Malmus, today a melting-pot of subterrrean races, was founded early in the Horgon Era. It began with the city-states of Maldrarg and Telostyxe joining as one. It gave them the chance to compete commercially, and on the battlefield, with their larger neighbors. It was an unlikely union, dark elves and fomorians joining under one empire as equals. It survived civil wars over religion, and those of the elves with their unholy goddess seeking to put her flock on top, and formorians believing that might makes right. More importantly, it gave them numbers and resources that by 500 HE, Malmus was a powerhouse of the Melgrinn Region. They dictated terms of business, becoming ever hostile and belligerent to those around them. The kuo-toa of what became better known as the Blood River were the first to fall. Needing living space, Malmus went to war over the right to use the Lirhazi Cavity. After bringing the kuo-toa to terms, Malmus expanded up to Lothalorn, founding the settlement of Ygasalax on 519 HE.
