Kripthoth
Geography
Kripthoth orbits the planet of Edradus. From the surface of Edradus, it looks like a barren, rocky, grey waste. However, while it is incredibly rocky and grey, Kripthoth is entirely habitable. Vast grey plains cover much of the moon's surface, with mountains, valleys, craters, tunnels, lakes, and rivers pockmarking the land.
One of the most notable pieces of surface geography on Kripthoth is Morgar's Cradle, a gigantic crater that was, according to legend, created when the lunar orc god Morgar was thrown into the surface of Kripthoth. Morgar's Cradle now houses the capital of the lunar orc empire that dominates the surface.
Another notable piece of geography is a massive tunnel, called the Maw of Kripthoth, which is commonly used by both surface dwellers and those who live below the crust of Kripthoth in vast, sprawling systems of caves and tunnels to traverse from the surface of Kripthoth to the depths of the inner moon and vice versa. Traders, travelers, and thieves can all be found using the Maw, as can monsters and other wildlife.
Climate
While climate does differ from region to region, Kripthoth could be generalized as an alpine climate. Winds can be quite high at times and temperatures are nearly always cool. This type of weather is present year-round. Snow and ice are also common in the winter.
Fauna & Flora
Many species of plants grow on Kripthoth, being nearly as diverse as Edradus itself is in some areas. Trees, grasses, and shrubbery are all common. Unlike Edradus, however, plants on Kripthoth take a grey colour, blending with the grey stone environment.
Wildlife on Kripthoth is generally much more vicious than on Edradus. Even prey animals are still equipped with claws, sharp teeth, or some other form of natural weaponry. Predators on Kripthoth are truly nightmarish. The Yajur are apex predators, capable of moving on two or four legs and equipped with flensing claws, their sixteen dark eyes are known to catch even the slightest of movements. Domesticated animals are also common on Kripthoth. The most well-known and widely available domesticated animal is the Gardnay, a two-headed goatlike creature.
Natural Resources
Wood is available to the inhabitants of Kripthoth, though there are few large forests which makes wood a less widely used resource. Stone is highly available and is thus favoured over wood by the general populace for construction. In addition, Kripthoth's low gravity allows for stone to be used easily not only for construction, but also for the crafting of jewelry, armour, and weaponry.
Titanium is one of the few metals available on Kripthoth. Titanium is widely used as the main form of currency. Eldrite is a metal that bears a milky, white colouration. It was a cultural staple of the Moon Elven civilization found only in their territory prior to their defeat at the hands of the Lunar Orc Empire. Finally, the dark brown metal referred to as 'Chrag' by the Crater Dwarves is found and used deep under the surface of the moon.
Agriculture is strong on Kripthoth. On the surface, hardy and nutrient-rich plants are grown and domesticated beasts are farmed. As above, so below. The undergrounds of Kripthoth are also home to farming. Domesticated animals and fungi are the two most commonly farmed products in the lands beneath the surface.
History
Kripthoth's history is long and storied. Originally, it was a scrap cast away by the creator of Edradus. However, various divine entities who could not make a foothold on Edradus eventually chose Kripthoth as their home and it was then populated by creatures that mirrored Edradan life in many ways.
The gods of this moon frequently battled in ancient times, leading to the great number of craters, pits, and valleys that mark the landscape.
At one point, the goliath race dominated the surface of Kripthoth. However, their empire was eventually cast down due to increased pressure from the growing Moon Elven kingdom and more frequent attacks by orcish warlords. After the collapse of the goliaths' empire, their race fled to the tops of the mountains and into the dark tunnels that lead deep below the crust of the moon.
The most major events of recent history are the formation of the Lunar Orcish Empire of Morgardonia, as well as their dismantling of the vast Moon Elven Kingdom in a war that lasted over thirty years. Following the capture of the Moon Elven monarch, King Nimithidreth, the Moon Elves were forced to capitulate and had their territory annexed. Lunar Emperor Kygror the Enlightened proceeded to execute King Nimithidreth and has since begun to force the Moon Elves from their ancestral lands. Those who resist are slaughtered wholesale, and those who don't flee to the undergrounds.
Tourism
Kripthoth is not often visited by off-worlders. Rarely, adventurers from Edradus will make their way to the moon's surface by way of ancient portals. Even rarer still are the adventurers and explorers from further reaches, potentially even coming from other crystal spheres. In fact, it was a group of adventurers from Toril that introduced spelljamming technology to Kripthoth.
Type
Planetoid / Moon
Included Organizations
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments