...while Tuluk's all-seeing and all-knowing Templarate seems to pervade
the city, ruling with their benevolent, firm fist, there exists
another realm of the Sun King; a cavernous netherworld where even His
light does not pierce: Undertuluk.
Consisting of collapsed sections of
the original destroyed city, Undertuluk is a network of natural caves and
tunnels interspersed with derelict domiciles and ruins. In this
underbelly a thriving alternative to Tuluki society dwells, carving
out a living from dishonest trade, black market dealings, crime and
all manner of villainy. While there is a central market area called
the Shadow Souk, as one moves beyond the beaten path dangers increase.
New tunnels are created and old tunnels cave in, so that those who visit
Undertuluk only occasionally can never find their way around as readily as a native.
The residents of UT are the dregs and outcasts of society. Mutants, deviants,
criminals, and misanthropes they congregate in the caverns and are joined by
one common theme: they hate and in turn are hated by the surface world. Whether
a born rebel, disgusted by the totalitarian regime of the Dominion or a
psychopath, unable to satisfy its sadistic impulses within sight of the
Templarate, all walks of life can be found. Varying degrees of hatred are common.
Some feel a mild dislike and aversion to the surface while others are downright
murderous toward surface dwellers.
Undertuluki Geography
The Shallows is a system of tunnels and caverns more readily accessible to the
surface than deeper portions of Undertuluk. Natural caverns join rubble strewn
tunnels and cellars with winding tunnels carved by natural forces. It's the
most the most highly contested and well-populated territory of the region. Here
is where most of the gang warfare takes place. Muggers, thieves, and random
violence abound here. It connects into the surface world of Tuluk through a
complicated network of tunnels.
The Black is a vast area of natural caverns and tunnels deeper below the
surface. Soft, black clay coats the walls and gives this area its name.
Much of the gang rivalry established in the Shallows spills over into the
Black as groups fight for the resources found here. The gangs vie to control
access to the Black. Deep in the clay, stone and the rare gem can be found.
The hope of finding something of value brings a few brave souls to this area
in spite of the dangers.
Undertuluki Gangs
The
gangs, predatory groups that claim parts of the tunnels for
themselves, have splashed graffiti on tunnel walls, a constantly
changing testimony of the wins and losses of unceasing battles for
limited resources and territory.
The Shallows of Undertuluk are dominated by the Worms, a gang of mostly
human membership that controls the Shadow Souk marketplace and the adjacent
pub, where trade takes place freely, and where those so inclined may venture
with comparatively little risk to life or limb. Recently the Worms have begun
to expand their mercantile area to include the Dragon's Crater, the only place
in Undertuluk that is open to the rays of Suk-Krath. While the Worms are
generally not known to pick fights, they will fiercely defend their turf and
their fellow gang members.
Other gangs include elven and dwarven groups, and others with more specialized
memberships, like the Slugs, a gang of adolescent beggars, thieves, and nuisances
that is considered a proving ground for the Worms.
Playing in Undertuluk
Players running Undertuluki natives should keep the following in mind: Your
character has occupied a position of abject poverty and squalor for all of his or
her life. Hunger, disease, and violence are rampant. You may have lived your
entire life without ever seeing sunlight. While there are resources
here to be exploited, they are fiercely contested and more than one gang war has
been fought over access to a small stretch of tunnels.
There is no organized law and order in Undertuluk; no soldiers will arrest you
here, unless they are chasing you in from the surface. But there is justice
of a sort, and gangs may hunt down, maim, or kill
anyone they feel has transgressed against them.
This is not to say, however, that all Undertulukis are psychopathic mass-murderers.
Creating an Undertuluki character does not give you licence to go on a killing
spree through the tunnels. If a lone person was to gain such a reputation it is
likely that he or she would be dealt with by a number of "concerned citizens".
Wild gangs do indeed roam the tunnels but the majority of inhabitants are just
trying to get by - however they can. Murder is an everyday occurrence but far
more common activities are scavenging, stealing, pick-pocketing, mugging, scamming, mining, etc.
It should be noted that most Undertuluki denizens live there by choice, because
they prefer not to live under the Sun King's laws. There is a sense of pride,
rather than shame, about coming from the tunnels.
Relations with Tuluk
How much contact an Undertuluki native has with Tuluk, also known as 'the surface'
or 'topside', is a highly individual decision. Some Undertulukis pass as Tuluki
citizens, receive caste tattoos, and even conduct business in Tuluk, perhaps to
the extent of getting licensed with the templarate. There is a stigma
attached to becoming too Tuluki, however, and most Undertulukis venture topside only
rarely, if at all. Undertulukis pride themselves on being independent and doing
without Tuluk's 'services' wherever possible.
© 2006 Armageddon Mud
Submitted by Bakha