Stardock

Overview

Stardock is an irregularly shaped asteroid, approximately 520 feet (158 meters) long by 340 feet (104 meters) wide. There are no buildings on the asteroid's surface; instead there are numerous tunnels and caverns that have been excavated from the solid rock. Most external doors consist of massive rolling stone slabs, whereas most internal doors are secured with metal gates or portcullises. The walls and floors are rough-hewn stone in all areas, except the central chambers which have been specially smoothed and polished.

Most areas are lit by magically-burning braziers located at each corner, providing illumination equal to that of a full moon or twilight. Stardock's atmospheric envelope consists of breathable air, and is kept at a comfortable temperature, though it is a bit dry.

Stardock has a gravity plane which extends through the asteroids' center, along its longitudinal plane. Both sides of the asteroid are capable of supporting caverns, but the side facing the sun is considered uninhabitable by the mindflayers, as well as the liches of the Twisted Rune. Because the 'stardock', for which the asteroid is named, is located on the 'reverse' side of the asteroid, the inhabitants are forced to transition through the gravity plane. This means that anybody climbing down the ladder to the dock will pass through the gravity plane halfway down, and will then have to start climbing the ladder to reach the top of the access tunnel.

History of Stardock

Originally, the central cavern that now provides access to the inner chambers of Stardock was once the lair of some unknown species of dragon. Over 300 years ago, the illithids of Glyth took over the asteroid and established an outpost here, dug from the solid rock by enslaved umber hulks. The mind flayers inhabited the outpost sporadically over two hundred years, until agents of the Twisted Rune, a cabal of powerful undead spellcasters, discovered the existence of Stardock.

Forces of the Twisted Rune, led by the lich Priamon Rakesk and the alhoon Ralayan, raided the outpost and managed to conquer it, killing or enslaving the resident mindflayers and destroying the small outposts' elder brain.

After they were satisfied that the orbiting asteroid would make a convenient base, the two undead spellcasters decided to expand their power base. Using a wish spell, Priamon Rakesk created a portal, known as the Rift, which linked Stardock with the dungeon complex known as Undermountain, allowing him and his partner to abduct Halaster Blackcloak, during what is now known as Halaster's Highharvestide, in an attempt to rip his secrets from his mind.

Appendix

External Links

• Stardock article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.

References

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