The Underworld
The Underworldly: A Realm of Cruel Beauty and Labyrinthine Mystery
The Underworldly are not of the mortal world, nor truly of the fae. They are something older, stranger, and crueler, dwelling in a vast, lightless domain beneath the roots of the world. Theirs is a realm of twisting tunnels, impossible spires, and deep, airless halls, where time moves strangely and shadows have weight. They were once kin to the fae, or so the oldest stories claim, but their hunger for dominion led them to break from the Veil and descend into their own abyssal empire.
The Underworldly are a race of cold, elegant monstrosities, creatures of eerie beauty and unsettling symmetry. Their eyes gleam like polished onyx, and their voices are sickly sweet, full of mirth and menace in equal measure. They do not rage like demons or rot like the corrupted—they simply take, shaping the world to their alien whims, bending those unfortunate enough to fall into their grasp.
The Underworldly and the Other Powers
The Fae – A Bitter, Endless Rivalry
The Underworldly have long warred with the fae, though war, to them, is not merely bloodshed, but subjugation, enslavement, and slow, insidious conquest. They have no interest in raiding the Twisting Paths outright, for they prefer to worm their influence into the cracks and shadows.
However, with the loss of the Queen of the Twisting Paths, the Underworldly have grown bold. Where once they were merely a lurking, patient menace, now they spill from the depths with purpose, infiltrating the broken fae realm, seeding their dark, hollow magic into the places once untouched.
- The Hollow Queen of the Underworldly was once terrified of the Twisting Paths, for the Queen Who Was could see every scheme before it unfolded. Now, with her enemy lost, she has begun staking her claim upon the old roads, dragging fae into her halls, twisting their forms into mockeries of their past selves.
- Many fey lords who once scorned the Underworldly are now bargaining with them, desperate to keep what remains of their power. Some have vanished into the Hollow Below, never seen again.
- Creatures of the fae, those who wander too close to the sunken stairways, find themselves trapped in a world where the sky does not exist, where light is swallowed whole, and where names are stripped away, leaving them as obedient echoes of what they once were.
The Corruption – A Complicated Relationship
The ancient entity, the creeping darkness that now stains the Gloomwood, is not the same as the Underworldly, but they are kin in their own way.
- The Underworldly do not serve the entity, nor does it serve them. They do not bow—they never bow.
- But the entity’s corruption has created weaknesses in the world, fractures in the Veil, in the mortal realm, in the balance between all things—and the Underworldly thrive in those fractures.
- They use the corruption’s creeping decay to expand their influence, to pull the broken and the lost into their clutches.
- Some even whisper that the Underworldly Hollow Queen and the entity have spoken, and that if the world falls far enough into despair, she may claim what remains, shaping the ruins into a domain without light, without time, without escape.
The Feral Elves – A Hatred Woven in Blood
The feral elves of the Gloomwood despise the Underworldly above all others. To them, these creatures are not just enemies—they are an abomination, a force that must be eradicated without mercy.
- The Moonwhisper Shamans speak of an age when the Underworldly stole entire clans, dragging them below, where they became wraithkin, hollowed-out husks of their former selves.
- The Bloodriders hunt Underworldly agents without hesitation, and whispered songs of elven rage still speak of the First War Below, when entire tribes were lost fighting the endless tunnels.
- Some elves, the truly lost ones, have fallen into the Underworldly’s grasp, lured by promises of power or tricked into wandering too deep. These elves return not as kin, but as twisted revenants, their bodies slender and stretched, their voices thin and sorrowful, singing the songs of the Hollow Queen.
The Witches – Unwilling Allies, Unavoidable Enemies
The witches of the Gloomwood are one of the few forces that the Underworldly cannot manipulate with ease.
- Agatha, the last true guardian of the forest, has woven powerful wards that keep the Underworldly at bay, at least in certain places. The Elder Tree, the Silverleaf Groves, the Hollow Haven—all remain untouched because of her magic.
- Isolde, unknowingly, flirts with a force she cannot control. Though she serves the entity, she has begun experimenting with deeper, older magics, unknowingly stepping into the Underworldly’s domain. If she continues, she may open doors that should never be opened.
- Selene, if she had survived, might have known how to truly combat them, for she studied both fae and Underworldly magic, seeking to understand their war. But with her gone, much of that knowledge is lost or forgotten.
The Underworldly see the witches as obstacles—but obstacles can be removed, corrupted, or repurposed.
The Underworldly Realm
Twisting Geography:
The subterranean world of the Underworldly defies mortal understanding. Distances warp, tunnels twist back on themselves, and doorways open into impossible vistas. A single step can transport an intruder to a cavern miles away, or lead them deeper into an endless maze.
The air hums with latent magic, and faint, glowing veins of minerals line the walls, pulsing like a heartbeat. Pools of black water reflect not the surface above but strange, shifting stars.
