Currency and Trade

Gemstones and barter are the most common methods of trade, as most attempts to create a standardized currency have ended poorly in these realms. A few deep drow cities have money systems and even coinage similar to what can be found in the core setting, but they are rare and seldom recognized outside of the city limits. For ease of play, prices listed in this tome and the CERULEAN

SEAS CAMPAIGN SETTING need not be altered. Instead, it is assumed that the actual exchange was for trade goods and gems instead of coins or more symbolic currency.

In addition, two minerals, rarely seen near the surface, have become standard units of trade in the Underdeep. They are described below:

Benitoite: Known by the slang “blug,” this mineral is sought after for it beauty and tendency to fluoresce blue, red, or purple in the presence of blue bioluminescent light.

Ikaite: Also known as urchin stone, these naturally occurring spiky rocks are similar to sea urchins in appearance. They are a favorite of echinns, who regard particularly well-formed samples as good luck charms. Their love of the material has led to other races accumulating it to offer as payment to the echinns, often for mercenary services.

T

4-2:

D

S

T

G

Cost Item

5 gp One cubic inch of raw azulbryn 10 gp One cubic inch of azulbryn alloy 7 cp One cubic inch of abyssal steel 2 gp One cubic inch of benitoite

1 gp Five cubic inches of ikaite (also known as an “echinn fist” of urchin stone).

1 gp One square foot of lyra cloth

2 sp One foot of Ochre Worm Tube

44

Weapons

The Underdeep enjoys all of the weapons available in the CERULEAN SEAS CAMPAIGN SETTING,

as well as Isinblare (of INDIGO ICE), thanks to instant travel afforded by warp pools. In addition, it features a few weapons unique to its depths.

Weapon Descriptions

Underdeep weapons may have the unique qualities listed below, in addition to being crafted for aquatic combat without penalty:

Austorian Zharaz: This is essentially a narrow, forked, single-headed battle-axe with a small spike opposite the blade. The axe head is nearly always made of azulbryn alloy. In the groove between the top and bottom blades of the axe, there is a small hole. This hole is meant to hold a spur made of raw azulbryn (it requires a move action to arm a zharaz with a spur, and the action may provoke an attack of opportunity). On a successful hit, the spur breaks off into the wound and shatters, effectively

poisoning the victim. A Heal check DC 16 is required to remove the shards. This operation may be attempted once per day and causes an additional 1d6 hit points of damage. The DC and surgery damage increase by 1 point for every additional wound made with a spurred zharaz. If the

operation is not successful, the victim will be subject to the effects of the azulbryn geopoison. Magical healing and spells that remove poison will not remove the spurs, nor will they cease their deadly effects.

Battle Spade: A battle spade is basically a flat, spear-like shovel. It can also be used to dig through silt or mud at a rate of up to 2 cubic feet per minute.

Echinn Blade: This oddly-shaped sword appears much like an over-sized can opener. It was designed by the echinn to rip through crustacean

exoskeletons. In the hands of a proficient wielder, the echinn blade grants its wielder a +1

circumstance bonus to hit any creature with a natural armor class bonus. It is an exotic weapon to

all but the echinn, who have a cultural p reference for this unwieldy blade.

Excaecara Fork: A favorite weapon of oculus law enforcers, the excaecara fork was designed

specifically to piece and mangle a narrow region of flesh, or in the case of rogue videns, to blind their central eye. It is also known as a “bident,” both referring to the videns they were intended for and the fact that it looks much like a trident with one of the outer tines removed.

Pincer Fork: Pincher forks began as a tool to herd jellyfish and wrangle cephalopods. It is named for its pincer-like appearance, and is bladed in the center. This allows a proficient wielder to use the outside to deal non-lethal damage, while also permitting slicing damage to a narrow limb such as a tentacle or arm.

Stickleback Spear: This simple weapon originated as a tool for combing the silt for objects and potentially dangerous creatures. It is nothing more than a short pole, sharped at both ends, with a row of 4-6 teeth fastened perpendicularly near one end. Its design not only allows it to be used as a spear, but to discourage large monsters from swallowing the wielder whole. It may also been used as a sort of “riding crop” when mounted on potentially unruly animals.

T

4-3:

W

U

Weapon Name Classifications Cost* Dmg (S) Dmg (M) Critical Range Buoyancy Type Special

Austorian zharaz Exotic light melee 60 gp 1d3 1d4 ×4 — -4 S See text Spurs Special 2 gp — — — — -1/10 units — See text Battle spade Simple one-handed melee 10 gp 1d4 1d6 ×2 — -6 S See text Echinn Blade Exotic one-handed melee 5 gp 1d8 1d10 ×3 — -10 S Trip, See text Excaecara fork Martial one-handed melee 10 gp 1d4 1d6 19-20 ×2 — -7 P Barbed, brace Pincer fork Exotic two-handed melee 10 gp 1d4 1d6 ×3 — -7 S Nonlethal, see text Stickleback spear Simple light melee 1 gp 1d3 1d4 ×2 — -3 P brace

ECHINN BLADE PINCER FORK BATTLE SPADE EXCAECARA FORK AUSTORIAN ZHARAZ S T IC K L E B A C K S P E A R

45