| Category | Depressions |
| Continent | Brucrumus |
| Region | Northern Hordelands |
| Map | Zyrath |
Manduggiss is one of three peculiar submerged territories of Zyrath. It spans an expanse approximately 60 miles east to west and 160 miles north to south. A depression in the land, it plunges 800 feet down to a hilly jungle basin. From the surface, during daylight hours, the depression is blanketed in a hazy veil. Beneath this layer lies a sultry, jungle-like ecosystem uncharacteristic of the latitude.
In the year 16 LE, ex-Covenant soldiers who once served under Ptah came here from Achamâz. These were Sig-Lorm colonists searching for a new homeland. Familiar with the region from their Covenant service, they were well aware of the land's notorious curse, yet descended regardless. They claimed to be drawn to the jungle setting, as their Gorantin nature, suppressed for centuries in Achamâz, now found true liberation. However, by the Second Epoch, many had revised their views. The arrival of outsiders provided them the chance to depart.
In 1481, Squad X7E discovered the Sig-Lorm dwelling in this vast chasm. They also encountered other tribes, all revering a specific animal as the messenger of their powerless deities. This powerlessness stems from a potent curse cast upon the area. The first component of this curse is that no divine power can be amassed within the confines of the depression. For Higher Powers, this means the inhabitants of this region, though significant to some, yield little in return. They are likewise severed from receiving divine energy, the essence of priests. The denizens of Manduggiss compensate for this by possessing a rich history of healing through alchemy and herbs. The second facet of the Manduggiss Prison Curse is that any who remain here for a year cannot depart unless accompanied by an outsider. This curse, a creation of one of Yeenoghu's demonic witches, is of such mystical composition that breaking it would have led to even more severe side effects. Consequently, when the Demon Spawn War (89 GE - 269 GE) ended, the Covenant departed, erecting dozens of towering monoliths, each inscribed with words that transformed to match the language of the observer - warning them of the curse. With the mortals' protectors gone in the Angelic Departure (270 GE - 274 GE), Yeenoghu dispatched his mortal agents to these grand monoliths, where they toppled them and rolled them into what had once been a prison for a game.
For nearly a century, Yeenoghu maintained dominion over a vast expanse of the surrounding region and the cavernous depths beneath it. Manduggiss served as Yeenoghu's holding pen for prisoners, where harrowing games of hunter and prey played out, ultimately leading to the demise of most captives. The spectacle intensified when formidable reptilian creatures, some hailing from the verdant jungles of Abyssm before it fell fully under Demogorgon's sway, were brought in.
The jungle-like conditions and temperatures of Manduggiss are not yet fully understood. The prevailing theory suggests that this peculiar environment is somehow linked to the petrified remains of the colossal reptiles transported here from Abyssm. These anchors to the distant land of Abyssm have seemingly birthed an alien ecosystem, one that is unnatural for a region of this latitude.
Excerpt from the Annals of Squad X7E
The allure of this place is palpable, as if the world below promises something superior. This sensation is subtle yet compelling, drawing us all into the grasp of the Manduggiss Prison Curse. We were briefed on this matter, with the leaders assuring us this would be a brief mission, not one lasting long enough to become ensnared.
Entering a seemingly forgotten submerged realm, we were accosted by insects. My comrades and I from Squad X7E were weary of this arduous mission. We had previously encountered a gilded dragon that was purportedly benevolent by all conventional standards. We soon discovered, after the beast had exhaled lethal flames upon us, that a crimson dragon had raised this particular gilded dragon. The creature even quipped, "I was raised by the reds" when one yelled that the beast was supposed to be a virtuous entity.
We were spread out and maintaining a disciplined marching formation as we traversed the jungle path. The group remained on high alert following the encounter with the wyrm.
Thunderous crashes reverberated from the distance ahead. Gillian Thunderbringer led the charge. We steadied our stance, anticipating the source of the rumble. Shortly thereafter, a multitude of massive reptilian beings commenced sprinting towards us. A stampede was underway!
Chasing the stampeding herd was this enormous reptile, easily measuring 25 feet in height. A two-handed sword could effortlessly fit within the cavernous jaws of the creature. "The reptile is the dreaded tyrannosaurus!" Mogert exclaimed.
All the members of the group with the sole exception of the unfortunate young Gillian took to scaling the trees. The trees, however, provided no safeguard for this individual. The creature would be upon them in mere moments, yet perhaps the beast would occupy itself with pursuing the herd.
Gillian Thunderbringer lifted his mighty battle-ax from his back, and promptly christened it "By Ares, bestow upon T-Rex Slayer the strength to vanquish this formidable reptile."
Perhaps if Ares had been attentive, he might have bestowed the young man with discernment rather than a benediction upon his feeble weapon.
The reptile approached Gillian with long, thunderous strides, and the feeble humanoid raised his great-ax to meet the beast. Squad X7E observed with pity and sadness as the tyrannosaurus devoured young Gillian in a single bite.
Like the wise beast, it remained more preoccupied with the herd and continued to pursue the creatures. That evening, we slumbered loftily amidst the trees.
Scipio, from the Annals of Squad X7E - "Venturing into Manduggiss"