The Underdark in Dungeons and Dragons

The Underdark in Dungeons and Dragons is a place deep below the surface of the world. It is a dark place where evil things lurk. It is a dangerous place where terrifying creatures live in cities beneath the planet surface.

This is a volatile and dangerous place to visit

The Underdark in Dungeons and Dragons first made it’s appearance in a AD&D publication called “Descent into the Depths of the Earth” in 1978. This module was part of Gary Gygax’s Greyhawk Campaign. The D series of modules were an extension of the earlier G series (Against the Giants) modules. The uprising of hill giants, frost giants and fire giants was the result of instigation by the Drow. After the players defeat the fire giants in G3 they will likely find themselves in pursuit of a group of Drow which retreat down a tunnel deep into the Underdark. The D series then expands upon this new place with three modules that expand upon this wondrous place. The series comes to a conclusion with module Q1 “Queen of the Demon Web Pits.”

A bridge over an Underdark chasm

A Vast Subterranean Realm

The Underdark is massive. It is deep beneath the surface. And it is so large that many entire cities of different races live in these dark places. It is a dark and dangerous place. The creatures that dwell there tend to have the ability to see in the darkness. But those from the surface may not have this natural ability. There are alien things in this underground world. There are fungus and lichen which may give light. Some of these things might even be eaten. But some may very well be poisonous instead.

Water sources beneath the surface may not be readily available to a surface dweller traveling in the Underdark. One can be certain that the creatures that live there will know where water can be found and will have it well guarded from others who might wish to use some of it. Food sources might be equally as scarce.

This alien world is massive

The Underdark in Forgotten Realms

Greyhawk was not the only published campaign to have elements involving the Underdark. The Forgotten Realms also included this mysterious place. The Forgotten Realms actually expands upon the Underdark and divides it into three areas. The Upper Dark is closer to the surface. There are many tunnels leading to and from the Underdark and the surface at this level. The creatures here are less dangerous, generally, than deeper levels. The Middle Dark is more dangerous. Great cities of Drow and other creatures are believed to be located here. And the Lower Dark is a virtual mystery even to many of those who live in the Underdark. What lives at this lowest level is unknown. It is believed that cities of some of the most dangerous Underdark dwellers may be found there.

Drizzt Do’Urden

The Underdark in Literature

R.A. Salvatore wrote about the Underdark extensively in his series involving the Drow hero Drizzt Do’Urden. This character was then included in the Forgotten Realms campaign as an important Non Player Character. Drizzt furst appeared in the Icewind Dale trilogy. He is an unusual Drow. Unlike his brethren he is not evil. In fact he is against the evil tendencies of his race and becomes an outcast from his people. He ends up traveling to the surface and living in the light.

A Drow City Beneath the Surface

Who lives in the Underdark in Dungeons and Dragons?

Who lives in this underground world? Who would even want to live there? There are creatures in Dungeons and Dragons that prefer darkness to light. And some that prefer to dig beneath the surface rather than create structures above ground for dwelling. Naturally all of these types of creatures can be found in the Underdark:

  • Aboleths
  • Beholders
  • Derro
  • Driders
  • Drow
  • Duergar
  • Dwarves
  • Fomorian Giants
  • Gnomes
  • Hook Horrors
  • Kuo Toa
  • Mind Flayers
  • Myconids
  • Troglodytes
  • Many other subterranean races

Some of these creatures have built massive cities beneath the surface. Most of them are evil. A few are not. All live in competition there in this world beneath the surface. Wars are fought for space and resources in this dark place.

An Angry Group of Derro
Gray Dwarves (The Duergar)

Dwarves in the Underdark

There are three types of Dwarves living in the darkness below. Good aligned Dwarves have cities that the have built here and have fought to protect for centuries. Duergars are known as the Gray Dwarves. They are an evil aligned group that dwells under the land. Derro is another evil race of Dwarves that lives here. Dwarves are natural miners and diggers. To find them in a place like this is to be expected. But they often must fight with other races to protect their homes and resources from others.

You do not want to stumble upon this guy in the Underdark

Beholders in the Underdark

Beholders in all of their many variations can be found here. The massive Eye Tyrants often lead cities deep beneath the surface. This species is highly intelligent but also highly aggressive. They do not work well or play well with others in the Underdark. They have fought wars against the Drow and others in this place.

