Ak'varylystha
Ak'Varylystha - also sometimes called Agonia, after the Underworld realm of the city's patron Demon Lord, Akhoman - is a Svartalfar (Dark Elf) city that lies deep within Nidavellir. It is ruled by King Ghauralas Varylys III and his House.
Contents
History
Ak'Varylystha is one of the oldest Svartalfar cities, said to have been founded not long after the Dark Elves fled underground following the fall of Tor Orda, their ancient tower on the surface. Here in Nidavellir, the Dark Elves could finally worship their demon-gods, safe from "persecution" by the other races of Elves. Many civil wars between the various noble Houses followed, with House Varylys eventually rising to the top, aided by the power of their patron Demon Lord, Akhoman. They constructed a great necropolis in his honor, with a statue of him over a sacrificial altar in front of it.
In recent times, the city has come under siege on two fronts, by two different enemies: the Dwarves of Clan Firebeard to the west, and the Goblins of the Venomweb Tribe to the east. Yet, aided by their powerful dark magic, the dark elves have stood their ground. Their walls remain unbroken, their armies undefeated.
Ruling Houses
The Dark Elves have always been fractured by families of ruling nobles, each worshiping a different patron demon and bickering over power. In Ak'Varylystha, the following Houses are the mightiest:
House Varylys
Ruling house of the city, led by King Ghauralas Akem Varylys III. Their patron demon is Akhoman, Lord of Pain. Their symbol is a nine-tailed whip, sometimes stylized as a squid-like creature with nine tentacles, since great cave krakens dwell in a subterranean lake beneath their palace, often fed the bodies of the family's prisoners, slaves, and enemies. Masters of magic, their power and wealth comes from the dark temple and necropolis near their citadel. Other important members of House Varylys include Ghauralas's daughter Lady Varylys and his brother, Vizier Melkavar Varylys.
House Mauglir
The most militaristic family, providing many hardy soldiers to the army. Closely aligned with House Varylys, their patron is Eligos, Demon Lord of War. Their source of wealth is mining, and beneath their home fortress are many tunnels from which they dig the minerals necessary for dark elf society, including the magic gems they use for light. Mauglir own a several great mines in which thousands of slaves dredge up metals and precious gems. They are also great craftsmen, forging weapons and armor of top quality. The Captain of the Guard of Ak'Varylystha is Razael Mauglir.
House Elegrim
Librarians, scribes, and artisans, Elegrim are the keepers of lore, tracing their lineage back to the days of Tor Orda, when Svartalfar lived on the surface world. They are the master architects and engineers of Agonia, constructing its buildings, siege engines, and far more nefarious devices - most of them built in factories by slaves. The city's most skilled magic users learn their art in House Elegrim's twisted tower. Their patron is Arashk, Demon Lord of Pride. Rumor has it that he has blessed some elves of the house with vampirism. House Varylys's dreaded torture-master and gaoler is Gildoryn Elegrim.
House Vael
Once a lesser house known only for their great farms of mushrooms, Vael rose through the ranks of Agonia using subterfuge - bribery, blackmail, and assassination. In addition to providing most of the food for the city, their mushrooms also make great poisons and potions, and they are masters of alchemy. Many come to their dens of pleasure to partake of their chemical concoctions, smoking or drinking them while making love to the House's many pleasure slaves. Their matron is Lilit, Demon Lady of Lust. One of Lady Varylys's handmaidens is Raevia Vael.
House Bel'ord
Considered disturbing even among the dark elves, House Ixafar are the beastmasters of Agonia, taming many of the monsters of Nidavellir and making use of them, both alive in their great slave-fighting pits, and dead as crafting materials and food. The gladiatory games they hold in their fighting pits draw in massive crowds from throughout the city, including Dark Elves, slaves, and visitors from beyond. Their patrons are Xeshm, Lord of Fury, and Bushasp, Lord of Gluttony. One of Lady Varylys's favored handmaidens is Aeluria Bel'ord.
House Ixafar
The most mysterious house in Agonia, very few know what goes on in their dark compound. Even their patron demon is unknown, though it is suspected to be Agruzgakbalat, Lord of Madness. They go about in masks, speak in riddles, and trade in ancient and evil artifacts, which their archaeologists dredge from deep beneath the earth. Their house also raises silkworms and crafts most of the strange fashions worn by residents of Ak'Varylystha.
Geography
Using a combination of magic and slave labor, the Dark Elves carved Ak'Varylystha from the very stone of Nidavellir, forming homes from the stalactites, stalagmites, pillars, and walls of the cave - in addition to constructing new walls and buildings of their own. Many of the stalactites have homes in them, hanging from the ceiling of the cave, connected by arcing bridges. This blending of the city with the caves, combined with the soft violet glow of the city's light-crystals, give the place an undeniable beauty, if a dark and foreboding one.
The most important buildings in Ak'Varylystha are the Halls of the Great Houses. House Varylys dwells within their Royal Palace and controls the Dark Temple, largest of the demon-worshiping temples in the city, as well as the Necropolis. House Mauglir dwells within Castle Mauglir, a great fortress where most of the city's soldiers train and store their arms. The Mage Tower of House Elegrim is a twisted stalagmite, the tallest in the city. House Vael has their Pleasure Dome, House Bel'ord their fighting pits, and the other Houses all have great manors and palaces as well.
Beneath the city lie deep mines and caverns, including an enormous subterranean lake below House Varylys, in which dwell blind cave-krakens. And there are tunnels above the city as well, including a tunnel said to lead, eventually, to the surface world far above - though it has not been used in many centuries. The main tunnel in which the majority of the city is built is closed off by two great curtain walls - an eastern and a western one - that run not only along the ground, but along the cave walls and ceiling as well, to defend against climbing invaders.
All in all, the city is a wondrous and intimidating sight, which has stood in reality and in legend as a landmark of Nidavellir for millennia.
