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Description
Core Dwellers are creatures that appear in the mythology of the Underworld. If they are real or not, it is currently not known. Thankfully someone already informed me that these beasts were more fit into myth than reality, that way I didn't make myself look like a fool for a second time. Yes, I am still a bit bitter from the Bagogga incident...

Core Dwellers are believed to be creatures that were created by the Gods Below, the deities worshiped by those who live in the Underworld. When the world had been created, built upon the molten star that was home of the gods, the Underworld did not exist. The world had just been layered onto the central star, creating miles and miles of solid earth. The Gods realized that there was no place for their people, save for the top surface of the world. But that layer was a cold and inhospitable place, no good for the children of the Gods. So the Gods created the Core Dwellers, who carved out the many tunnels and caverns that make up the Underworld. For years they ate and gnawed at the solid earth, crafting structures that the Gods Below would soon fill with life. This pleased the Gods to no end, and they were content with letting their creations run free as they began crafting the world. The Gods, however, forgot that the Dwellers were simple beasts, only following their leaders' commands. They dug out tunnels and caverns as ordered, but began to run out of room. Their solution was to start eating upwards, towards the forbidden surface. When the Gods Below realized that the Core Dwellers were climbing up, they were quick to whisk them away to the core. With their job done, the Gods left the Core Dwellers to live within the molten core, watched over by the careful eye of Alauticus. With liquid rock coursing through their home, the Core Dwellers were content to feast away at the never ending supply of food, which the God of Stone was more than happy to supply. And that is where they live to this day, in the domain of the Gods Below. What the Gods didn't know, though, was that some Core Dwellers had actually made tunnels to the surface before retreating back down for more rocks. It is believed that these forbidden tunnels are the ones that link the surface world to the Underworld. And seeing how the two layers fight with each other, it isn't hard to see why the demons believe that they shouldn't have been connected.

Though content to live in the land of the Gods Below, Core Dwellers are sought by a cult in the Underworld. Known as the Abyssal Olms, this cult seeks to find a Core Dweller and bring it under their control. This radical and rather deadly group wish to use the Core Dweller to remake the Underworld, carving out new lands for them to rule. It is widely believed that if they succeeded, the structural integrity of the Underworld would be destroyed, resulting in catastrophic events that could easily wipe out their kind. For some reason the Abyssal Olms don't really care, which is why the cult is actively being hunted down and combated at each step of the way. Thankfully I have never met a member of this cult, as I hear they do not take too kindly to people from the surface world.

Just a side note here for anyone travelling to the Underworld, don't research too much into their myths and religion. And if you do, don't be too chatty about it. I had read up on it and study it for days before visiting their land and was excited to talk about it and show them my knowledge in it. i thought they would be impressed by my interest in their culture. It turns out, though, that when outsiders know TOO much about their religion, people can get a little testy. But then again, I might have crossed a line when I corrected that preacher. My bad.

Chlora Myron
Dryad Natural Historian

---------------------------------------------------------

Update and color for these "lava bears." Har Har!

Description
Core Dwellers are creatures that appear in the mythology of the Underworld. If they are real or not, it is currently not known. Thankfully someone already informed me that these beasts were more fit into myth than reality, that way I didn't make myself look like a fool for a second time. Yes, I am still a bit bitter from the Bagogga incident...

Core Dwellers are believed to be creatures that were created by the Gods Below, the deities worshiped by those who live in the Underworld. When the world had been created, built upon the molten star that was home of the gods, the Underworld did not exist. The world had just been layered onto the central star, creating miles and miles of solid earth. The Gods realized that there was no place for their people, save for the top surface of the world. But that layer was a cold and inhospitable place, no good for the children of the Gods. So the Gods created the Core Dwellers, who carved out the many tunnels and caverns that make up the Underworld. For years they ate and gnawed at the solid earth, crafting structures that the Gods Below would soon fill with life. This pleased the Gods to no end, and they were content with letting their creations run free as they began crafting the world. The Gods, however, forgot that the Dwellers were simple beasts, only following their leaders' commands. They dug out tunnels and caverns as ordered, but began to run out of room. Their solution was to start eating upwards, towards the forbidden surface. When the Gods Below realized that the Core Dwellers were climbing up, they were quick to whisk them away to the core. With their job done, the Gods left the Core Dwellers to live within the molten core, watched over by the careful eye of Alauticus. With liquid rock coursing through their home, the Core Dwellers were content to feast away at the never ending supply of food, which the God of Stone was more than happy to supply. And that is where they live to this day, in the domain of the Gods Below. What the Gods didn't know, though, was that some Core Dwellers had actually made tunnels to the surface before retreating back down for more rocks. It is believed that these forbidden tunnels are the ones that link the surface world to the Underworld. And seeing how the two layers fight with each other, it isn't hard to see why the demons believe that they shouldn't have been connected.

Though content to live in the land of the Gods Below, Core Dwellers are sought by a cult in the Underworld. Known as the Abyssal Olms, this cult seeks to find a Core Dweller and bring it under their control. This radical and rather deadly group wish to use the Core Dweller to remake the Underworld, carving out new lands for them to rule. It is widely believed that if they succeeded, the structural integrity of the Underworld would be destroyed, resulting in catastrophic events that could easily wipe out their kind. For some reason the Abyssal Olms don't really care, which is why the cult is actively being hunted down and combated at each step of the way. Thankfully I have never met a member of this cult, as I hear they do not take too kindly to people from the surface world.

Just a side note here for anyone travelling to the Underworld, don't research too much into their myths and religion. And if you do, don't be too chatty about it. I had read up on it and study it for days before visiting their land and was excited to talk about it and show them my knowledge in it. i thought they would be impressed by my interest in their culture. It turns out, though, that when outsiders know TOO much about their religion, people can get a little testy. But then again, I might have crossed a line when I corrected that preacher. My bad.

Chlora Myron
Dryad Natural Historian

---------------------------------------------------------

Update and color for these "lava bears." Har Har!