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Lands of Deepearth	-	-	-	DSG

Geography: The lands above Deepearth include all major
temperate terrain types. The land generally slopes upward from
south to north, with a lofty range of mountains at the far northern
extent of the underground realms.

    To the south lie the fertile farmlands of a prosperous surface kingdom,
interspersed with many villages, a few good-sized towns, and a
large city. The land becomes rougher to the north, and gradually
turns into a rocky, hilly wilderness area. Finally, the towering crags of
a high mountain range seal off any further travel to the north.

    The region endures harsh winters, mild springs, pleasant summers,
and heavy rainfall. The farmlands are interspersed with
woods and forests that occasionally cover large expanses. The
hills are barren, but the valleys among the mountains host pine
forests and wide, grassy meadows. A wide and placid river flows
through the farmland region, where it collects fresh water from
many mountain streams, and eventually empties into the large
lake to the east.

    A fortified city is the seat of government for the area. Located
on the banks of the river, it is a major trading center for cargoes
transported both over land and over water.

    The towns and villages are primarily agricultural in nature, and
each is keyed to its own local needs. Small groups of bandits
maintain hideouts in the woods and foothills, but present little
menace to the populace.

    In addition to humans, a small band of centaurs and several villages
of halflings live in the forested areas among the farmland.
An area in the center of the deepest woods is rumored to be
enchanted and populated by elves, pixies, and dryads, but these
stories are unconfirmed. Game, including some large carnivores,
is plentiful in the forest and mountain regions. Both dwarves and
hill giants live in the rocky hills. These two races are constantly at
odds. While there is a great deal of raiding and vandalism
between them, many years have passed since a pitched battle
was fought.

    The mountains are home to a very hardy band of dwarves, and
many giants. In the far reaches of the range, a series of ancient
volcanoes still smolders, and this area is rumored to be prowled
by dragons and other fearsome monsters. Few humans venture
into the mountains, and fewer still return from them.

Resources: Farming products, including grain, milk, and
meat, are the primary sources of income for humans, who also
harvest lumber from the forests. Water is plentiful, and both rowboats
and sailboats are common along the rivers and lakes. The
rivers, and particularly the lakes, host many varieties of fish. Most
of the villages along the shores of these waterways rely heavily
on fishing to support the local economy.

    Every once in awhile, a band of dwarves comes down from the
hills to sell minerals in the city. The location of the mines is a
closely guarded secret, but the dwarves are known to mine gold,
silver, copper, bloodstones, and occasionally rubies.

Unique Features: These regions present many possible avenues
into the underworld. At least one sprawling dungeon complex
beneath the city connects with a natural cavern that
eventually leads to Area 9. This complex links the city’s sewer
system to the palace dungeon. Many catacomb passages also
connect with the sewers. A prominent thieves’ guild has excavated
several other connecting areas, and certain influential merchants,
wizards, and lords have developed their own
underground connections to the sewers.

    A group of bandits occupy a deep dungeon in the forests. The
dungeon has four levels, several treasure caches, and many horrible
monsters. A secret passage in the lowest dungeon level
leads to the cavern complex in Area 4.

    Among the hills, natural limestone caves are extremely common.
Some of these are very shallow, with no connections to the
realms of Deepearth. About half of these caves connect together,
however, and lead the persevering explorer to Area 3. All of the
passages in this area are of natural origin.

    The mining efforts of the mountain dwarves have created some
very deep shafts. In many cases, the dwarves were forced to discontinue
excavation when the mine shaft struck water. A few of
these watery connections present openings large enough for
humans to pass through, assuming they can travel underwater.
These passages lead to exits on the bottom of the large lake
(Area 1). One abandoned mine shaft terminates in a dry cavern.
The dwarves will not speak of the reason they stopped mining
there, but use of that shaft is strictly taboo. The cavern eventually
leads to Area 3.