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Description
To the denizens of the Underworld, the surface world is an unnatural and terrifying place. It is a land that was never meant to be, one that was not intended by their gods. According to their religion, the world was created by the Gods Below, who live within the burning core of the planet. At the beginning, the world was only this fiery orb and the Gods Below built layers upon layers of stone and rock to surround it. They carved the caverns and tunnels that make up the Underworld, and introduced life to these winding systems. There, the children of the gods could live and thrive, remaining close to the core that gave warmth to world. Never was there any thought or mention of the surface, a place far from the realm of the gods and exposed to the freezing, empty air. Long ago, the demons and shades believed that the surface world was a purely inhospitable place, where nothing existed or survived. Imagine their shock when they learned that this strange land was teeming with bizarre creatures and beings. This surprise quickly turned to fear, as they believed that these species were not created by their gods and thus were unholy abominations. Foul parasites that clung to the surface, seeking to enter their homes and corrupt their world. From that day on, the Underworld developed a loathing for the beings that lived above. Many were too afraid to even set foot in this strange place, while others prepared for the inevitable invasion. In time, the demons and shades began to believe that it was their mission to exterminate these surface dwellers. The monstrosities that defied their gods needed to be burned and purged, all in the name of the Gods Below. Soon the surface world was besieged by raids and attacks by the Underworld, as they sought to destroy the unholy beasts. Any who know history should recall the great crusade demonkind once embarked on, seeking to burn the surface world to ash. This great venture failed, and the demons and shades retreated back to their homes. After such a long and bloody war, no one would ever expect the two worlds to tolerate one another. Surely the two would continue to fight until one land was drowned in blood and death. As time continued on, though, things began to change. Old wounds began to heal and knowledge began to birth clearer minds. The Underworld's undying hatred for the ones above began to weaken, and things began to change.

As the years have passed on, demons and shades have gone from viewing the denizens up above as "unholy abominations made of disease and corruption" to "suspicious and slightly unfriendly neighbors." While the two lands are not best of pals, the crusades and bloody battles have begun to peter out as the many species focus on better things to do. The fear and disgust towards the surface still exists, but it has mellowed out as the creatures below have begun to learn more about the ones above. In time, they have even allowed outsiders and surface dwellers to enter their caverns and walk through their towns. With each new visitor and every new bit of knowledge, the Underworld has grown more accepting of the ones above. Through the surface dwellers, they have learned new techniques and ideas to help better improve their own lands, and they have returned this knowledge with some wisdom of their own. Some towns have even begun to consider trading with the surface world, which is a far cry from the attitudes that existed years before. In this new age, the demons and shades have lost most of their bloodthirsty rage towards the surface dwellers, which has led to shaky and inconsistent peace. Sadly, not all who live down below have developed this tolerance, nor are they accepting of this new way of thinking.

Any who live in the Underworld are well aware of the group known as the Abyssal Olms, and many react to its mention with fear and disgust. The Abyssal Olms are a widespread group of fanatical demons who despise the surface world and any who dare tolerate its existence. While many have grown to understand that the world above is not filled with disease and unholy monstrosities, the Abyssal Olms still cling to this ideal. To them, its sheer existence is an insult to the gods and it should be avoided and shunned lest its infectious touch destroys the Underworld entirely. Anything associated with the land above should be burned and purged, especially outsiders who come to defile their lands. While they are hateful of the world above, the real issue that causes other demons and shades to fear them is the fact that the Abyssal Olms are not fans of how the Underworld has changed. To their horror, the people of the Underworld have begun to accept and tolerate the surface world, even allowing outsiders to enter their homes and accepting knowledge and practices from the vile heathens. Entire caverns and towns have started using lightstones to simulate a day and night cycle, much like the world above. They accept food and goods that are collected from these blasphemous lands, and even visit the surface world from time to time! This new age has driven the Abyssal Olms mad, as they believe this way of thinking is corrupting their souls and destroying their world. With this, the Abyssal Olms have made it their mission to return the Underworld to the way it was long ago, and it is a mission that they seek to achieve at any cost.

