#since all the other ingredients are rocks scales wood and bone | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

we-are-darkelf · 4 years

Text

Thoughts on Environment in the Underdark

Hello, I live. I’m not dead yet. Just terribly busy during my apprenticeship. I Wrote up some things that might come in handy during worldbuilding a believable world. As always, take things with a grain of salt here.

Underdark caves are not really known for the fact to be habitable so how do the Drow, and by extension other species create something worthwhile out of it?

So how does a population as big as the Drow manage to create decent conditions to live several miles under the earth for their whole life? How do they create foodstuff, how do they clean the air and the water, how do they keep livestock, or how does the blacksmith work without creating dangerous smoke? I will try to give examples to all of these questions under the cut.

Life in the Underdark is a balance act that can only be achieved via powerful magic or perhaps divine intervention and smart alterations to what can be changed. There are a few aspects of what I want to go into.

Terraforming:

Living in unmodified caves for centuries or even millennials is dangerous that much is to say. Much of Drow science and industry deals with structural engineering. How to expand the caves, how to keep them stable, how to stabilize unstable areas, all this is important. This is one of the most dangerous professions, as a mistake can mean that you will be buried under an avalanche of rocks.

Magic can help clearing out big areas, temporarily secure walls and ceiling from collapsing, help workers to permanently secure walls and ceiling with the help of metal and reinforced spider silk or dried compressed mushroom bars to keep walls and ceiling where they are supposed to be. Structural engineers test the work and estimate how long it will stay, what needs to be worked on and what is dangerous to enter. A team of special engineers are personally responsible for the temple of lolth in ul-ilindith, my homebrew drow town that is literally carved into the cave wall.

Buildings: Since Resources such as wood is rare underground (surprise) Drow buildings need to substitute. One idea is yet again mushrooms. There are tons of mushrooms that grow with highly fibrous internal structures that can very well be used as support material for housing, and can even be pressed into paper for books and Maps.

Other than that, Drow have excellent access to various metals, different stones and gems, thry can trade with, for example duergar for material and services as well as the help of species that can climb walls for a living. (such as Spiders, lizards and diverse other species). Therefore making scaffolding up the walls of the Cavern and getting building materials up and down is not as much of a problem. more of a problem is dealing with the tight spaces. Careful mapping and optimal usage of space is vital. It's not unheard of houses to line the walls and even the ceiling.

Other quite important buildings include a bathhouse for optimal usage of geothermal sources such as hot springs, complex canal systems, on one hand for heating up the cold houses on the other hand for transporting waste off, air vents for creating an air exchange etc.

Livestock and farming:

livestock takes an important role in the food supply of the Drow. Cattle includes various cultivated animals such as Deep Rothe, giant lizards, giant spiders, as well as their small relatives, a big amount of underground fish, (Cannibalism could also be considered but it is overdone and is unnecessarily edgy and could make your players uncomfortable.).

Vegetables can be roots of plants from the surface, the way too often mentioned funghi (no seriously, mushrooms are the Drows trees, use them as such), Kelp, seagrass, algae, seeds from the surface that the current of underground rivers carry down and anything that can be traded with other species. The fun challenge is, cross out fruit, grains, seeds, nuts, leaves, lettuce, vegetables and basically anything that requires the sun to grow and see what you're left with.

Cattle such as the lizard is carnivorous, while deep rothe lives from fungi and spores and can also be fed kelp, algae and seagrass from artificial lakes. There is an advantage of having all kinds of livestock, for example Rothe can be harvested for milk, leather, meat, blood and horns/bones, Lizards for meat, scales, eggs, teeth/claws/bones, blood, spiders for silk, their moulds, meat, fangs and alchemical ingredients, fish can be harvested for oil, scales meat alchemical ingredients etc. You get the idea.

Is it enough for your elves to survive? Certainly. But it will be vastly different to what they would get on the surface. Think of intolerances they could have, for example fructose intolerances. Lactose intolerance doesn't quite work as milk will be an important food source. Beverages in general will be crucial as water will be usually undrinkable due to pollution, bacteria etc.

