- Joined
- May 17, 2016
- Messages
- 1,513
- Reaction score
- 3,018
- Points
- 403
- Age
- 26
- Location
- Regalia.
- Website
- conflee.tumblr.com
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Underworld Historia
Altum Narro
By Aire Ulamenor
OOC Introduction
This is a project I have been working on for a while now to compile major crime events and history into one continuity that works together and smooths over wrinkles caused by retcons, dropped lore plotlines, and OOC city redesigns, to tie everything in the Underworld together neatly for IC reference.
There are likely some gaps in my knowledge, despite me 'crowdsourcing' a lot of the information, but take that as IC fog of war. The Underworld is always in motion (even if in roleplay it used to die for vast stretches of time) and not everything will happen in a way that its even possible to publicly know.
Some of the background lore is also made up to fill in gaps. Its not relevant to anything and we will almost certainly never get an actual answer to dropped threads like the Beggar King, so I filled in the blanks a little to add to the vibe of this writing. Some details were also left off as they wouldn't be publicly known, such as the machine that drained the Silven and Arken during the Bone Horror Crisis, or what happened with the Ooze and Ott, etc.
This timeline functions as a summary divided into chunks, mostly going year-by-year- eventful years may be divided further for ease of reading, and covering Pre-300 AC all the way to 306 AC.
Pre-History
???-302 AC / Pre 2015
Beginning during the Regalian Pessimism, a long stretch of economic and societal stagnation for the Empire, a syndicate formed helmed by the Original Beggar King. Taking advantage of the turbulent Regalia, the Beggar's Court rose in power, to the point where they effectively ran the East Sewers. However, during the height of the Ranger Crisis, the Inquisition began an Inquest against the Beggar King and his Court, ending in the Beggar King's execution and seeing the Secretaries of his Court scattered into the Underworld. This was the only true, legitimate reign of a Beggar King, lasting from 270 AC to 295 AC.
Meanwhile in the West Sewers during the waning years of the Regalian Pessimism, a similar Court was raised in a very different manor. The Rat Court, helmed by the Rat King and lead by his extended Rat Family such as the Rat Duke, the Rat Baron, the Rat Princess and so forth, took the scene by storm with a series of accidents befalling rival syndicate leaders, with the survivors suddenly finding themselves much richer and more inclined to follow the mad Rat King- though the Rat King himself preferred to leave matters of the Court to his 'Family', instead spending his days planning and hosting extravagantly terrible plays.
Early History
300-303 AC / Pre 2015
While many gangs rose and fell between 300 and 303 AC, this time period was dominated by two gangs in particular- Windvale, and The Kindred. These two powerhouses effectively ruled half of the East Sewers each, constantly at each other's throats vying for power. Windvale was at times part-syndicate part-mercenary company, and even owned a ship which they used to go on expeditions, while their rivals The Kindred were wholly a syndicate with a fondness for arson. While monumental, much of the history of both gangs has been lost to smoke and darkness. In the latter half of this period, pirate-gangs began setting up in the Sewers to protect their smuggling routes, and the Mossy Poss Tavern opened. A trial is declared by the surviving Secretaries of the Beggar's Court, to decide the new Beggar King, however none of the potentials live up to their standards.
303 AC / 2015
This was a dark year for the Underworld, and Regalia as a whole. Above in the Velheim District, the Regalian Ripper stalked the streets in the night, slaughtering half a dozen citizens around the Old God's Temple before being cornered inside by the Violet Order and killed. Slavers began to establish themselves in the Sewers, illegally detaining and enslaving within the city itself, in violation of the Saffran Law. It is also known that a syndicate known as La Ganga established itself around this time, but their activities were well masked and kept secret, so little else is known. The G.R.R, lead by the cannibal Falish, also formed around this time, taking control of Red Base. The Underworld- and the homeless population of Regalia as a whole- was devastated when the Crimson Inquisition lead another Inquest into the Sewers, slaughtering aberrants and mundane folk alike, causing increased caution and paranoia- and a period of mild stagnation- amongst syndicates of the time.
