Only the brave or foolhardy dare even the briefest foray into Underland, and few survive such treks long enough to make a habit of it. Underlanders are survivors through and through, having known the leanest of times in tunnels home to monsters and deadly traps alike. The harshness of subterranean life makes Underlanders extremely cautious about whom they trust, but once they form a bond with someone, their loyalty is ironclad. At the same time, Underlanders can be incredibly patient when danger is near—but when the moment to strike is at hand, theirs is sure.

One of the most difficult aspects of life in Underland is finding enough food to eat—or protecting what food one can find. An underharvester is someone who’s mastered the practice of gathering food in the harshest of environments, learning by painful experience (or wise lessons) what food is safe to eat. Mushrooms in particular are a valuable resource for underharvesters, something they take with them whenever they travel to a new area.

The oceans of Underland are sailed by an eclectic mix of merchants, pirates, explorers, adventurers, and agents of the various underground factions. While less affected by extreme weather than their surface counterparts, these subterranean seas possess hazards of their own, and those who sail them (and survive) are made resourceful and resilient indeed. Sunless mariners spend most of their lives on (or under) the water, operating boats and submarines on the shipping lanes that link Underland’s ports.

Sewer rats are ratlings who live by their wits in the most inhospitable parts of cities. They venture out at night in search of food and other necessities, stealing whatever they can’t scavenge. Able to wriggle through tiny spaces and laughing at locks, sewer rats operate much like a thieves’ guild—albeit one more interested in food than riches.

Though every motley is unique, they share much in common and find comfort in each other’s company. What develops from there is a loving community that is accepting of all types of people, embracing exiles, outcasts, and anyone else who seeks a peaceful life. Motley collectives may be permanent settlements or nomadic caravans, but no matter what form they take, all collectives value cooperation. In a motley collective, each member’s peculiarity is turned into a strength.

A group of

Mycelial communities tend to be simple, consisting of family groups known as melds that live deep underground. Meld-members are curious but cautious. They know Underland is full of dangers, and thus approach unfamiliar creatures and people with considered care.

Mycelials maintain a strong oral tradition focused on passing on their songs and stories. They engage in trade with other peoples, exchanging the gems they uncover while eating softer ores for whatever they might need.

It is a testament to the human spirit that, when a group of engineers became trapped underground thousands of years ago, they found a way to survive instead of dying terrified in the dark. Their descendants started being born without eyes, becoming the first grimlocks. Even the name “grimlock,” a reference to the grim fate of being locked in the earth, speaks to the ingenuity and grit of these brave souls. In the generations since the first grimlock was born, eyelessness has become a trait that parents can pass on to their children, even if they do not live in the depths of the earth.

The Faceless is a collective of doppelgangers and other shapechangers who share information and defend each other from harm.

The mind of a