The Wardens of the Underdark

A True History of the Wardens of the Underdark

being the third tome of Hodryl the Sage

When the evil of the fairy was finally revealed, and their foul machinations were at last thrown down, the good peoples of Erenth pledged that it would never be allowed again. By the Proclamation of Celede, the Drow faction was imprisoned in their home of Dravomalas. The Lords Continuous appointed three races to watch over them: Vyrum, Gnummor and Stoneborn. The Vyrum selected the faction of the Altom (also called the Deep Ones); the Gnummor chose the Svirfneblin faction; and among the Stoneborn the Derro were assigned the task of Alfwarden. 

On a high peak near Dravomalas, the Vyrum built the Ebon Citadel to watch over them. The Gnummor established Neblodi in the hills to the North; and the Derro foundedt Dun Dalurdig in the mountain pass. Of these, only the Svirfneblin remained true to their task. What happened to the Altom, none can say, for they disappeared in the darkness. As for the Derro, they were corrupt. Both the Ebon Citadel and the Dun are windswept and abandoned to this day. Only dread things reside there. It is said that the Derro relocated their Dun to the Underdark and the Vyrum are gone completely from the face of Erenth.

As for the Derro faction, much has been written, but little is known for sure. It is certain that they are a degenerate people. Wherever they reside, all trace of being true Stoneborn has been driven from them. It is assumed that many of their numbers are depleted and those who remain have made common cause with the Drow they once meant to warden. Some claim that their   that they have been skulking in the Underdark. It is said that a Derro lives for just two things: to witness the slow, humiliating death of surface demihumans, and especially humans; and the perversion of knowledge to their own dark ends.