The year following the appointment the Curator of Death filled the Underworld with an uneasy tension.

In the month of Miraman, 717 AF, the Lord of Wealth and the Smith made Their way into the Underworld, arriving in a dazzling flash of golden light to collect the imprisoned King.

The Ur'Vampires Asztrik, Gerzson, Prioska, Tizane, and Zigana observed the departure of their sovereign from a distance. They watched as Ugrach shared last words with his son. They looked on as he walked with the waiting Gods, passing by the Underworld fortresses. They were silent as he stood before the great root of Yggdrasil one last time, crown in hand.

The next moment would be remembered in crystalline clarity, a gesture of historical significance. As Ugrach reached out to touch the grey root, he ceased to become the Ruler of the Underworld and Slith ascended to the throne, taking his father's place.

Over the course of the year that followed, civil unrest broke out within the unholy kingdom. Units of Death Knights carved their way through armies of shambling zombies, herds of mutated ictheli blasted apart other squads. The abominable legions of Ur'Vampire Asztrik laid waste to the undead thralls of the twins of Undeath, while a company of banshees was disassembled after meeting the inevitability that is Ur'Vampire Prioska.

The appointment of Slith left a void in the Underworld nobility. Who would sit at King Slith's right hand and serve as council? Each had served as lieutenants of equal authority under the rule of Ugrach, each now made plans, formed factions, and began to vie against each other with different aims in mind.

Claiming dominion within the Azdun graveyards, Lord Zsarachnor made his decision to contend for the seat of Slith's advisor. Having occupied the very same position in the War of Humanity, he deemed himself an obvious choice and would have it no other way. Ever vigilant for a shift in power, and keen for any reason to thwart the Crypt Lord, Belladona began to scheme, seeking to insert herself into the Underworld rebellion in a bid to forward her own hatred-fuelled desires.

In the shadows lurked Magister Dominar, ever waiting for the day that he could return to glory and rebuild the Magisterion. The departure of Ugrach from the Underworld toppled the main hurdle in the way of his lofty aim: to seize control of the Soulbleed Nexus and thereby uncover the secret to soulbleed coalescence. It was an opportunity he could not pass by, and so he, too, joined the fray.

As tensions continued to escalate, these factions began to reach beyond their boundaries, disseminating orders to their overland followers, servants, and contacts. Letters were dispatched to the leaders of all the nation-states, each seeking an alliance that would bolster their faction's efforts toward victory. Preparations for war were already underway; they could afford no more than four months to win a city's support.

The deadline came and went, and negotiations drew to a close. Of six factions, four had secured overland support amongst the nation-states.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary: Civil unrest broke out within the Underworld following the appointment of Ugrach as Curator of Death, and the force-ascension of Slith to his father's throne. With a new leader at the helm of the unholy kingdom, six factions were formed, each vying for the potential power in a fresh regime.

Penned by My hand on the 8th of Miraman, in the year 718 AF.