Cael Morrow

Depiction of a pair of aboleth spawn in Cael Morrow, by adragonswinging from Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep.

## Location Information

### **Points of interest**

* Rift to the Netherdeep
* Temple to the Arch Heart

**Cael Morrow** is the name given to the former leading city in Marquet in the era of the Calamity prior to its destruction by Gruumsh. It is now a ruin beneath Ank'Harel.

## **History**

Cael Morrow, whose original name is lost to history, was located in the jungles of Marquet prior to and during the time of the Calamity, in the location where Ank'Harel stands in modern times. It was originally an elven city, but at the time of its destruction, the population was a mixture of elves and orcs, the orcs having joined the city shortly after they were transformed by the blood of Gruumsh. It was a peaceful society with a strong academic tradition, considered utopian, and the population worshiped Corellon.

Gruumsh, as the enemy of Corellon, targeted Cael Morrow, and attempted to strike the center of the city with a force intended to destroy the entire continent, but he was blocked by Alyxian. As a result, Marquet survived, although much of the jungle became desert. However, Cael Morrow was pushed underground and destroyed in the process. Alyxian's ties to Ruidus created a rift, and Cael Morrow's waters combined with unknown planar magic, creating the Netherdeep. Only a handful of the denizens of the city survived.

As of 836 PD, the city is being excavated by the Allegiance of Allsight, who named the ruins Cael Morrow, or "the Drowned City". The ruins are under their jurisdiction.

## **Description**

In 836 PD, the architecture of Cael Morrow is quite worn after centuries of being underwater. Any areas that are not underwater were cleared by the Allegiance of Allsight, who placed magical soundproof barriers and airlocks to keep these regions dry. There are also many dangerous aquatic creatures and undead in the city.

    The entry to Cael Morrow is in the Sigil District of Ank'Harel: a large spiral staircase leads down to the entryway, which is guarded by the Allegiance of Allsight. The Allegiance's headquarters are in a three-story building that they have repurposed for storage of artifacts. The top floor is partially collapsed. The city also has multiple watchtowers and guard towers.

### **Points of interest**

* The **Last Willow Tavern** is an underwater tavern run by Olara, a sea elf and one of the few survivors of the initial attack.
* The **Royal Library** contains a reading room, study area, and ritual chamber. Most of the books have fallen apart after centuries underwater, and the area smells of mildew. The ritual chamber contains a still-functioning teleportation circle.
* The **Temple of the Arch Heart** is a huge stone structure under the divine protection of Corellon, who keeps out both the water and intruders. The floor is covered in an elaborate silver and green mosaic that, as of 836 PD, was marred by a shard of ruidium.
* A **kelp forest** grows where there was once a garden. There are still shrines to Corellon within.
* The **rift to the Netherdeep** is located in the collapsed ruins of a former palace, and is covered by a barrier that protects it against intruders and can only be penetrated by ruidium weapons.

## **Trivia**

* In *Exandria Unlimited: Calamity*, set in the Age of Arcanum on the eve of the Calamity, Brennan Lee Mulligan mentions Cael Morrow by its current name. However, at that time the city wasn't yet called "the Drowned City", since that name was given to it by modern scholars. While in-game this is anachronistic, Brennan's decision helps the audience recognize the city, and maintains the idea transmitted in *Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep*: that the true name of Cael Morrow has been lost to the ages.

## **References**

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 7.
2. ↑ See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 121.
3. ↑ See "Excelsior" (E3x01) at 2:03:29.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 5.
5. ↑ See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 82.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 129.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 122.
8. ↑ See *Call of the Netherdeep*, pp. 127–128.
9. ↑ See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 129, 136.
10. ↑ See *Call of the Netherdeep*, pp. 130–131.
11. ↑ See *Call of the Netherdeep*, pp. 132–133.
12. ↑ See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 134.
13. ↑ See *Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 137.
14. ↑ See "Excelsior" (E3x01) at 2:03:29.

**Art**

1. ↑ Depiction of a pair of aboleth spawn in Cael Morrow, by adragonswinging from *Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep*. Used with permission. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
2. ↑ Depiction of the Allegiance's underwater base in Cael Morrow, by Linda Lithén from *Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep*, p. 175. Used with permission. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
3. ↑ Depiction of Cael Morrow's temple of the Arch Heart, by Kent Davis from *Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep*. Used with permission. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.