Underworld
The Underworld is the layer of life just below the surface or contained within the mighty bowels of mountains. Vitcoona is no stranger to a multi-leveled existence, as the Underworld has been actively explored and exploited since life first walked the surface. Some go far as to say that certain types of life began in the Underworld.
The Underworld is essentially the part of Vitcoona that the various subterranean peoples of Vitcoona call home. The Underworld is still just as much a place of light and life as the surface, but the Underworld exists in a completely different paradigm of existence. The surface dwellers have the luxury of migrating whenever the land will no longer support them, but the Underworld gives no such luxury. Dwarves are especially familiar with this restriction. They know full well that migrations are an act of desperation and often lead to far more death than staying put would have.
The Underworld is an unforgiving but bountiful environment to call home. Its roof is a collection of stalagtites, crystal vaults, and even frequent rifts that open up to the stars. Any would be adventurer should know that the Underworld is nowhere near as forgiving as the surface. Even a small mistake or even the most minor overextension can lead to death.
Geography
For the most part, the Underworld is rocky caverns and deep lakes. Rivers run through their underground tracks in the Underworld, and it is these flowing bodies of water that attract settlers early on. Even after the full establishment of the Underworld empires, rivers are still considered highly valuable pieces of territory to control.
Surface dwellers will note mountains and valleys as obstacles that slow their travel, but Underworlders see such geography as places to build. Frequently, mountains hold great veins of metals and crystals, while valleys are shielded from harsh weather and can be used for crops that don't fare so well without the sun warming them. Mountains also frequently boast truly massive caverns within them that allow for grand cities to be built. Much like an anthill, a small footprint on the surface can conceal a sprawling metropolis just beneath the surface.
Ecosystem
Without going into exhaustive detail, the Underworld possesses the same degree of biodiversity as the surface. However, the creatures of the Underworld are specialists. They specialize in survival, and this drive to survive makes Underworld creatures universally more difficult to hunt then their surface-dwelling cousins.
Ecosystem Cycles
The Underworld is generally unaffected by the tides of weather and seasonal shifts. Being underground boasts protection from the blistering heat of summer and the withering cold of winter. Also, being removed from the immediate effects of seasons means that water supplies are generally consistent. Food is also relatively easy to store up, as maintaining a cool, dry place for crops and meats to be preserved is much easier in an environment where the wind is restricted in what courses it can take.
Localized Phenomena
While the Underworld is nearly immune to the tides of the surface, it is strongly affected by the tides of Mana. Mana flows in the form of veins of crystals that can be harvested. But when Vitcoona is shifting great reserves of energy, these veins move. Sometimes, the motion of these veins is catastrophic to settlements caught in their wake.
Climate
The Underworld has a relatively mild climate close to the surface. The temperature is usually warm or cool but never quite uncomfortable in either direction. There's not as much light available unless light is being generated in some way other than the celestial bodies. Humidity can fluctuate wildly depending on how close a traveler is to water. Unfortunately, a great deal of the water in the Underworld has to be purified in some way due to lying stagnant in the dark for extraordinary periods of time.
Fauna & Flora
Cave Crabs and Cave Lights contend with one another for food and territory. While the small Cave Lights most often get eaten by the Cave Crabs, they have the numbers to simply eat the Cave Crabs out of their territories.
Various species of lichen, mushroom, and molds grow exclusively in the Underworld.
The Underworld is also home to all of the cave growths of Vitcoona, although some formations are easily accessed by the surface, the vast majority are tucked away deep.
Natural Resources
The Underworld possesses a monopoly on the ores and minerals used for industry. While the cutoff between surface mining and Underworld mining is dubious, most miners agree that the best ores are found at the deepest depths.
Alternative Name(s)
The Dark, The Roofed Lands, The Vaults, The Halls
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Region
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