Water in medieval times was often dirty and not meant for unfiltered consumption. To prevent people from getting sick germany/the holy roman empire invented something called the Reinheitsgebot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinheitsgebot It existed on one hand to create a pure and clean beverage for people to drink to not rely on dirty water, on the other hand it prevented the existence of impure beverages. The result is low alcoholic beverages. And by low I mean 1% or 2% alcohol.

A different way of gaining clean water is the ability of clerics to purify water, however the amount that can be cleansed at a time is limited and not suitable for supporting a whole population.

Heat and water

Heating and water can not be provided by sun and rain respectively so the drow have developed different methods to heat up their caves.

Heat can easily be provided by underground volcanic activity on one hand, as well as fires on the other, enabling the drow to have a similar heating system as the roman people had, as well as bathhouses. Water can be provided by creating artificial lakes and taking from underground rivers. Actually wells would probably work as well. All water however needs to be cleaned thoroughly to be able to be used for cooking or as drinking water.

Living in a cave is well enough, but what about ventilation, or critters, movement of the earth among other things? I have a few ideas but certainly not all of them qualify, take them with a grain of salt.

Oxygen can be easily provided by vegetation that filter the surrounding air and replace it with oxygen that it produces as waste. This can be different kinds of fungi, or perhaps a special kind of mold, a kind of algae that lives in the water or close to water on moist surfaces or whatever you can think of. Perhaps the clergy cleanses the air, which gives the deity, be it lolth or whoever a position of absolute power over the population.

A special kind of filter system is also needed when creating metal for the production of weapons and household utensils.

Critters are kept away from the cities via use of drider that patrol the outskirts of the city. They are shunned inside the borders but very useful in keeping the surrounding tunnels safe. Drider can additionally be supported by guards and magical protection.

Movements of the earth can be balanced out with stabilizing the walls or letting the walls overgrow with stabilizing plants. Pillars to catch shocks are also helpful.

#drow #darkelf #environment #worldbuilding #mushrooms

20 notes · View notes

patronsaintofprincesses · 7 years

Note

Hey can you answer all 64 questions for me? Thanks 😘

I’d like to thank @unluckymess for indulging me, and my need to lay myself bare on the internet and talk a bunch, you’re the real MVP, an excellent friend. 😚

1. Do you ever doubt the existence of others than you? Mm yes, in a way. I like to have my bases covered so, I believe that I’m not real, and I believe that I am real but in a simulation and I can believe that I’m not real and still in a simulation and I can believe that no one is real and I can believe that only the simulation is real and I can believe that everything is real and I can believe that simulations aren’t real etc. So, sorta.

2. On a scale of 1-5, how afraid of the dark are you? 3. But I’m not afraid of the dark, I love the dark, it’s the people that misuse the dark that I pity and loathe. The dark is comforting, and natural– I love the dark.

3. The person you would never want to meet? Let’s be honest, Mr. Cheeto-Fingers #notmypresident guy is the most distateful man I’ve had the pleasure of never meeting. I’d like to keep it that way.

4. What is your favorite word? Settlement. Someone asked what my favorite word was in oh 8th grade? and my mind scrambled and said settlement and I stand by that brain scramble lol.

5. If you were a type of tree, what would you be? There’s a Celtic thing that says Hazel and there’s an astrology thing that says Pine mm however, I’d want to be a Peach tree v:

6. When you looked in the mirror this morning what was the first thing you thought? Can I brush my teeth later :“)

7. What shirt are you wearing? A pale pink tee that says “Nevermore” in antique lettering and has a Raven opening it’s beak to caw.

8. What do you label yourself as? THE Boring Princess. San THE Bore. I own my dullness, I enjoy my royal duties in the Boring kingdom.

9. Bright room or dark room? D a r k but with a pink antique garden quilt covered in flowers and blackout/ lace curtains and dark wood furniture and glass end tables and ceramic vases in olive and navy filled with dahlias and white silk flowers.