The methods and beliefs of the Abyssal Olms are founded on hate and violence, and they do not show any mercy or restraint to those who sympathize with the surface dwellers. To the demons and shades below, the Abyssal Olms are psychotic fanatics who bring terror and death to those who do not follow in their steps. While they despise the surface, their current focus is to purge the Underworld of any influence from above, and that includes culling those who dare tolerate the surface dwellers. To achieve their goal, they use assassination, infiltration, sabotage, and paranoia to cleanse the Underworld and turn demonkind against the surface dwellers. Leaders who are vocal about their acceptance of the surface will find themselves a target, and it isn't uncommon to find such folk dead in the bottom of a pit. Groups or businesses that choose to work with the surface or willingly serve visiting outsiders may find their shops vandalized or destroyed (if they are lucky). For the Abyssal Olms, no method is too extreme, as it is all for the dream of a pure Underworld. One of their favorite strategies is to renew the fear and revulsion of the surface world through sabotage and trickery. They will cause destruction or instigate a massacre and then leave evidence that points fingers at humans and other surface creatures. In some cases, they have hijacked surface trade caravans in mid transit and then rigged them with deadly traps. They will then roll the carts to the intended destination and set them off, all in the hopes of getting the demons to blame the surface. Another method they will use involves the kidnapping of surface dwellers who have entered the Underworld. If they get wind of a visitor from above, they will seek to abduct them and spirit them away to one of their secret hideouts. There the victim will be drugged and tortured until they are mentally broken. Once they are driven to madness, the Olms will transport them to a public place, arm them and then unleash them on the populace. If all goes well, the psychotic outsider will kill a few demons and enforce the idea that those above are violent, deranged lunatics.

For obvious reasons, the Abyssal Olms are a major threat to the Underworld and many caverns strive to be rid of the fanatics. Not only do their methods lead to death and destruction, but their long term goals will eventually lead to war and mass slaughter. One goal of theirs is to abolish the use of giant lightstones that give light to the caverns and towns. To them, the light is a corrupting element from the surface and it wards away the darkness that rules the true Underworld. They wish for all light to be extinguished so that the Underworld can return to the dark, as it was long ago. Unfortunately, the use of lightstones have led to breakthroughs in agriculture, allowing demons to grow a wide variety of crops in large amounts. This wealth of growth has allowed the Underworld to grow in population, as there is more food to go around. The destruction of all lightstones would destroy these farms, eventually leading to widespread famine. Unfortunately, the Abyssal Olms couldn't care less about such a horrid outcome, as that is the price everyone pays for straying from the path. Another issue the Underworld has with the Olms is their views on shades. According to the Underworld's creation myth, demonkind was forged by the Gods Below and the shades were mere shadows that were brought to life by this process. To the Abyssal Olms, this means that demons are the true creations of the Gods Below, while the shades are inferior by-products. With this, demons should be the one and only rulers of the Underworld, as that is their right. Due to their unintended creation, the shades should be viewed as lesser beings and should never be equal to demons. If the Abyssal Olms had their way, the shades would be kept as servants and slaves, expendable puppets that will obey their demon masters without thought or hesitation. As one can expect, the shades are not fans of this belief and they often lead the charge against the Olms.