The Queen’s Domain:
At the heart of this realm lies the Court of the Abyssal Crown, ruled by the Queen Below. Her throne is carved from shimmering obsidian and surrounded by faintly glowing crystals that seem to whisper secrets to anyone who draws too close.
The court itself is an architectural marvel, a maze of towering spires and inverted halls where gravity seems optional. Pale, otherworldly lights illuminate the space, casting shadows that twist and writhe as though alive.
The Underworldly
Physical Appearance:
The Underworldly are fey-like, their beauty both haunting and disconcerting. Their features are sharp and symmetrical, their skin faintly luminous with hues of moonlight or deep shadow. Their eyes are unsettling, glowing faintly with inner light and reflecting cruel amusement or cold indifference.
Their attire is intricate, woven from metallic threads, crystals, and shadow, adorned with faintly pulsing runes. Their movements are graceful and deliberate, as if every step is part of a grand performance.
Nature and Personality:
The Underworldly view themselves as superior to all other beings, considering mortals as nothing more than fleeting distractions or tools.
They take delight in manipulating emotions, often appearing compassionate or alluring before revealing their cruel intentions. Their laughter, musical and melodic, often carries an edge of mockery.
Magical Powers:
Their magic is deeply tied to their subterranean world:
Mistweaving: They conjure thick, disorienting mists to veil their passageways or confuse intruders.
Enchanting Glamour: They can manipulate perception, making captives see loved ones or safe havens where none exist.
Geometric Warping: The Underworldly can shift the layout of their tunnels, ensuring escape is nearly impossible.
The Queen Below
Appearance:
The Queen Below is a figure of imposing and mesmerizing beauty. Her gown seems to flow like liquid silver, shimmering with unnatural light, and her crown is a jagged circlet of black diamond, its edges perpetually dripping with glowing dew.
Her voice is rich and commanding, echoing faintly as though it reverberates through the earth itself.
Personality:
She is coldly regal, treating all beneath her with measured disdain. Her cruelty is calculated, as she sees her actions as maintaining the natural order: the strong dominate, and the weak serve.
She harbors a deep rivalry with the fey court of the forest, viewing them as pretenders to the true magic of the natural world.
Goals:
The Queen seeks to expand her dominion, subtly influencing the surface world by abducting mortals and fey, breaking their will, and binding them to her service.
Her magic shields her realm from outside influences, including the dark entity. While she has no direct ties to the entity, she sees its growing influence as an unwelcome intrusion into her domain.
Quotes
"What fragile little creatures stumble into my domain, unbidden? Did the surface no longer welcome you, or are you simply lost in your own folly?"
"I see the cracks in your hearts and the fears you wear like armor. Tell me, mortals, do you come to amuse me, or shall I make your stay... permanent?"
Regarding Her Realm:
"You wander where the roots drink deep, where the earth whispers truths the sun cannot bear to hear. Do not think yourself safe, for the ground beneath your feet has a will of its own."
Bargaining:
"Freedom? You beg for freedom, as though you understand its cost. No chain is broken without forging another. What are you willing to bind to my will, to loosen what you hold dear?"
"Bring me the laughter of the fey court, bottled in despair, and perhaps I shall consider your request. But hurry—my patience wears as thin as your mortal skin."
Issuing Threats:
"Refuse me, and you will find yourself a rootless tree, forgotten and fallen in the void. Accept, and I may yet allow you to crawl from this place with your lives."
The Underworldly's Abductions
Tactics:
The Underworldly use mists and illusions to confuse and snare their prey. They often appear as benevolent or alluring figures to lure mortals into their realm.
They target both humans and fey, favoring individuals with strong emotions or unfulfilled desires, as these traits make them easier to manipulate.
The Enslavement:
Captives are taken to the Court of the Abyssal Crown, where they are subjected to enchantments and trials designed to break their spirit. Those who resist are subjected to more direct cruelty, while those who submit become thralls, serving the Underworldly until their bodies or minds give out.
Once a thrall perishes, the Underworldly rise again to claim new victims.
Signs of Abduction:
Areas where the Underworldly have risen are cloaked in lingering mist, and faint, eerie melodies can be heard at the edges of perception. Villagers may find footprints leading into the forest but none returning.
Notable Members of the Court of the Queen Below
Lord Varathyn, the Queen’s Blade
Role: The Queen’s enforcer, Varathyn ensures her will is carried out without question. His loyalty is absolute, and he views outsiders with suspicion and disdain.
Appearance: Varathyn is tall and lithe, with shimmering silver armor that appears to grow from his skin. His sword, Rootfang, drips with dark ichor, and its edge hums with suppressed rage.
Personality: Cold and calculating, Varathyn speaks sparingly but wields words as sharply as his blade.
Sample Dialogue:
"Your presence here offends her majesty. Pray your words do not offend me as well."
