The Underdark  world illustration - Fantasy theme
Fantasy

The Underdark

S
Sigma_Wolf

Includes drow cities, aboleth strongholds, realms of Illithids, bioluminescent fungus and crystals.


Author's Note: (WIP) Original credit and idea for this world goes to Piemcdowell. I think having a world based on the Underdark is a great idea. It's such a mysterious and dangerous alien realm, but also so full of magic and wonder. I'm going to be working on the maps to give them detail and visual reference. The Underdark is a very vertical realm and I wish we had a vertical layered mapping system to represent it, but F&F is lacking that feature so I will be using descriptions to let Franz and players know if they are in a surface, upper, mid, or lower region. The basic 5E stuff fits the Underdark pretty well but I will add in some races and classes that better fit the Underdark's lore and flavor. I intend to add monsters as well because there are so many nasty, vile things lurking in those dark depths.
Played12 times
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Created
29 days ago
Last Updated
16 days ago
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Cathedral of the Dark Maiden

Cathedral of the Dark Maiden

Once a grim monument to Lolth’s tyranny, the Cathedral of the Dark Maiden now stands as a beacon of hope and redemption in the thriving Underdark trade city of N’Zarath. This grand temple, formerly known as the Cathedral of Spiders, has been reclaimed by followers of Eilistraee, transforming it into a sanctuary that offers shelter and healing to all who seek it.

Cavern Collapse

Cavern Collapse

The Cavern Collapse is a massive pile of rubble and debris resulting from a catastrophic cave-in, situated in the heart of Llurth Dreier. This obstruction blocks the intersecting streets, creating a chaotic scene where the remnants of surrounding buildings lie in ruins, their structures twisted and broken, echoing the disaster that struck so long ago.

Chronofathom of N'Zarath

Chronofathom of N'Zarath

Deep within the grand cavern-city of N'Zarath, the Chronofathom stands as a marvel of engineering and arcane precision. This colossal water clock, crafted from polished obsidian and mithral filigree, tracks time through bioluminescent water, rotating stone rings, and grand spheres, dictating the rhythm of life in the city. It is conjoined with a calendar that tracks days, months, and years.

Citadel of Lolth

Citadel of Lolth

The citadel of Lolth, a dark and foreboding fortress, looms ominously over the surrounding Demonweb Pits, embodying the will of the Spider Queen. It serves as the heart of her influence, where her loyal followers plot and scheme, weaving webs of deceit and power. Hidden traps and shadowy corridors are common, ensuring that only the worthy may bask in her dark blessings.

City Aqueduct

City Aqueduct

The City Aqueduct is a remarkable feat of deep gnome engineering, featuring intricate water pumps and advanced sand and charcoal filtration systems. This structure not only supplies the city with pure, clean water but also serves as a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its creators, with beautifully carved stonework and shimmering waterways.

Darkfang Prison

Darkfang Prison

Darkfang Prison is a foreboding structure carved from the very stone of the Underdark, where Drow captives are held in oppressive isolation. The air is thick with the scent of dampness and despair, while flickering torchlight creates ominous shadows that dance along the walls. Few have escaped its depths, and those who have returned to tell tales of the cruelty and cunning used to extract information from the prisoners.

Drow Armorer's Forge

Drow Armorer's Forge

Nestled deep within the shadows of the Underdark, the Drow Armorer's Forge is a renowned workshop where master craftsmen create exquisite armor imbued with dark enchantments. The air is thick with the smell of molten metal and the sound of hammer striking anvil resonates through the cavernous space. Artisans clad in rich black and purple robes busily work alongside apprentices, tirelessly shaping weapons and armor that gleam with an otherworldly sheen. This secretive location not only serves as a hub for exquisite craftsmanship but also a gathering place for the elusive Drow seeking to procure powerful gear for their ventures above and below ground.

Drow Royal Court

Drow Royal Court

The Drow Royal Court is a magnificent underground chamber carved from obsidian rock, illuminated by bioluminescent fungi that cast an ethereal glow. At the center, a grand throne adorned with dark gemstones sits upon a raised dais, surrounded by an intricate mosaic floor depicting the history of the Drow. Noble houses and emissaries gather here, their eyes reflecting the flickering light as they engage in whispered debates and cunning plots beneath the watchful gaze of their matriarch.

Eldergrove

Eldergrove

Eldergrove is a bustling human town nestled between verdant hills and a crystal-clear river. Its cobblestone streets are lined with charming cottages and lively market stalls, where traders sell everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. The townsfolk are known for their warmth and hospitality, making it a popular stop for travelers and adventurers alike.