Though there are great efforts to eliminate the Abyssal Olms, this threat is not an easy one to extinguish. Their influence and power is mighty, as they have infiltrated many high ranking positions. Without their ceremonial armor and masks, it is difficult for one to figure out if a demon is sided with the Olms or not, and they use that to their advantage. Any council or community may have those who are sympathetic to the cause of the Olms, and they may never discover their presence. It is easy to find and fight those who lead bloody attacks and strikes, but the Olms that sit high up are not so obvious. They hide their motives and actions, and use the destruction caused by their warriors to draw attention elsewhere. Some council members most vocal against the Olms may actually be sided with them, using it as a cover while also integrating themselves in the efforts to eradicate them. From there, they can influence the enforcers and guards who fight against the Olms and then secretly feed that information to their group. With the right info and deception, they can send these enforcers out on a wild goose chase, leading them directly into an ambush. Those who aren't killed by this treachery may be tortured for days in order to gain new information, or may be brainwashed to serve the Olms and further their efforts. Another issue is that the Abyssal Olms are supposedly led by some unknown ruler, who they call the Crown of Horns. This great leader is said to possess infinite power and influence, though that is word of the Olms themselves. He is the head of the whole group and controls their actions. Though many are sure his death would lead to the downfall of the Abyssal Olms, no one has ever seen him or even gotten a hint of his presence. For all they know, the Crown of Horns is just a false being to further distract their opponents and terrify the masses.

When it comes to battle or ceremony, the Abyssal Olms can be identified by their special masks. The red and white piece of armor boasts the hand of a False Olm, the very creature that they have named their group after. They chose this beast due to its savage nature and its association with the dark. To them, the False Olm is a symbol of the primordial Underworld, a place without light or mercy. The open hand is the weapon it uses to slaughter the foolish and weak, and it is often the last thing they see before their demise. Those who fight the Abyssal Olms shall see this very same sight when they fall to their blades. In battle, the Abyssal Olms use two daggers or blades to dispatch their foes. One weapon will be carved from a lightstone or some other bright material, while the other will be crafted by obsidian or some primordial substance. The dark blade will be dripping with poison, as it symbolizes the insidious ways of the darkened Underworld. The blade of light is used to show the foolish demons and shades that the light can be just as deadly and cruel. They wield this blasphemous material to show that they do no fear the light, and that they can use it to destroy those who worship it. According to them, when the Underworld returns to the dark, the blades of the Abyssal Olms will be the last light any shall see, and that too shall be snuffed out by their hand.

Description
To the denizens of the Underworld, the surface world is an unnatural and terrifying place. It is a land that was never meant to be, one that was not intended by their gods. According to their religion, the world was created by the Gods Below, who live within the burning core of the planet. At the beginning, the world was only this fiery orb and the Gods Below built layers upon layers of stone and rock to surround it. They carved the caverns and tunnels that make up the Underworld, and introduced life to these winding systems. There, the children of the gods could live and thrive, remaining close to the core that gave warmth to world. Never was there any thought or mention of the surface, a place far from the realm of the gods and exposed to the freezing, empty air. Long ago, the demons and shades believed that the surface world was a purely inhospitable place, where nothing existed or survived. Imagine their shock when they learned that this strange land was teeming with bizarre creatures and beings. This surprise quickly turned to fear, as they believed that these species were not created by their gods and thus were unholy abominations. Foul parasites that clung to the surface, seeking to enter their homes and corrupt their world. From that day on, the Underworld developed a loathing for the beings that lived above. Many were too afraid to even set foot in this strange place, while others prepared for the inevitable invasion. In time, the demons and shades began to believe that it was their mission to exterminate these surface dwellers. The monstrosities that defied their gods needed to be burned and purged, all in the name of the Gods Below. Soon the surface world was besieged by raids and attacks by the Underworld, as they sought to destroy the unholy beasts. Any who know history should recall the great crusade demonkind once embarked on, seeking to burn the surface world to ash. This great venture failed, and the demons and shades retreated back to their homes. After such a long and bloody war, no one would ever expect the two worlds to tolerate one another. Surely the two would continue to fight until one land was drowned in blood and death. As time continued on, though, things began to change. Old wounds began to heal and knowledge began to birth clearer minds. The Underworld's undying hatred for the ones above began to weaken, and things began to change.

