Underworld

The Underworld is one of the two maps that feature in every mission. It is where the player most often begins the game, with their Lord seated in their Throne Room, ready to build and expand a dungeon. The Underworld is the only place the Player can build. It is generated in a tile-based system with varying different tilesets and terrains, many of which buildable by the player themselves. It is also normally the primary location of the main resource in the game - Gold. Gold can be found in deposits throughout the underworld, embedded within Earth tiles. Depleting a Gold deposit takes a significant time, providing currency for an extended period and thus making it an important point to control. Due to the powerful set of tools and the modular nature of the Underworld, the player can mold it into almost anything they desire, facilitating specific strategies, functionality or even just aestethics.

While it is technically the player's domain, the Underworld has its fair share of risks. Mankind will very often mount assaults on the player's dungeon from above ground or even bases they have established underground. They will attempt to slay the Lord and anything that comes in their way and will often be the primary threat you encounter even underground. On some occasions through the campaign and commonly throughout Multiplayer, rival Lords will also be present in the Underworld. You may expect these rivals to weild the same tools and powers you do, and in order to be victorious you will need to kill the enemy Netherlord.

The Underworld and Overworld are connected through gates called Passageways. Each passageway will transport units to its counterpart above ground, or underground, depending on where it is entered from. These are pre-existing and cannot be destroyed or created by the player.

The majority of the Underworld is usually occupied by Earth tiles, which the player can excavate into dirt terrain (tunnels) and subsequently claim with their workers so they may build upon the newly acquired land. Other natural tiles featured in the Underworld are:

Granite - an unbreakable rock that cannot be excavated and serves as a barrier.

Water - Underground rivers and lakes that slow down most units that attempt to traverse them and even harm some of them.

Lava - Volcanic lakes and streams that serve as harmful barriers to some. Lava is extremely dangerous to almost all creatures, but a few demonic creatures will happily wade through it unharmed.