Mantol-Derith

Mantol-Derith (pronounced: /ˈmɑːntoʊlˈdɛərɪθ/ MAN-toll-DARE-ith) was a trading city situated in an underground cavern three miles below the surface.

Infrastructure

Mantol-Derith was located in a twisted cavern 60–70 feet tall and twice as wide.[7] The city was heavily guarded and protected by strong magic. The cavern was naturally formed by water because of its proximity to the Darklake, and was filled with waterfalls, pools, and streams. Its walls were filled with multicolored crystals and gems. Bridges across the various streams were carved from crystal. The city itself primarily comprised trade caravans and campsites.

Districts

Central market

The market was ringed with giant fungi and merchants set up stalls selling fruit, perfume, woods, and spices beneath them.

Nameless inn

The innkeeper of the nameless inn was a duergar woman named Dinnika who kept goblin slaves. They served mushroom ale and surface lagers. The rooms were located in crevices behind petrified mushroom doors.

Warehouses

There was one huge storage area at each of the four corners of the cavern, representing the four factions present in the city.

History

In 1372 DR, the city was was very quiet because of the problems during the Silence of Lolth in Menzoberranzan and elsewhere. The drow group led by Quenthel Baenre stayed here while they worked to gain access to Gracklstugh across the Darklake.

Tourism

I soon learned that I was not bought entirely for my brute strength, but also for what knowledge I had of the duergar. My new owner was a member of some group he called the Zhentarim, and when I told him all I knew, he offered me my freedom and a place among his agents. Together we would journey to a place called Mantol-Derith, where I would serve as his bodyguard. From there we would go to the surface, and I could remain in his employ if I wished. Freedom and a job? How could I refuse?
Mantol-Derith is a hidden place accessed by secret ways. Slaves, such as I had been, are typically not permitted to go there. Once in the cavern, I had to remain near my employer, but by keeping my eyes and ears open, I learned a lot about this place.
Mantol-Derith is where Duergar, Drow, and svirfneblin come to trade with each other and with surface-dwellers interested in conducting business with the deep places. Its location is kept secret — I only know that it is fairly close to the Darklake. The drow sell weapons, armor, magic scrolls and potions, and fine works of art. The duergar trade mainly in fine steel, and demand high prices to do so. Deep gnomes come to market with gems, certain fungi only they are capable of growing, and salt, which much of the Underdark has little ready supply of. The surface folk bring wines, ales, and spirits, cloth, wood, paper, and a great many other goods.
The laws of Mantol-Derith don’t seem to care about anything other than commerce. There must be no prohibition on what sorts of creatures can visit here — among other things, I saw a pair of mind flayer envoys doing business in the market. The most serious of crimes are theft, the use of magic to influence negotiations, and the counterfeiting of goods by mundane or magical means. Anyone discovered to be in violation is sentenced on the spot, wrapped in heavy chains, and carted off to be tossed to the bottom of the Darklake.
When my employer’s business was concluded, he was true to his word, and we left for the surface. If only the drow with whom he did business were so trustworthy. We were ambushed, he was killed, and I was again put in chains.

— Volo

Location under

The Underdark