304 AC / Early 2016
Falish was executed for his crimes in June, leading to another taking over the G.R.R before it is swiftly defeated and disbanded by several allied groups seeking to prevent another Inquest from being declared. Around this time, the Jin-Tao- a Sihai syndicate, and the Usque Galenas- a Kathar syndicate, form. Soon after, the Usque take over the Mossy Poss, leading the Mossy Poss Militia to form in an effort to combat them and retake the tavern, to little avail. Once their position was stabilized, the Usque then lead an incursion onto the surface, brutally attacking the Yanar District during a celebration to burn a Seed Tree, a fire which quickly spread to a large portion of the neighboring Elven Slums, turning several hundred elves homeless in an evening. Because of this, the Inquisition attempts another Purge of the Sewers, this time flooding the tunnels, forcing those sheltering within onto the surface and backing up toilets across the city.
The Bone Horror Crisis and the Reign of Lo
304 AC / Mid-Late 2016
After the Sewers drained into the Deep Sewers, a syndicate is formed to stand against the Usque, known as the Nenyarina- a primarily Yanar gang. Somewhere within the Sewers, a machine is used to create a shield around the island, and the Bone Horror Crisis begins. The ruins of the Beggar's Court is sealed off. Soon after, the deceased Freya Lo rises from the grave, bringing with her the Deathlings. A number of the Violet Order flees into the Sewers, starting what would later be called La Resistenza Viola, while others still accompany the nobility into the countryside, establishing the Rothburg Resistance. A rogue criminal element mines out the supports of a large cistern under Greygate, causing a total collapse of the prison and killing hundreds of Guardsmen, Lo Loyalists, and Prisoners alike. Instigated by this, Lo decides to finish what the Inquisitors had failed to do thrice now. She had thousands of barrels filled with gunpowder floated into the East Sewers, before detonating them all. The majority of the East Sewers was collapsed, killing several hundred and forcing the survivors into the West Sewers.
305 AC / Early 2017
Freya Lo's reign of terror is ended finally when Regalian Loyalists storm the City, aided by resistance and criminal forces alike on the streets. During the battle, Lo is slain once and for all, destroying the remaining Deathlings. Soon after, the Rat King is murdered, and the Rat Court collapses, leaving the West Sewers with no major powers. No gangs are left in a position to capitalize on this however, and the Underworld fell into a state of stagnation for a long stretch of time, with the major surviving gangs- the Usque, the Nenyarina, and the Storm Crows- having plenty of room, and just enough resources to not be brought into direct conflict.
The Dragons Return
305 AC / Mid 2017
The inflated population of destitute and homeless folk were pushed to the western portions of Regalia, quickly overrunning a large district that became known as the Old Town Slums. The high population of both criminals and aberrants caused the Violet Order to declare the district Lawless for the time, with no Guard presence. Most syndicates migrated onto the surface at this time to capitalize and seek out new levels of infamy. A group rose falsely proclaiming themselves as the successors of the Beggar's Court, with a false Beggar King to lead them, as well as a Unionist syndicate known as the Creed Thumpers, both sides laying claim to territory. During this time, the Dragon District- later renamed to Rose Court- was established by the Kade's between Old Town and the rest of the city as a neutral grounds with some guaranteed safety, but reduced enforcement of laws. Business and crime both thrived for a time, with the Emporium- Old Town's 'Market District'- as well as the Falcon's Nest- a new bar- opening. This period of relative calm did not last however. When a Kade was found dead on the streets, Emperor Cedric began the Fort Loyalty campaign, rounding up aberrants and non-humans forcefully, culminating in an incursion into Old Town. The False Beggar King and the Demon Ichabod rallied a defense, organizing the poor folk and syndicates into a makeshift defense, however the line was quickly broken and the False King Cael Ladveer was taken briefly, before escaping and fleeing the city.
