Aengmor (City of)
Location: South of Glantri
and Ethengar, north and west of Darokin, former Broken Lands.
Area: 60,000 sq. ft. (5,400 m2)
Population: 15,000 (75% shadow elves, 15% various
humanoids).
Languages: Elvish (shadow elf dialect, Oenkmarian dialect),
Tharian Common, and other goblinoid tongues.
Coinage: Bright (gp), shine (sp), glint (cp), kalafi
(varnished strips of hard, bark-like fungus, they come in 10 gp, 50
gp and 100 gp denominations). Oenkmarian coins can also still be
found: Quetzal (gp), axolotl (cp), ixitxachitl (jade ingots).
Taxes: Unknown.
Government Type: Independent city, formerly part of the
Shadow Elves' Kingdom.
Industries: Military, mining (gold, copper, tin, jade),
fungus production.
Important Figures: Xatapechtli (Atzanteotl's minion, shadow
elf, male, M15)
Flora and Fauna: Mosses, fungus, leeches, mosquitoes,
striders (bipedal lizards).
Further Reading: GAZ 10 - The Orcs of Thar, GAZ 13 - The
Shadow Elves, AC1010 - Poor Wizard's Almanac to AC1012 - Poor
Wizard's Almanac 3.
Description: by Dorrik Stonecleaver
Due to the shadow elf civil war and the following clashes we were unable to get a report from the Aengmor area. Actually we sent there our accomplished archaeologist Julius Fyodorov, the one who wrote about the rising of Aengmor in last year's Almanac, but as of today we get no news from him. Anyway, in order to give you an overview of the former Jewel of the Depths, we charged our correspondents all-over the Old World to collect rumours and tall tales about the City of Aengmor.
One thing that might be of interest to the reader is how the shadow elves distinguish the city of Aengmor and the nation of the same name. Apparently, they don't have the same name. Both shadow elves and elves that I have talked to confirm that there is a difference between the two, but humans (and other demihumans) can't hear it. They claim it has to do with the sensitivity of their elven ears. Of course, when humans talk about Aengmor to the elves, the elves become just as confused because the humans can't pronounce the difference either.
The Land
"The city is built on a series of concentric plateaux over what was probably the top of a rocky hill. Though usually wrapped by smoke (probably coming from the local foundries), it's sometimes possible to see a huge maze of narrow, chaotic streets. Except the heavy walls there're a couple of notable buildings in the city. On the top of the central plateau there's a big temple, like the Thothian ones but with stepped sides instead of sheer surfaces. North-east of the temple there's a circular arena, much smaller than the Thyatian colosseum, but similar in shape. The city also has parks and a couple of lakes."
Young gnome in Serraine.
"Soldiers told me that the shadow elves conquered all the Eastern Broken Lands [11,600 sq. mi (26,100 km2). Ed.] killing or enslaving all humanoids out there."
Darokinian farmer in Corunglain.
"The road is completely blocked, you can no more cross the Eastern Broken Lands now. Before it was dangerous, now it's suicidal. Shadow elves kill humans on sight. The only way to bring these carts back to Darokin is crossing through New Kolland and the Great Crater, unless you want to travel the long way through Fort Sablestone and the Sind desert."
Glantrian army officer talking to a Darokinian merchant.
The People
"Ruthless xenophobic shadow elves, that's what they're!"
Anonymous adventurer
"Shadow elves are not so bad, you know. It's just that they mistrust the other races and so they appear evil and aggressive. My word, they're a misunderstood race. Do you remember what happened a few years ago when some unscrupulous Thyatian kidnapped two of their children? They (rightfully) blamed humans for that and were ready to wage war on Darokin. Fortunately someone was able to stop both armies just in time, otherwise there would have been a real carnage for a misunderstanding. Hear me, my friend, let them learn the ways of diplomacy and they'll look less evil."
Dav Curan, adventurer.
"We've managed to capture an orc alive a few months ago. Actually he was so frightened that he spontaneously surrendered. We tried to ask him about Aengmor, he looked scared and grunted a few words about Oenkmar, evil elves rallying humanoids and a feathered serpent. Not much in my opinion. I don't know what's going on there, but it's certainly something dangerous. Believe me."
Darokinian Sgt., Ft. Nell.
Recent History
Before the Great War the Broken Lands, probably the most desolate and inhospitable land in all Brun, were home to thousands of goblinoids. Forgotten by Immortals, humans and dwarves too (not to mention elves) these rugged lands were probably the most dangerous area in all the Old World. But things changed dramatically in AC 1006. A meteor crashed in the Kurish Massif creating the Great Crater. Life was never the same in the Broken Lands. The feared orcish leader Thar and King Kol IV of the kobolds moved their hordes to the Great Crater (Western Broken Lands) to better raid on Glantri as well as Darokin. Only a few tribes remained in the Eastern Broken Lands. In AC 1010 brave dwarf scouts found the lost City of Aengmor floating on a lava lake in the caves beneath the Eastern Broken Lands. The mighty dwarvish army left Rockhome to defeat the hated orcs and conquer the fabled city.
In Flaurmont AC 1012, after many bloody skirmishes, the humanoids surrendered to the dwarves, but joy was to last very short, because shadow elves attacked the city. In the following months Aengmor was conquered and lost many times by dwarves, shadow elves and humanoids with heavy losses on all fronts. Dwarves abandoned the city in Felmont, Alebane's ogres ransacked the city in Ambyrmont just a few days before the shadow elves' final attack. In AC 1014 shadow elf mages managed to raise the city back to the surface and their troops secured all the Eastern Broken Lands. From then on little is known about who inhabits the city and what happens there. There has been a civil war among shadow elves and it seems that a few rebels elected Aengmor as their stronghold rallying the few scattered humanoids in the area and using them as slaves.
Don't Miss
If you happen to be in Serraine when it's cruising in the Darokin area don't miss to take an aerial tour over the City of Aengmor. The skilled gnomish pilots will bring you on a breathtaking and completely safe journey over the formerly buried city of Aengmor, something you'll never forget. Guaranteed. The tour costs 100 gold pieces, but if you show the gnomes a copy of this almanac you'll have a reduction. [Editor's Note: With the recent reports of a civil war in Serraine, its is quite probable that this tour is no longer available.]
Do Miss
If possible avoid crossing the Eastern Broken Lands, especially by night. If you go and you're surprised by shadowelves immediately drop your weapons and keep silent until they capture you. Maybe they'll spare your life and you'll have the chance to go back home, although it's rumoured that they use captives as slaves in their mines.
If someone offers you to go in the
arena in exchange of freedom, then refuse. A few orcs, captured by
Darokinians, said that really terrible things happen in that arena.