Mantol-Derith The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval We would like to welcome you to our homebrewed Forgotten Realms campaign setting. Inspired By Ed Greenwood

Mantol-Derith (pronounced: /ˈmɑːntoʊlˈdɛərɪθ/ MAN-toll-DARE-ith) is a small trading outpost situated in an underground cavern three miles below the surface. Its exact location is not known by many. It is located on the shores of the Darklake, on the other side of which is the duergar city of Gracklstugh. The nearest drow settlement is Menzoberranzan.

This trade outpost is a black market located somewhere in the middle Underdark and it is placed at the shores of the Darklake. It is a meeting point for traders, vendors and travelers of all Underdark races who come together on neutral territory. Its location is known to few only and safe passage to it is rare. Adventurers from the surface often use it as a basis for deeper explorations.

Mantol-Derith has endured for centuries as a neutral outpost where Drow, duergar, svirfneblin, and surface dwellers can meet and trade without fearing for their lives. Despite its usefulness and the safety it enjoys. Mantol-Derith has never become a proper town. Those who maintain it as a trade hub have resisted any urge for expansion, apart from installing basic infrastructure to assist with commercial activities.

The outpost is a free trade outpost and a major trading hub in the Darklake. It’s known as the Outpost of Tears because of the constant, ever-present rain "condensation from Darklake" that falls in and around the outpost. Built inside of a massive stone column (and surrounding stalactite structures), the outpost is a haven for pirates, outcasts, and entrepreneurs alike. Many merchants and traders have carved out decent lives for themselves here, and it is generally more safe here than the wilds of the Underdark.

The outpost is adjacent to the Darklake and is roughly six days' travel from Blingdenstone and Menzoberranzan, and 22 days from Gracklstugh via the Darklake locks. Thousands of years' worth of trickling water carved out the cavern where the drow, duergar, and svirfneblin established Mantol-Derith. Four warehouses have been excavated at the corners of the cavern, each controlled by an enclave and containing offices and temporary lodgings for its merchants. The location of Mantol-Derith is a well-guarded secret, and the influence and power merchants gain from access to it isn’t something they want to share. Normally, life in Mantol-Derith is regulated by three simple covenants: no stealing of goods from fellow merchants, no disguising of goods by any means, and no use of magic during negotiations and haggling. The punishment for breaking any covenant is equally straightforward: the violator is wrapped in chains and tossed into the Darklake.

The outpost is located in a twisted cavern 60–70 feet tall and twice as wide. The outpost is heavily guarded and protected by strong magic. The cavern is naturally formed by water because of its proximity to the Darklake, and is filled with waterfalls, pools, and streams. Its walls are filled with multicolored crystals and gems. Bridges across the various streams are carved from crystal. The outpost itself is primarily comprised trade caravans and campsites. At most times it has small groups of merchants of many races: drow, illithid, svirfneblin, and duergar. Bugbear mercenaries are often spotted here as well.

Notable Locations
• Docks
• Grand Bazaar
• Potion Shop
• The Cracks
• Zarell's Parchment and Binding
• The Oldest House District
• Hag's End
• Brulk's Food Cart
• The Grjun
• Highcolumn
• Zinzerina's Crossing
• Bridge of Champions
• The Spike
• Ol'Brom
• Clothing & Textile Shop
• Mantol-Derith Alchemist
• Instrument Shop
• Grimmdar's Weapons
• Warehouses
• Trade Store
• Kassawar's Trinkets
• Wines & Spirits Shop
• The Nameless Inn
• Central Market
• Darklake

This outpost is a major tradehub for much of the Underdark, Mantol-Derith is one of the few bustling economies below the surface. The Darklake provides a multitude of fish, and the naturally growing mushrooms which bloom in the central market are harvested for their nutritious internal stalks.

Government
The outpost does not have a formal form of governance, but a leader from each of the four major factions "Drow from House Baenre, Illithid, Svirfneblin and Duergar" is appointment to solve disputes when they arise. The only certain laws of the city are the strict prohibition of magic used in altering goods for sale, trade negotiations, or disguising one's self through magic.

Defenses
The trade outpost is heavily guarded with two sets of permanent mercenary guards and a force of Drow from the city of Menzoberranzan appointed by House Baenre.