Demoor (Dee-more)

Demoor is the region of subterranean Ostelliach accessible through the Netherwell portal in the northwest portion of the continent. It is known for its fungal colonies, as well as the vast size of the caves that comprise it.

Geography

The large region is really a massive cavern, nearly a hundred miles across, with immense ceilings and rolling hills of terrain ripe for exploration.
The Myconids who live in and around the Demoor region treat the other living things of the area as distant relatives, diminuitive cousins to be respected if at all possible. They grow specially-cultivated types of fungal or vegetable meals from crops collected from outside the caverns, so they can maintain their diet but not disturb the local environment.

Ecosystem

The entire region of Demoor is warmly lit by a variety of different colored and sized mushrooms and lichen that glow with comforting bioluminscence, beating back the gloom of an area otherwise unlit aside from one descension point, the Netherwell. The fungal growths pulse in slow ripples and waves, giving the impression that the multi-hued sky far above (because the cave's ceiling is so high that otherwise it is hard to see in the dim, making it appear like a sky) and the beds of soft coverage on the ground are breathing together, the entire cave an organism.
On the ground, the rolling hills are covered with soft moss, lichen, and mushrooms in various heights and textures, giving the appearance of a diverse wildflower field until further inspection. The air smells like one would expect from a cave, slightly stale and dusty, but also with a damp dirt smell like rich, freshly-tilled loam before a planting. And speaking of caves, there are many cave systems to behold, often home to ancient civilizations' ruins and reclaimed by a variety of, you guessed it...fungi.
There are any number of herbivorous or carnviorous creatures that call this region home, with the reputation that Demoor is dangerous being well-earned by their prowling in the gloom.

Localized Phenomena

The cave systems of Demoor are actually tall enough that in some areas (such as the central cavern housing Shadowcap) the moisture gathers enough to produce clouds, fog, and the occasional cold rain.

Climate

The region is generally still, with only light breezes in the taller caverns from the difference in temperature between high and low, and a comfortable cool temperature that is not necessarily conduscive to plant growth but fungi enjoy greatly. There is little precipitation as it is underground (aside from the rare cave clouds), but there are sporatic drips of moisture from far-above invisible stalagtites; the air generally feels slightly on the humid side from this as well as the mushroom foliage.

Fauna & Flora

Many creatures adapted to the low light of the fungal undergrowth live and munch on the biolumniescent growths for food, including several unique species, such as:

• Milky-eyed rabbits with light grey fur smudged by various colors of spore print patterns

• Large, furry leucistic bats that descend from the high-up cavern ceiling to feed on insects or even small birds that find their way into the region

• Pollinating bees that have adapted to carry spores and seeds from the fungi and lichen rather than flowers

• Mimics evolved to resmble fungal bouquets or coral outcroppings

• Bacteria that feed on the fine algaes that collect on underground lake coral

• Butterflies and moths that shimmer with the bioluminescent powders they collect as they visit various plants and fungi in the area; different colors are said to be lucky or unlucky to find depending on the time of year

Natural Resources

• Many of the different fungi, lichen, moss, or ferns that grow in Demoor are considered culinary delicacies. In addition, the many unique things that grow here yield truly sought-after ingredients for potions and medicine.

• The soil of the cave floor beneath the growths is considered particularly nitrogen-rich and good for growing vegetables; the region is known for its root vegetables.

• The different cave insects that live in the system are regarded as special collector items for their rarity.

• The bioluminescent spores that accumulate along the walls of the cave system can be scraped away and formed into solid shapes that glow with the same warm, multi-hued light even detached from their parents. These are often placed into trinket jewelry, small baubles, or pocket stones that are used as anxiety relief, nightlights, or wayfinding that does not disturb one's night vision.

Alternative Name(s)

The Deep

Type

Cave

Included Locations

• Shadowcap
• Vitreoline