10. What were you doing at midnight last night? Reading. Messaging @barnsburntdownnow @silver9mm (I adore you ma'am)

11. Favorite age you’ve been so far? 16 was a good age, graduating high school and being District Spelling Champion has been the highlight of my life so far ;)

12. Who told you they loved you last? @unluckymess and I love you as well 😇

13. Your worst enemy? Evita Perón said Time, but I don’t want to plagiarize. I have to say, energy then?

14. What is your current desktop picture? My pup, he’s turning seven on December 11th!

15. Do you like someone? Sure I like a lot of people :) but I’m not attracted? to anyone really, since I’m abstinent until marriage and real commitment-phobic so 😅

16. The last song you listened to? The Most Peculiar Day of Your Life by the Hoosiers. (my third favorite band)

17. You can press a button that will make any one person explode. Who would you blow up? myself, probably

18. Who would you really like to just punch in the face? Also myself le mao.

19. If anyone could be your slave for a day, who would it be and what would they have to do? I’d choose Kim Jong Un and I’d have him sign over the dictatorship of North Korea over to me and get those people some gotdamn internet and H-E-Bs.

20. What is your best physical attribute? (showing said attribute is optional) my eyes are pretty expressive, I’ve been told.

21. If you were the opposite sex for one day, what would you look like and what would you do? I’d probably be really scruffy, with curly hair, tortoiseshell glasses, and be real sweet. I’d go to several bookstores, chew on my pen cap, mope about looking artsy, I’d cry a lot, and probably blog about toxic masculinity. I’d try out the whole masturbation as a guy thing and also the whole prostate thing, and then get drunk at a bar.

22. Do you have a secret talent? If yes, what is it? Nope. Everyone knows everything about me at this point le mao.

23. What is one unique thing you’re afraid of? Getting exactly what I want? Is that unique? Mm dying and the headstone people misspelling my name so my gravesite/cremation urn says Sam Hernandez. Ugh.

24. You can only have one kind of sandwich. Every sandwich ingredient known to humankind is at your disposal. !!! My go-to, is whole grain bread, egg white, spinach, mozzarella, parmesan, green bell pepper, tomato, cucumber, mushroom, and ground black pepper.

25. You just found $100! How are you going to spend it? I’m going to give it to my mum, so she can gas up her car ^^

26. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, but you have to leave immediately. Where are you going to go? Australia, to get bitten by the elusive taipan

27. An angel appears out of Heaven and offers you a lifetime supply of the alcoholic beverage of your choice. “Be brand-specific” it says. Man! What are you gonna say about that? Even if you don’t drink booze there’s something you can figure out… so what’s it gonna be? PINA COLADAS. um rum? Uhhhhhhhhhhh premixed Pina coladas???

28. You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place? Always be humble and kind.

29. What is your favorite expletive? Bless Your Heart

30. Your house is on fire, holy shit! You have just enough time to run in there and grab ONE inanimate object. Don’t worry, your loved ones and pets have already made it out safely. So what’s the one thing you’re going to save from that blazing inferno? The smiley face zipper case I keep my photograph print outs in.

31. You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? Mmm I feel like saying my birth is a bit too gallows, so I’m going to say, agreeing to marry my ex-fiancé.

32. You got kicked out of the country for being a time-traveling heathen who sleeps with celebrities and has super-powers. But check out this cool shit… you can move to anywhere else in the world! Tibet?

33. The Celestial Gates Of Beyond have opened, much to your surprise because you didn’t think such a thing existed. Death appears. As it turns out, Death is actually a pretty cool entity, and happens to be in a fantastic mood. Death offers to return the friend/family-member/person/etc. of your choice to the living world. Who will you bring back? I’m going to ask for a business card à la Fairy Godmother (Shrek 2), be proactive, because when my mother passes, I can bring her back. I told her that she has to outlive me and I meant that.

34. What was your last dream about? Falling

35. Are you a good….[insert anything you’d like here]? My buddy, I’ve never been good at anything in my life. I’m an excellent speller, a reading prodigy, and average in every other aspect.

