Editing Setting:Unified Setting/Secrets of Everoc (section)

===Nidhogr===
[[image:Nidhogr.png|thumb]]
There are many dangers found in the depths of a dwarven fortress. Cave-ins, explosive gas-pockets and the other dangers of working beneath a billion tons of pressing rock make a trip through the [[Londerfell#Heloraen_Vosilea_.28The_Water_Forest.29|Water Forest]] look pleasant in comparison.

All of those dangers pale into nothing compared with the threat of an unleashed Nidhogr.

Dwarven religion tells this tale of the Nidhogr: "The Sun Within, Wotan, was a benevolent god that carved the Dwarves out of rock, taught them metallurgy and a writing system. The dwarves prospered beneath Everoc, establishing many large strongholds and cities. They crafted wondrous items, and their wealth was greater than all the surface civilizations could muster. But then, Valpurg (thought by some to be the draconian Belial) approached Wotan and asked him for the knowledge of the deep. Wotan, being kind, obliged, but Valpurg used the secret arts to forge the Nidhogr and the Wyrms, great beasts that invaded the deep halls and almost destroyed the Dwarven civilization. It took the might of Wotan, aided by mighty champions, to halt their advance, and in the process Wotan lost much of his former power and retreated into a sealed hall where he now rests, awaiting the time of the final battle."

This much is known, the Nidhogr are creatures of incredible power and even greater savagery. Their origins are unknown, but due to common superstition are believed to be unleashed on any fortress that digs too deep. Some are found beneath the earth, others come out of the wilderness. Varied in shape they are united in their unquenchable thirst for blood, suffering and death. 

One saga that is sung of the Nidhogr is that of the great champion Meng Kolmonom in the fortress that now bears his name.

As the saga tells it, Kolmonom dug too deep and trembled in fear. Soon their fears were realized as a great wyrm dubbed Slöl Sluxlol appeared on the frontier. Slöl moved slowly to increase the dread its presence created, batting aside all forces sent against it. The defenses of the fortress were ripped apart like papier-mache and the dread beast roared in contempt as it entered the great hall.

But then arose a champion, Meng Kolmonom. Taunting the dread wyrm he and a few brave companions lured the creature deep into the foundations of the fortress.  Leading his men he fought the beast until the rest of the fort diverted an underground river into the caverns below. Even as the foundations of the great dwarven city were swept away by the flood, causing widespread devastation, Kolmonom and his band held back Slöl. Until finally in a great crash they were trapped beneath the onrushing black waters.

Weeks later, as the fortress was repaired, the scene of the final battle was drained. No trace was found of Slöl.

There is a dwarven belief that the Nidhogr can never be killed. Instead they reincarnate, with all of their memories and antagonisms intact. That the Nidhogr will eventually become so cunning and powerful that they will destroy the entire dwarven race and then the world. It is something dwarves prefer not to discuss.