The Underdark is an alien and mysterious place

Gnomes in the Underdark

Deep Gnomes known as the Svirfneblin live in the Underdark. These deep gnomes have the ability to listen to the earth and stone. They do not communicate with it but they learn many things from it. Unlike other gnomes this race tends towards neutrality.

I’d bet these two wished they had not visited this dangerous and hostile place

Mind Flayers in the Underdark

The Illithid have massive cities beneath the planet surface. They sometimes cooperate with other races below but often merely dominate those other races. They have sometimes fought wars against other races that did not wish to accept their rule. It is said that Elder Brain Mind Flayers rule massive cities of the Illithid. These terrifying creatures have powerful psionic abilities as well as tentacles that can rip the brain out of a victim’s head for devouring.

Fomorian Giants playing with a new friend

Giants

A few giants are known to be found in the Underdark. Fomorian giants, stone giants and even fire giants might be found here.

A Drow city in the Underdark

The Drow

The Dark Elves are known to have many cities beneath the surface. Many of their great houses have become incredibly powerful and compete for control of their society. Some worship the Demon Princess Lolth. Others do not. But all are generally evil with very few known exceptions.

The Drow rule their lands with an iron fist

The Nature of the Underdark

The Underdark in Dungeons and Dragons is a place filled with caverns. But these are no ordinary caverns. These are massive. And these caverns follow an enormous tunnel descending steadily deeper into the earth. Entire cities are carved out of these tunnels and caverns at different places along the way.

There are few sources of light in this world. Some fungi and luminous rocks give off a little light. Most of the creatures dwelling beneath the surface have little need for it. Most have infravision or ultravision. Surface dwellers traveling in this world must bring their own sources of light or find themselves at a severe disadvantage in combat.

Strange fungi give off light in some places in the Underdark

The temperature of the Underdark is typically chilly or clammy. But thermal activity beneath the surface can make some parts of the Underdark quite warm.

Sound in the Underdark is often absent. These tunnels and caverns are almost tomb like in many places. There are often miles of empty tunnel before encountering any group of dwellers in this land.

You do not want to get lost in this place

In some places the air beneath the surface is stale and nearly unbreathable by surface dwellers. Gasses may build up in places from geothermal activity. Sometimes these gasses pool up in tunnels (particularly those tunnels trapped by water). Sometimes these gasses might even be explosive.

Getting lost in the Underdark is quite easy for surface dwellers who are not familiar with these lands. One would do well not to get lost in this alien world. For to do so would invite tragedy.

A map of the Forgotten Realms Underdark

Who rules the Underdark in Dungeons and Dragons?

No single government or entity rules the entire Underdark. But there are many powerful groups there that control significant parts of it. Wars are fought constantly beneath the surface for control of geography and valuable resources. Water and food are scarce. And there is always conflict over control of such things.

There are many city-states beneath the surface. Each of these entities rules itself. But there are alliances of these cities and states which prevent others from taking total control over an area.

Many of these races are not even ruled by one single ruler. There are competing cities of Drow. There are many cities of beholders and mind flayers and dwarves. No single government or king rules all of them.

The Underdark is a hostile place to visit

The Underdark in Dungeons and Dragons is a grim and dreary place for those that live there

But for players and dungeon masters it is a fantastic world to adventure in. This place is so alien and different to the surface that a great deal of time could be spent exploring it. But clearly this is not a place to be visited by some low level adventurers. It is a dangerous and volatile place. Even without the races and monsters living there the environment itself is hostile to survival of surface dwellers traveling there. One should use great caution before embarking on any expedition to this dangerous place.

Even some dragons may be met beneath the surface of the world

If you would like an excellent reference on the Underdark which is not system specific you might try this product:

This fine book was written for 2nd edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons but contains no system specific statistics. It is an extremely detailed guide to every detail that a dungeon master might want to know in order to create an Underdark adventure for players. It is available on Drivethrurpg for download (or printing).

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You just never know who you might bump into down in the depths of the Underdark. Demagorgon is shown here meeting some new friends
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