# Halfling Underhome
Overrun by the Cherekoth and shunned by their dwarven allies, the Halflings of Antaris were forced to abanonned their overrun homeland. Most became refugees, building out new lives in "smalltowns" in foreign lands. The halflings of the Underhome chose to make a new home for themselves, deep below the surface. Not a fettid dark cavern, but a bright and fertile new home. A world as bright and lively as the one they knew, but safe from the trundlers who would try to crush them beneath their feet.
## History
### Nation of Galteicn
????
### War of the Red Oaks
The Cherekoth made quick and brutal work of the halflings what was known as the War of the the Red Oaks. Halflings fled in droves across the Windswept Plains as the Cherekoth smashed city after city. With each defeat, the Halflings fled further and further towards the dreaded Graymist Mountains. Faced with annihilation at the hands of the Cherekoth, the remaining warriors of the Old World stood against the Cherekoth while the four remaining governors lead their people through the treacherous passes of the Graymist mountains. To hold back the Cherekoth, the sage Edroden invoked a long forgotten power, a taboo that had been lost in the haze of time. The power that is now referred to as Warre’s Gift, the ability to increase size and strength to gigantic proportion. While it was not enough to turn the tide of battle, it was enough to hold the line, and to give the others their chance to flee into treacherous mountains. Those that survived the journey emerged from mountain passes and journeyed north into what would be dubbed the Halcyon Plains. It was here that the Halflings resettled their civilization with the assistance of the dwarves of the Diamond Legion.
### Rise of the Saccoranti
Unfortunately, the Halflings would once again be set upon by those intent upon their destruction: The giants of the Saccoranti Hills. It was not clear why it took so long for the giants to appear, but once they did, it there could be no doubt as to the threat they posed. This time, they had hoped, there would be salvation in the aid of the dwarven allies. The dwarves turned a blind eye to their struggles, consumed with their war against the efreet. To confront the danger, the halflings once again tapped Warre’s gift. Able to meet the giants on their own terms, the halflings pushed back against the incursion. They fought tooth and nail to repel the Saccoranti tribes, but their foe was relentless and eventually, the inevitable outcome of the struggle was clear. To save her people, Matriarch Beshvin Aldere led them deep into the caverns under the Scimitar Mountains. The journey was arduous, fraught with peril, but they were safe from the giants intent on their destruction. Eventually, they discovered the cavern of Gaprindel, an enormous cavern that would eventually become the Undersanctuary.
### The Dawn of Teeon's Star
Many halflings did not want to remain in the dank darkness of the caves, there was a movement to make their way into Dwarven Kingdom, irrespective of the dangers efreeti’s minions or the opinion of the dwarves. Beshvin refused to further risk her people’s safety on such foolishness, but knew that something had to be done to secure her people. The wizard Teeon Gamwich had a plan. He drew up a grand arcane formula which is now called Teeon’s Star. A massive burning ball of fire that gives warmth and true sunlight to the massive expanse of Gaprindel. Teeon’s star was a daunting endeavor, requiring Teeon and several lesser casters to make it work. Teeon’s Star was the first of many improvements for Gaprindel. Using magic and manpower, the halflings turned hard stone in fertile soil. They diverted rivers and that brought in plentiful clean water. They shaped and expanded the walls to ensure there was room enough for everyone, and even painted the ceiling to evoke the natural sky. They turned the cold natural cave of Gaprindel into the Undersanctuary; A warm and safe haven for the halflings. Undersanctuary was built, explorers sought out new caverns for resources and potential ground for expansion. What was discovered was that the caverns of the Deep Below wound their way all across Temnia. One could trek from the Scimitar Mountains to the fjords of Skaan, or to the wastelands of Sulima or the frozen peaks of the Terra Orforne. Some used this access to return to the surface. To live among humans or ylvani as refugees. Others decided that these hidden routes could be used to steal needed resources from the bigfolk.
## Government
The Halflings are a matriarchal society, with women taking the lead in civilian, ecclesiastic and arcane infrastructure. The ruling council of the Undersanctuary is called the **Ashiyer**, which is composed of 9 women. Three civilian representatives, three high priestesses, and three master wizards. From this collection, a single leader is decided upon, and rules as Matriarch for 9 years. The current Matriarch is **Deresta Edenorma, High Priestess of Alwen**. The civilian representatives are appointed from three strata: **The Alurvan**, the farmers and builders; **the Warven**, the miners, smiths and warriors; and the **Shriven**, the hunters and watchers of the undersanctuary. The Matriarchy has bureaucrats, referred to as transcended, who work with the stratified to ensure that their resources are best utilized for the betterment of the undersanctuary.
These transcended typically put forth candidates for the civilian representatives of the Ashiyer. The arcane representatives are the heads of the three arcane institutions of the inner sanctuary: The **Sun Maidens**, the **Earth Weavers** and the **Witch Wardens**. The Sun Maidens’ primary responsibility is the care, maintenance and utilization of **Teeon’s Star** in the **Tower of the Sun and Heavens**. They are also responsible for the education of prospective sorcerers and wizards of the Undersanctuary. The leader of the Sun Maidens’ title is the **First Star**. There are nine Stars among the Sun Maidens, each named for a famous arcanist in halfling history who have distinguished themselves in one of the eight schools of arcane magic. The Witch Wardens are the arcane arm of the **Wardens of the Undersanctuary**. They direct the activity of the **Watch Wardens** (the mundane arm), and ply their magic to defend the Undersanctuary from external threats. While internal threats are rare, the Wardens deal with those as well. The Earth Weavers are a collection of druids and other casters who mold the Undersanctuary from cold dead caverns to a expanse of arable land, hospitable winds and potable water. As the halfling population grows, the Earth Weavers travel to caverns scouted by the Shriven and shape them into habitable frontiers. The leader of the Earth Weavers holds the title of Grandmaster, beneath her are the Master Shapers of Earth, Water and Air, who set to work the artisans, shapers and initiates who do much of the actual shaping of the Undersanctuary. The divine representatives are the leaders of the church of Warre, Siriven and Alwen. The church does not have any official authority over the inner sanctuary, but they exhibit a great deal of influence over the stratified halflings.
## Inhabitants
...
## Society and Culture
...
## Faith and Religion
...