Lawful Neutral

The Nether Clans of Hypogea

Origin

The Arbiter descended into the glacier capped mountains of Frostcrown, near the northern pole of Primordias, plunging deep into the planet's crust. Where it came to rest, a titanic diamond, crystallized and trapped it within. Buried deep in the planet, The Arbiter was forced to look inward, toward the upper plane of Arcadia. Here it created the storm titans from the conductive ore of the plane and taught them the laws of the universe, empowering them to carry out its will. The storm titans attempted to free their creator from its prison with powerful magic, but failed catastrophically, pulling themselves from Arcadia to Hypogea, deep within Primordias.

Without the ambient energies of Arcadia, the storm titans were trapped. For the sake of The Arbiter, they poured their spirits into the bedrock of Hypogea, birthing the stone giants. Guided by the whispers from the great diamond, the stone giants began to shape the bedrock, forming the foundation of Tectodom. As they dug deeper, they awakened the fire giants from the molten depths near the mantle. The fire giants quickly established themselves as expert smiths and disciplined warriors, bringing new alloys and ideas from the hot depths of Hypogea. Soon after, came the frost giants. Awoken near the surface, in the roots of Mount Hyperion, they brought a primal vitality and the art of gem cutting to complement the skills of of the others.

It took all three races combining their crafts to shape the great diamond into the Nexus and create the Arcadian Gate. This desire burned within all the children of The Arbiter, culminating in the unification of Hypogea and Arcadia. Reunited with the legacy of their lost kin, the surviving storm titans established the Ordning, a caste based social system centered around skill and prowess. Guided by The Arbiter and focused by the structure of the Ordning, the Nether Clans entered an era of prosperity and enlightenment.

Domain

The Nether Clans have carved a vast underground domain that stretches from the frozen peak of Hyperion down to the red hot mantle. Known as Hypogea, this realm is as large as any surface kingdom, ranging from the tide caves of the continental shelf to deep within Frostcrown, more than doubling its depth in girth. The upper regions are centered around Hyperion, rooted in the heart of the mountain while the lower regions encircle Calescent, the great forge, fed by the molten blood of Primordias itself.

The center of Hypogea is Tectodom, the capital clanhold. Tectodom is connected to Hyperion and Calescent by the Stacks, enormous vertical shafts traversed by magical arcadium elevators that resemble lanterns rising and falling through the abyss. Tectodom surrounds the Nexus Chamber with ninety nine tiers of sculpted bridges, recessed vaults, and labyrinthine tunnels. Suspended at the center of this mountain sized chamber sits the Nexus, hung by great arcadium chains that connect to a girdle around its base.

Over the millennia the Nexus has been carefully cut and shaped into a screaming skull with an arcadium bridge leading into it's mouth. Guarding access to the bridge is the greatest fortress in all of Hypogea. Within the gaping maw, lies the Arcadian Gate, a portal to the upper plane of Arcadia, a realm of geometric perfection. Here, colossal reefs of precious metal and gemstone trace rectilinear patterns through a rainbow colored nebula of empty space.

Society

The dwarves, like the giants, are born of the bedrock of Primordias. The unification of Hypogea and Arcadia triggered their emergence as the energies of the two realms mixed. Recognized as children of The Arbiter, the dwarves were accepted into the Ordning and taught the secrets of stone, alloy, and gem. The Ordning is a strict hierarchy that separates every individual into one of three castes, the Erudites, the Artisans, or the Militants. Within each caste, individuals are ranked by their mastery and talent.

The Erudites are the ruling caste. They are lawmakers and scientists, exploring Primordias and Arcadia while refining the Ordning to better serve the The Arbiter and the Nether Clans. The Artisans are the middle caste and the largest. They are craftsmen of stone and cultivators of sustenance. The Militants are the lowest caste. They are peacekeepers, soldiers, and guardians of Hypogea. There is no distinction drawn between the races of the Nether Clans. All are equal under the Ordning. A fire giant may serve a dwarven lieutenant in the militants as easily as a storm titan rules a council of Erudites.

Though there is equality among the races and the hierarchy is based on merit, there is no room for deviation from the Ordning. Young dwarves and giants are tested and assessed continuously through their youth until the day of their Forging when the Erudites of their clan choose their caste. Dwarven life is one of discipline and dedication but also indulgence. Dwarves are expected to perform their duty with honor and suffer any hardship with dignity but as long as they serve their role in society they are free to pursue recreation as they see fit.

