Forgotten Realms Wiki
Advertisement
Forgotten Realms Wiki

Dungeons and Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark is an expansion pack for Dungeons & Dragons Online released in June 2012. The expansion is primarily set in the Forgotten Realms, and focuses on a drow plot to conquer the town of Eveningstar and find the Thread of the Weave.

The shadow of Lolth has cast darkness over the kingdom of Cormyr where heroes struggle to stem the unrelenting tide of the drow forces.

DESCEND INTO THE MENACE OF THE UNDERDARK™.

The hopes of the Realms lie with champions from Eberron, whose world has become entangled in Lolth's schemes, bringing them to Faerun where they will make the final stand against the Queen of the Demonweb!
— Official blurb[1]

Plot[]

Web of Chaos[]

Beyond the Rift introduces Faerûn proper, as the various forces of Eberron assign the player with the goal of exploring the portal to the Demonweb Pits and finding out what lies on the other side, in the hopes of closing the portal before it devours Eberron whole.

The Darkening[]

There was a time, and not so long ago, that ye could walk these woods without fear for thy life. Now the Darkening has brought fell things into these green deeps. When the shadows fall, out come those that thrive in the darkest corners of night.
— Elminster's message

Impossible Demands sees Helena Falagon call for aid in rescuing the Midler family from the mercies of Vicala Szind, a cruel priestess. The situation is complicated by Vicala's ritualistic life-draining, which lets her sacrifice the Midlers and her own followers in order to restore her own health. This requires the players avoid combat with her and instead slay her followers and free the prisoners first, then confront her.

The Unquiet Graves has Barana Talmere send out the player to Deep Glen in the King's Forest and stop a team of House Szind necromancers from raising not just slain villagers, but the entire contents of the ancient graveyard.

The Lost Thread

The Battle for Eveningstar is introduced by Swordcaptain Garwyn Thane. The drow return to Eveningstar to finish it off in one great attack, and the player has to turn it into defeat for them. Fighting through the combined forces of Szind, Dun'Robar, and Avithoul, the player takes the fight to their base camp and encounters the field commander Draya Dun'Robar riding atop the bebilith Red Weaver. With their forces scattered and their commanders dead, the drow forces are unable to continue fighting and give up on attacking Eveningstar, at least for the time being.

City of Portals[]

Remember that above all we serve our Queen. Your petty politics hurt her plans. Would you have me tell her what you said? I already know the answer - anyone would fear to even speak such words within her hearing. There will be a day when we address this again, but now is not the time.
— High Priestess Hekta Szind's missive

The next story arc sends the player into the Underdark below the King's Forest in search of the drow city of Sschindylryn, accessed by a portal opened near Eveningstar. After a lengthy journey, the player can finally find the city itself and strike at the three main houses that support the drow invasion, wounding them and setting them against each other.

The House of Broken Chains is started by Mirini Elemys, escaped slave. She sends the player into House Avithoul's estate disguised as a slave in order to start a break-out for the other slaves, destroy the house's treasures, and kill Overseer Solul. This breaks the power base of House Avithoul, and causes them to regard their former allies with suspicion that they were behind the sabotage.

The House of Rusted Blades is performed on behalf of War Wizard Traegar Vadamore, who seeks to cripple House Dun'Robar, the most militaristic of the three houses. The player is illusioned to resemble a drow servant, giving them the opportunity to sneak about the estate and sabotage Dun'Robar's prized weapons. On the way out, the player encounter and defeat Matron Jyr Dun'Robar and her High Battlemaster Teblyn Dun'Robar. With their weapons ruined and champions defeated, Dun'Robar loses both power and prestige and looks with suspicion on its allies.

The House of Death Undone is prompted by priestess Oryne Belamadin, who wishes to remove House Szind's force of undead and necromancers. Using captured flashstones, the player is able to destroy Szind's necromantic cauldrons and stop their undead production, in addition to wrecking the household the normal way. The player also has an option to get into intra-house politics by overhearing Priestess Silan Szind plotting with the wizard Relig about overthrowing her mother Matron Zhivsha Szind, who is surprisingly grateful to be told about it by the player. Whatever happens, Szind's capabilities are ruined and their ability to project power is crippled.

The Portal Opens once all three houses are weakened and infighting, the diviner Jenneth Gosmere sends the player on a mission with Elminster and Ana Brabener into the Temple of Lolth atop Sschindylryn to stop Hekta Szind. The team fights through the Sschindylryn Ziggurat, overcomes its elite defenders, and has Elminster break through the temple defenses while the others move on without him. Meeting Hekta, she identifies Ana as the Thread of the Weave and magically compels her to step into a portal to the Demonweb Pits. After a fierce fight, Hekta is overcome and begs Lolth for mercy, who responds with disgust and sends a demon to execute her.

