Necrocrypt

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Necrocrypt is an island region of the Sea of Mourning. It comprises one large volcanic island called Gathrot, and two smaller islands, Sahuld and Urêthîn.

The gods did not create the isles of Necrocrypt from the primordial soup - better known today as Chaos. In the Dawn Era, the area of Necrocrypt was open seas. In the God Era, Gathrot rose from the deeps, forged by the fires of two volcanoes, Groarnfer and Gruggvein. Though normal in appearance, they are not, for deep in their core, ten miles under the Gathrot landmass is a brood of phaethons. These mighty beings, the progeny of Surtur, were the first to be used by this fire god in his vision of what Bal-Kriav should look like.

- from the Wall of Meddling inside Phollûmâ

The islands of Necrocrypt have long been a haven for necromantic practices and have seen the rise and fall of several civilizations. For nearly two centuries of the Horgon Era, Necrocrypt served as the heart of the Durkoth empire Abâthigûr. The empire's founder Molakh-Búle, and only ruler up until the Durkoth Descent (995 HE - 1355 HE), encouraged the use of the necromantic arts. The presence of roving pacts of undead in the sewers and countryside were a constant problem for the empire.

In the Second Epoch, necromancy again became a thing for Necrocrypt. This came with the arrival of the wizard Caliguworm and others of like mind. Under them, the island became a very strong Necrohold.

In 1015, forced out by the Gulimbor Cataclysm (996 - 1203), the Melephaeusans left their Gulimbor homeland for Gathrot isle. They would last a little more than a decade, falling to the island's ancient evils. The one often blamed for the empire's downfall is Caliguworm.

Necrocrypt is the birthplace of the Cult of Worms. In the Black Tide War (1465 - 1504), these islands were designated the rallying point for the leaders of the Black Tide. If things went bad, they would retreat to Necrocrypt and rebuild their unholy armies. Victorious in the Black Tide War, they would not return until the follow-on war, the Artery War (1546 - 1554).

The Black Tide of Thasmudyan controls Necrocrypt. Even though undead roam freely here, the place is far from being devoid of life. Plant-life, animals, and insects thrive. Most are not normal, tainted from the area's high negative energy and centuries of evil committed here; the worst being the rise of the undead god Thasmudyan.