm. Fruits sprang from the ground as the pressed northward. They gave this land the name Teblalath, as refuge and bearer of gifts. But the Suraba was not a peaceful place. Drakes scoured overhead as the elves struggled against the flooding waters. For a generation, the elves tore at the walls of the chasm, carving for themselves shelter. To this, the name was given Craduilin, or the haven carved from the rocks. These ancient elves became artisans of stone, watching as the pouring waters smoothed the Suraba to a great plain. Engraving their story into the wall, the elves were not born to live in caves. Emerging again, abandoning their epitaph, the elves abandoned their haven.
Bands of kobold found their way into the Suraba, hunting drake as dangerous prey. A keen eye for mining, these kobold saw exploit in Craduilin. As the halls echoed with the constant working of deep mines, Craduilin’s life blossomed again. But, even as fierce as the kobold pretend to be, occasionally hunters become the hunted. The haven breached by fiends and troglodites, there was no sign left of the kobold. Many more years Craduilin sat vacant, tempting creatures to occupy its damp, hollow walls.
The age of man would bring light to the walls of Craduilin for the first time. Not known for their keen vision, Craduilin once again became a haven for settlers seeking a new home. Driven toward the security that the carven city offered, these men forged metal from the rich rock. The ore dripped from the walls from open veins. Hammer and axe chiseled at the wall as artisans admired and emulated the symbols and design left by the elves so long ago. It was then they learned the name, Craduilin. Settling the refuge, the conflict was sure to come.
The centuries of erosion continued to widen the floor of the Suraba as flora continued to break the dense rock.