Welcome to Gaia! ::

Au Shinduago, called by some Che'el d'Veldrin or 'The City of Shadows' is a teeming hive of evil that

lies a mile and a half below the surface city of Durem. Considered part of the region known as UnderGaia, it

is a ruthless Drow ridden metropolis of slave traders, sorcerers and assassins, all of whom traffic with the

illithids, beholders and other less savory creatures who dwell amidst the caverns and tunnels. Some have

referred to it as the most wretched and treacherous pit of thieves, mages, slavers and sellswords that Gaia

has to offer.

The city has different factions or houses (Qu'ellar), all of whom subtly vie for power in a never ending

struggle for control of the streets. It is currently under the indirect rule of Qu'ellar Druu'giir, the first

and oldest house of the city. However with its current ruler deceased, it is wildy disputed as to who will

climb the ladder and claim the coveted First House position next. A council of the Highest ranked nobles of each of the most powerful houses

governs the city, while the laws themselves are enforced by the enigmatic Shades, a patrolling demonic guard said by some

to have once answered to Patron Val'atar Druu'giir himself. These fiendish creatures, with their cruel and

sometimes violent rulings, are the stuff of grisly travelers' tales. Power and gold are always available for

those with the skill and daring to take them, but only those with keen eyes and keener blades keep it for

long.

The city boasts approximately 12,000 inhabitants, nearly half of whom are drow. The rest are exotic

species from all over the UnderGaia and humanoid slaves. The chief trades are slaves, magical items, poisons,

surface goods, undead, precious gems and stones.

Au Shinduago lies along the subterranean river Charnag, long known for its twisting passages and deadly

channels with whirlpools and sudden plunges into submerged waterways. Over the centuries, those who lived

within Au Shinduago have created a large portal along its bank for the express purpose of trade with the

outside world. This hidden gate is large enough for entire ships to pass through, though such travel is

suicide for those without the knowledge of the exact location. The portal lies about 400 yards beyond Death's

Bend and is only faintly visible as a scratched outline in the stone on the side of a cliff. Triggering the

portal requires no special key, just extraordinary confidence or great skill on the part of the ship's pilot,

since the vessel must be steered bow-first into the wall. When the bowsprit makes contact with the portal, the

vessel and all its contents are transported instantly just off shore of Isle De Gambino. Return trips must be

brought about through other means as the portal is one way only. Those who lacked the skill to find or

navigate the gate can be seen in the ship wrecks that dot the cliff base.

The great city is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in all of Gaia, thanks in part to its secluded

location and the strong fortifications at its entry points. A massive gate tower guards the only tunnel that

leads into the city. The tower is riddled with murder slits and ramparts to allow defends to rain death on any

invader. Past this formidable construct, there is a small courtyard that acts as a killing field before

entrants arrive at a second smaller gate. Manning these fortifications are soldiers and magic users recruited

from the major houses, all serving under a larger force from House Druu'giir to act as the guardians of Au

Shinduago. Adding to the danger of magical egress into the city are the Farzress deposits sunken deep within

the very stone base and walls of the city. These rich magical deposits of undergaian radiation warp and hamper

certain types of magic, namely divination and conjuration spells. Some of these spots are known, while others

are hidden. The exact strength and locations of the more powerful deposits are knowledge that was privy only

to the eldest of the city. It is these deposits which make teleportation into the city a suicide attempt, as

entering anywhere near one can throw such portaling magic off by miles, perhaps to reappear in the midst of

the stone and dirt of the very earth.

The inner city itself comprises of a moldering tangle of catwalks threaded between the stalactites and

stalagmites of the cavern city. Most buildings show at least some drow influence, though the odd surface

styled estate can be found, as well as darker and more alien designs representative of their occupants.

Monsters and murderers prowl the dark recesses and alleyways, gangs of zombies shamble about performing menial

labor for the nobles and the priestesses of many faiths can be seen wandering the streets. Beyond the city

proper is the market, where it is rumored that anything and everything can be bought and sold. The once great

Temple of Kiaransalee destroyed during the overthrow of the city was once one of the bright spots in the outer

rim of darkness, now however.. darkness clings to its walls and only the undead walk its halls. Another great

sight within the city is the massive hanging fortress of House Druu'giir, with its magical walls and demonic

guardians. Not to be out done, the other houses of the city seek to out do one another in the grandness of

their individual dwellings, with magnificent sculptures and magical workings to display their might.

Drow
Humans
Illithids
Beholders
Derro
Kuo-toa
Orcs
Duegar
Goblins
Grimlock
Kobolds
Quaggoths
Bugbears
Ogres
Svirfneblin
Minotaurs
Trolls
Gloaming
Tiefling
Imps
Mephits