305 AC / Late 2017
Dragons returned to the world, vying for control of Regalia. With beasts of legend in the skies, of their cultist followers battling in the streets, as well as Arken Generals enacting the will of the Dragon, the city was in chaos. Yet for the Underworld, chaos paves the way for progress. A new Rat Court was established by one of the Original Beggar's Court Secretaries, to succeed the fallen Rat Court. Gangs battled for the title of Rat King, rising and falling in rapid succession. The False Beggars were taken over by their Second King Jochund, the Creed Thumpers collapsed and the Devout Few rose to fill their place as the Unionist force in Old Town. Raven Cross, the Crimson Pact, The Circle, d'Souza, and Die Jaghunde- also called the Hounds- dominated the vast Slums. The Beggars and Devout clashed violently but briefly, before the Hounds rose to fill the power vacuum. The Dragon eventually flees the city, and her Arken Generals are defeated, bringing some measure of order to this chaotic time.
The Vampire Crisis
306 AC / Early 2018
As the war for the criminal crown raged on, dozens of groups were born and died in a storm of steel and flames. The Hounds and Devout Few eventually fell as the Devout's leader's identity was discovered, seeing the creation of The Red Rooks, The Dead Men, the Blake Mares, and Ella Cone'jjo Sannare. The gang war would be cut abruptly short however, as a larger force rose in the shadows. The Scarlet Coven, a vast force of sanguine, had established itself and had been increasing its numbers, obscured by the conflict above ground. They fortified a cavern in the Sewers bellow Old Town, and launched an assault against the Dragon District, claiming the Neutral Zone as their own. They were swiftly repelled by the Violet Order, but this was only one of many battles to take place. Eventually, the Scarlet Court burned the bridge and checkpoint that lead into Old Town's Slums. The final clashes of this Crisis saw several nobles and guardsmen kidnapped by the sanguine, instigating a brutal Violet crackdown that left three Ancient Vampires dead, and saw several more sanguine captured and cured, effectively ending the war for the Dragon District.
306 AC / Late 2018
Seizing the opportunity, the Violet Order began an occupation of Old Town in an attempt to finally put an end to the Scarlet Court for good. Vampires were rounded up and cured en mass, and dozens of sites of Void Worship were cleansed. A vampire haven was discovered, but the guardsmen were repelled by the Pride Arken. Other vampires fled into the countryside, pursed initially by Violets before they were called off. The Occupation was deemed a success, and ended soon after. With the sanguine and void cults taken down several pegs, the Underworld began to do what it always has, and always will. Black markets reopened and gangs began to establish themselves.
.
.
.
.
Underworld Historia
Altum Narro
By Aire Ulamenor
OOC Introduction
This is a project I have been working on for a while now to compile major crime events and history into one continuity that works together and smooths over wrinkles caused by retcons, dropped lore plotlines, and OOC city redesigns, to tie everything in the Underworld together neatly for IC reference.
There are likely some gaps in my knowledge, despite me 'crowdsourcing' a lot of the information, but take that as IC fog of war. The Underworld is always in motion (even if in roleplay it used to die for vast stretches of time) and not everything will happen in a way that its even possible to publicly know.
Some of the background lore is also made up to fill in gaps. Its not relevant to anything and we will almost certainly never get an actual answer to dropped threads like the Beggar King, so I filled in the blanks a little to add to the vibe of this writing. Some details were also left off as they wouldn't be publicly known, such as the machine that drained the Silven and Arken during the Bone Horror Crisis, or what happened with the Ooze and Ott, etc.
This timeline functions as a summary divided into chunks, mostly going year-by-year- eventful years may be divided further for ease of reading, and covering Pre-300 AC all the way to 306 AC.
Pre-History
???-302 AC / Pre 2015
Beginning during the Regalian Pessimism, a long stretch of economic and societal stagnation for the Empire, a syndicate formed helmed by the Original Beggar King. Taking advantage of the turbulent Regalia, the Beggar's Court rose in power, to the point where they effectively ran the East Sewers. However, during the height of the Ranger Crisis, the Inquisition began an Inquest against the Beggar King and his Court, ending in the Beggar King's execution and seeing the Secretaries of his Court scattered into the Underworld. This was the only true, legitimate reign of a Beggar King, lasting from 270 AC to 295 AC.
