Skullport

Skullport

Skullport, also known as the Port of Shadows, is a subterranean city located far below Waterdeep, within the 3rd level of Undermountain known as the Sargauth Level. While rumors of this subterranean domain of villainy persist throughout the surface world, few of its inhabitants have any knowledge of any points of entry.

Description

Built on an ancient Netherese ruin, within an immense subterranean cavern, the shadowy port is a dark reflection of the City of Splendors above. Its structure is built in three tiers, interconnected by narrow catwalks and rickety scaffolding. Creaking houses built on stilts are haphazardly built in a dense network that forms a near shantytown.

Geographical Features

The portals in the cavern walls along the river Sargauth are said to have been established by Halaster Blackcloak himself. Passage through the locks that separate Skullport from the sea caves of Waterdeep require permission from the Keepers. However, a talented mage can "piggyback" another ship passing through the portal at the same time.

Government

As of 1479 DR most control over day-to-day activities was managed by gangs such as the Lowfellows or the Mandible. Within a few decades, Skullport came under the domain of the being known as Xanathar and became the base of operations for his thieves' guild - Xanathar Guild.
However, the Skulls of Skullport, magically transformed remnants of the original Netherese mages who settled in the cavern, watch closely over trade within the town. Any activities that interfere with the town draw the attention of the Skulls who impose seemingly random punishments for minor infractions and enslave or destroy offenders for serious crimes.

Organizations

Several organizations make their home base in Skullport. Some of the more powerful or better known include:

• The Keepers: Hired mages who raise ships through the magical locks that lead from the port to the sea caves south of Waterdeep
• Iron Ring: More information needed
• The Fray: Thirteen mages who helped the Fourteenth Skull maintain what was left of the Mantle
• The Mandible: The most influential gang in town
• The Reforged Ring: An unpopular ring of criminals that deal in slavery
• The Riverborn: A disorganized group of pirates

Inhabitants

Inhabitants of Skullport were known as "Skulkers"

Notable Inhabitants

• Skulls of Skullport - These thirteen ancient flameskulls have defended the town of Skullport since its founding. They are remnants of the ancient Sargauth Enclave of Netheril, having lost all touch with reality over their millennia spent beneath Faerûn. Their consciousness cannot differentiate their current existence with that of their past. They consider themselves the rulers of Skullport.
• Fourteenth Skull - The legendary 14th floating skull that was actually the spirit of a drow
• Moriana Duskwalker - Eladrin and former pirate captain
• Naren Dafyre - Merchant
• Nhyris D'Hothek - Abomination and former yuan-ti
• The Blind - Pitiful old beholder
• Zstulkk Ssarmn

History

In the Year of the Angry Sea, 1148 DR, Shradin Mulophor obtained permission from Halaster Blackcloak to settle in the ruins of the Netherese enclave. For several centuries, Skullport prospered as one of the main trading ports of the Underdark. However, in the late 14th century DR, just prior to the Spellplague, a slaad named Azriim weakened the Mantle so that it could no longer support the cavern's weight and large sections of the cave collapsed. During the Spellplague in 1385 DR, the Mantle shot off bursts of wild magic and then disappeared.
After the Spellplague, most survivors fled Skullport. At some point in the second half of the 15th century DR a young explorer named Miriam Sequora began showing off chunks of mithral she claimed she found in Skullport's ruins. She convinced a small number of miners to join her and soon a few merchants and miscreants settled in the town. By the Year of Three Ships Sailing, 1492 DR, Skullport had come under the control of Xanathar, who made it a haven for his namesake criminal organization. The businesses and shops in the city all came to him for protection, lest they be shut down permanently.

Trivia

• The people of Skullport measure time in 'bells' of approximately four hours each
• The town is bathed in dim light from phosphorescent fungus known as the gloam

Type

City