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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mike Mikesh" data-source="post: 7336259" data-attributes="member: 6923829">Underdark CommunitiesIlhara-Vel – This fantastic <a href="https://repsesper.deviantart.com/art/Underdark-Map-211262475" target="_blank">map</a> by <a href="https://repsesper.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">repsesper</a> provided a lot of inspiration for what I did in embellishing Out of the Abyss.  I reduced its scale and stature for our use since, in the Northdark setting, Menzoberranzan needs to dominate.[ATTACH]93681[/ATTACH]Ilhara-Vel (in our campaign) was an old drow colony.  After it failed, it became a destination for desperate dark elf renegades.  Every several decades or so, a crusade wipes out the nest in Lolth's name.In the current time, the simple bastions of Ilhara-Vel were occupied by goblins and drow of at least three outcast houses and their vassals.  Abruptly, however, the dark elf nobility united into a single house, Argiiryn, under the rule of Matron Mother Zilvra.  She immediately sent out diplomatic emissaries bearing large tributes of discovered dwarven ingots who then brought back valuable craftsmen, mercenaries, and mages.  Ilhara-Vel is now a burgeoning boomtown.Characters observing these rather hedonistic nobles might notice more than expected deference to Weapon Master Zagrit and question if he is their true leader.  In fact Zagrit is the demon prince, Graz'zt, and has come to build a small kingdom, guided by preternatural knowledge, while forced out of the Abyss.  The priestesses lead devotions at Arach-Angaste to Lolth, but merely as lip service.The great vault is dominated by two high plateaus.  The opulent seat of House Argiiryn, Silver Hall, is on the small plateau.  The town of Ilhara-Vel is on the large one.  The marshy floor of the vault is covered with fungi supporting an ecology of cave crickets and lizards.  The fungi were haphazardly cultivated over the centuries, whereas now the farming is skillfully managed by hobgoblin masters.The town is developing multiple industries, among these are unique spices and jet gemstones mined nearby.  It also produces textiles.  Haluca is a type of flax that grows down from the underside of particular giant mushrooms and called beards.  And, wool is sheared from jippers, blind albino rabbits whose fur muffles echolocation from predatory bats.  Dye pigments for cloth are available in the area and also exported.The Rat Fiddler Inn is currently the only inn.  It is poor, having been converted from a barracks, but the staff makes a good effort in providing comfortable rooms and basic fare in the common room.  They do not try to compete with their neighbors with entertainment.Instead, visiting merchants and mercenaries drop a lot of coin at the many cabaret/brothals in town.  The most prominent is the Jelas, managed directly by House Argiiryn.  Although work is still being done on the structure, it is a centerpiece for the town itself.  It’s hard to miss its spires and illumination by faerie fire.  The other owners came drawn by Graz'zt.  The Red Lace is operated by Charlotte, a red widow (a la Ravenloft).  Libia is operated by a lamia, Lorelei.  And, the Serpentine Kiss is operated by Sultra, a yuan-ti pureblood.  Competition among them is fierce.Pharius's Apothecary is another business that established itself early, enjoying stronger sales in recreational and sex enhancement drugs than medicinal.</blockquote>

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