Meanwhile in the West Sewers during the waning years of the Regalian Pessimism, a similar Court was raised in a very different manor. The Rat Court, helmed by the Rat King and lead by his extended Rat Family such as the Rat Duke, the Rat Baron, the Rat Princess and so forth, took the scene by storm with a series of accidents befalling rival syndicate leaders, with the survivors suddenly finding themselves much richer and more inclined to follow the mad Rat King- though the Rat King himself preferred to leave matters of the Court to his 'Family', instead spending his days planning and hosting extravagantly terrible plays.
Early History
300-303 AC / Pre 2015
While many gangs rose and fell between 300 and 303 AC, this time period was dominated by two gangs in particular- Windvale, and The Kindred. These two powerhouses effectively ruled half of the East Sewers each, constantly at each other's throats vying for power. Windvale was at times part-syndicate part-mercenary company, and even owned a ship which they used to go on expeditions, while their rivals The Kindred were wholly a syndicate with a fondness for arson. While monumental, much of the history of both gangs has been lost to smoke and darkness. In the latter half of this period, pirate-gangs began setting up in the Sewers to protect their smuggling routes, and the Mossy Poss Tavern opened. A trial is declared by the surviving Secretaries of the Beggar's Court, to decide the new Beggar King, however none of the potentials live up to their standards.
303 AC / 2015
This was a dark year for the Underworld, and Regalia as a whole. Above in the Velheim District, the Regalian Ripper stalked the streets in the night, slaughtering half a dozen citizens around the Old God's Temple before being cornered inside by the Violet Order and killed. Slavers began to establish themselves in the Sewers, illegally detaining and enslaving within the city itself, in violation of the Saffran Law. It is also known that a syndicate known as La Ganga established itself around this time, but their activities were well masked and kept secret, so little else is known. The G.R.R, lead by the cannibal Falish, also formed around this time, taking control of Red Base. The Underworld- and the homeless population of Regalia as a whole- was devastated when the Crimson Inquisition lead another Inquest into the Sewers, slaughtering aberrants and mundane folk alike, causing increased caution and paranoia- and a period of mild stagnation- amongst syndicates of the time.
304 AC / Early 2016
Falish was executed for his crimes in June, leading to another taking over the G.R.R before it is swiftly defeated and disbanded by several allied groups seeking to prevent another Inquest from being declared. Around this time, the Jin-Tao- a Sihai syndicate, and the Usque Galenas- a Kathar syndicate, form. Soon after, the Usque take over the Mossy Poss, leading the Mossy Poss Militia to form in an effort to combat them and retake the tavern, to little avail. Once their position was stabilized, the Usque then lead an incursion onto the surface, brutally attacking the Yanar District during a celebration to burn a Seed Tree, a fire which quickly spread to a large portion of the neighboring Elven Slums, turning several hundred elves homeless in an evening. Because of this, the Inquisition attempts another Purge of the Sewers, this time flooding the tunnels, forcing those sheltering within onto the surface and backing up toilets across the city.
The Bone Horror Crisis and the Reign of Lo
304 AC / Mid-Late 2016
After the Sewers drained into the Deep Sewers, a syndicate is formed to stand against the Usque, known as the Nenyarina- a primarily Yanar gang. Somewhere within the Sewers, a machine is used to create a shield around the island, and the Bone Horror Crisis begins. The ruins of the Beggar's Court is sealed off. Soon after, the deceased Freya Lo rises from the grave, bringing with her the Deathlings. A number of the Violet Order flees into the Sewers, starting what would later be called La Resistenza Viola, while others still accompany the nobility into the countryside, establishing the Rothburg Resistance. A rogue criminal element mines out the supports of a large cistern under Greygate, causing a total collapse of the prison and killing hundreds of Guardsmen, Lo Loyalists, and Prisoners alike. Instigated by this, Lo decides to finish what the Inquisitors had failed to do thrice now. She had thousands of barrels filled with gunpowder floated into the East Sewers, before detonating them all. The majority of the East Sewers was collapsed, killing several hundred and forcing the survivors into the West Sewers.
305 AC / Early 2017
Freya Lo's reign of terror is ended finally when Regalian Loyalists storm the City, aided by resistance and criminal forces alike on the streets. During the battle, Lo is slain once and for all, destroying the remaining Deathlings. Soon after, the Rat King is murdered, and the Rat Court collapses, leaving the West Sewers with no major powers. No gangs are left in a position to capitalize on this however, and the Underworld fell into a state of stagnation for a long stretch of time, with the major surviving gangs- the Usque, the Nenyarina, and the Storm Crows- having plenty of room, and just enough resources to not be brought into direct conflict.