As the years have passed on, demons and shades have gone from viewing the denizens up above as "unholy abominations made of disease and corruption" to "suspicious and slightly unfriendly neighbors." While the two lands are not best of pals, the crusades and bloody battles have begun to peter out as the many species focus on better things to do. The fear and disgust towards the surface still exists, but it has mellowed out as the creatures below have begun to learn more about the ones above. In time, they have even allowed outsiders and surface dwellers to enter their caverns and walk through their towns. With each new visitor and every new bit of knowledge, the Underworld has grown more accepting of the ones above. Through the surface dwellers, they have learned new techniques and ideas to help better improve their own lands, and they have returned this knowledge with some wisdom of their own. Some towns have even begun to consider trading with the surface world, which is a far cry from the attitudes that existed years before. In this new age, the demons and shades have lost most of their bloodthirsty rage towards the surface dwellers, which has led to shaky and inconsistent peace. Sadly, not all who live down below have developed this tolerance, nor are they accepting of this new way of thinking.

Any who live in the Underworld are well aware of the group known as the Abyssal Olms, and many react to its mention with fear and disgust. The Abyssal Olms are a widespread group of fanatical demons who despise the surface world and any who dare tolerate its existence. While many have grown to understand that the world above is not filled with disease and unholy monstrosities, the Abyssal Olms still cling to this ideal. To them, its sheer existence is an insult to the gods and it should be avoided and shunned lest its infectious touch destroys the Underworld entirely. Anything associated with the land above should be burned and purged, especially outsiders who come to defile their lands. While they are hateful of the world above, the real issue that causes other demons and shades to fear them is the fact that the Abyssal Olms are not fans of how the Underworld has changed. To their horror, the people of the Underworld have begun to accept and tolerate the surface world, even allowing outsiders to enter their homes and accepting knowledge and practices from the vile heathens. Entire caverns and towns have started using lightstones to simulate a day and night cycle, much like the world above. They accept food and goods that are collected from these blasphemous lands, and even visit the surface world from time to time! This new age has driven the Abyssal Olms mad, as they believe this way of thinking is corrupting their souls and destroying their world. With this, the Abyssal Olms have made it their mission to return the Underworld to the way it was long ago, and it is a mission that they seek to achieve at any cost.

The methods and beliefs of the Abyssal Olms are founded on hate and violence, and they do not show any mercy or restraint to those who sympathize with the surface dwellers. To the demons and shades below, the Abyssal Olms are psychotic fanatics who bring terror and death to those who do not follow in their steps. While they despise the surface, their current focus is to purge the Underworld of any influence from above, and that includes culling those who dare tolerate the surface dwellers. To achieve their goal, they use assassination, infiltration, sabotage, and paranoia to cleanse the Underworld and turn demonkind against the surface dwellers. Leaders who are vocal about their acceptance of the surface will find themselves a target, and it isn't uncommon to find such folk dead in the bottom of a pit. Groups or businesses that choose to work with the surface or willingly serve visiting outsiders may find their shops vandalized or destroyed (if they are lucky). For the Abyssal Olms, no method is too extreme, as it is all for the dream of a pure Underworld. One of their favorite strategies is to renew the fear and revulsion of the surface world through sabotage and trickery. They will cause destruction or instigate a massacre and then leave evidence that points fingers at humans and other surface creatures. In some cases, they have hijacked surface trade caravans in mid transit and then rigged them with deadly traps. They will then roll the carts to the intended destination and set them off, all in the hopes of getting the demons to blame the surface. Another method they will use involves the kidnapping of surface dwellers who have entered the Underworld. If they get wind of a visitor from above, they will seek to abduct them and spirit them away to one of their secret hideouts. There the victim will be drugged and tortured until they are mentally broken. Once they are driven to madness, the Olms will transport them to a public place, arm them and then unleash them on the populace. If all goes well, the psychotic outsider will kill a few demons and enforce the idea that those above are violent, deranged lunatics.