36. Have you ever been admitted to the hospital? Yes, thrice during manic episodes. Twice for when a dog bit me.

37. Have you ever built a snowman? Nope. I have yet to see snow

38. What is the color of your socks? I’m not wearing socks but I only like grey socks and beige liners

39. What type of music do you like? Alternative/Country/UK Pop/Rock

40. Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets? Sunsets, please and thank you.

41. What is your favorite milkshake flavor? Coconut cream pie, from Sonic (after dark)

42. What football team do you support? (I will answer in terms of American football as well as soccer) TEXAS. T E X A S

43. Do you have any scars? Oh yeah, plenty ^^ on my face, my arms, my foot. I’m kind of clumsy and I don’t mind scars so I never applied the vitamin E.

44. What do you want to be when you graduate? A graduate lol all joking aside, a librarian? A kept girl? A strong, independent bookworm? Something alright.

45. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d like to have been born in the 33rd century. (mm if not possible, then I would like to be indestructible) (if not feasible, then I guess I’d like to have perfect night vision)

46. Are you reliable? No

47. If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be? “What is the most profound thing we have said thus far?”

48. Do you hold grudges? Nope

49. If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature, what new animal would you create? A dragon (uh a scary bone eating bird with a nice, sweet snake)

50. What is the most unusual conversation you’ve ever had? The first time I discussed anything with my conscience? Mm really, any conversation I’ve had with myself has gotten pretty unusual.

51. Are you a good liar? HA maybe over text but irl I begin to giggle and avert my eyes and it’s awful no one let’s me get away with anything

52. How long could you go without talking? I went a whole day once for the GLSEN Day of Silence in April 2012. Maybe I could go longer? Mm I’d like to be mute. That would be interesting.

53. What has been you worst haircut/style? They’ve all been great, particularly the ones I cut by myself from 2008-2012 I don’t know what you are trying to imply c:

54. Have you ever baked your own cake? Is this a euphemism?

55. Can you do any accents other than your own? Sort of an English accent, and sort of an Australian accent. Oh but I have a natural accent when speaking Spanish and a Texas accent pops up with some words in English.

56. What do you like on your toast? Fr e sh avo cado (free Sha vacadoo) obviously (if unavailable, I’ll take honey, cinnamon, butter, sugar, beans, eggs, strawberry jam, peach preserves etc.)

57. What is the last thing you drew a picture of? A lady, for @silver9mm@barnsburntdownnow for LETTER #6

58. What would be you dream car? An Aston Martin is what I liked in 2008—actually my dream car would be an indestructible flying bathosphere that could also teleport and drive itself. I’m waiting, 2020.

59. Do you sing in the shower? Or do anything unusual in the shower? Explain. I do sing, mm well ahem, I don’t like showers I like baths. Sometimes I’ll turn off the lights and bathe in the dark, when I’m feeling overwhelmed or hopeless or I just don’t know who I’m fooling etc. Sometimes I’ll play music and place my phone facedown on the tub, let my head sink beneath the water, and the sound vibrates/echoes throughout and it is so settling. Ahem, sometimes bathing is my me time, where I’ll let my mind wander to something racy, and with the steam fogging up my mind I’ll get helplessly turned on, and just lounge in the hot water fluttering my inner muscles until I either orgasm or cry lol.

60. Do you believe in aliens? Yes. But do aliens believe in me? Lol.

61. Do you often read your horoscope? No but I do like those moodboards/aesthetics/text posts concerning my signs 😇

62. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet? R in middle school, X in high school and now, probably S.

63. Which is cooler: dinosaurs or dragons? Dinosaurs are neat but I’m a Dragon! kinda gal.

64. What do you think about babies? Cute and scary and gross and wonderful and delicate and perfect and miniature and I want none and ten

65. Freebie! Ask anything interesting you can think of. Message me 👻 I’ll answer anything y'all.

If y'all would like to send me any other asks (anonymous or public) I tag them as Ask Thing and I’ll answer literally everything. Thanks y'all!

2 notes · View notes