The Undercity

Below are the main layers of the Undercity from closest to the surface to the deepest. The city is built on a massive sandstone mound and since the sandstone is easily carved, layers in the sandstone are extensive.

City Underground. (sandstone) Not really part of the Undercity, the city underground represents the basements and tunnels in the city that usually do not connect to any other section or layer. Examples include the storage rooms built below most businesses, the tunnels connecting the hills for pedestrian traffic, and the dungeons of the city and other fortresses.

Sewers. (Sandstone) The sewers of the city are from the time the city was founded. During the time that the wealth of the trade route moved through the city, the sewer and public sanitation became the greatest in the world. The extensive network of fresh and tainted water was skillfully managed by the sewer construction. Even now that the city is in decline, the sewer system still works to keep the city clean. This layer connects to all parts of the city and connects at a few points to the other layers.

Old Tombs. (bedrock mostly near the lake) During the time of the Old City, tombs were built under the sandstone in the bedrock to house the bodies and mummies of the city. The members of the old city followed the same burial traditions as Atwan and the easter trade cities, preferring to not burn bodies, but still protect them in the afterlife. Most of the riches of the old tombs have long been looted, but rumors persist that some still remain. Every few years old riches turn up or strange wounds of old temple traps appear on adventurous city dwellers, so something must still be down there. It is rumored that a tunnel or tunnels goes all the way to the swamp and the old city from the main burial chamber in this layer.

Troglodyte Queendom. (bedrock mostly away from the lake) This layer is an extensive network of tunnels that go to large chambers around the underground water table. These tunnels were once the home of a troglodyte queendom. Before the Old City, a troglodyte Queen named Narrara ruled the land around the lake and a large community of Troglydytes. At the time of the founding of the Old City, the arriving humans got into conflict with the troglodytes and began to wipe them out. Queen Narrara warned the humans to leave and found their city elsewhere, but they refused. Queen Narrara and her troglodytes were wiped out, but not before she cursed the Old City and said some day the waters will rise and destroy those who destroyed her. Her curse succeeded when the rivers from Lake Persea silted up, causing the lake to rise, drowning the old city and flooding the fields around it. Many in the Old City fled and found a town which became Persea.

Hidden Layer. (bedrock below the water table) Far below the rest of the Undercity lies the lairs of powerful people, groups, and creatures who have over time built extensive personal domains in the security of the earth, but near the resources of the city. Rumors tell that some of these lairs reach into the Underworld.

Undercity Locations

Kobold Infestation. (Sewers) At least a third of the sewers are infested with kobolds driven from subservience to the inhuman hordes and attracted to the easy life in the Undercity. Most kobolds are eager to eat the rats and other members of the Wererat Community.

Thieves Guild. (underground) Not part of the City Guild, the Thieves Guild facilitates activity by their membership. The Guild is dominated by members of the Nelli religion (good alignment). The effect of the Nelli influence is that the poor or good of the city are rarely impacted by the activities of the Thieves Guild.

Twin Basalt Towers. (underground) see City.

Undercity Dungeon. (mainly sewers, but multilevel) Because most non-humans cannot travel into Persea, the Dungeon mirrors the city above and allows non-humans access to some of what the city has to offer. The dungeon is not just a market and area to travel through, but has now become another neighborhood of the city. Monsters of all types live down here permanently and most of the time chaos reigns, with small battles and skirmishes constantly occuring.

Unholy Tome Fortress. (underground) see City.

Wererat Community. (Sewers) At least a third of the sewers are infested with wererats and their dire rat minions. Many of the wererats live normal lives in the city, but have a second life down in the sewers with their brethren. Opposed to the hungry packs of kobolds.

Wizard's Nest. (hidden) A powerful wizard lives in a home far below the city. She entertains no company, but her followers do travel from her small house in Persea to acquire supplies and special items. She often goes to Diese.