Fungal Haven Tavern

Fungal Haven Tavern

Nestled deep within Menzoberranzan in a glowing underground mushroom forest, the Fungal Haven Tavern serves as a gathering place for travelers and locals alike. The tavern's walls are constructed from giant mushrooms, creating a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere. Patrons can enjoy hearty Rothe steaks and unique mushroom-based dishes and brightly colored brews while listening to the melodic tunes of local bards.

Gloomspire Slums

Gloomspire Slums

The Gloomspire Slums are a maze of narrow alleys and crumbling structures, where the drow struggle to survive in the shadow of their more affluent kin. Rumors of illicit dealings and dark magic swirl through the winding streets, and the air is thick with the smell of damp stone and refuse. Its inhabitants are hardened and wary, often casting sidelong glances at newcomers, ready to defend their territory. Despite the squalor, the drow have created pockets of life with hidden markets and flickering lanterns lighting their path at night.

Great Artisan's Plaza

Great Artisan's Plaza

In the heart of N'Zarath, the bustling underdark trade city, stands the colossal statue of Gond, the Wonderbringer. Forged from mithral and enchanted adamantine, this towering figure depicts Gond as a master craftsman, surrounded by a colorful plaza filled with deep gnome and dwarven workshops that hum with the rhythm of innovation and creation. The high quality items produced here are a major boon to the city and fetch a high price when sold on the surface.

House Vandor’Althys

House Vandor’Althys

House Vandor’Althys, known as House Alpha by non-drow, is a beacon of hope in the Underdark, advocating for unity and knowledge over treachery. Founded by Valmyr Vandor, this house has severed ties with Lolth, embracing a new path of destiny and creation, They now follow the goddess Eilistraee wielding light-infused weapons and powerful divination magic.

House Vandor’Xel

House Vandor’Xel

House Vandor’Xel founded by Xelthir Vandor, known as House Omega by non-drow and Shadow of the End by it's enemies, is a formidable force in the Underdark, wielding shadow magic and necromancy to challenge the dominance of Lolth. Their elite assassins, the Eclipse Blades, operate in silence, erasing corruption with ruthless precision, while their warriors, marked by tattoos of a broken web, embody the house's defiance against the Spider Queen.

House of Lolth

House of Lolth

The House of Lolth is in comparison a smaller temple dedicated to the drow goddess, featuring intricate spider motifs and dark, shimmering stone. It serves as a place of worship and a center for political intrigue, where drow nobles gather to discuss alliances and trade while paying homage to their goddess. The followers of Lolth have an uneasy relationship with the Twilight Council of N'Zarath.

Library of the Illuminate

Library of the Illuminate

The Library of the Illuminate is a grand circular structure in N'Zarath, crafted from polished obsidian and veined marble, adorned with shimmering silver filigree. Its enchanted glass dome radiates a soft golden light, guiding knowledge seekers and warding off dark forces, while inside, a labyrinth of bookshelves and floating platforms holds tomes of history and magic, overseen by the ancient order of scholars known as the Illuminate.

Merchants' Guild of Eldergrove

Merchants' Guild of Eldergrove

The Merchants' Guild of Eldergrove is a bustling hub of trade and commerce, where merchants from distant lands converge to exchange goods, share secrets, and forge alliances. Its grand hall is adorned with beautiful tapestries showcasing the guild’s triumphs and its influence over the region's economy. Within these walls, deals are struck and fortunes made, all under the watchful eyes of the guild masters who ensure fairness and prosperity for their members.

N'Zarath Guard Barracks

N'Zarath Guard Barracks

The N'Zarath Guard Barracks serves as a crucial military depot, featuring a spacious inner drill yard where soldiers train and hone their skills. The armory is stocked with weapons and armor for the militia, mercenaries, and city guards, all dedicated to protecting the city of N'Zarath and maintaining order within its walls.

Nova Lyceum of N’Zarath

Nova Lyceum of N’Zarath

The Nova Lyceum of N’Zarath is a prestigious academy built with elegant stone work, serving as a center for elite education in magic, diplomacy, and trade. It is a proving ground for drow nobles, duergar magnates, and deep gnome artificers, where students engage in fierce academic rivalries and learn the arts of shadow-weaving, war magic, and mercantile enchantments.

Obsidian Forge

Obsidian Forge

Deep within the Underdark, the Obsidian Forge is a renowned blacksmith workshop run by a skilled Drow artisan. The air is thick with the heat of molten metal and the scent of burning coals, as the sounds of hammer striking anvil echo throughout the cavern. Rare and magical materials are forged into exceptional weapons and armor, catering to both the Drow and surface dwellers brave enough to seek their craft.

