Under Depths

Landscape

The Under Depths is a Subterranean space beneath the The Sylvan Glade. It's filled with various tunnels and caverns that houses a variety of individuals. Concealing those from the light, those who thrive in the dark can live. 

Climate

Depending on where you are in the Under Depths it does vary in climate. Some areas are humid and hot due to hydrothermal vents that release heat from the planet's core. Other areas are going to be frozen solid and extremely cold with various icicles forming along the roof. 

Natural Resources

Although often considered inhabitable there are areas filled with a variety of natural resources. Ground water, rivers, and under ground lakes are concealed within the space to allow vegetation to flourish despite the lack of light. This has allowed a variety of agriculture to accumulate. 

Seasons

Unlike above ground, the Under Depths does not experience seasons the same way or if at all. Areas that are already warm will see higher temperatures during the summer and cooler temperatures during the winter. Otherwise, the changes are hardly noticeable. 

Weather

The Under Depths does not experience weather the same way that those above will. They will however, see bits of rain fall. Water will seep through the upper levels and create this precipitation down below. In areas that are completely open and exposing the Under Depths will experience normal weather activity such as sunlight, rain, snow, and other means or precipitation. 

Animals

Here in the Under Depths much like it's sister the Underdark, there will be a variety of creatures that will live here. Cloakers, beholders, and more are amongst those to be mindful of when out and about. However, the land is also filled with a variety of bats, moles, spiders, and other burrowing mammals 

Plants

Despite being mostly underground, a variety of plant life does thrive within this region. A specific type of orchid can live within the subterranean environment. Other plants include potatoes, truffles, lichens, moss. The Under Depths are mostly home to a variety of fungi which are often harvested and consumed. 

Races

Due to the lack of sunlight, those who tend to reside here are those who must live in the dark. These individuals are Drow, Gray Dwarf Duregar, Deep Gnome, and more. Some Myconids will live within this region along with those who are Gith. Unknown and Unknown have been known to frequent the space but are not normally affiliated with the Under Depths. 

Governance and Economics

Since the Under Depths is within the Sylvan Glade boarders, they follow under the laws and regulations of the Sylvan Glade matriarchy under their Queen. Although there is a separate governing body ran by the military that reside within the region. Different small villages may have their own political structural, but follow the federal laws of the land via the army. This does mean, that those of non Fey origins seeking travel within the boarders must undergo the proper requirements to gain entry. Gith are a unique circumstance as they were present and residing the lands before the legislation was put into motion. Most follow their Queen and highly respect her. 

Within the Under Depths there will be means of transportation much like above land. Small vessels with transport those along the main rivers to the larger villages while others will mostly travel by foot, horse or carriage along the designated roads. More than often messengers are sent through these routes to send letters and papers across the Under Depths. 

Socio-Economic Classes

The Under Depths is a very diverse region. There are gaps of of those who are considered upper middle and lower class. Most who are Upper Class are soldiers within the army or those who often associate themselves with the monarchy. Most however, will be within the middle class region. The region is well taken care of with very few people in the lower class. Even those who are considered to be lower class individuals are still well taken care of and able to live a very sustainable lifestyle. Most areas are considered to be rural but easily accessible to travelers. 

Education

Education is present within the Under Depths for those who are unable to attend schooling up above or elsewhere. The Academic knowledge primarily focuses on teachings of the Feywild and it's history relevance to the Sylvan Glade. Basic skills are also taught within these small schools where one teacher will typically follow each age group throughout their lives. Most will graduate and very few will drop out to attend to other sustainable matters.

Employment/Agriculture/Trade

Various jobs thrive within the Under Depths. Mining is a notable source of employment as is being a soldier. However, those who choose a different route are able to through a variety of different means. The mines are one of the means of trade between other nations in exchange for other goods and properties. A common export is jewelry made out of  the various crystals that line the walls. 

Apothecaries are are highly regarded and are often working side by side with the army to equip their soldiers with a variety of poisons and antidotes. They work side by side as well with the local agriculture who have well established fungal farms. Trade between the upper and lower levels will often happen allowing residents of the Under Depths to experience culinary goods that they don't normally have access to. 

The Under Depths is known to house the main manufacturers for armor and weapons that will be given to the army. 

Standard culinary, tailor, blacksmiths and more are average jobs that will be found within the area as well as those who are medically inclined and various educators. 

Conflict

Often the passageways are treated as a secret route into the Sylvan Glade to it's neighboring country of Marktinla. Those who try to sneak in and bypass the legislations will be caught and apprehended within the Under Depths. The Under Depths will have a faction of the Sylvan Army who are stationed within the Under Depths to ensure that there are no illegal travelers.  The army act as a normal police force for the area and those who are caught disobeying the law will be placed in a prison and brought before the Queen for trial. 

Most criminals that are captured are those who are infiltrating the Glade rather than local citizens. 