The Queen of the Demonweb[]

Insects. The longer you meddle in my plans, the longer I have to torment you. Your screams as you beg me for death will echo through every corner of the Demonweb. Delicious.
— Lolth

With the immediate material aspect of the drow threat resolved, the player is next sent into another portal near Eveningstar that leads directly into the Demonweb Pits to oppose Lolth and her servants in their home territory.

Trial by Fury

The Deal and the Demon

Reclaiming the Rift

Caught in the Web[]

Caught in the Web

Other Quests[]

Several quests are disconnected from the main plot, and are stand-alone stories that run alongside the ongoing war.

Murder by Night leads the player to the Eveningstar War Hospital, where Delethir Mistveil requests aid in an investigation of the murdered head priest. The player quickly finds that lycanthropy is spreading from infected soldiers brought from the King's Forest, leading to a running battle as patients try to escape. The leader of the pack, Ogiyon Tomain, eventually appears to avenge his kin, only to fall in turn.

The Riddle starts with Ingval Muth, who sends the player to investigate a burnt-out ruin on the edge of town that Wizard of War Barthand disappeared into. The threat within turns out to be the night hag Frelga, working with the drow attackers to plague the local's dreams and try to find the Thread of the Weave. Barthand turned out to have been transformed into a large toadstool and kept as a trophy by Frelga's coven of green hags. After rescuing Barthand and destroying Frelga's detached magical eye, the night hag was caught and destroyed, bringing an end to her prophetic ramblings.

Don't Drink the Water is prompted by the mason Unmar Halberg, who's determined that Eveningstar's well has somehow been poisoned. He sends the player down to the cavern it draws from, only to find a team of yuan-ti agents behind it. After passing some maddened subterranean dryads, the player discovers the true source of the toxins: the green dragon Tharmalos, hired by the drow to weaken Eveningstar from within.

In the Belly of the Beast has Sorina Parnock send the player into the Underdark to find the Cay'Vorym Fighting Pit, where captured Purple Dragons are being thrown into death matches for entertainment. On arrival the player is welcomed as a potential customer, and has the opportunity to interfere and commit intrigue among the other contestants and customers. After finding the imprisoned Purple Dragons, Feryl Cay'Vorym drops everyone into the pit, setting them against various gladiators and prisoners, culminating in purple worms being attracted to the battle. Finally, the massive worm Sineater tore into the arena, eating most of the audience, destroying the structure, and swallowing both Feryl and the player. The player is forced to navigate the cavernous guts of the worm, dodging pools of digestive acid, roaming parasites, and corrosive phlegm, until they find Feryl and his sword earthcarver, which they use to cut their way out of the worm and finally kill it.

Challenges[]

A variety of small, arena-style encounters are available around Eveningstar for the acquisition of treasure and experience.

Dryad Grove: The Great Tree involves defending the dryad grove of the Great Tree in the King's Forest, which is under heavy attack by malevolent drow forces. The grove must be protected while it builds up enough energy to blast away the drow and reinvigorate the land.

Dryad Grove: Defenseless has the player repeating a similar feat, though without any supporting defensive trees as the drow forces converge on the Great Tree.

Ruined Keep: The Sunset Ritual sends the player to the Ruined keep in the King's Forest, where the War Wizard Arganon is performing a ritual to turn away threats. Before he can complete it, he must be protected from a small army of bandits and werewolves that seek to stop him.

Ruined Keep: The Daybreak Ritual has the player aiding the wizard Zenyff as he performs a second ritual, only to be attacked by waves of furious natural and druidic forces.

Underdark Arena: Fight to the Finish is a gladiatorial fighting pit represented by the duergar agent Djir Garpeth, run by Azena'ar the drider for House Cay'Vorym.

Underdark Arena: Ring of Fire follows from the previous, and has the red dragon Aptoryx get involved. Having taken an interest in the sport of death matches, Aptoryx got his own arena and filled it up with lava.

Index[]

Characters[]