Shaar Plains Surface Path

Shaar Plains Surface Path

The path to the Shaar Plains is a well-trodden trail that winds through a dense thicket of vibrant green vegetation, revealing glimpses of the vast rolling hills that lie beyond. Travelers often find themselves captivated by the chirping of crickets and the rustle of hidden creatures, creating an atmosphere both enchanting and foreboding.

Shadoward Prison

Shadoward Prison

Shadoward Prison is a foreboding dungeon located beneath the cliffs, shrouded in the shadows cast by the majestic Twilight Palace above. This grim facility houses the most notorious criminals of N'Zarath, offering them a chance at redemption through labor in the treacherous mines that lie nearby, where they can earn work release and commuted sentences.

Slumbering Shroom

Slumbering Shroom

Nestled in the heart of a glowing mushroom forest in the Underdark city of N'Zarath, the Slumbering Shroom inn offers weary travelers a warm respite. With its bioluminescent fungi casting a soft, enchanting glow, guests can enjoy hearty meals, refreshing drinks, and cozy rooms for rent, all while surrounded by the mystical ambiance of the mushrooms.

Temple of Lolth

Temple of Lolth

The Temple of Lolth, a dark and foreboding structure carved from obsidian stone, stands as a testament to the worship of the Spider Queen. It is whispered among the drow that the very walls pulse with the essence of her malevolence, and the air is thick with whispers of ancient incantations. Visitors feel a cold chill down their spine as they approach, knowing that to enter is to tread on sacred, yet perilous ground. Spider webs hang from the ceiling, glistening with dew, while altars stained with offerings lie in shadowed alcoves.

Temple of Spiders

Temple of Spiders

The Temple of Spiders is a foreboding structure carved from obsidian stone, nestled deep within the underground city of the Drow. It serves as a sacred site for the worship of Lolth, the goddess of the Drow, where dark rituals and ceremonies are held to inspire ambition and power among her followers.

Temple of the Shadowed Veil

Temple of the Shadowed Veil

Perched atop a roaring waterfall that spills into the abyss of N'Zarath, the Temple of the Shadowed Veil is a colossal statue of Vhaeraun, the Masked God of Night. Within its hollowed core, acolytes whisper prayers, while the Sanctum of Silent Blades and the Vault of Midnight hold secrets and treasures for the cunning.

Temple of the Vengeful Revenant

Temple of the Vengeful Revenant

Hidden in the cavernous depths of the opulent Underdark trade city of N'Zarath, the Temple of the Vengeful Revenant is a grim monument to Kiaransalee, the drow goddess of undeath, vengeance, and obsession. Carved into the bones of an ancient colossus, the temple features eerie archways, flickering witchfire, and obsidian altars stained with the echoes of countless sacrifices, serving as a sanctuary for necromantic scholars and vengeful spirits alike.

The Crystal Alcazar

The Crystal Alcazar

The Crystal Alcazar is a magnificent structure crafted by the deep gnomes, showcasing their mastery of arcane magic. With elegant stone foundations and towering spires made of enchanted crystals, it serves as both an arcane guild and a bustling transportation hub, featuring numerous docking areas for the flying Gloam Skiffs that traverse the cavernous airways and tunnels in the Upperdark.

The Gateway of the Twin Houses

The Gateway of the Twin Houses

A sacred gate that represents the ancient blood bond of the twin drow houses. Where the two rival houses, Vandor’Althys and Vandor’Xel, converge to strategize against Lolth’s forces. The air is thick with tension as the descendants of Valmyr and Xelthir debate their contrasting philosophies of creation and destruction, all while united in their ultimate goal of liberation from Lolth's grasp.

The Gloomforge Guildhall

The Gloomforge Guildhall

The Gloomforge Guildhall serves as both a craftsman's haven and a city planning office for the dark elf city of N'Zarath. Here, master artisans and architects collaborate to design intricate structures and create exquisite items, all while navigating the challenges of their subterranean environment.

The Gloomhold Depot

The Gloomhold Depot

The Gloomhold Depot is a sprawling underground warehouse located among the bustling dimly lit streets of N'Zarath. It serves as a hub for the clandestine trade of goods, where merchants and smugglers alike gather to exchange cargo in the shadows.

The Island Tower

The Island Tower

The Island Tower is an ancient structure built by dark elves, standing tall on a small island in the murky waters by the ruined underground city of Llurth Dreier. Surrounded by a vibrant forest of glowing mushrooms, the tower emanates an eerie light that reflects off the water, hinting at the secrets and dangers that could lie within.

