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Looking for information

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
kelandrae
Mar 29, 2011 10:32:41 I've ran through search for a couple days now but still can't find exactly what I'm looking for (perhaps it wasn't really discussed?)

I own FRPG, but it contains no information whatsoever about underdark... a little bit of oversight if you ask me for a book that introduced drow as player race.

What I'm looking for is a 4th edition map of underdark and comprehensive list of what the hell happened down there during spellplague. What effect did it have on underdark communities (drow and other) and what changes did it undergo? Clearly, if the world shifted so greatly on the surface, there would be at least echoes of this change underground.

Thanks for any info you may be able to give me.
#2
Stigger
Mar 29, 2011 13:02:23 Hopefully you have the books from previous editions. Generally speaking, its been treated as if nothing was specifically mentioned, then the information hasn't changed much. Haven't heard of any other information about the Underdark specifically, but I can't say I've been keeping up with the 4e Realms much. There's a thread around here with links to the various DDI articles that pertain to the Realms, but I'd guess that if you don't see it there, its probably something that hasn't been mentioned as of yet.
#3
kelandrae
Mar 29, 2011 13:29:38 I would normally assume that not much has changed... but the surface now has an area nicely named Underchasm... which leads directly to underdark. Which is somewhat major change for the geography... especially considering there used to be cities below that area.

Just like sudden disappearance of both Weave and Shadow Weave would greatly shake up Sshamath (my main interest as it's the city of my character's origin)
#4
Stigger
Mar 29, 2011 16:21:12 Such is the drawback of a lore-light approach I guess. That's kinda 4e's whole paradoxical thing though, easier on the DM in some respects, since its less 'restrictive' in terms of things being set in stone, but it also creates a whole lot of work since you have to come up with a lot of your own stuff to fill in the gaps it leaves.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I will have an answer for you, but I kinda suspect one doesn't really exist. I'm guessing you're gonna have to come up with your own conclusions as to what the effect of the changes were, and how it affected life there.
#5
The_Silversword
Mar 30, 2011 4:46:29 You want the Campaign Guide, theres a whole section on the UNderdark, starting on page 218, on up to 235, and there are maps, not the greatest maps ever, but well enough to show you whats what and where its at. The main areas covered are the Deep Wastes, Earthroot, Great Bhaerynden, Menzoberranzan, Northdark, and Old Shanatar.

As Stigger pointed out, previous edition source books would be handy to have as well. Drizzts guide to the Underdark is a good one, it focuses more on the different cities, instead of just a general overview of a much larger area, like some of the other books did.
#6
kelandrae
Mar 30, 2011 17:52:23 I read the campaign guide, it encompasses nice chunk of the underdark, north-west, north-east, south-east... but no south-west where Sshamath is located.

I also read through the older supplements, but that's the catch... they're pre-spellplague and as such only worth it for historical value.

I guess I'll just have to assume there is no current information about Sshamath, Gauth Grottoes and the surrounding areas.

At least Campaign Guide says middledark was hardly affected by the spellplague so I can probably get away without changing much... maybe add Shades and Shadar-Kai as new visitors to the city (especially Shades would have a reason to visit, Sshamath being probably the most complete magical market in Faerun.)

One problem is that I strongly prefer canonic material over home-brew information. In case they do come out with more detailed description of Faerun Underdark, most of the information I come up with would probably be rendered moot.
#7
Stigger
Mar 31, 2011 12:26:03 Blasphemer... that's precisely the sort of attitude WotC seeks to do away with! Back to the caverns with you until you repent and learn to love teh home-brew.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 kelandrae Mar 29, 2011 10:32:41	I've ran through search for a couple days now but still can't find exactly what I'm looking for (perhaps it wasn't really discussed?) I own FRPG, but it contains no information whatsoever about underdark... a little bit of oversight if you ask me for a book that introduced drow as player race. What I'm looking for is a 4th edition map of underdark and comprehensive list of what the hell happened down there during spellplague. What effect did it have on underdark communities (drow and other) and what changes did it undergo? Clearly, if the world shifted so greatly on the surface, there would be at least echoes of this change underground. Thanks for any info you may be able to give me.
#2 Stigger Mar 29, 2011 13:02:23	Hopefully you have the books from previous editions. Generally speaking, its been treated as if nothing was specifically mentioned, then the information hasn't changed much. Haven't heard of any other information about the Underdark specifically, but I can't say I've been keeping up with the 4e Realms much. There's a thread around here with links to the various DDI articles that pertain to the Realms, but I'd guess that if you don't see it there, its probably something that hasn't been mentioned as of yet.
#3 kelandrae Mar 29, 2011 13:29:38	I would normally assume that not much has changed... but the surface now has an area nicely named Underchasm... which leads directly to underdark. Which is somewhat major change for the geography... especially considering there used to be cities below that area. Just like sudden disappearance of both Weave and Shadow Weave would greatly shake up Sshamath (my main interest as it's the city of my character's origin)
#4 Stigger Mar 29, 2011 16:21:12	Such is the drawback of a lore-light approach I guess. That's kinda 4e's whole paradoxical thing though, easier on the DM in some respects, since its less 'restrictive' in terms of things being set in stone, but it also creates a whole lot of work since you have to come up with a lot of your own stuff to fill in the gaps it leaves. Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I will have an answer for you, but I kinda suspect one doesn't really exist. I'm guessing you're gonna have to come up with your own conclusions as to what the effect of the changes were, and how it affected life there.
#5 The_Silversword Mar 30, 2011 4:46:29	You want the Campaign Guide, theres a whole section on the UNderdark, starting on page 218, on up to 235, and there are maps, not the greatest maps ever, but well enough to show you whats what and where its at. The main areas covered are the Deep Wastes, Earthroot, Great Bhaerynden, Menzoberranzan, Northdark, and Old Shanatar. As Stigger pointed out, previous edition source books would be handy to have as well. Drizzts guide to the Underdark is a good one, it focuses more on the different cities, instead of just a general overview of a much larger area, like some of the other books did.
#6 kelandrae Mar 30, 2011 17:52:23	I read the campaign guide, it encompasses nice chunk of the underdark, north-west, north-east, south-east... but no south-west where Sshamath is located. I also read through the older supplements, but that's the catch... they're pre-spellplague and as such only worth it for historical value. I guess I'll just have to assume there is no current information about Sshamath, Gauth Grottoes and the surrounding areas. At least Campaign Guide says middledark was hardly affected by the spellplague so I can probably get away without changing much... maybe add Shades and Shadar-Kai as new visitors to the city (especially Shades would have a reason to visit, Sshamath being probably the most complete magical market in Faerun.) One problem is that I strongly prefer canonic material over home-brew information. In case they do come out with more detailed description of Faerun Underdark, most of the information I come up with would probably be rendered moot.
#7 Stigger Mar 31, 2011 12:26:03	Blasphemer... that's precisely the sort of attitude WotC seeks to do away with! Back to the caverns with you until you repent and learn to love teh home-brew.