View source for Underdark Factions (Garmok's Mine)

== Underdark Factions ==
The '''Underdark''' beneath [[Garmok's Mine]] is home to several factions with complex relationships and competing interests. The party encountered these groups during [[Session 44 - Garmok's Mine]] and continued to interact with them in [[Session 46 - Diggy Diggy Hole]].

=== Ilyra Voss ===
'''Ilyra Voss''' is a researcher who has lived in the Underdark for more than 300 years, studying creatures of the Underdark, particularly aboleths and other aberrations that she believes are part of Mind Flayer experiments.

'''Activities:'''
* Encouraging mind flayer research
* Investigating aberrations and monstrosities
* Has knowledge of [[Waervendor]] and [[Voaraghamanthar]] (the black dragon twins)
* Concerned that Illithids have gone too far with a monstrosity they created, causing headaches and difficulty tracking other creatures
* Aware of increased aberration activity in the region

=== The Drow ===
The [[Drow]] (also known as dark elves) are a raiding party attacking the [[Svirfneblin]] (Deep Gnomes), their second most hated enemy after surface elves. The [[Drow]] operate with typical cruelty and military precision, seeking to expand their territory and eliminate rivals.

In [[Session 46 - Diggy Diggy Hole]], a [[Drow]] raiding party led by Commander [[Viren Tharin]] was defeated by the adventuring party and [[Svirfneblin]] guards working together. The raiders included a flying Drow Priestess who was knocked into an endless chasm.

=== The Svirfneblin (Deep Gnomes) ===
The [[Svirfneblin]] (Deep Gnomes) have carved out a home in the Underdark and will do whatever is necessary to protect their way of life. They are fine craftsmen of stone and metals and often try to trade with surface dwellers using the tunnels through [[Garmok's Mine]].

'''Characteristics:'''
* Skilled stoneworkers and metalsmiths
* Defensive and protective of their territory
* Open to trade with surface dwellers
* Aware of increased aberration activity: "Seem to be more aberrations than normal"
* Do not know Ilyra personally but know someone is "poking around"

In [[Session 46 - Diggy Diggy Hole]], the party made contact with the [[Svirfneblin]] [[Foreman]], who requested help repairing a broken winch system. After the party defeated a [[Rust Monster]] and [[Mimic]] and completed the repairs, the Foreman rewarded them with the legendary [[Mattock of the Titan]]. The party then used this artifact to dig a new bypass tunnel that allows safer passage through the mine.

=== The Derro (Dark Dwarves) ===
The [[Derro]] are looking for a route from their city to a [[Drow]] city to ferry goods, suggesting some form of trade relationship or alliance between these typically antagonistic groups.

In [[Session 46 - Diggy Diggy Hole]], [[Derro]] traders provided mechanical components needed for the winch repair in exchange for the [[Moonstone Chalice]]. They also traded the party an [[Ever-smoking Bottle]].

=== The Myconids ===
The [[Myconid]]s (fungus people) are trying to live peacefully but have some unwanted neighbors. They occupy a strategic position between the surface tunnels and deeper Underdark regions.

'''Characteristics:'''
* Peaceful disposition
* Allow Ilyra and the [[Svirfneblin]] to pass through their territory
* Do not permit others to pass
* Unhappy about being the doorway between surface and tunnels
* Caught in the middle of competing factions

In [[Session 46 - Diggy Diggy Hole]], the new bypass tunnel created by the party now allows traffic to avoid [[Myconid]] territory entirely, resolving the territorial conflict.

=== Current Situation ===
The Underdark beneath Garmok's Mine is experiencing increased aberration activity, possibly linked to Mind Flayer experiments. Various factions are competing for territory and resources while trying to deal with the growing threat of monstrosities. The creation of the bypass tunnel in Session 46 has improved relations between the surface and the [[Svirfneblin]] community.

=== Relationships ===
* [[Garmok's Mine]] – Access point to these Underdark factions
* [[Waervendor]] and [[Voaraghamanthar]] – Black dragon twins known to Ilyra
* [[Session 44 - Garmok's Mine]] – Party's encounter with these factions
* [[Session 46 - Diggy Diggy Hole]] – Party aided Svirfneblin and created bypass tunnel

=== Appearances ===
* [[Session 44 - Garmok's Mine]]
* [[Session 46 - Diggy Diggy Hole]]

[[Category:Factions]] [[Category:Underdark]] [[Category:Rise of Tiamat]] [[Category:Garmok's Mine]]