The Obsidian Spire

The Obsidian Spire

The social hub of the city N'Zarath, The Obsidian Spire is a marvel of subterranean architecture, featuring interwoven stone towers that form a labyrinthine drinking hall. It serves as a bustling tavern for traders, mercenaries, and various denizens of the Underdark, where secrets are exchanged and intrigue thrives.

The Shadowbrew Distillery

The Shadowbrew Distillery

Nestled deep within the caverns of the dark elf city of N'Zarath, The Shadowbrew Distillery is renowned for its unique brews that incorporate rare fungi and subterranean herbs. The air is thick with the scent of fermentation, and the walls are adorned with bioluminescent moss that casts an eerie glow over the brewing vats.

The Shadowed Goblet

The Shadowed Goblet

A prominent establishment on a main urban throughfare, The Shadowed Goblet is a renowned drow tavern within the sprawling subterranean city of Zirnakaynin. Made from carved dark stone and built with dark elf architecture, it glows with bioluminescent fungi and shimmers with faerzress light, creating an eerie atmosphere where underdark society mingles and plots are whispered in hushed tones.

The Shadowspire Guildhall

The Shadowspire Guildhall

Nestled within the depths of the underground city of N'Zarath, The Shadowspire Guildhall serves as a beacon for adventurers seeking fortune and glory. This elegant structure, crafted from obsidian and adorned with intricate silver filigree, is a hub of activity where quests are posted, tales are shared, and alliances are forged.

The Twilight Bazaar

The Twilight Bazaar

The Twilight Bazaar is a vibrant underground market tucked within the depths of the Drow city of N'Zarath. It is one of the rare locations where non-Drow can roam without fear, allowing them to trade exotic goods and rare artifacts with the elusive dark elves. Merchants from various races mingle, and the air is thick with the scent of spices, incense, and enchantments.

Twilight Palace

Twilight Palace

The Twilight Palace of N'Zarath is a grand structure hewn from elegant stone, adorned with glowing crystal domes and spires. It serves as the seat of the Twilight Council, a powerful assembly that governs the subterranean trade city with a mix of ruthless pragmatism and diplomacy, while also functioning as a bustling hub for commerce and high-stakes negotiations. But behind its splendor, the Twilight Palace is riddled with hidden passageways, secret council chambers, and vaults that hold treasures and dangers beyond imagining. Those who seek power here must navigate not only the gilded halls but also the web of alliances, betrayals, and ever-watchful eyes that define life within N'Zarath

Twilight's Descent

Twilight's Descent

Twilight's Descent is a tunnel entrance that begins at the edge of Faerun's Embrace, hidden deep within a lush forest known for its vibrant flora and fauna. As adventurers venture deeper, the air grows colder and the light dims, leading them into the mysterious and perilous Upper Dark, where the first tunnel they encounter is Rothé's Run a popular trade route heading west. After about an hour of travel through the western tunnel awaits the underground trade city of N'Zarath.

Umbral Sanctum

Umbral Sanctum

In the twilight caverns of N'Zarath, the Umbral Sanctum is a shadowy temple dedicated to Shar, the Mistress of the Night. Constructed from obsidian and dark quartz, it absorbs light, with an entrance that vanishes into darkness, leading to a vast antechamber filled with whispers of ancient secrets.

Velath Serin

Velath Serin

Velath Serin is a majestic palace shrouded in powerful illusion magic, making it nearly invisible to the untrained eye. Within its walls lie sacred groves adorned with bioluminescent flora, where the Moonblades and Twilight Singers convene to pay homage to their goddess and safeguard the lost souls of the realm.

Xilthrae Matron's Tower

Xilthrae Matron's Tower

Xilthrae Matron's Tower is a formidable underground structure, serving as the seat of power for the dark elf matron of the noble house. The tower is adorned with intricate spider motifs, symbolizing the matron's devotion to her goddess Lolth, with webs woven into the very architecture, creating an eerie yet majestic atmosphere.

Zirnakaynin Main Gate

Zirnakaynin Main Gate

The imposing main gate of Zirnakaynin stands as a dark sentinel, crafted from obsidian stone and reinforced with iron. Patrolled by vigilant Drow guards, the gate serves as the primary entryway into the shadowy depths of the Underdark Drow city, where only the bold dare to tread.

Zlorrmuk's Rothe Ranch

Zlorrmuk's Rothe Ranch

Nestled near a glowing mushroom forest, Zlorrmuk's Rothe Ranch is a serene haven where Myconid rancher Zlorrmuk tends to his herd of rothe. The vibrant fungi illuminate the surroundings, casting an ethereal glow that attracts travelers along the main road leading into the upper dark city of N'Zarath.

This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC . The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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