Fallen Netheril - The Shackled Scribe of Larloch
The lich known as Rhaugilath the Ageless ruled the floating city of Orbedal before the fall of High Netheril.
When Orbedal crashed to earth near the mouth of the Winding Water, Rhaugilath (still “alive” thanks to his phylactery) was trapped beneath its rubble.
In the months following the fall, Rhaugilath’s arch-rival Larloch found the ruins of Orbedal and claimed them for his own. He built his crypt (now known as Warlock’s Crypt) from the shattered spires of Orbedal, then began exploring the rest of the ruins in earnest. Many years later, his delvings reached the pocket in which Rhaugilath was trapped. The two battled fiercely, but at last Larloch prevailed and bound Rhaugilath to his will.
Rhaugilath was but the first of sixty liches who serve the legendary master of Warlock’s Crypt today. Larloch’s favourite captive spends the majority of his time recording the history of Netheril, and his as yet incomplete multivolume opus, titled Of the Fall of Netheril, continues to expand.
After Larloch reviews the finished chapters, they are sent to Candlekeep for archiving. It is unlikely that the work will ever be completed, however, since Rhaugilath considers the full story of the Netherese Diaspora and the subsequent rebirth of Netheril (an event that is still unfolding) to be integral components of his treatise.
From time to time, Larloch permits Rhaugilath access to one of two spells—either dream or nightmare, depending on his whim. The lich-king of fallen Orbedal uses these rare rewards to reach out to individuals he has scried and bequeath a small fragment of Netherese lore to them.
Rumour has it that those who receive such bequests can faintly hear the forlorn sighs of Rhaugilath and the dry chuckle of Larloch before their visions fade.