Deeplands

Beneath the mountains and the seas lies a land that has never seen the sun or moons. There, in eternal darkness, some manage to survive.

The Deeplands is a subterranean realm below where most dwarves dig. It's home to all manner of monsters, dark elves, hobgoblins, fungalfolk, and stonefolk. The Deeplands are continually expanding across the world and delving deeper. It can be accessed from several points across the world, though each region of the Deeplands may not connect with each other. Also, it's the only land based way to traverse across the oceans. It's commonly believed to be on a different plane of existence due to the reliance on access points to enter. Hathchan is the lord of the Deeplands, though he's been strangely absent of late. A new queen who calls herself The Embracer has ruled the land for the past five hundred years.
The region is divided into the Upper Depths and the Lower Depths. The Upper Depths are mostly made up of stone and fungal colonies. Strange trees are able to grow there creating forests, and a few flowers can grow in patches of latent magic. The caves are an intricate network with deep chasms and vaulted ceilings. The fungalfolk and stonefolk dominate this region with the stonefolk being a key part of the Deeplands expansions. Ksardit burrow deep underground with massive claws and hardened shells on their backs. L'sgella are transparent batlike creatures that prey on anything that moves in the deep. The Lower Depths are defined by vast chambers of magma. It's impossibly hot, and even the hottest dwarven forge can't compete with the Lower Depths. Rare ores and minerals can be found here, but there are also magma wyrms and fire slugs to avoid. The dark elves burn hot with magma running through their veins, and the hobgoblins who live in the Lower Depths possess an unnatural immunity to heat compared to their surface dwelling brethren.
Few surface dwellers ever make their way into the Deeplands, but some adventuring parties seek out the rare minerals and plants that can only grow deep underground. Most dwarves won't dig this deep. The only place where the inhabitants of the Deeplands reach the surface is on the Flying Islands. Clusters of levitation crystals sometimes find their beginnings far underground, and the magma cools as it's exposed to air. Halflings are one of the few species that have knowledge of the Deeplands and explored the bits of its depths that are now near the surface of their islands.

Type

Underground / Subterranean

Location under

Valtena