The Sylvan Glade is often experiencing battle between it's neighboring country. Marktinla often tries to expand it's boarders by invading the outskirts of the Glade. During the conflicts that can occur, Fey are often captured and sold on the Black Markets for slavery or other means. The kingdom of Frecia often provides aid to the Glade and engages in the conflict. The Under Depths will often house Frecian soldiers within their own barracks as a means of true allies. 

Family and Friendships

Most households will consist of one or two children to two parents. Grandparents may also still be in the picture within the immediate family. Often with Drow, the men will be treated differently than the females. Men will be often seen as inferior to their female counterparts. Other races who reside in the Under Depths don't share the same philosophies that the Drow do. 

Social Rules

Those who are of Drow decent are very noble and highly regal with their social behaviors. They are often seen bowing to others in respect if they highly value the person they are speaking to. Where as the others will be more blunt with their words and often curse at those with no shame.

There is an unspoken rule much like up above and that rule is "No one must know". 

Food

The dishes and delicacies of the Under Depths often consist a variety of fungus that get that get harvested. It is the primary staple of the diet down in the Under Depths. Stews, steaks, salads, are amongst the many dishes most commonly made. However, that does not mean that the Under Depths are stranger to the sweetness that the normal elven cuisine can provide. 

Art

Various types of crafts reside within the Under Depth. Artisans of all kinds from wood, crystal, painting, music, and more flood the space with a vast assortment of arts. Carvings to resemble life up above will be found through out the region often recreations of what has been seen. Various crystal jewelry will be made and exported from within the Under Depths. 

Religion

Followers of Loth will often undergo rites of passage and tests of loyalty. This is most commonly seen within Drow homes while Duergar and Deep Gnomes are more focused on labor and working over arts and ceremonies.

Languages

The most common language after common would be Sylvan and Undercommon. Less common languages that can be spoken are Dwarvish, Gnomish, Gith, 

Architecture

Most of the regions are recognized as small villages. There aren't any major cities that reside within the Under Depths nor are there any major buildings. There is one exception and that would be the main barracks for the soldiers being made out of the stone carved from the walls of the cavern it sits in. A lot of the homes down below use material that often fall through the passageways. Various types of woods and stones make up most of the infastructure of the buildings. 

Clothing and Fashion

Most of the clothing worn is a split between light weight silks and threads or heavy duty thick leathers and furs for warmth. They are built for durability and sustainability to withstand the terrains and the temperature variances. Most who where silks and threads are often wearing it in higher regard and for fashion mostly than practicality. 

Entertainment, Celebrations, and Festivals

There are a variety of options for entertainment around the Under Depths. Races of many different types are held and common festival activities from boating to foot races. Fungi competitions are also a common pass-time and something many look forward to. Most activities within the Under Depths revolve around the concept of being active and moving. That does mean that for fun most will keep up with their athletic capabilities. 

Aside for celebrations to Loth, there are celebrations where those from the Under Depths will travel to the surface to join in with the Sylvan Glade festivities. It is extremely common for residents to travel upward and attend festivals such as the one held for The Lady of the Falls. 

Regular ceremonies will be held for weddings and funerals honoring those lives who are intertwined with each other through the powers of the Loth, The Queen of the Fey, and more. 

Forms of Magic

Much like the rest of the Glade, magic flows through the Under Depths naturally in a vast amount of energies. The magic flows through and links its people through various channels to the Feywild. It takes the shape based on how the user will harness it. All those born of Fey descent will have magic of some kind.

Magic Users
Most magic users will be a sorcerer, wizard, ranger, or druidic. Those who are Wizards are individuals who learn materials that are beyond the Sylvan glade. Everyone is born with some level of magic and it is up to them to harness it and embrace further teachings to master it, or to let it fizzle out. The Queen Tatiana is believed to be the strongest magic user within all of the Glade and the Under Depths. She is highly sought after for her prowess.

Origins and Source

The magic is always there within all Fey. It is much stronger if those return to the Feywild when compared to those who remain within this domain. There is one large fey crystal located in a well guarded region that is believed to be the reason why Fey can retain their powers outside of the Feywild. Gith however will differ than their Fey friends. They are deeply rooted to the Astral plane and harness most of their abilities from there. 

Limitations/Costs/Dangers

Magic can run out when overused causing the users to feel tired and drained. Often the bloodline of Fey are the reason why they are captured and sold through various trafficking channels. To utilize and harness the magic prowess that flows through them and making someone stronger through various means. 

Often there is a misconception that those who reside in the Under Depths are considered evil magic users. 

Cultures of Magic

Magic is a prominent force that became a normal day to day use. It is very rare for someone to be living in the Under Depths and not have some sort of magic capability. Even those who are of Gith decent are known to have some type of magical means being wielders of magic surrounding the mind. 

Science and Technology

While not entirely unheard of, there are those who embrace science over magic. Technological advances are made to benefit the livelihood of the people who chose to make the Under Depths their home. With their partnership with Frecia, they have embraced the various technological advances such as electricity, heating, and more that help the quality of life. Most of the technological advances that have occurred pertain more towards the development and advancement in the infrastructure of the forges that supply the army.