The World Of Khoras - Civilization - Ruins
The Known History of Shidar
Centuries ago, Shidar was a shining city of wealth and glory... where learned scholars debated with theologians... where artists and craftsmen rendered great works. Over a million people lived and worked in Shidar. It was home to the most magnificent temples. Great towers reach toward the sky. It was considered by many to be the greatest city of the world. It was an age of enlightenment.
Some say that the people of Shidar grew arrogant. Their art was perfect, their magic limitless, the beauty of their city unmatched. It is said that they turned from the gods and worshiped themselves. This arrogance went too long unpunished and in the year 1136 CY, the gods brought down the Shidaran people. The gods turned away from Shidar, allowing the forces of darkness free reign. The city was overrun with horrible creatures from the netherworld.
Thousands died in that night of darkness. horrors swept over the land and wiped out the entire peninsula. The city was quickly abandoned as people fled in terror. The horrors that swept through Shidar expanded out into the night and began to hunt the lands beyond. Soon, the entire peninsula was in chaos. The region is now known simply as the Desolation of Shidar. It is a dangerous land of roaming monsters, rampant disease, undead and worse. Once each year, during the late summer, it is overrun by "the Horde".
The once shining city of Shidar now lies in ruins. The lands change from year to year and the ruins of Shidar are extremely difficult to find. The Chaddamarians fear the Desolation and will not set foot there. It is considered bad luck to make maps of Shidar (maps leading to it or maps of the city layout). Therefore, there are no such maps. The priests of Chaddamar have declared the Desolation forbidden. A great wall was erected years ago. The lands beyond are off limits.
The True History of Shidar
What follows is the truth about Shidar. It is not known to the general public. This lore is held in crumbling scrolls and dusty tomes, known only to a handful of sages.
0 CY - After the Cataclysm, the Kytohan Empire fell. The north east region was once a larger peninsula, but the coasts collapsed taking many fishing villages with them.
72 CY - The only major city left was Daetowa ruled by Duke Morgoth. According to legend, Lord Morgoth built a great underground fortress beneath his city. Perhaps to protect his people from the World Storm or raiding bandits who pillaged the newly-wrecked world. It is said that these great halls beneath the ground were a marvel to behold. It supposedly held the wealth of the region.
155 CY - A century later, the city of Daetowa was overrun by humanoid tribes. Within 50 years, nothing remained but ruins.
185 CY – Some years later, the ruins of Daetowa were abandoned by the humanoids. The ruins of Daetowa were left to the weeds.
851 CY – In the ninth century, the ruins of Daetowa were rebuilt and the town of Shidar was founded.
1050 CY – For two centuries, Shidar grew and developed into a major city. It became a shining center of culture, learning and magical power. The healers of Shidar were exceptionally powerful. They mastered all manner of healing. At the height of the city's power, they developed the power to bring back the dead.
1136 CY – In 1136, miners quarrying stone uncovered a shaft that ended in a great seal. They believed they had uncovered the entrance to the legendary Mines of Morgoth. The Seal was opened. The catacombs underneath began to be explored. Beginning that day, Shidar began to have problems. Murders in the night, strange creatures hunting the nighttime alleys, animals acting strangely, disease. These problems became worse.
The nobles of Shidar decided to construct a new seal over the opening. This great stone edifice was a building with a single great iron door. Death's Door is the name of the great iron and stone building that seals this ancient underground catacomb. It was created by a group of city-sponsored mages led by a great wizard named Adezar.
Amidst great controversy, Adezar created a key that could open Death's Door. Some politicians were horrified that such a security breach was allowed. Others wanted the option of some day opening the door and slaying the demons of the underworld.
The device that could open the door was magical and needed only be touched to the door to open it. Hence, this device could have been made in any form. But Adezar decided to fashion it into the likeness of a key. This choice was artistic, nothing more. The key is fashioned of bronze and is 18" long. It is heavy and highly decorative.
The key was intended only to be used in ceremonies. An ornate oaken box was fashioned to house the key. A great crowd gather to watch the final closing of Death's Door. During the ceremony, a great horde of creatures burst forth from the catacombs beneath, forcing the door open. The city soldiers fought the monsters as the citizens fled. Many soldiers sacrificed their lives, but they managed to close Death's Door. Soldiers and citizens alike fled in terror. Many died that night as the city was emptied. During the battle, the Key was shattered into 3 pieces. - the circular handle, the shaft and the teeth. (The Ring, the Rod and the Teeth).
1137 CY - The city of Shidar was completely abandoned as were most of the towns and villages in the surrounding lands. Over the following decade, the peninsula fell to the hordes of monsters.
The three pieces of the Key were carried south with the refugees. Adezar, who studied one of the pieces, found that their power had not diminished. Such was the power of the enchantment that the key was not destroyed. Indeed, each part still possessed the magic of the whole necessary to open the door. There were, essentially, now THREE keys that could open the door. Nobles fought and squabbled over the three keys. These three keys have changed hands many times over the centuries. Because of their unique design, they are easily identified. Hence, the fate of each is known.
The Current Locations of the Three Pieces Are Known As Follows:
Death's Door
Death's Door is a massive stone building built at the bottom of an immense stone quarry that lies in the northern district of the ruined city of Shidar. Death's Door is built of bricks, each bearing a glyph carved into it. The doors themselves are solid iron and weight many tons. It has been many years since anyone has laid eyes upon the great iron door. It is now a thing of myth, lying in the heart of a dead city in a region that is home to only monsters.
This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.