The History of the City of Usgarard

In aeons gone by, before the great wars, there lived amongst the Drow beneath the Edrejan heartland a female named Usgara. Great was her devotion to Llolth and, upon her ascension into adulthood, she was anointed as a priestess of Llolth. For many years she served faithfully and loyally in Llolth's temple, ever growing in the mysteries of our Spider Queen.

However, it came to pass that Usgara fell from favour with the matriarchs of that time. Although her crimes are unrecorded, it is known that her fate was to live out the rest of her life as a drider. Before her punishment could be carried out, by the grace of Llolth, Usgara made her escape. She fled many leagues to the south, far away from the inhabited caverns, and her accusers never found her.

As any who have travelled in the Underdark well know, many dangers lie hidden here, awaiting the unwary. In the urgency of flight, Usgara and her companions travelled many unmapped ways, and it became apparent that even if she wished it, she could not return. Knowing that as renegades they could count upon none to aid them, Usgara vowed that her household would become self sufficient.

Southwards and downwards the small party trekked. Several times they fought off attacks from those who would view such a group as an easy meal. Yet, hourly praying to Llolth for salvation, they continued to survive.

Thus it came to pass that, after many weeks of hardship, Llolth favoured Usgara again, and in a dream led her to a series of vast caverns, gleaming emerald in the light of a sacrificial offering. Upon awakening Usgara was suffused with new energy and purpose. Without hesitation she led her band to the emerald caves. Here, after the rites to Llolth had been performed, the city of Usgarard was to founded.

Usgarard is unlike other cities of the Drow, having been separated from them for so long. Few indeed are those of the lesser races who have entered our emerald caverns, and of those none have left.

The necessities of isolation have wrought other changes too. Too few in number to survive the habitual bloodletting of the Drow, we have grown to value wisdom over brutality. Self sufficiency has led to a disregard for trading, and thus only rarely has an Usgaran Drow been seen away from the city.

The city is ruled by the "Mene Usgarard", or, as the language of the surface might render it, the "Judges of Usgarard". The ruling females of this Drow house are the direct descendants of Usgara, founder of the city.

Ilharess Zu'lieti Mene Usgarard ruled unchallenged for centuries, but her physical strength began to fade in recent years, rendering her unable to travel. Early in 1098, she disappeared, and was replaced as Ilharess by her daughter Moriqu'enda. Whether Zu'lieti still lives, few know and none say.....