Dark Below

The Dark Below is a vast network of underground caverns and tunnels underneath the surface of Ilisara. It is home to a host of evil, twisted beings created by Arth and Vandun. Some of these creatures were early tests for what orcs, goblins, and ogres would one day become.

The Creation of the Dark Below involved Arth traveling to the center of Ilisara using the magical gemstone Ultima and rampaging through Ilisara's crust. One large subterranean passageway that twists and turns all throughout the Dark Below is the Red Highway, which is marred by Arth's regenerative blood. Somewhere near surface of the Dark Below lies his husk of a former body, a fleshy monstrosity that never stops regenerating.

(This page made with reference from [Underdark lore].)

Characteristics

Topography

The Dark Below's underground landscape varies from small subterranean fissures almost impossible for adventurers to crawl through, to wide expanses of deep water. Some areas are always changing over time because of underground magma rivers or the emptying of underground lakes due to cracks in the rock formed by earthquakes. This means maps of the Dark Below are highly unreliable.

Environment

The Dark Below's environment varies vastly from the surface world, making adventuring through it a dangerous expedition. There are few sources of light save for the occasional luminous rocks or fungi. Large portions of it are also without food or water, making well-stocked food supplies a must-have when exploring uncharted terrain underground. Lack of light combined with a tomb-like silence makes traveling something only for the strong-hearted. The air can grow stale and even poisonous in the Dark Below. It can contain explosive gases from underground volcanic activity or other deadly gases bubbling out of deep fissures in the rock.

Ecology

Plant life and animal life is as varied underground as on the surface. Ranging from small insects to sentient races, which set up their realms deep down, everything can be expected. Plant life is unable to utilize sunlight as a source for energy, and thus takes on strange forms adapted to life underground.

Inhabitants

The Dark Elves and Dark Dwarves who fled from the Winterheart schism have forged their way into the Dark Below. They now seek to build an empire, enslaving the less-intelligent native life forms that inhabit the Dark Below.

The Dark Below's natives include:

• flesh horrors
• blood elementals
• troggs
• eldritch monstrosities
• sentient slimes
• faceless
• flesh abominations