Grimdark
This place resides under the surface, in a realm cast into darkness. Only those with darkvision can maneuver well, and even then, its treacherous terrain can claim even the most skilled. Caves and caverns hold this realm, with deep rifts splitting them. None of the sky above can be seen, and to find yourself here means that you have traveled a bit too far down a cave, or stumbled across one of the many entrances that allow access. Much of the Grimdark is ruled by the Great Underground Empire, originally an offshoot of the Sharksmaw Company, but found a place to call their own underground. The citizens of this place are often drow, duergar, and the like, often warring on each other.
Mushroom Ranch This cavern is full of mushrooms that reach upwards of 50 ft tall, all the way down to small button mushrooms. This forest is called a “ranch” only because it seems that long ago, someone created a trail safely through, and left a sign carved into a mushroom claiming it as a ranch. No one knows what happened to them, but the skeleton that marks the end of the path on the other side, fused into a mushroom, may be the remains of this traveler.
Spider Queen Chamber This chamber holds the biggest city of Grimdark dwellers not affiliated with the Great Underground Empire. On the far side, next to a deep chasm sits a city built in the typical drow fashion, stalactites and stalagmites carved into homes, with a grand central obelisk that seems to hold some sort of connection to the aboveground, as it pulses with a red light matching that of the position of the sun above. Narvandor, as it is called, of course holds a militarized force of many Houses, at times defending the city, at other times scouting out the duergars or the Great Underground Empire for an opportunity to strike.
Khongrin This duergar city is built in the fashion of their aboveground cousins, fortified walls, deep mines, and hidden forges. The quality of their metalcraft cannot be mistaken, however, for their dwarven cousins, as the touch of the Grimdark is present in each piece they make. For example, comparing the two, one might find the Khongrin metalwork to have many more spikes, and a tendency to only allow those who crafted it to know where to hold it to not hurt themselves in doing so.
Great Underground Empire Capital - Cranda This is the only place with a significant amount of light, as the above ground persons who call this place home, often do not have darkvision. This place resides in its own chamber, and rightfully so, considering their war with the other cities. This city is built as a near mirror of Felnost above, with a grand magistrates building, a long walkway, and residences. However, each of these are carved out of the cavern walls, rather than built of brick and mortar. Another difference is, this city allows alcohol. Cranda also has a direct line to the above world, where the Grimdark exclusive items are transported for sale, and survival items are sent down. This place is one of the main reasons the Sharksmaw Company holds such a monopoly on trade above.
Mushroom Ranch This cavern is full of mushrooms that reach upwards of 50 ft tall, all the way down to small button mushrooms. This forest is called a “ranch” only because it seems that long ago, someone created a trail safely through, and left a sign carved into a mushroom claiming it as a ranch. No one knows what happened to them, but the skeleton that marks the end of the path on the other side, fused into a mushroom, may be the remains of this traveler.
Spider Queen Chamber This chamber holds the biggest city of Grimdark dwellers not affiliated with the Great Underground Empire. On the far side, next to a deep chasm sits a city built in the typical drow fashion, stalactites and stalagmites carved into homes, with a grand central obelisk that seems to hold some sort of connection to the aboveground, as it pulses with a red light matching that of the position of the sun above. Narvandor, as it is called, of course holds a militarized force of many Houses, at times defending the city, at other times scouting out the duergars or the Great Underground Empire for an opportunity to strike.
Khongrin This duergar city is built in the fashion of their aboveground cousins, fortified walls, deep mines, and hidden forges. The quality of their metalcraft cannot be mistaken, however, for their dwarven cousins, as the touch of the Grimdark is present in each piece they make. For example, comparing the two, one might find the Khongrin metalwork to have many more spikes, and a tendency to only allow those who crafted it to know where to hold it to not hurt themselves in doing so.
Great Underground Empire Capital - Cranda This is the only place with a significant amount of light, as the above ground persons who call this place home, often do not have darkvision. This place resides in its own chamber, and rightfully so, considering their war with the other cities. This city is built as a near mirror of Felnost above, with a grand magistrates building, a long walkway, and residences. However, each of these are carved out of the cavern walls, rather than built of brick and mortar. Another difference is, this city allows alcohol. Cranda also has a direct line to the above world, where the Grimdark exclusive items are transported for sale, and survival items are sent down. This place is one of the main reasons the Sharksmaw Company holds such a monopoly on trade above.
