The Umbral Deep is a massive, sprawling network of subterranean chasms, tunnels, and strange architecture that looms deep beneath the comparatively sun-kissed lands of Maradul. Untouched by the light of the stars, the Umbral Deep represents chaos and horror to many, as the further down one treads into its depths, the less the laws of Sevantus seem to matter. It is known for producing strange creatures and phenomena that occasionally make their way to the surface, often leading to conflict and violence. As a result, most surface dwellers regard the Umbral Deep with a sense of fear and loathing - though some choose to embrace its peculiarities, such as the god Xuriath, the Callites along with their descendants the Xuriths and the Coriates, and most disruptively, hordes of would-be adventurers and heroes that are enticed by glory, fame, and riches that might be had in its deepest fathoms. The Umbral Deep is also known as the Shadow Beneath by many denizens of the surface.
Entering the Umbral Deep
Accessing the Umbral Deep is generally not as simple as just digging down, though such instances have been recorded in the past; in general, those wishing for quick access might desire to enter through an already discovered portal to the pits below. One of the most famous entrances to the Umbral Deep would be the Maw of the Deep, a massive schism found in Deirrin. However, this often isn't a favored point of entry by glory-seekers due to its ubiquity - the surrounding areas have already been heavily explored and developed by Callites. This isn't to say that the Maw does not present its own set of mysteries and dangers, but most adventurers seeking fast action and riches tend to seek out smaller entrances to the dark labyrinths below. These can be found across every continent of the world in some of the most unexpected places, from mines to mausoleums to marshy sinkholes that pull you into the deep without notice. Finding such entrances has actually become somewhat of its own profession to some, who collect information about different points of ingress to sell to rabid adventurers or fearful lords.
Relationship with the Surface
The Umbral Deep has a strange relationship with the people of the surface. While many a horror story is shared in taverns about beings who have emerged from the depths to terrorize villages, also abundant are stories of ancient civilizations frozen in time beneath the earth, their petrified citizenry still clutching great riches and powerful relics. These stories vary in accuracy but are consistent in the promise of one thing - there are great, forgotten powers at work below, and anyone that dares to face them may walk away with a sliver of godhood. Though successful trips to the Umbral Deep are few and far between, enough return with strange and wondrous artifacts to continually inspire more and more to brave the depths. Some postulate that the deep holds some strange sense of sentience, dangling just enough carrots in the form of the occasional success story in order to entice its prey to continually enter its gauntlet of horrors.