First Expedition

**The First Expedition** was the Arcturian Empire's disastrous first foray into the Underdark region of Avernus.

## Description

Shortly after the Arcturian Empire's discovery of Avernus, Imperator Publius Arcturus Crataegus commissioned an expedition to explore the caves and report back about their suitability for settlement and expansion. Naturally there was also the implicit instruction to collect as much treasure and slay as many monsters as possible. The expedition was led by a group of powerful adventures and armed with an array of powerful magical items. The expedition as a whole was placed under the command of Tarvos, a barbaric adventurer of some renown.

The Expedition traveled to Avernus by means of teleportation, arriving somewhere around what is today considered Northwestern Avernus. At some point, the Expedition split up into a number of small groups, using magical means to stay in contact with one-another. When, precisely, this division happened and whether it was intentional or brought on by marauding Troglodytes is unknown. Nonetheless, a number of details regarding the travels and fate of the First Expedition have been pieced together by historians.

* One group headed west, and encountered Cirau. While the Gold Wyrm received them hospitibly, they quickly demanded assistance from him. When he refused, they foolishly attacked him and were slain. The group's treasure, including the magic greatsword of their leader, was naturally claimed by the Dragon as part of his hoard.
* Another group, including one of the expedition's leaders, was slain by Harkaj.
* Sextus Argentus, claiming leadership of the entire expedition in Tarvos's absence, led a large force to the Great Falls, where the rapids and waterfalls further divided them. Sextus' ship ran aground, although he continued undeterred, possibly owing to overzealous faith that the Orbem Aere would allow him to escape from any situation. Sextus himself was killed by an explosive trap in a cave he was exploring, while basilisks and other monsters slew the remainder of his group.
* Tarvos' group, harried and hounded by Troglodytes, sought refuge somewhere in Northwestern Avernus, where they were attacked by Demons and the Undead. Alba Mors, Tarvos' legendary sword, was broken into three pieces, and a Ghoul stole away with the tip. Some of the expedition took the blade and pommel and struck out eastwards, while others headed west and attempted to rejoin with the party that had found Cirau.
	+ Tarvos himself was slain by Skarragoth during a disastrous assault on the Demon's lair.
	+ The group with the remains of Alba Mors was beset by a great force of both Troglodytes and the local Drow. A pitched battle ensued; though the Humans were surrounded and outnumbered, their power was still great and the battle was long and fierce, but ultimately in vain. The victors took the remaining pieces of the sword as trophies; the Drow claiming the hilt, and the blade going to the Troglodytes.
	+ The group which headed west was pursued by Troglodytes. They eventually found Cirau, but he was not willing to receive them and cast them out. With nowhere to turn they were quickly cornered by the Troglodytes and slain.
* A final group led by Margarita Maria, one of the initial leaders and the lover of Tarvos, vanished somewhere within the Labyrinth region.

## Artifacts

The First Expedition was outfitted with a number of potent magical items and artifacts, some of which are listed below.

* Alba Mors, a magical bastard sword.
* Livor, a magical longspear.
* Corpus Malum, a magical shortspear.
* Orbem Aere, a magical orb which granted its wielder the power of flight.