The Underworld may most directly be accessed from the surface of Solthris by a number of Gates, which contrary to that common name are not simple doors but long downward tunnels that stretch from the surface to the Underworld. Some of these gates are largely natural formations, but most have been cut and refined by the mightiest civilizations the world has seen. The great difficulty of penetrating the Underworld from the surface makes these Gates exceptionally rare and valuable.
The adjoining map marks the location of the thirteen currently active Gates.
1 is the pet project of the Archmage Aldremar. He works on it when he has the time.
2 is a network of artificial tunnels stringing together progressively deeper natural cave systems.
3 is the great Labyrinth of the knauros, which has exactly one entrance to the surface, one entrance to their subterranean city, and one entrance to the Underworld.
4 is a natural sinkhole of tremendous size, and the only open Gate on Rakshar.
5 is built beneath the secret dungeons of Jarin'sho, built by slave architects whom he ate shortly after construction was completed.
6 is a sacred temple of the dark elves of Anzalin. Each level of the descent has a separate sacred purpose. It is the largest temple in the world.
7 is beneath the all-but-deserted tomb palace of the deranged lich pharaoh of Alarkhet.
8 was perhaps the grandest Gate in all the world, but was been ruined and collapsed by the events that destroyed the capital of Xaxalin and technically should not have been included in this map of active Gates.
Construction on 9 was actually begun shortly before the unexplained disappearance of mortal life from the Lost City of Frelherth. Just as the automata of that city have continued in their purpose to the present day, so did they continue work on the Gate in their masters' absence. The Gate is now finished but stands as empty and unused as the city above.
11 is controlled by the naga of Nambali.
10 is controlled by the Grutharin Dominion.
12 was a secondary Gate built during the height of the Xaxalin empire. There is a partially completed underground highway that was originally intended to connect the city at the base of this Gate to the city at the base of 8.
13 was built by the dwarves of the Dragon's Spine on the orders of their dragon masters, who seek to harness the fires of the deep.