Hub Region: Hub Mountain

In the middle of the Hubbish Sea, and middle of the world, is an island consisting of a huge single mountain with a crater for a cap. Known as “Hub Mountain” to most, but referred to as “Dwarf Mountain” by Dwarves, Gnomes, and the older Goldadam generation, this mound houses a multi-level city-state, with tiers approximating social position. The lowest caverns of the mountain, where the tunnels of the mountain become intertwined with the world-wide Underearth network, are home to society’s outcasts—the expelled, the monstrous, the useless. No royal guards bother with this region—its denizens are generally kept out of the upper levels by fear of passing through the Formian levels. The Formians (Antpeople) are more-or-less autonomous, taking their guidance from their own queen, who enforces the agreement the Antpeople have had with upper levels for generations: the ants stay within their own band or extend their mines outward beneath the Hubbish sea, but don’t raid the higher levels, and the food-producing levels will feed the Formians.   Dwarves and other burrowing folk manage the next few levels, trading mined goods for food from above. Above that are halls and homes and cavernous malls that appear to be of Dwarvish architecture, but are mostly occupied by Humans, Halflings, and half-Humans. The bulk of economic activity happens here. A few shafts from the surface beam in light from the surface at High Noon and allow the escape of smoke and stench, but for all except the uppermost layer beneath the surface, the air is smoky from cooking and industry. This region is policed by the ruling houses on the surface, but lawlessness abounds. Dim light is provided by luminite lanterns and the natural deposits of luminite in the walls of the city. Orcish and Goblin gangs lurk in all of these levels, but don’t make trouble with the Formians.   The crater surface is dominated by High and Grey Elves in homes ranging in modesty from cottages to palaces. The entire crater is forested, with a thick “wild” middle left free of habitation. This area is actually carefully cultivated to maximize fruit production. The Hub Mountain crater is also home to a hive of Abeil (Beepeople), who provide the mountain with honey and operate a courier service within and without the mountain.   The outside of the mountain is home to a small population of Aaracokra and at its base, Dwarves oversee a shipping port.     Exterior   Races: Aaracokra, Dwarf (Mountain)   Common Tongue: Dwarvish   Classes: Mariner, Merchant, Reverend, Pirate, Sea Shepherd, Thief, Fighter, Skald, Minstrel, Clerk, Oracle     Crater   Races: Abeil, Elf (High, Grey), Gnome (Surface) Common Tongue: Elvish   Classes: Elfin Cavalier, Merchant, Fighter, Bard, Assassin, Cleric (all), Shaman (Witch/Warlock, Oracle), Magic-User, Illusionist, Scholastic Sage, Sage-Mentalist, Sage-Magician, Clerk, Martial Advisor, Medic, Mechanist     Midmound {Gunpowder: 30-60% chance of firing, depending on depth}   Races: Elf (High), Gnome (Surface), Dwarf (Mountain), Human (Newman, Goldadam), Half-Human, Hengeyokai   Common Tongue: Dwarvish   Court Tongue: Elvish   Classes: Merchant, Fighter, Mounted Constable, Bard, Minstrel, Thief, Detective, Assassin, Votary, Reverend, Witch/Warlock, Oracle, Magic-User, Illusionist, Sage-Mentalist, Sage-Magician, Clerk, Medic, Guru, Swami, Mechanist     Submound {Gunpowder: 66-99% chance of firing, depending on depth}   Races: Elf (Svartalf), Gnome (Deep), Dwarf (Grey), Human (Newman), Half-Human, Formian, Orc, Goblin, Guijuda, Nezumi, Hengeyokai   Common Tongues: Orcish, Dwarvish   Classes: Merchant, Fighter, Bushi, Kensai, Gunslinger, Minstrel, Thief, Detective, Ninja, Yakuza, Assassin, Votary, Reverend, Witch/Warlock, Oracle, Monk, Serene Knight (Greywalker), Sohei, Magic-User, Illusionist, Wu Jen, Sifu, Rogue Scholastic, Alchemist, Mechanist