The Exeter

The Exeter is an underground city located in the mountain range known as the Spine of the World. It is the Khaduum Underempire's captial and main trading hub with the rest of Lyvernus.

Description
The Exeter is located underground in the peak of the tallest mountain in the Spine of the World, which is also called the Exeter. The city is only accessible by gates on the eastern and western sides of the mountain. The tunnels leading from the outer gates to the Exeter's inner gates take six days to traverse from the west and ten days to traverse from the east. The city is surrounded by lava flows, although the city's high ceiling allows most of the heat to disperse where there's no people. The city is home to many skilled runesmiths, whose talents include the creation of cooling runes that make the heat bearable for people who must work in the more elevated areas of the Exeter, such as guards watching the city's inner gates.

The people of the Exeter are mostly dwarves, but the city is much less isolationist than the rest of the Underempire and many gnomes and humans also live there, as well as members of other races. The city is currently ruled by King Thoros Khaduum, who resides in Bannsun Palace, although some nobles have much pull in the royal court.

Rune Road
Technically outside the Exeter proper, the Rune Road is a long underground tunnel connecting the Exeter's eastern outer gates with the city's inner gates. While there are torches lining the walls, they are spaced fairly far apart, as they are meant to accommodate dwarven travelers with darkvision. The cavern walls are carved with archaic dwarven runes as well, wishing safe travels to those reading them. Although there have been records of creature attacks on the Rune Road, the path is generally safe during summer. It takes about ten days to traverse.

Dawn Road
Likewise, the Dawn Road connects the Exeter's western outer gates with the city proper. It was the first road that the dwarves of the Exeter built when they decided to open their borders to the surface world. It is said that the light they saw at the end of the Dawn Road was the first light the dwarves had seen in ages. It takes about six days to traverse.

Emerald District
The Ancestors' Course, the main thoroughfare in the Exeter, primarily runs through the Emerald District. The Emerald District contains many of the Exeter's places of commerce, including Fluxtwist Forge, the Shield Maiden's Closet, and the Laden Gauntlet, as well as a variety of traveling merchants, primarily from Atemcester. It also home to the Paragon's Rest, the premier inn and tavern in the Exeter.

Diamond District
The Diamond District seems to be home to the Exeter's nobility, such as Orrin Stormshield.

Sapphire District
While the Pog Champions did not explore the Sapphire District in depth, it is home to the Exeter's main library.

Topaz District
The Topaz District is considered the city's slums, although it's a nicer place than the slums of some cities, including Falas. It is home to the Smoldering Ingot, a rundown tavern, as well as a park with a large tree that has been left untended. The park's plant life is kept alive by magical lights that seem to emulate sunlight, although many of these lights have fallen into disrepair.

Magma Slagrock
Technically outside of the city, about a mile to the north, Magma Slagrock is a high-security prison intended for the Underempire's worst offenders. It is located on an island of dark stone surrounded by a lake of lava and only accessible through the use of an enchanted amulet that summons a bridge enchanted with cooling runes from the lava. Conditions inside are quite miserable, and the prison's location sometimes delays food deliveries. The prison itself has existed for about 400 years. The head warden of Magma Slagrock is selected from the nobility, and was Dunan Slagmeld before his death. His predecessor was Bervo Gemmgarl. Hidden beneath Magmaslag Rock is the Deepfloe Arena, where the Underbelly Bout pits prisoners against each other, as well as creatures from the Underdark, in fights to the death for a chance at freedom. The Underbelly Bout is considered prime entertainment, as well as a good gambling opportunity, for unscrupulous nobles.

History
The mountain that houses the Exeter also serves as the tomb of Audha Wyrmaxe, a legendary dwarven hero who founded her own clan and assisted Emperor Lyverna in driving the dragons out of Lyvernus, in the dwarven tradition of ancestor mountains. In more recent times, King Thoros ascended to the throne some time before 598. His first decree was that no one in the city would go hungry again. After receiving word of the tragedy that befell Port Valor, King Thoros closed the city to travel to and from the outside world, an unusual precaution but one that he seemed in no hurry to lift.