*## Shadows of the Spine *
SOTS picks up about 12 years after the end of season VII, after the DnD World survived the Spellplague0[^1] and about the end of the 2nd Sundering [^2] landing us in 1489DR [^3] - in short, calling it SOTS had to do with the events that occured in the Citadel and that it was located in the base of the Southern Slopes (4th Peak give or take) which lays in the "Shadow" of the "Spine of the World" - And at the time I wrote the general story idea, I hadn't remembered many details about the last events on the server in 2011 before we went dark.. (alot irl occured as well). So the fact that back in July when i began writing the campaign, intertwining "new" villians and such -- turns out the majority of it picks up neatly - 12 years later (2011-2023).. Of course, what actually occurs from this point on is up to the amazing players who come to Menzoberranzan and become apart of our rich history and connections with each other. I know that all of us have become an extended family - which many of us started back in 2002, all thanks to a guy named Sam and his server and a mod called Menzoberranzan...
this campaign is in memory of all the GM's, DM's and PLayers who are no longer with us and portaled to their final PLane. And a special note: to Unc and Ginasue-- One of these days, @DM Fubar and I will figure out what was so important about "the server" y'all kept arguing about.. Until then, roll for inititive. -Elysium
Unbeknownst to the inhabitants of the surface, the name "Shadows of the Spine" carries a deeper meaning that stretches far beyond their immediate struggles. The Frost Hills and Southern Slopes sit neatly within the Fourth Peak of the well-known Spine of the World mountains. Nestled in the mountains was the stronghold known to Santa Lucians and Eilistreeans and the Citadel of the Mitril Fist. Clan Battlehammer has ruled over the hall for many generations, but for reasons held in shrouded secrets beyond long-forgotten conflicts, as far as most people believe, The Citadel sits in a vulnerable state. But the Shield Dwarves have another agenda.
The Orb of Power with the imprisoned Black Avenger is still highly sought after and several tieflings have been spotted thruought the area in search of the relic. Even Mystra herself has sent one of her highest ranking Choosen regarding the safety of the Orb and it's whereabouts being safegaurded against the Abyssal Demon Lord, Balor. Loth and Balor have struck an unique Abyssal accord pulling resources from the usualy Underdark and Abyssal forces - and some not so obvious.
Elvannus and Payge remain estranged from the surface as their focus was the safety and education of their now teenage daughter Peyton who still is hostess to the soul of Fadrinde.. Despite Peyton's geneology, her loyatly is unwavering to her parents. The tall, lightskinned teen does not blend in at all. She shadows her half-drow father by a mear 3 inches but equalling Payge's Human/Abyssal frame. Her hair is as red as the Abyssal Demon Lord's domain.. or dna rather. ..
The destruction of the Hall wasn't all in vain. AS the rubble and debris cleared, the settling dust revealed what was the ancient dwarven town of Dwarvendarrow, which was also known as Settlestone but it's history laid melded together with the ruins of the Hall. Until Now.. and Thoren Battlehammer make a barbaric call for allies to begin rebuilding - Shadowstone.
Important
So the Orb/Black Avenger is held in a monestary somewhere... and sought after still. by the Abyss and Lolth There's the coin that Loth still has tucked away in the Demonweb Pits... Mystra has sent a Choosen one to ensure the Weave of Magic is stable; the Shadows leftbehind from the Dark Weave(s)oops brain fart and that all arcane users begin training again respectively. Eililstreea has envoked the Seldrine to spearhead the recovery of the Temple of Eilistreeans. Also, the Eilistreeans have been named as the new sterwards of the Academy of Arcane Arts and Melee Magic.
--More to come