The Forger

### **Overview**

The Forger is a Mod of tools, weapons, and armor. As the supreme ruler of the Underdark, the Forger serves as the Patron Mod of the Dwellers. The Forger constantly grapples with two internal motivations: a burning desire to create and an obsessive need for perfection in all things around them. Often reclusive, the Forger is commonly found engrossed in his craft, wishing not to be disturbed.

### **Described Appearance**

The Forger has maintained a similar form for eons of time. He is humanoid in appearance, with iron skin, a copper beard, and molten metal blood, circulated through an internal fire in his heart, the glow of which can be seen through his chest. The Forger also has eyes that glow with amber flames, which can incinerate seemingly any object the Forger deems unsatisfactory. The Forger can duplicate the number of arms he has and is very good at using them to multitask on a variety of projects. His body is covered in symbols and patterns which he had chiseled into his skin. His entire form is believed to have been cast, tempered, and assembled piece by piece. Although how the Forger could have built a body without having one in the first place is unknown.

### **History and Relationships**

From before linear time, the Forger has supported his fellow Mods with the use of his creations, especially concerning the Warlord, Builder, and Protector. Although not very powerful compared to other Mods, his role was instrumental in pushing back invasive entities during the dawn of the cornucopia. When the Mods first began creating reality, he would supply them with the cosmic tools to fulfill their will. And when all of the other Mods and Modesses split the cosmos apart due to their creative differences, there was still one realm left which he and his companion shared.

Over time, however, a split did grow between the Forger and the Entertainer. The division eventually culminated in a cataclysmic event, during which the Entertainer and the Forger went their separate ways, taking pieces of the once unified realm along with them. The Entertainer lifted mountains high into the sky and the Forger sunk continents deep underground, during which the entire realm suffered great earthquakes, tsunamis, and storms of falling fire and dust. The resulting aftermath produced three realms: the Faewild, the Underdark, and the Overworld, the last of which was nearly sanitized by the calamity.

### **Intent Behind the Underdark**

Those who fled to the Underdark as it sank were sheltered from the devastation above. In the following centuries, some brave Dweller adventurers would make their way back to the surface and report sightings of ash-covered landscapes and craters too large to see the other side of. Over time, Underdark culture branched and developed to become far different than that of the Fae. A counterculture emerged, such that most Dwellers strived to be the opposite of their former brothers and sisters. Whatever the legends said the Faefolk were, the Dwellers would be different. If it was said the Fae were untrustworthy or overly emotional, the Dwellers would become logical and honest to the point of absurdity.

Legend was given form when The Traveler first began ferrying adventurers from between the Faewild and Underdark. For some, the stories proved completely true. For others, meeting face-to-face inspired more nuanced perspectives.

During the Age of Fire and subsequent invasions by the Nether, the differences between realms were blurred further. As it became apparent that only a unified effort would push back the burning armies, Dwellers and Faefolk became unlikely allies. The first Humans also appeared during this time and, following the Netherkin retreat, remained there down to this day.

For thousands of years afterward, the Dwellers became renowned adventurers, plundering other dimensions for wealth and fantastic tales to bring home with them. Over time, however, Dwellers became more and more reclusive and stopped adventuring outside of their realm.

Society in the modern-day Underdark is a plutocracy and operates under a harsh caste system in which one's worth is entirely dependent on wealth. As such, many interviewed Dwellers, despite admiring their intrepid ancestors, report feeling too anxious about making ends meet to leave home. Although officially close allies, divisions between Dwellers and Faefolk have worsened in recent years. Not to be discounted, more frequent earthquakes have been occurring in the Underdark, and the Faewild is calculated to be soaring at altitudes higher than in all previous history.

### **Interview about Mortals**

When asked if he knew who made the mortals, the Forger said, "I made you what you are. I am still making you now."