Aluhryn: City Proper

he city-state of Aluhryn is the most prominent domain in all the Underdark and the central focus of the drow who serve Suryn. It is divided into four main districts: the central district, which includes the Spire (where new drow, duergar, and half-demon characters enter the game); the western district, containing the major exits from the cavern of Aluhryn; the raised southern district, on a plateau above the rest of the city; and the northern Ridge Pat, which is separated from the central district by the swift-running Sablestrand River.

The central district is the largest of the four, including not only the Spire but the training compounds of Moregladil, Ankh Dahaal, and Mard ul'Dor; the essential shops of the city—weaponsmith, armorer, scribe, alchemist, and others; the city bank; Nyorl'k el'Berad, the slave zoo; and both of the city's inns, the Pit for the ruling caste and the Slave Keep for lesser races. The principal road of this district, Ul-Illindith Colbauth, runs east-west through the city, from the edge of the Western Wilds to the mushroom forest of Sha'Zaral Thra'Ooker and the noble compound of House Kit'n-darnos at the eastern end of Aluhryn. The major shops are along the Colbauth; the principal exception, the forge of the duergar Gronid, is off a side street to the south. The Spire is in the northwestern section of the district, and includes a suite of donation chambers hollowed out beneath it. Southeast of the Spire is the slave tower of Hur'thragl, with its breeding caverns beneath it.

Ul-Illindith Colbauth continues west out of the Spire into the western district, past Draeval Niar—the geyser that marks time in the city—and the monastic orders of Suryn who guard it, and eventually past the western guard tower into the Western Wilds. Near the Spire, it intersects Elghinn Kyorl, which leads south to the southern gates of the city. Also in the western district are Houses Adaan and Veladorn.

The raised southern district is the smallest of the four, containing little more than the slave emporium Bregan Ma'thre and the ruins of fallen House Dae'Til. However, despite its small size, this part of the city is still well-guarded by the drow.

The Ridge Pat, on the north side of the Sablestrand River, incorporates the Fungus Gardens, the compounds of some of the more powerful noble Houses—including Houses Tormtor and Everlorn, First House of Aluhryn—and the great Temple of Suryn where the priestesses of the Spider Goddess live, study, and train. This is the most important of the four districts, and consequently the best protected against intruders.