For obvious reasons, the Abyssal Olms are a major threat to the Underworld and many caverns strive to be rid of the fanatics. Not only do their methods lead to death and destruction, but their long term goals will eventually lead to war and mass slaughter. One goal of theirs is to abolish the use of giant lightstones that give light to the caverns and towns. To them, the light is a corrupting element from the surface and it wards away the darkness that rules the true Underworld. They wish for all light to be extinguished so that the Underworld can return to the dark, as it was long ago. Unfortunately, the use of lightstones have led to breakthroughs in agriculture, allowing demons to grow a wide variety of crops in large amounts. This wealth of growth has allowed the Underworld to grow in population, as there is more food to go around. The destruction of all lightstones would destroy these farms, eventually leading to widespread famine. Unfortunately, the Abyssal Olms couldn't care less about such a horrid outcome, as that is the price everyone pays for straying from the path. Another issue the Underworld has with the Olms is their views on shades. According to the Underworld's creation myth, demonkind was forged by the Gods Below and the shades were mere shadows that were brought to life by this process. To the Abyssal Olms, this means that demons are the true creations of the Gods Below, while the shades are inferior by-products. With this, demons should be the one and only rulers of the Underworld, as that is their right. Due to their unintended creation, the shades should be viewed as lesser beings and should never be equal to demons. If the Abyssal Olms had their way, the shades would be kept as servants and slaves, expendable puppets that will obey their demon masters without thought or hesitation. As one can expect, the shades are not fans of this belief and they often lead the charge against the Olms.

Though there are great efforts to eliminate the Abyssal Olms, this threat is not an easy one to extinguish. Their influence and power is mighty, as they have infiltrated many high ranking positions. Without their ceremonial armor and masks, it is difficult for one to figure out if a demon is sided with the Olms or not, and they use that to their advantage. Any council or community may have those who are sympathetic to the cause of the Olms, and they may never discover their presence. It is easy to find and fight those who lead bloody attacks and strikes, but the Olms that sit high up are not so obvious. They hide their motives and actions, and use the destruction caused by their warriors to draw attention elsewhere. Some council members most vocal against the Olms may actually be sided with them, using it as a cover while also integrating themselves in the efforts to eradicate them. From there, they can influence the enforcers and guards who fight against the Olms and then secretly feed that information to their group. With the right info and deception, they can send these enforcers out on a wild goose chase, leading them directly into an ambush. Those who aren't killed by this treachery may be tortured for days in order to gain new information, or may be brainwashed to serve the Olms and further their efforts. Another issue is that the Abyssal Olms are supposedly led by some unknown ruler, who they call the Crown of Horns. This great leader is said to possess infinite power and influence, though that is word of the Olms themselves. He is the head of the whole group and controls their actions. Though many are sure his death would lead to the downfall of the Abyssal Olms, no one has ever seen him or even gotten a hint of his presence. For all they know, the Crown of Horns is just a false being to further distract their opponents and terrify the masses.

When it comes to battle or ceremony, the Abyssal Olms can be identified by their special masks. The red and white piece of armor boasts the hand of a False Olm, the very creature that they have named their group after. They chose this beast due to its savage nature and its association with the dark. To them, the False Olm is a symbol of the primordial Underworld, a place without light or mercy. The open hand is the weapon it uses to slaughter the foolish and weak, and it is often the last thing they see before their demise. Those who fight the Abyssal Olms shall see this very same sight when they fall to their blades. In battle, the Abyssal Olms use two daggers or blades to dispatch their foes. One weapon will be carved from a lightstone or some other bright material, while the other will be crafted by obsidian or some primordial substance. The dark blade will be dripping with poison, as it symbolizes the insidious ways of the darkened Underworld. The blade of light is used to show the foolish demons and shades that the light can be just as deadly and cruel. They wield this blasphemous material to show that they do no fear the light, and that they can use it to destroy those who worship it. According to them, when the Underworld returns to the dark, the blades of the Abyssal Olms will be the last light any shall see, and that too shall be snuffed out by their hand.