Menzorastar

Its surface covered with a poisonous miasma since the Godswar, the survivors — known as Morlocks — headed underground where the miasma was thinner. Only inhabited by small tribes eking out a harsh existence in the depths, upon the arrival of the Banished Crystal Elves the first major settlements were formed and the Sphere attained its name.

Regions

The Surface

The surface of is virtually barren, with only fungus and limited flora that have adapted to process the Miasma. Its geography beyond the immediate area around the Golden Paths is unknown.

The Depths

Fleeing the Miasma the Morlocks and the Elves sought out the Depths where the Miasma was thinner. There is no defense against the Miasma, as it infiltrates even the deepest depths. But the deeper a creature is, the longer it can tolerate the Miasma. The exceptions are fungal Myconids who have developed the ability to process the Miasma.

Menrazavol

Translated to "The Place of Banishment" Menrazavol is the largest community in the Depths. Close to the Golden Paths to Val'Dorath, three colossal caverns and the surrounding tunnels make up the elven city.

Morlock Warrens

Small tribes of Morlocks travel through the Depths eking out an survival existence. Keeping to the tunnels since the caverns are home to Miconids that can process the Miasma.

The Ice Gate

The caverns below the Golden Path that leads to the darkside of Burning Sands and the newest of the Elven colonies.

Satellite Colonies

As the population of Newsoul Elves expanded and conflicts between the Matron Mothers led to the Elves striking out further into the Depths. A satellite colony is created when a Matron Mother is forced out of a settlement after loosing a power struggle and having to create a new settlement to survive.

History

The Scrabbling Age

What the Morlocks call the time before the Elves. It is a time that only exists in oral tradition, the names and deeds of the people nearly forgotten.

Coming of the Elves

When the Crystal Elves were banished to Menzorastar, the set about conquering the Depths. As they encountered the denizens of the the Depths they fell back on extermination. But once they settled in Menrazavol they realized they needed a labor base to survive. So they set about capturing and enslaving Morlocks and Myconids.

The Continued Shattering

As the Matron Mothers became the sole surviving Banished Elves they competed with each other for political dominance. As the conflicts escalated, to avoid extermination by their opponents, Matron Mothers would flee to settle other caverns where they could maintain their rulership, taking their extended families with them.

Separation doesn't prevent raiding and further warfare. Taking Newsoul Elves from other setlements as slaves is the lowest level of conflict, but it can expand into open warfare.

Discovery of the Ice Gate

Banished Newsoul Pactmages discovered the Ice Gate, the Golden Path to Burning Sands. This promised freedom from the Misama was in their grasp. But they were presented with just as harsh an environment, the icy land of perpetual night. But what they found most useful was the Golden Path itself. Without Pathkeepers, Elven Wizards and Pactmages were able to study the ancient magic of the Golden Path.

The existence of the Golden Path could only be kept secret for so long. The Matron Mothers began a mad scramble to control the Golden Path. Eventually a rough peace was forged as the Wizard Matron Mothers allied to share control of the Golden Path and were able to supercharge the magical research.

Secret Expansion

Unlocking the secrets of the Golden Paths provided the Matron Mothers with the secrets of safely traversing the Maelstrom. Combined with the discoveries of the Elemental Wizard Newsoul Elves on Burning Sands, they created the Earthships to travel through the underground of a Sphere and the Maelstrom between them. Since then they have begun capturing slaves on the edges of Civilization and bringing them back to Menzorastar, or to underground outposts in the Depths of other Spheres. Forged by centuries of conflict, the Matron Mothers are cautious, building their power and empires across the Spheres in the shadows, careful to avoid notice by their enemies, who they see as anyone they don't control.

Government

Elves

The settlements are led by Banished Matron Mothers who are parent to their Newsoul subjects. As the female Elves are longer lived then their male counterparts, and Emerged Elves are far more powerful than their Newsoul children, leadership falls to Banished Matron Mothers who lead their extended families to control resources and insure their survival.

Elven Splinters

Newsoul Elves who have secretly explored making Pacts and revering Gods are often cast out my their Matron Mothers. These societies are led by a hierarchy of the faithful. Such communities exist on the periphery of Elven society, often times discovering new usable caverns that Matron Mothers will conquer to create new settlements when they are driven out.

Morlocks

Morlocks cluster in extended family groups. Their leadership falls along family lines with elders being seen as the wisest and theirfor the leaders.

Religion

Newsoul Elves

Without the baggage around being banished from The Well, Newsoul Elves do not Emerge and as such are not beholden to their past lives. They are more likely to explore Pacts with and Adherence to Gods and Spirits. These faiths undermine the authority of the Matron Mother and as such are pursued in secret for fear of being cast out.

Morlocks

Morlocks are regularly tempted by Pacts, but because the dictates of Pacts can damage group cohesion they are avoided.