Southkrypt Garden The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

The Southkrypt Garden, also known simply as Southkrypt, is the ruins of a dwarfhold on the northern edge of Kryptgarden Forest. The former name was derived from the fact that its dwarven inhabitants had constructed a magnificent garden around it.

Southkrypt is located underneath the mountains the dwarves called Maruutdin and the southern flanks of the Sword Mountains. It can be found east of the town of Leilon, northwest of the Stone Bridge, and north of the Kryptgarden Forest.

Upon the entrance doors of Southkrypt are engraved the national symbol of Haunghdannar—a seven-pointed star, above a fish facing left, and floating above a mountain peak. On the surface it is surrounded by a wild, overgrown and tangled garden. Its interiors are described as being maze-like.

Southkrypt was once a part of the dwarven nation of Haungdannar and acted as a defense for their eastern borders. At one point before it was left in ruins, Southkrypt was known to be a silver mine. The entrance to the ruins is said to be guarded by a tribe of hobgoblins, who work to ensure that any adventurers who came in will stay and provide sustenance for their lord Morg.

The upper level of the ruins is known to be inhabited by a variety of gibberlings and norkers. While the lower levels were known to be inhabited by storopers, vilstrak, vargouille, and xaren and other, more dark and sinister creatures. The lower levels are also home to Morg, a vampiric hill giant shaman, as well as his company of three hill giant servitors.

Legends claim that ancient magical weapons of Haungdannar can be found within the depths of Southkrypt. Ancient portals are also rumored to exist in the deeper levels of Southkrypt. This abandoned dwarfhold is the air of strange and dangerous creatures. Adventurers probing the upper levels "what few have returned from these ruins alive", have seen norkers and bands of ravening gibberlings. Deeper forays have uncovered xaren, vilstrak, vargouilles, and storopers. In addition to the creatures mentioned, the lower halls of Southkrypt is the lair to a vampire hill giant shaman and his three vampire hill giant servants. Centuries have passed since this massive complex was abandoned and left to ruins leaving itself open to all sorts of foul creatures to move in and call it home. Those few who have reached some of the deeper levels have returned changed and tell stories of strange creatures inhabiting the deeper regions of Southkrypt.

Many stories, legends and rumors are told about the mazelike structure beneath the mountain, stories that many care to never hear repeated again. Some even say, a dark power lives within Southkrypt, gathering its strength and power with plans to unleash itself upon the Realms.