Storm walked through the underground City that had since become their home.
Over 6 months had passed since his battle against the Lich for possession of this place and significant progress had been made since then.
As the city wasn't originally built for occupation of the living, many of the old structures had been demolished in order to make room for houses that would be more comfortable for the new denizens.
As a result, the city was a mixture of different architectures, from a variety of different cultures and timelines.
Every day, new inhabitants migrated to the area and applied for residence.
Most of the people that stayed in the underground portion of the city were dwarves, dragons, Nogitsune and the beastkin races.
The elves, Fairies, Kitsune and druids found the underground city too gloomy for their liking and had constructed a second large settlement in the open area right outside the gates.
This settlement had a second wall that further reinforced the already formidable mountain city.
As all four these races loved nature, their settlement had a lot of greenery and plantlife woven into the main settlement, with many parks and gardens scattered around the settlement.
The Griffins meanwhile loved elevated perches from which they could survey their territory and had constructed a small Aerie higher up the mountains.
The elevated settlement made an excellent lookout position for the settlement and an army could be spotted from miles away by the ever vigilant Griffins.
For those that weren't blessed with wings, a small freight lift had been constructed that would allow them to reach what others had affectionately named 'The Cloud District'
In order to make room for the many monstrous creatures that regularly entered and exited the city.
The narrow portion of the entryway that once housed the murder holes that gave the besiegers so much trouble had been widened.
To make up for the loss of the murder holes, a tall stone wall with a thick Gatehouse was constructed to seperate the outer city from the underground portion.
Out of all the denizens, Beastkin were by far the most numerous.
Apart from the Gnolls and the Rakasha, which had grown significantly in that time, several new additions had joined up.
A herd of female centuar led by a Khan whose name Storm found almost unpronounceable, but was told meant 'Fleet of foot' in their tongue had migrated to the area a few weeks after everyone settled in.
Storm met with her and she had explained that her herd had traveled far after hearing about Storm's exploits as well as the sanctuary he was constructing.
Her people were highly skilled archers and lancers that used their equine speed to stay ahead of enemy troops.
Their speed greatly aided the beastkin raiders and several highly prized convoys had been seized thanks to the aid from the centuars.
The second addition was a small tribe of lizardmen led by their shaman Sklaar.
At just under 5 feet tall, he was about the same height as a dwarf, though he was muscular and scarred from many different battles with both men and beasts.
He had a body covered in green scales, with a long reptilian tail and head with a snout filled with sharp teeth.
2 frills grew from the side of his head that acted as ears.
On his head was an large headdress decorated with brightly colored feathers from the many different species of birds that inhabited the tropical regions he originally called home.
He had a feathered cloak that went all the way down to his tail that was secured to his neck by 3 beaded neck clasp that were decorated by the fangs and claws from several different reptiles he had killed over the years.
Covering his groin was a simple leather cloth that was secured to his waist by a leather waistband.
As a shaman, he oversaw the tribe's religious practices and was also a skilled magic user with control over water, nature, as well as lightning.
Which he claimed was a gift from his god due to his devotion.
The region they called home was sparsely populated due to the hostile plant life, insect life, and animals.
Despite the hardships, the clans thrived and were mostly unopposed, until humans began to tear down their jungles.
The lizardmen waged a guerilla warfare against the human invaders but were slowly driven back.
It was during one such skirmish that the reigning chief of their tribe was killed.
With their leader dead, and no clear successor to replace him, Sklaar stepped up and temporarily led his people until a worthy chief could be found.
Shamen never led the tribes directly and were meant to act as advisors on matters of magic and religion, but their desperate situation forced them to adapt this practice.
In desperation, Sklaar petitioned his god with prayers and sacrifice and after several weeks he received an answer.
He claimed to have followed visions sent by their god that spoke of a 'land of plenty' that awaited them.
He gathered together his tribe and made the long journey, following the signs and omens his visions had shown him
Until he marched right up to Storm's doorstep.
The lizardmen considered Storm a champion personally blessed by their god.
Storm didn't put much stock in their religion doctrine, but they were skilled trappers and ambushers and so he tolerated it.
The second largest numbers belonged to the dwarves and the elves.
Most of the elves that had escaped from the human cities rallied around a charismatic individual of their race by the name of Julian.
A young member by elven standards, he hadn't become an Ashenari like Augustus, but had instead worked around the elven weakness by compelling animals to do what he cannot.
He freed many slaves, before leading them all to Storm's doorstep.
Storm wasn't particularly keen to allow the elves entry, but Aurora managed to convince him after a rather tense discussion one night.
Followed by a rather energetic 'making up' session that lasted well into the night.
The elves used their talents in nature magic to aid with food production and the creation of medicine for the wounded.
Storm had expected the humans to launch a counterattack to reclaim the mountains, but much to his suprise, it never came.
He continued to reinforce their borders for the human invasion despite their lack of action.
The many months of inaction had made Storm restless and he considered these brief moments of peace to be 'the calm before the storm'.
He feared that when the storm did eventually break, that it would be a hard one.
As he walked through the streets, many of the denizens stopped what they were doing to greet him.
Which he responded to with a curt nod of the head.