Razhea Capita's Underworld
The Underworld is one of the most feared and idolised places on Razhea Capita. It is the vast abandoned expanse below the planet's modern city landscape. Much of the Underworld has collapsed, flooded, or been overrun with disease and pests.
Razhea Capita's criminal activity is largely based in the Underworld, where the planet's officials do not wander.
History
The Underworld was once Razhea Capita's surface. Razhean expansion into space drove the population of Razhea Capita into the tens of billions, and the planet evolved into a global city, to account for its people. After almost all available land was used up, the city began expanding upwards. Gigantic platforms were built over the oldest parts of the world, imprisoning the old, making room for the new.
Entire nations were covered up with new foundations, giving rise to what is now known as the Underworld. 97% of Razhea Capita's land has been built on top of at least three times, creating a labyrinth of broken down infrastructure running miles underground.
Collapse of Sector Nine
Sector Nine (of seventeen) was a massive portion of the Underworld, built on top of five times before its collapse. Sector Nine was a structural nightmare - massive metal beams were being consumed by a carnivorous vine species, wrapping its way around three kilometres of metal pipes and pillars.
The Sector was home to five thousand Underworld refugees. Half the population lost their lives in the collapse fifty-five years ago. The others found new homes in Sector Ten, hidden much deeper in the Underworld, where the vines have not reached yet.
Underworld Economy
Those living in the Underworld thrive on illegal practices. Even those on the Surface will venture into the Underworld to engage in illicit activities. The Greenhouse is the world's biggest supplier of a number of illegal substances, distributed around the globe using abandoned pipe systems accessible from the Surface.
The Underworld is treated as a black market. Endangered and dangerous wild animals are traded from supplier to buyer in the cavernous kingdom. Banned general weaponry and mythical items of great power are traded in the Underworld. It is said that several Books of Chronology have been traded in the Underworld.
Duck Fighting
Underworld duck fighting is a popular sport, where mutant stillwater ducks are made to battle in an arena. Large bets are made, and people are willing to gamble away their entire life savings. The last duck left in the arena is the winner of a duck fight. It is an intense battle to the death, with these mutated creatures having unique abilities and powers that may give them the slight advantage in battle.
It is not just a game of luck; the more dedicated gamblers will spend hours analysing the roster of ducks, studying each of their abilities in order to bet on the duck they think will come out on top.
Significant Locations
The only part of the Underworld ever used by the surface world, the Furnace is the eater of millions of tonnes of waste. Garbage is disposed of through pipe systems that all lead to the Furnace.
These pipes transport waste from across the globe. Thousands of people have been recorded disappearing around these pipes, leaving no trace at all.
Sector Two is an abandoned arcology sitting below Lake ReVere, an artificial body of water visible on the surface of the planet. What was once a thriving landmark is now nothing more than an overgrown mess. Thick purple vines wrap around Sector Two, breaking down the metal infrastructure, destabilising the lake above.
The Greenhouse is the Underworld's largest producer of sunsplicer, a plant smoked when dried. It is ran by 349 loyal servants, who are not allowed to leave under the penalty of torture, but who willingly tend to the Greenhouse's gardens every minute of every day.
The Greenhouse is one of many buildings ran by the Queen of the Underworld. This powerful ruler refuses to talk about her past, but whatever she went through got her exiled from the surface world.
Pride & Purge Zones
The Underworld is divided into two types of zones, Pride Zones and Purge Zones. The most unlawful acts are carried out in Purge Zones, while Pride Zones are special regions to protect the vulnerable. Purge Zones give space for people to commit illegal acts without punishment, and that in turn allows Pride Zones to remain unharmed... mostly.
The story about the collapse made me feel rather claustrophobic. Ugggh, no, terrifying.
Explore Etrea | March of 31 Tales
Noooo, but yaaay I'm glad the article made you feel things xD <3