Knock-knock, travelers! You read the previous diary log, right?
Last time I talked about the above-ground part of New Agreement. Today it’s the under-ground part’s turn. It’s going to be fun and dark.
A City Under a City
Just to remind you—New Agreement is a huge city built by the gods. There’s another city, built by the demons, under that one. Which one of them would you choose to live?
If you’re not a goblin, you probably wouldn’t want to live your whole life underground. But the undercity gives you a chance to live a second life. Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?
Above the ground you can be a pious, wealthy resident of New Agreement. But going down below the ground level, you may immediately turn into a serial killer, a death servant, a demon worshipper, or even something much worse.
Do you like that possibility? I hope not.
The underground New Agreement is a devious design made by demons to encourage and enable the dark side of your nature. At any moment you can step out of your usual life and down into the otherworld, where you will be most welcome.
Forbidden goods? Yes.
Forbidden pleasures? Yes.
Mortal danger? Why yes, sure!
The underground New Agreement is a city inside out. If you run into your neighbour from above, think twice before shaking their hand. There’s a chance that they’ll carve out your heart and run away into the darkness, laughing wildly, to make an offering to an idol of a millennia-old centipede. After that they’ll go back up to continue their normal life—unlike you.
“Do you know where your neighbour is?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t seen him for a couple days.”
“I’ve come by for the second day, and he’s not home.”
“Do you need to see him? You can leave him a note, and I’ll pass it on when he returns.”
“Just tell him Simon is looking for him.”
“I’ll make sure to tell him.”
“Thanks!”
“No need to thank me.”
The goldiest and wealthiest citizens don’t go down without guards. A couple of strapping bodyguard orcs will substantially increase your chances of survival… unless, of course, your bodyguards decide to decrease your chance of survival themselves.
Hold on! Why in Midian would you go there in the first place?
Death Idol
It is there. And if you have decided to serve the Mistress, then on first day of fall, you will have to arrange a slaughter in her honor. On their way to the Death Idol, acolytes massacre everyone they encounter — including each other.
The dungeons of the New Agreement are perfectly suited for this kind of event.
Bandits
Gangs find it convenient to hide and move underground, although they are somewhat afraid of the other inhabitants of the undercity. Bandits are the most harmless and friendly creatures you can meet there — with one exception.
The curious ones.
Like you.
The Curious
Sometimes the inhabitants of the New Agreement descend into the underground simply out of curiosity. Then they return and tell their friends how unusual and exciting it was.
If they return.
Goblins
If you are, indeed, a goblin, make yourself at home. There’s even a whole city of goblins under New Agreement—a city within a city beneath a city. Welcome, but if you’re not a goblin, you might get eaten.
Demon Worshippers
There are as many of them as you like—of every kind. They’re ordinary citizens you pass by every day above the ground. Don’t go into the undercity if you don’t want to find that out for yourself.
Firebrother Monastery
Unexpectedly — but yes, it is there. Although, why “unexpectedly”? The Fire Brothers prefer to settle close to all kinds of unclean creatures, so it’s more convenient to destroy them. You don’t even have to go far: servants of death, demon worshippers, bandits, maniacs — all right here.
The Brothers are a ray of light in this dark kingdom, but don’t be too quick to rejoice if you happen to meet them there. First, you’ll have to answer a few uncomfortable questions, the first of which is: What exactly are you doing here? And before you answer, think carefully.
Entering and Exiting
It’s impossible to guard or control all the entrances and exits to the undercity because there are simply too many. One of the entrances could be right in your cellar. You can board up the door, and no one will get out, but you won’t be able to get in either.
The New Agreement is an entire world you could talk about for a long time. Who do you think rules it?