The Underbelly
The Underbelly is the secret but not-so-secret home of leisurely pursuits in the human city of Karthan. The entrance is well hidden, but once allowed in the small entrance expands into a vast system of caves made warm and homely by those tasked by the Organizer.
Hidden deep within the mines below the city proper, most know of its existence only through rumor, and few are ever allowed in. There are other, less popular hideaways in the mines where similar revelry takes place, but this is the pinnacle of impropriety.
Those allowed in will find any measure of pleasure they desire, from simply having a drink with friends to satisfying those darker desires which they'd rather not speak about openly.
The Underbelly is also the home of a rather shifty criminal element. One can find all manner of people there engaging in their particular brand of criminal business in the Underbelly. Assassins, thieves, drug traffickers, those with a taste for violence, those selling their bodily wares, and and all manner of Virni (criminals, outcasts, detractors) call the Underbelly their permanent home. Whispers also tell that even the Hidden themselves frequent the Underbelly and its connected cave systems.
The Virun'sa, the High Priest of the Sa'a El'tarsi and ruler of Karthan, has attempted to locate and destroy the Underbelly on several occasions, but to no avail. Those behind the Underbelly are skilled at hiding and have eyes in even the most secure places. The Organizer and her associates will bribe or kill whoever necessary in order to keep the Virun'sa from finding them.
Visiting the Underbelly is an all night affair. As there is no way to sneak into the mines after work finishes, or to leave once the mines are closed for the night, without being seen by the Dwarven guards, one must sneak away without leaving the mines and find their way to the Underbelly and stay there for the night. This is particularly tricky for those individuals with family in Karthan. Many a marriage has ended when a spouse didn't return from the mines for a full night.
They say that the Underbelly is so deep within the planet that it takes several hours just to get to the entrance, and several days to explore the entirety of the Underbelly's cave systems.
Sensory & Appearance
Upon making it through the entrance, should one be allowed, their senses will be overwhelmed. Music echoes through the Lounge and into the passages beyond, and the scents of sweet and savory foods mix with burning candles and incense. They eyes will have a lot to take in, as the Lounge, the first thing one sees after exiting the long entrance passages, is filled with people and furnishings of every design. Bright lights hang from the vaulted cavern ceiling overhead. A wide dance floor fills the space in the center of the Lounge and is encircled by a multitude of different relaxation areas. A long, dark colored bar stretches along the far side of the dance floor, with a large, enclosed kitchen behind it, ready to serve whatever food or drink one requests. This space is all couches and comfort, while the next is high backed chairs and wooden tables. Various spaces are curtained in with noise-dampening cloth to allow for a more intimate experience. Some similar zones are like miniature libraries full of books and intellectual enjoyment. Any pleasure one is seeking can likely be fulfilled in the Lounge, and if not one only needs to find the correct agent of the Organizer to be led further in to the more hidden rooms, and of course one should be prepared to pay for such pleasure.
Architecture
The entire Underbelly exists within a vast system of caves far beneath Karthan proper. The Underbelly is only accessible through the mines which the humans work daily, and there is only one way in and out - or so they say. The main cavern of the Underbelly, called the Lounge, is massive and able to comfortably hold thousands of humans at once. Beyond the Lounge extends miles of twisting passages with un unknown number of "rooms."
Type
Mine
Owner
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments