Eltab - History

History

The demon lord Eltab was a potent force in the Abyss, rivaling the powers of Graz'zt, Orcus and even Demogorgon himself. However, during the ancient days of Faerun, the empires of Narfell and Raumathar engaged in a bitter war, which ultimately destroyed both empires. During this war, Eltab was summoned to Faerun by the so-called demon-binders of Narfell, so he could be used as a pawn against their hated enemy. Eltab lead a demonic horde on the behalf of Narfell and invaded Raumathan city of Rashemen, which he quickly conquered and set up himself up as its ruler.

Eltab’s rule was brief, as an alliance of spell-casters (including the Witches of Rashemen) overthrew Eltab. Eltab was forced to flee, but the Rashemen Witches caught up with him in the Sharawood, imprisoning him beneath the ground, and bound a dracolich called the Everlasting Wyrm to guard over him.

A hundred or so years later, followers of the dark god Myrkul, intending to plunder the hoard of the Everlasting Wyrm, discovered the imprisoned demon lord. They agreed to release Eltab under the condition that he serve Myrkul’s church for 99 years. With Eltab’s aid, the followers of Myrkul took control of the city of Shandaular and in its place, established the theocratic city of Eltabranar.

Later, Eltab prompted an ill-fated invasion of the nations of Unther and Mulhorand. Eltab was once again imprisoned, this time by the god-kings who led Mulhorand, into a demoncyst (see Realm Below) beneath Thaymount.

The infamous Red Wizards found Eltab more than 700 years later. The wizards used an ancient Narfelli demon-binding ritual and called Eltab forth to assist them in their war with the Mulhorandi god-kings. The god-kings’ armies were routed and the nation of Thay was established. When the Red Wizards found they couldn’t dismiss Eltab, they imprisoned him near the mouth of the river that now is named after the demon lord and built a capital city (named Eltabbar) over the prison.

More recently, the Thayan lich Szass Tam realized that Eltab would soon break out of his prison. He deliberately released Eltab with the intention of using a spell to permanently enslave Eltab. But his plan was foiled by a group of adventurers, allowing Eltab to escape into a demoncyst below Thaymount. During a retaliatory confrontation with Szass Tam, Eltab was seemingly destroyed, but thanks to the binding cast on him the ancient Narfelli demon-binders, he was magically transported to the Citadel of Conjurers in the nation of Impiltur, where he is currently plotting new plans for conquests and revenge.