Paths

Shifter

Barbarian (Path of the Totem Warrior)

In the roots of Mount Hyperion, the dwarven clans fashion themselves after the frost giants that founded this region of Hypogea. They dedicate their lives to the honor of their clan and shun the civilized ways of the depths. Near the surface, life is cold and deadly. Shifters are warriors who emulate proud and noble beasts of the surface, seeking to capture their prowess and might.

Shifters must contend with ogres, cyclops, and yetis as they fight for survival and resources. Their greatest assets are the furs, meat, and gems that are found in and around Mount Hyperion and they must use every ounce of their courage to survive and prosper. Shifters are the very greatest warriors of the Frost Clans, bedecked in furs and gem encrusted bone armor.

Skald

Bard (College of Valor)

Skalds preserve the memories and histories of the Nether Clans. They are scholars, storytellers, and warriors who compose the epic sagas that are central to the culture of Hypogea. Though there are storytellers and saga keepers in every clan, the greatest Skalds are trained at the College of Keepers in Tectodom. In addition to combat, they are taught the history of Hypogea and spend time travelling throughout it to learn the ways of each of the clans.

Upon graduation, Skalds are assigned to one of the Stone Legions so that they can venture forth to taste true battle and begin their saga. The most heroic Skalds become trusted advisors and seconds to the legionary primarchs. As they compose the saga of their legions and clans, their own saga grows as well, documented by their disciples and woven into the saga banners that fill the Nexus chamber in Tectodom.

Runepriest

Cleric (Knowledge Domain)

Runepriests are the disciples of The Arbiter. They hear the whispers of the Nexus and have devoted their order to interpreting and applying them. They have built great universities, libraries, and forges dedicated to what they have learned. Runepriests are more than just scholars however, they are master crafters, skilled soldiers, and gifted healers as well.

All knowledge is sacred to the Runepriests and they seek it wherever and however they can. This pursuit comes to consume some Runepriests, leading them down dark paths that end in ruin or madness. The darkest truths are sealed away and revealed only to the highest ranks of the College of Lore. Those that can face this reality are called to Arcadia by the Storm Titans to learn the true nature of existence.

Centurion

Fighter (Battle Master)

Centurions are forged in the heat of the Hypogean depths. They are disciplined warriors trained in the forge garrisons to approach combat as an ever shifting cipher to be unlocked. As a part of their training, Centurions embrace the smithing traditions of the Fire Clans, handed down by fire giants. A centurion must be as skilled with the hammer and anvil as they are with sword and shield because it is seen as foolish and dishonorable to wear armor or wield weapons they have not forged themselves.

The depths of Hypogea are home to many dangers. There are cavernous lairs of fomorians, colonies of filthy troglodytes, and endless tunnels of ancient purple worms. It is against this malevolent anvil that Centurions are hammered into paragons of martial prowess. Taken as children, they are separated from their families and singled out for their potential. As they grow, their every moment is dedicated to their training, until they are as hard as the red steel that forms their armor and weapons.

Marshal

Paladin (Oath of Vengeance)

Marshals are the militant forces of the Erudites. They are empowered by The Arbiter and backed by the Stone Clans to bring judgement where they deem it necessary. They are the ultimate authority in Hypogea and seen as avatars of The Arbiter. From their Cathedral Court inset at the apex of the Nexus Chamber, the Marshals enforce the laws of the Nether Clans.

The laws of the Nether Clans are cut into the diamond surface of the Nexus, written upon the very effigy of the deity of law. These laws are given weight by a phenomenon rarely witnessed in the history of Hypogea, where an unjust law is written upon the Nexus only to burn from its surface, leaving the diamond skull unblemished in its spot. It is with certainty and righteousness that the Marshals bring judgement to all who would violate the Adamant Carta.

Auguri

Wizard (School of Divination)

The Auguri seek to perceive reality as it truly is, to pierce through the false constructs of time and self. They are a secretive group, seen as pariahs by their peers for their rejection of the established scientific framework practiced in the universities of Tectodom. Auguri are rumoured to experiment with strange and powerful alchemical drugs in order to unshackle themselves from mundane consciousness. Though many lose their minds or burn out, some succeed in transcending the matrix of mortal perceptions.

True Auguri, those that are able to break through the barriers of space and time, take on an eerie shift in personality that alienates them from all but their own kind. They are not shunned however, for the Nether Clans value their knowledge and afford them the support they require in exchange for the unfathomable truths they glean from beyond the veil. As Auguri continue to plunge their minds into the void they become more and more disconnected from their mortality until their thoughts are utterly inscrutable to the rest of their kind.