Argruxiel

In 862 HE, the Spire of Krak-Oth landed at the northern edge of the Amoral Plateau. In this voidship was the then mortal Krak-Oth along with hundreds of Durkoth and thousands of Theegan slaves. Most went east, settling in a hilly area of the Droonesh Marsh. Their most important settlement was Argruxiel. From this hold, Krak-Oth spread his yoke upon the inhabitants of northern Grashakh and southeast into the Tribe Steppes.

When Krak-Oth established the Araj Empire (872 HE - 49), becoming its first emperor, Argruxiel became its capital.

In 1001 HE, the capital was moved to Zînin-Gulc. The old capital was left in the hands of a long groomed governor named Orthraak. This underling controlled the lands around Argruxiel while his master ruled from Zînin-Gulc. When Krak-Oth went to the Tribe Steppes, he took the Theegans with him. Orthraak was left with the natives of Argruxiel's area of influence, goblins, trolls and other elements that had long disgusted their emperor.

When the the Durkoth left for the deeps in the Durkoth Descent (995 HE - 1355 HE), Argruxiel's people were left to take care of themselves. Their mutating masters went into the Underdark and under the waves of Chtorgo. When Argruxiel lost communications with Araj, they were leaderless. It has been said that having been servants to superior beings for so long, they were not up to the task of keeping government. The city fell to chaos as petty warlords sought to take control. Argruxiel was depopulated year by year, falling into ruin with the trolls returning to their old habitat in Droonesh and the goblins leaving for the deep woods of Hangath and Bowkrak.

In 1201, the Orchish Empire pushed into this area, rebuilding the city-sized ruin. Under new masters, the place never saw the population if once had. Surrounded by marshes, it can be a sickly place. After a school of necromancy was established, it began to attract darker elements. State funded, it had the resources to fuel many experiments. After three centuries of this, Argruxiel became a Necrohold.

Argruxiel is sited in the hills overlooking the great swamp Droonesh. The city sewers empty into this troll-infested wetland. The sewers are home to many undead which just by their presence serve as guards for the area.

The city has moss green walls and towers. This deep green stone is unique to this area, only found in the Bowkrak hills. Ushnaga, a cell of Ilfengrim is located in the city. Perhaps the most notable place of Argruxiel is Úrwath. This school is dedicated to the advancement of necromancy.

The Orchish Empire employs many undead contingents created by the necromancers of this dark city. Sometimes undead run amok in the city, making for dangerous travel. There are also dozens wandering the marshes near the city. Ju-ju archers and giant skeletons man the walls of Argruxiel. Periodically, undead cavalry make forays into Droonesh, capturing anything living for use in the foul experiments of Ushnaga and other practitioners of necromancy.