The Crypt of Decay

The Crypt of Decay is an ancient structure that resides within the Plane of Disease. Entrance to the crypt is only obtained by fulfilling certain tasks in the surrounding area. The crypt is very old, buried under the dust of disuse and filled with traps, pestilence and the odor of death. The walls and floor are soiled, damp, and foul – unidentifiable stains are everywhere and heaps of carrion rot in the corners. The combination of dust and rancid air gives coughing fits to adventurers foolish enough to enter.

Thousands of years ago, an ancient civilization built the crypt to house their dead kings. That civilization named the crypt Lxanvom, meaning “King’s Rest” in their native tongue. As the centuries passed, it filled up with the dead royalty of the Adan family. During this time, a festering evil began to overwhelm the lower depths of the crypt. This was the presence of Bertoxxulous. Some scholars have gone so far as to venture that the crypt was the birthplace of Bertoxxulous. Others refute this claim, saying that he has been around since the beginning of time and that this was just the earliest recording of his existence. Whatever the truth, the years passed and his power within the crypt grew ever greater until the time came for him to make his presence known outside the crypt.

At first he let himself be known only to members of the ancient civilization who held the power of waste and decay dear to their hearts. Among these first priests of decay was their leader, Ultor Szanvon, who led the effort to spread their dark doctrine.

Ultor schemed and murdered his way into the position of chief chancellor for the reigning king. Once he achieved this position, he tricked the king into visiting the crypt, ostensibly to pay homage to his ancestors. Then, in the presence of Bertoxxulous, he performed a dark ritual sacrificing the king in the center of the crypt. Through this ritual he summoned twelve spirits of long dead kings, transforming them into powerful, horrid creatures, and bounding them to the service of Bertoxxulous. These creatures rampaged through the land, causing death and destruction everywhere they went and spreading an extremely virulent plague which spread like wildfire across the land, wiping out the remnants of the ancient civilization.

Following the plague, Bertoxxulous summoned his minions and the entirety of the crypt to his home in the Plain of Disease. It is said Bertoxxulous took great satisfaction and pride in wiping out a whole civilization; in fact, when he visits the crypt he often takes the form of a twisted version of the long dead race he wiped out.

Deep within the Crypt of Decay are the twelve burial chambers of the ancient kings of the extinct civilization. The kings were Feig Adan, Xhut Adan, Kavilis Adan, Raddi Adan, Wavadozzik Adan, Zandal Adan, Akkapan Adan, Meedo Adan, Qezzin Adan, Pzo Adan and Bhaly Adan. These were the twelve spirits that were ripped from their peaceful rest by the dark rites performed by the high priest, Ultor Szanvon.

Reigning Deity