The Dragons Return
305 AC / Mid 2017
The inflated population of destitute and homeless folk were pushed to the western portions of Regalia, quickly overrunning a large district that became known as the Old Town Slums. The high population of both criminals and aberrants caused the Violet Order to declare the district Lawless for the time, with no Guard presence. Most syndicates migrated onto the surface at this time to capitalize and seek out new levels of infamy. A group rose falsely proclaiming themselves as the successors of the Beggar's Court, with a false Beggar King to lead them, as well as a Unionist syndicate known as the Creed Thumpers, both sides laying claim to territory. During this time, the Dragon District- later renamed to Rose Court- was established by the Kade's between Old Town and the rest of the city as a neutral grounds with some guaranteed safety, but reduced enforcement of laws. Business and crime both thrived for a time, with the Emporium- Old Town's 'Market District'- as well as the Falcon's Nest- a new bar- opening. This period of relative calm did not last however. When a Kade was found dead on the streets, Emperor Cedric began the Fort Loyalty campaign, rounding up aberrants and non-humans forcefully, culminating in an incursion into Old Town. The False Beggar King and the Demon Ichabod rallied a defense, organizing the poor folk and syndicates into a makeshift defense, however the line was quickly broken and the False King Cael Ladveer was taken briefly, before escaping and fleeing the city.
305 AC / Late 2017
Dragons returned to the world, vying for control of Regalia. With beasts of legend in the skies, of their cultist followers battling in the streets, as well as Arken Generals enacting the will of the Dragon, the city was in chaos. Yet for the Underworld, chaos paves the way for progress. A new Rat Court was established by one of the Original Beggar's Court Secretaries, to succeed the fallen Rat Court. Gangs battled for the title of Rat King, rising and falling in rapid succession. The False Beggars were taken over by their Second King Jochund, the Creed Thumpers collapsed and the Devout Few rose to fill their place as the Unionist force in Old Town. Raven Cross, the Crimson Pact, The Circle, d'Souza, and Die Jaghunde- also called the Hounds- dominated the vast Slums. The Beggars and Devout clashed violently but briefly, before the Hounds rose to fill the power vacuum. The Dragon eventually flees the city, and her Arken Generals are defeated, bringing some measure of order to this chaotic time.
The Vampire Crisis
306 AC / Early 2018
As the war for the criminal crown raged on, dozens of groups were born and died in a storm of steel and flames. The Hounds and Devout Few eventually fell as the Devout's leader's identity was discovered, seeing the creation of The Red Rooks, The Dead Men, the Blake Mares, and Ella Cone'jjo Sannare. The gang war would be cut abruptly short however, as a larger force rose in the shadows. The Scarlet Coven, a vast force of sanguine, had established itself and had been increasing its numbers, obscured by the conflict above ground. They fortified a cavern in the Sewers bellow Old Town, and launched an assault against the Dragon District, claiming the Neutral Zone as their own. They were swiftly repelled by the Violet Order, but this was only one of many battles to take place. Eventually, the Scarlet Court burned the bridge and checkpoint that lead into Old Town's Slums. The final clashes of this Crisis saw several nobles and guardsmen kidnapped by the sanguine, instigating a brutal Violet crackdown that left three Ancient Vampires dead, and saw several more sanguine captured and cured, effectively ending the war for the Dragon District.
306 AC / Late 2018
Seizing the opportunity, the Violet Order began an occupation of Old Town in an attempt to finally put an end to the Scarlet Court for good. Vampires were rounded up and cured en mass, and dozens of sites of Void Worship were cleansed. A vampire haven was discovered, but the guardsmen were repelled by the Pride Arken. Other vampires fled into the countryside, pursed initially by Violets before they were called off. The Occupation was deemed a success, and ended soon after. With the sanguine and void cults taken down several pegs, the Underworld began to do what it always has, and always will. Black markets reopened and gangs began to establish themselves.
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.
.
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