Naggaroth - Hag Graef, The Dark Crag

Hag Graef, The Dark Crag

Hag Graef is named the Dark Crag, and of all the cities of the Dark Elves it is feared the most, for no captive man or Elf has ever escaped from this place. It lies at the bottom of a cold, dark valley and is completely surrounded by mountains of bare black rock, higher than the highest walls. No sunlight reaches the city of Hag Graef and it is shrouded in gloom and shadow.

The city was built by Druchii generals who had been defeated in battle by the High Elves: fearful of Malekith's wrath, they built the city as an easy way to defend themselves from any punitive attack Malekith might send against them. The current druchii family in charge of the city changes rapidly: currently it is ruled by the house of chains, led by the infamous Malus Darkblade. However, the Witch King, under the direction of Morathi, used politics, instead of warfare, to claim lordship of Hag Graef. Legends tell of how Malekith held a feast for the nobles of Hag Graef and produced a number of goblets filled with wine, stating one among the goblets was poisoned. Malekith said that any noble willing to risk drinking would receive a share of the city and his blessing to rule. All the nobles drank, not wanting to lose face in front of their rivals: once all the nobles had drunk, Malekith then delightedly revealed that all the wine had been poisoned, and only by swearing unconditional loyalty to him would the nobles receive the antidote.

All about the city lie many mines and quarries from where the Witch King takes iron and stone to arm his warriors and build his fortresses. Thousands of slaves labour in his service. Chained together they scrape and hack at the rock, often deep underground in narrow tunnels and dark passages. The chill winds bite deep and there is little to eat but scraps of foul dark bread, for the Dark Elves enjoy to see their slaves cold and starving, and beat them all the harder when they fall faint with hunger.

All the black mountains about Hag Graef are riddled with tunnels and excavations, and it is during their excavations for rock and ore that the Dark Elves discovered the great subterranean lake they call the Underworld Sea. Beneath Hag Graef the mountains rise and buckle, so that as the peaks rise into the air a gigantic cavern lies beneath the earth. This Underworld Sea was first discovered by the Dark Lord of Hag Graef, Kaledor Maglan. So great is its extent that the dark Elves have sailed upon this sea and explored its countless caves and branches, though doubtless the Underworld still holds many secrets.

In the deepest caverns of this Underworld the Dark Elves discovered strange reptilian creatures which they called Cold Ones. The stables of Hag Graef are full of these monstrous beasts, and many Dark Elves descend into the depths to hunt them.