Dungeon Level

The Dungeon Level was the first level of Undermountain.

Entry
It was accessible via a winch over the the pit in the common room of the Yawning Portal, with a fee of 1 gp per person. It took roughly a minute to lower/raise the rope-and-pulley mechanism that powered the machine. This led to a dark room with a tunnel leading south before bending west, a secret door. A thin layer of sand covered the floor, and sixty shields hung on the walls, so fragile that they broke if touched. Behind one of the shields was a message written in blood in Elvish: "Beyond the pillar forest, the Mad Mage waits. Casting spells behind magic gates."

The "gates" likely referenced the gates required to transport between the levels (although other passages could also be used for that purpose).

Locations
There was a room on the Dungeon Level that contained many pillars. A giant constrictor skeleton lay on the floor. The room also helds a secret compartment in the southernmost pillar, which was empty.

Inhabitants

 * The Undertakers: In 1493 DR, this gang of bandits preyed on gullible adventurers, demanding a toll of 10 gp per person for safe passage on this level. The bandits were failed actors and singers who used disguise kits to appear as vampires. One of the leaders, Harria Valashtar, had a flesh golem.


 * The Xanathar Guild: Nine bugbears (five under the control of intellect devourers) represented the Xanathar Guild on this level. They were supposed to keep adventurers from reaching lower levels.

Exits
Aside from the winch system (see above) going to the Yawning Portal, there was a staircase in the south corner of the dungeon that led to Level 2, the Arcane Chambers. In a room in the south-west part of the dungeon was a magic gate to Level 10, Muiral's Gauntlet. The following conditions applied to it:
 * The gate opened for 1 minute when the mirror was touched with a magic wand that had at least 1 charge remaining.
 * A would-be traveler must of sufficient experience.
 * The first creature to pass through the gate triggered an elder rune.
 * A creature that passed through the gate appeaeds in a room in the west part of Level 10, Murial's Gauntlet.