Great Pthumerian War

Lore & Background

The war was driven by surface dwellers—ancestors of the Yharnamites—who sought the secrets held within the roots of the earth. The Pthumerians, having long worshipped the Great Ones in their deep cities, were already mutated and distinct from surface humanity prior to this conflict; they possessed knowledge and blood resources that these invaders coveted. This desire for power led to an invasion that shattered the isolation of the underground civilization. As the battle raged through the labyrinthine tunnels, the surface forces utilized superior weaponry and perhaps dark arts to overcome the Pthumerian defenses. The victory allowed Yharnam to mine the Old Blood found below, a resource that would later become the foundation for the Healing Church's forbidden research. It is crucial to note that the beasthood plaguing the land was not caused by this war; rather, the Pthumerians were already transformed by their ancient communion with Great Ones, while the Yharnamite beasthood resulted centuries later from the widespread abuse of the Old Blood. The aftermath did not result in a lasting political rule over the underground. Instead, the Labyrinths were sealed off and largely abandoned by the Yharnamites, who returned only as scavengers to harvest blood resources. The cities became inaccessible traps for those seeking knowledge without understanding the cost, rather than subjugated territories under direct governance.

In Their Own Story

The torch flickered against the damp stone walls as the Oedon warrior descended deeper than any surface man had before. Below, the air grew thick with the scent of rot and ozone, a warning from the earth itself. Shadowy figures emerged from the mist, their forms twisted by centuries of worshiping things that should remain unseen. The warrior raised his blade, knowing this descent would bring glory to Yharnam but damnation to the world below.

Reader's Guide

The conflict began when surface dwellers discovered the ancient underground cities of Pthumeru. Seeking power, the Oedon Clan launched an invasion against the subterranean kingdoms who worshipped the Great Ones. This was not merely a territorial dispute but a struggle over the secrets of Old Blood and cosmic knowledge hidden beneath the earth. During the campaign, Yharnamite forces descended into the labyrinthine root cities. They faced Pthumerian warriors who had long since adapted to the dark depths. The battle culminated in the fall of the central capital, where the Oedon Clan overpowered the local leadership and seized control of the blood mines. Following the victory, the Pthumerians were subjugated or destroyed, their civilization crumbling into ruins that would later be explored by hunters. This event paved the way for Yharnam to flourish on the surface, utilizing the resources found below. The knowledge gained eventually trickled down centuries later to inform the Healing Church's research into blood ministration, creating a dark legacy connecting ancient war to modern tragedy.

Did You Know?

• The ruins of this conflict are physically explored within the Pthumerian Labyrinths during gameplay.
• It predates the existence of the Healing Church by many centuries.
• Oedon is a Great One associated with blood and formlessness, not a human clan leader or faction.
• Many enemies encountered underground are remnants or echoes of this ancient civilization.