| Category | Races |
| Type | medium-sized humanoid |
| Creation | 14 Saunas 1498 DE |
| Language | Langurâpha |
| Native | Bal-Kriav |
The Sussgurd were created in the Dawn Era, a time when worlds were being fashioned and endowed with life. On the world Osâchar, the Creationist Benevolence established the Sussgurd as one of many mortal guardians intended to battle the primordials in the Creation War ( 1486 DE - 8777 DE ) .
In the Torc Wars, a prolonged period extending over five centuries, the Sussgurd city-states and empires of the world Osâchar were conquered by the Durkoth. Under Durkoth rule, the less numerous Sussgurd were relegated to roles of labor and military service.
In 430 HE, Osâchar was beset by a massive mind flayer invasion. This Second Suellk Invasion (430 HE - 537 HE) commenced with simple raiding, then progressed to occupation, with those under the yoke of the illithids destined to be brain food. Faced with the prospect of annihilation, or worse - a mind flayer's dining experience, the Durkoth undertook a vast evacuation of their homeworld. In 537 HE, thousands of Durkoth and nearly 20,000 Sussgurd escaped their beleaguered world in a massive ark called the Shiphis Helas. This voidship was one of four that conveyed their hosts across the Void to the world Bal-Kriav.
In 862 HE, the Sussgurd and their Durkoth masters arrived in the world of Bal-Kriav. The Shiphis Helas landed on Gathrot Isle, one of three islands that would become known as Necrocrypt. Aboard this vessel were thousands of Durkoth and their seconds, the Hydrocur, as well as nearly 20,000 Sussgurd. Overseen by the Hydrocur and answering to their Durkoth masters, the Sussgurd undertook the arduous task of rebuilding their civilization, laying the foundations of the Abâthigûr Empire. Under the leadership of Molakh-Búle, this empire expanded across Necrocrypt and to the western coasts of Straiden. During this period of civilization-building, some Sussgurd managed to earn their freedom, becoming merchants, scribes, and administrators for their Durkoth overlords. Yet, the Hydrocur, the empire's security force, maintained a close watch over them.
In the Durkoth Descent ( 995 HE - 1355 HE ) , Abâthigûr's elite class, the Durkoth, underwent a dramatic transformation. Drawn to the seas, they departed from the realms they had long governed. The Hydrocur, now without masters, became the new overlords of the Sussgurd. This development provoked the Sussgurd-Necrocrypt Rebellion. Those on Necrocrypt did not fare well, with the fortunate few escaping to the Karnegmoth colonies, while the rest fell victim to the numerous undead taking control of the islands, now infamously known as Necrocrypt.
In the First Epoch, the Year 340, the Sussgurd of Karnegmoth's northern coasts, established the Tinnanguth Empire. This nation lasted nearly 500 years. It fell from a Dao slave rebellion. The Sussgurd that managed to escape, fled west into Izagunbar. Sussgurd civilization went into a steep decline, and for some yet unknown reason, underwent a de-evolution, becoming savage, brutish and chaotic. Today, the Sussgurd are considered primitive, chaotic as any goblin, living by raiding and pillaging. They have forgot or don't talk of the ways of old, ignoring ecological wisdom, over-hunting, clear-cutting, making little effort to produce for future generations.
The Sussgurd of the present day are quite rudimentary, vastly dissimilar to those of Tinnanguth, or even the renowned Horgon Empire ( 159 HE - 537 HE ) . They propagate swiftly and in substantial quantities. Their family units are three times larger than what was once considered the norm. They wander like nomads, acknowledging no claims to territory. Given the proper duration, they will triumph through sheer numerical superiority.
Tusk Recorder Mez'lak of the Tusken Council - "Devolved Sussgurd"
When Belgunth conquered Sakullêth, she promptly annexed the savage Sussgurd surrounding her domain. By 1793, Belgunth had consolidated the majority of the local Sussgurd under her authority.
The Khimrathil Resistance
While many Sussgurd toil in the mud of Sakullêth, a defiant group of refugees has found sanctuary in the dense overgrowth of the Khimrathil valley. Led by Brak-Zul, these Sussgurd have resisted the "de-evolution" narrative, displaying tactical cunning and a fierce desire for freedom.
Working in tandem with the "Little Fury," a Sprite druid named Thistle-Sting, Brak-Zul's band actively sabotages the Pyramid of Anti-Nature's harvesting operations. They stand as the primary bulwark against the expansion of the Wither-Blight, fighting to protect their hidden enclaves from the "Rot-Makers."
The Sussgurd today appear driven by the most fundamental impulses, bent on devastation. This race generally leans toward chaotic evil. While they may lack in intelligence and discernment, they compensate with remarkable physical power and endurance. Possessing a sturdy build, Sussgurd average 7' in height and weigh between 220 and 350 pounds. In contrast to their progenitors, the rudimentary Sussgurd exhibit elevated birth rates of 3-4 offspring.
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 300 years |