"Foolish mortal, you stand before the abyss, and still, you seek favor. Show me why I should not cast you into it."
Lady Myrelith, Weaver of Veils
Role: The court’s mistress of illusions and deceptions, Myrelith weaves the mists that conceal the Underworldly’s movements and traps.
Appearance: Myrelith’s form shifts constantly, her features never staying in place long enough to be memorized. Her garments seem to flicker between spider silk and flowing shadow.
Personality: Playful yet sinister, she delights in confusing and disorienting visitors, often toying with them before revealing her true intentions.
Sample Dialogue:
"Oh, what delicious confusion! Look how they stumble in the dark, searching for answers I could grant... if only they pleased me."
"Tell me, dear one, what would you give to see the truth behind my veils? Careful, though—the truth cuts deeper than any lie."
Chorus of Thorns
Role: A group of three Underworldly advisors who speak in unison, the Chorus represents the collective will of the court. Their voices echo eerily, as though layered with countless others.
Appearance: The Chorus is clad in thorn-covered robes, their faces obscured by masks resembling twisted vines. Each member carries a staff carved from a single obsidian branch.
Personality: Detached and ominous, the Chorus speaks only in riddles or cryptic pronouncements, leaving others to interpret their meaning.
Sample Dialogue:
"Three paths diverge, but only one leads to her grace. Choose wisely, for the others end in shadow."
"The stars whisper, the roots groan, and the stone remembers. You are already known to us, as we are to you."
Sir Drevanth, Keeper of Chains
Role: Drevanth oversees the Queen’s thralls, ensuring they remain obedient and broken. He relishes his work, viewing it as an art form.
Appearance: Drevanth’s body is crisscrossed with faintly glowing chains that seem to writhe and clink as he moves. His gaunt, pale face is framed by jet-black hair streaked with white.
Personality: Sadistic and mocking, Drevanth finds pleasure in tormenting both captives and visitors, pushing them to their limits.
Sample Dialogue:
"Ah, a fresh soul to bend and break! Shall I show you the artistry of servitude?"
"Your resolve will crack, just as all others have. The Queen’s will is absolute, and you are nothing but a plaything in her hands."
Yrelis, the Forgotten
Role: A former fey courtier of the forest, Yrelis was captured and twisted into an Underworldly servant. She retains faint memories of her past, making her conflicted and bitter.
Appearance: Her form is ethereal yet hollow, her once-vibrant colors dulled to shadowy hues. A faint glow emanates from her heart, pulsing erratically.
Personality: Yrelis is resentful and desperate, torn between loyalty to the Queen and a longing to reclaim her old life. She may secretly aid the players, though at great personal risk.
Sample Dialogue:
"You should not have come here. Leave while you can, before the mists consume you as they did me."
"Do you not see? Her power is endless, and you are but a fleeting breath in the void. Escape, or you will become like me."
The Underworldly and Their Captives
The Underworldly do not kill without purpose. Death is too simple, too final, too boring. Instead, they take, and those taken do not return the same—if they return at all.
Their Uses for Captives
- Elves
- The Underworldly delight in breaking feral elves, turning them into pale, sorrowful things that whisper their captors' names in their sleep.
- Some become wraithkin, mindless servants to guard the Hollow Below, stripped of their free will.
- Others are given as gifts to their dark nobles, turned into playthings, their spirits shattered and reshaped into things that obey.
- Humans
- Humans are weaker, easier to break, but their fear is delicious.
- Many are kept in the Slave Rows, forced to build great monuments beneath the earth, never to see the sky again.
- Others are twisted into hollow-eyed seers, cursed to speak only riddles, their visions always just clear enough to instill terror but never enough to give hope.
- Beasts
- The Beast Pits of the Hollow Below are where the Underworldly twist captured animals into monstrosities, forcing them to fight for entertainment—or release them back into the world, to serve as horrors lurking in the dark.
- Some creatures are reshaped into hounds, steeds, or winged abominations, used to hunt down those who flee their masters.
Whispered-About Locations in the Underworldly Domain
The Slave Rows
A city of chained souls, marching endlessly, never stopping, never sleeping. Some do not even remember their own names anymore.
The Glooming Spires
Impossible towers that hang upside-down from the cavern ceilings, defying gravity, built of black stone that pulses like a living thing.
The Deep Court
The Hollow Queen’s domain—a vast, empty throne room, where shadows move but no light is cast. The Queen does not sit upon her throne, for she does not need to.
The Prison of Names
A place where the voices of the stolen echo in endless corridors, where those who listen find themselves forgetting their own pasts, their own thoughts, their own selves.
The Ever-Hungry Shadow Below
The Underworldly do not rage. They do not burn. They do not waste their efforts on battle when they can simply wait.
Theirs is the slow hand, the creeping fate. They do not conquer. They consume.
And as the world above fractures, the Hollow Queen watches.
She is patient. She has all the time in the world.
Comments