Underoerth

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The Underoerth (also seen as UnderOerth or Under--Oerth) is a literal underworld to the surface of the Oerth. It is a vast subterranean network of interconnected caverns and tunnels stretching beneath entire continents. In some other realms, it is known as the underdark.

The Underoerth is a strange alien landscape populated by bizarre creatures and ancient races, nearly all of whom are hostile to surface-dwelling life. The Underoerth is featured prominently in the World of Greyhawk (where it was first introduced).

Statistics

  • Capital: None
  • Population: Unknown (aboleth, cloaker, drow, duergar, illithid, quaggoth, svirfneblin)
  • Government: City-states, each with different government (autocracy, magocracy, matriarchy, monarchy, theocracy, and so on)
  • Religions: Varies, usually racial pantheon
  • Imports: Armor, food, slaves, timber, weapons
  • Exports: Armor, exotic goods, magic, weapons
  • Alignment: CE, N, NE, LE

Ecology

There is no light except for occasional patches of fluorescent fungus; most Underoerth inhabitants either have highly developed senses other than sight or have developed infravision (before the 3rd edition of the game rules).

Food can be extremely difficult to find, and much of the natural vegetation is poisonous.

The Underoerth is permeated by a magical energy or radiation which is used as a source of energy by the native plant life but which interferes with scrying and teleportation spells. It is known to be caused by the decay of Tumkeoite into Lacofcite. In the Forgotten Realms setting (the "underdark") the Drow call this radiation faerzress.[1]

In the Vault of the Drow (Erelhei-Cinlu), natural radiation is given off by rock formations in the ceiling — small pockets of unique minerals and a huge mass of tumkeoite, a heavy and unstable magnetic metal that slowly decays with exposure to air. The formations transform into lacofcite, a dense, crumbling ore that absorbs certain wavelengths of light energy and gives off a lurid glow. The result is an effect almost like a moon and starry sky in the rocky upper reaches of the Vault, and it interferes with teleportation. Drow who live in the Vault prize the fact that surface raiders cannot teleport directly into their cities and out again (without incredibly high risk of horrible accidents). Furthermore, all sources of illumination exposed to the emanations give off only a muted pale glow that is much preferred by the sensitive eyes of the drow. [1]

Inhabitants

The Underoerth is extremely dangerous, especially to those not native to it. There are the usual dangers associated with caverns: claustrophobia, occasional poor air circulation, and getting lost.

In addition to those dangers, the Underoerth is also home to many predators and a wide array of races, most of which are hostile to other races. These races include:

Personalities

Features and settlements

Hellfurnaces

Central Flanaess

Old Aerdy

Empire of Iuz

Western Oerik

Densac Gulf

Specific prestige classes

References

  1. ↑ a b Marmell, Ari, Anthony Pryor, Robert J. Schwalb, Greg A. Vaughan. Drow of the Underdark. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2007, p.154

Bibliography

  • Kestral, Gwendolyn F.M. Fane of the Drow. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.
  • Mobley, Blake, and Timothy B. Brown. Greyhawk Ruins. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.
  • Moore, Roger E.. "Legacies of the Suel Imperium." Dragon #241. Renton, WA: TSR, 1997.
  • Niles, Douglas. Dungeoneer's Survival Guide. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986.
  • Perry, Chris. "Fungi of the Underdark." Dragon #211. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
  • Underoerth project on Canonfire! [3]
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