Beneath the World  –

Beneath the surface lies a vast network of subterranean caves, labyrinthine tunnels, and chasms, a place untouched by the gods, Titans, and surface-dwellers during the age of celestial conflict. This underworld, known to its inhabitants as the Deep Below, is home to creatures both strange and diverse, shaped by an environment that varies drastically with every mile. From sprawling crystal-filled caverns to toxic, bioluminescent fungal forests, each region harbors life uniquely adapted to the crushing depths. As wars between gods and Titans tore across the surface above, waves of destructive magic seeped into the earth, sinking deep and saturating the bedrock. Over centuries, this ambient power altered the creatures below, twisting their forms, igniting intelligence in some, and sparking the rise of new societies.

Nearer to the surface, mundane creatures were among the first to feel these changes. Rats, tainted by residual magic, began evolving rapidly, growing into humanoid forms and developing a keen intelligence. Known as the Ratmen, they are cunning and resourceful, creating rudimentary technology from stolen surface tools and discarded machinery. These raids allow the Ratmen to mimic the tools and weapons of other civilizations, forming a crude but effective technology. Further below, vast rivers and lakes run through the underworld, some as large as seas, tainted by the fallout of divine conflicts. These waters mutated the native lizards, who became the Troglodytes—a hardy, scaled race of amphibious hunters who navigate these underground lakes with expertise, hunting for creatures that lurk in the dark depths. Primitive by comparison, the Troglodytes maintain a culture rooted in respect for the waters and rarely venture to the surface, focusing instead on harvesting the unique life forms that dwell within their hidden seas. Far deeper, close to the planets molten core, live the Morlocks—a resilient and advanced race who, for centuries, dominated the underworld. Though occasionally prone to savage practices, they are skilled at expanding their domain through conquest and have a natural affinity for the underworlds darker secrets.

Rites and Rituals - 

Each of the Underworld’s species has evolved unique rituals and social practices influenced by their environment and relationship to the Earth Elemental. The Morlocks, for instance, have developed a ritual called "The Deepening," a rite of passage in which young Morlocks descend into the darkest, most dangerous caverns to prove their strength and allegiance to the Elemental. Troglodytes practice "Waterborne Reverence," where they leave offerings at specific points along the vast underground rivers to appease spirits they believe dwell in the waters. These practices serve to bind each species under the Earth Elemental’s dominion while also maintaining their cultural individuality.

Living Underground –

The Underworld races have constructed settlements that mirror their natural environment, built from salvaged stone, fossilized remains, and strange minerals. Troglodytes live in structures carved into the shores of massive subterranean lakes, while Ratmen construct makeshift towns out of stolen wood, metal, and artifacts from surface raids. Meanwhile, the Morlocks’ cities lie closer to the core and are fortified with mineral-rich stone walls that emit a faint glow due to their Essence-Binding rituals. These settlements are both defensive and functional, housing storerooms, forges, and areas for worship and Essence-Binding.

The Shadow Creed -

The Underworld faction operates under a shared ideology called the Shadow Creed, a philosophy of survival, control, and relentless expansion. The Shadow Creed teaches that all life must endure and adapt, evolving stronger to seize control of its environment. Guided by the Earth Elemental, the Underworld faction views survival as a sacred pursuit, where the strongest prosper and the weak serve their purpose or fall to the wayside. The creed also emphasizes using the darkness as both weapon and refuge, a principle that the Emissaries leverage to keep all underworld creatures in line and to instill a powerful loyalty to the Elemental's vision.

Essence of Earth –

The Underworld races believe in a power called the “Essence of Earth,” which they view as the sacred life force of the planet itself. To them, the earth is alive, and the Earth Elemental is its living embodiment. The practice of Essence-Binding connects them to the core of the planet, creating a strong spiritual tie to their harsh environment. This philosophy reinforces their need to subjugate both land and creatures, as control over the earth and all who dwell in it represents the ultimate display of dominance and respect for their Elemental master.

The Wurms –

Not all creatures of the Deep Below have fallen under the Earth Elemental’s control. There is an ancient species known as the Wurms, gigantic blind worms said to be among the first beings to tunnel through the earth. These creatures remain fiercely independent and are respected yet feared by the underworld inhabitants. Emissaries have repeatedly attempted to bind the Burrowers to their will, but the creatures’ ancient nature makes them resistant to control. Some among the Ratmen and Troglodytes view the Burrowers as ancient guardians and have small sects that revere these creatures, seeing them as protectors of the primal world before the Elemental’s influence.  However, word is spreading that one of the great Wurms has now fallen sway under the power of the Earth Elemental. 

War Beneath and Beyond–

While the Underworld thrives in its own ecosystem, the Earth Elemental’s ambition does not end in darkness. Under its command, the Underworld now expands its tunnel network, fortifying the depths, creating staging grounds, and stretching its reach across the planet in a plan that could ultimately lead to the conquest of the surface. The only resistance to this expansion comes from the Dwarfs who, with their disciplined defenses and unmatched engineering, dominate the mountainous regions. The Dwarfs’ relentless search for ore threatens the Underworld’s secrecy and resources, and as they delve deeper, clashes between Dwarfs and Underworld forces grow more frequent. Despite numerous attempts, the Emissaries struggle to fully subdue the Dwarfs, who fortify their mountain homes with traps, firearms, and steel-clad fortresses.

For now, the conflict remains a quiet, shadowy war beneath the ground, with only faint tremors hinting at the clash to those above. But as the underworld forces grow and their reach extends, it is only a matter of time before their influence spills to the surface, plunging the world into a new age of conquest and darkness. The Earth Elemental’s plan is methodical, with every chasm, cavern, and tunnel serving as a conduit of its will, connecting its vast forces like veins to a central heart. Should the Underworld succeed, its legions, driven by a primal will and unified purpose, will be capable of striking anywhere, swiftly and without warning, posing a threat that no surface-dwelling faction can ignore. The war under the world’s depths has begun, and it is only a matter of time before the shadow of the Underworld rises to engulf all.