A brief overview of the Underdark
An overview of world below
This book
This book is on a wide variety of topics on the Underdark including the environment, the Araumycos and its other inhabitants
Environment
Physical and dangers
This gigantic cave network extends for miles below the surface and several larger caves can be found. Dark and deceptive this area presents one with many dangers. These dangers include; claustrophobia, poor air circulation, floor / ceiling collapses and the most dangerous one - getting lost. This environment is especially dangerous for those who are not native, always take an experienced person with you.
Verry little light is down here which is why most inhabitants have some form of dark vision or other senses that do not rely on light. This makes food extremely scarce as most of the natural vegetation is poisonous, along with water that is not contaminated.
Some sources state that this environment is permeated with a magical energy that is called Faerzess (Drow), be aware as this interferes with scrying and teleportation spells.
Araumycos
Under the High Forest, large mushrooms called Aramycos (Dwavish, literally meaning “Great Fungus”) span between 1 and 3 miles below the surface. These provide a habitat for other fungal folk. Traveling through these areas are quite dangerous as they are known for attacking people with poisons, spores and manifestations that resemble oozes and slimes.
Inhabitants
There is no unified underground government since each individual city-state has the different form of rule. The Underdark economy deals primarily in armour, exotic goods, magic, slaves, timber and weapons. Many civilisations that live here are either neutral or evil.
Aboleth
Little is known about these mysterious creatures, these highly dangerous reside in water pools and few live to tell tails about them.