Underward

Underwards are subterranean complexes constructed beneath major settlements to harness the concentrations of Earth Aether, each tailored to the unique needs of its location. Underwards power mills, machinery, and expansive infrastructure projects, many of which also include Water Aethertech. This includes the Aquatic Tunnel network, subterranean water chambers, and aqueducts that provide treated water for drinking, bathing chambers, sewage treatment, and local freezers to preserve perishables. Collaborations between Dwarven corporations like Bedrock Enterprises and Undertide Industries ensure that the Underwards seamlessly integrate with surface infrastructure.

The Underwards feature Aether-powered maglift elevators and subterranean magtrain railways, enabling efficient transportation of people and goods across multiple floors and various parts of the settlement.

Serving as economic engines and cultural hubs, Underwards are pivotal to the settlement's infrastructure and daily operations. Dwarven residences within the Underwards ensure a dedicated and skilled workforce, while public tunnels and gated corporate areas strike a balance between accessibility and security. Key industries, such as Aethertech manufacturing and resource extraction, thrive within these complexes, driven by the expertise of Dwarven corporations. Vaults — both personal and corporate — safeguard treasures and sensitive materials, accessible only through sophisticated Aether conditions. Public spaces are adorned with intricate stone carvings and Aether-infused mosaics, showcasing Dwarven craftsmanship and celebrating their rich artistic heritage.

Underwards are constructed using reinforced materials that preserve near-perfect quality seemingly indefinitely. Because dwarves take great pride in their work, the architecture also tends to be aesthetically beautiful. They want their work to reflect a legendary appeal that will endure as long as it does.

Underward Stations

An above-ground and underground station that connects the surface to the Underward.
The underground contains a bay where passengers can enter or depart from magtrains.
The station will have a public restroom connected to the sewage treatment system.

Underward Passages

Many public tunnels lead to, from, and through the Underward, often following the Magtrain routes or leading to various Underward districts.
Hidden passages and restricted routes serve as secure pathways for trade, emergency evacuations, and specialized operations by the military or Adventurer's Guild.
Passages to the surface usually have a public restroom available connected to the sewage treatment system.

Emergency Refuge Zones

These are heavily fortified areas dedicated to protecting citizens, and designed to withstand siege and demonic invasion. They can support populations for months, and secure strategic points against potential threats.

Bathrooms & Sanitation Depots

Public toilets are strategically placed along major routes and popular urban centers, along with stations for disposing of chamber pots and other waste. These services greatly improve the sanitation of a city, maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness throughout the settlement.

Undertide District

Undertide Districts are submerged, aquatic environments within the Underwards designed for Merfolk habitation. While the true "district" tends to be a centralized core, the term "The Undertide" colloquially refers to all aquatic areas of the Underward.

Most Underwards have an Undertide District that is owned, operated, and maintained by Undertide Industries. It contains many of their corporate locations and buildings, including their headquarters, offices, and corporate housing. However, these districts also serve the greater interest of the Merfolk, providing accommodations similar to other Merfolk cities: lodging, trade, entertainment, and so forth.

Aquatic Tunnel Network

The Aquatic Tunnel network runs throughout the city, primarily through the Underward, enabling water travel for Merfolk and other aquatic races. These tunnels grant access to highlights within the surface city such as the Palace, Bathhouses, important Guild buildings, the Merfolk Pavilion, entertainment establishments, and more. There are usually one or two large highway tunnels that lead to sea access, and smaller tunnels for commuting within the rest of the city.

Aesthetically, these tunnels are typically constructed with reinforced glass plating or windows for visibility with the Underward, Aquagates for land-water crossing thresholds, and high-quality Aethertech lighting.

Water & Sewage Treatment Facilities

These facilities provide advanced sanitation treatment and effective waste management, and are connected to the city's water network for intake and output. Many of the systems are highly automated once constructed, relying heavily on Water-based Aethertech to function with minimal oversight.

Facilities include:

Desalination Plants: Filter out salt, most often from seawater to convert it to freshwater.
Waste Separation Facilities: Extract and separate waste from the water, then transport it to recycling chambers.
Filtration Chambers: Filter out small particles from water.
Purification Reservoirs: Purify the water to ensure it is clean, healthy, and safe.
Recycling Chambers: Distribute waste to an appropriate recycling system and recycle it.
Disposal Chambers: Collect any waste that cannot be easily recycled for alternate processing.
Monitoring & Analysis Labs: Keep track of the treatment facilities, conditions, pressure, etc.
Cisterns & Hydraulic Control Systems: Manage water pressure and flow, circulation, flood prevention, etc.
Logistics & Consumables Depots: Store salts, reagents, alchemical additives, replaceable components, etc.