Underdark

Overview

The region called the Underdark refers to an entire world beneath the feet of the surface dwellers of Aralla. Inhabited mostly by monstrous and evil creatures that shun daylight, the Underdark teems with entire cities and nation of drow, duergar, as well as societies of beings unknown to the surface. The Underdark is a harsh realm where two overwhelming drives rule: survival and the destruction of your enemies. Perpetually dark in most regions, the Underdark is filled with creatures that long ago developed darkvision or enhanced senses to compensate, often becoming intolerant of true light as a result of their adaptation. Some places are dimly lit by glowing rocks, luminous crystals, or phosphorescent moss, lichen, and fungi. Bizarre plants are common, and visitors usually find it impossible to identify which are hostile or poisonous without magic or potentially lethal experimentation. The most precious resource is fresh water, since the Underdark has no rain and inhabitants must rely on whatever filters down from the surface. Those who discover water hoard it and protect it with their lives.

Layers of the Underdark

The "Known" and explored Underdark is split into several major layers, which are as follows; The Surface The Upperdark - The first few (usually about 6) miles below the surface. It was here where most people from the surface and dwellers of the Underdark meet. The Middledark - Located between around 6 and 20 miles beneath the surface of Aralla. This layer is where most of the "civilized" areas of the Underdark were. The Lowerdark - Located between around 20 to 100 miles below the surface. The Lowerdark was the lowest places you would find your normal Underdark societies and cities. Around the lower parts of the Lowerdark is were the truly strange (even to those in the Underdark) lived. The Land Below - A semi-mythical region of the world, between 100 to 18,000 miles below the surface, reaching down to the core. This area was seen as strange even to those who lived in the Underdark. Enormous caverns and jungles, oceans of lava, entire nations of humanoid and non-humanoid creatures, and even entire mountain ranges and vast deserts under bio-luminescent star like lights. The Core - The Dread Vault.

Localized Phenomena

Common in the Upper and Middledark is Faerzress, a magical radiation created by the radiation of the Calamity and the many innate magical regions of the Underdark. It interfered with teleportation and divination spells. Areas of high Faerzress concentration would simply make teleportation and divination spells not function, and would manifest obvious physical effects, like glowing rocks and shifts in temperature.