Adamor Thellik • Agathea • Akh'gurrog • Akorstra • Alakinyon Ken'viir • Alakraena Xorlarrin • Alyn Farrago • Amalzen • Ana Brabener • Anazar Narroun • Antone Corluk • Aptem Mews • Aptoryx • Arcton Greenwort • Arganon Pine • Arith'narac • Arman Argentine • Asta Jegg'Dralnoc • Athyr Worrel • Atrezt Dun'Robar • Avro Quarrel • Azana Winter • Azena'ar • Azerie Germond • Banister Avithoul • Barana Talmere • Barclay • Barnal Wulf • Barthand • Beli Bragason • Belvedere Huntsilver • Belwyr Slaym • Big Old Red • Bladeback • Borstrand Mettlewinter • Braznioch • Brinbard Meddle • Caryn Chandler • Celemin Ilver • Cerith Gell • Chasen Bell • Chaszoj'ryn • Chelicera • Chir Kapok • Cho'ahz • Chorzan • Cixsir • Claive the Carver • Clara Makepeace • Cormul Haythorne • Dalamene Amataxos • Darwell Kiriag • Davit Pence • Delethir Mistveil • Derawen Janastamos • Derevon Ybir • Devian Trell • Dimaya • Dint • Djir Garpeth • Dolnozz • Donric Yarrow • Draya Dun'Robar • Durilghar Szind • Durnibas Uxyndar • Dustby Fennel • Dylle Madanset • Easton Kneller • Eldrin Szind • Elminster Aumar • Enrhiikuz • Eolynn Arva • Erod Dasbine • Eryn Hallben • Ess'k • Estlif Elarsonne • Farnoth Vorm • Farrain Graymoor • Feith Lightsong • Feryl Cay'Vorym • Fidilee Fallowfield • Filbur Royne • Finnfaran • Fless-onas • Forton Lampwicke • Frelga • Galfriel Jegg'Dralnoc • Garen'thir Szind • Garrod Phipps • Garstrom Toom • Garwyn Thane • Gelmin Asinor • Gerad Poplar • Gilcori Dun'Robar • Gilsby • Gizla • Goldene Clover • Gordy • Graal'zerub • Grataun • Graven Chandler • Graven Milner • Gresl-glis • Greta Northwind • Grulemith • Grundlehin • Guldryx Avrenyl • Ha'arlax • Halmysin Iriminid • Hastrun • Hastruun • Hekta Szind • Helena Falagon • Hessperina • Horton Waxley • Hosgerd Lar • Hylos Nimarel • Ianhand Midler • Idrigozak • Igrayne Elonis • Ihlazur • Ingval Muth • Irmis Latroth • Istine Madrovelle • Jandove Midler • Jenneth Gosmere • Jera Quorton • Jevan • Jobun Fyfe • Jolene Dander • Jonabas Foreman • Jono Branton • Jordin Drelm • Jorenthar Sparskrael • Jormund Kannath • Jorro Dander • Jyr Dun'Robar • Kal'anoth • Kella Barnswottle • Khaszlokhar • Kirinel Zay • Kishnaurac • Korrex Dunhaven • Kressp • Kressyndor • Kroth Mak • Kruts Marpin • Lorani Thallam • Luma Drapan • Lynia Greensward • Magroph Avithoul • Maisby • Malizoc the Heinous • Malizoc • Maljuph • Massrak • Meena Follakin • Melburn Piker • Melinda Bothgan • Melinde Agister • Micahrastir • Mikrom Sum • Milus Sherton • Mirini Elemys • Moirene Trimapule • Namajj Hru'un • Neesine Volathan • Neris Midler • Nessaleesa • Nilaphax • Normon Midler • Northrack Hautch • Odezzt Avithoul • Ogiyon Tomain • Olarra Idlewist • Oliq • Olma Westrin • Olmer Twiggins • Oolgnim • Ophur • Orgallryd Avithoul • Orgur Emeran • Oryne Belamadin • Osbar Mulaban • Oslin • Pala Harton • Pelree Cay'Vorym • Phargred Avithoul • Phinrae Szind • Premo Flamborse • Qlogru • Quartan Bule • Quilynn Midler • Quinzella Pramble • Radagarnsur Krim • Randall Lyric • Rathana Jaye • Ravanys Woodsoul • Red Weaver • Relamis the Wanderer • Relig • Relton Trapalo • Rhitez • Ricnan Midler • Rikhard Downriver • Rrh'gitli • Samston • Sarnish • Saz-sass • Scintilla • Senkess • Shev'aal • Shufarix • Silan Szind • Sineater • Sivinil Blomyr • Soldiirn Dun'Robar • Solul • Sorina Parnock • Sorntran Arkenep • Speitar Dun'Robar • Tarim Inavule • Teblyn Dun'Robar • Teira Szind • Tellie Scavelman • Than Galkis • Tharmalos • Thismyn Vee • Thoben Midler • Toregar Falmon • Torin Betrich • Traegar Vadamore • Tras'ekhan • Trella Fulnor • Tsirrik • U'oglen • Unmar Halberg • Urklauth • Utheo Myar • Uthimez • Valana • Venna Alumar • Veraxiena • Vgorrok • Vicala Szind • Vicben Arroway • Voltane • Vynd Shydirra • Waeraste Torduis • Walak • Wargraf Tull • Wilaver Chandler • Wilkan Drome • Wyndam • Xarathas • Xyra Dun'Robar • Yan'thryis • Yarabaga • Ydrae Avithoul • Yeberim • Yeline Tamamor • Yenward Chorster • Ygglyshek • Ymris • Zehraa • Zenyff Bravehand • Zeslyn Cay'Vorym • Zhivsha Szind • Zilar Fenner
Referenced only
Balbaste Avithoul • Dhanae Szind • Vaarrej Avithoul

Creatures[]

animated armor • bat • bear (dire) • deer • demon (bebilith, draegloth, dretch, fire reaver, glabrezu, goristro, hezrou, jarilith) • dragon (green, red) • drider • dryad • dwarf • elemental (air, earth, fire, water) • elf (drow) • fox • frog • gargoyle • hag (green, night) • hellhound • human • medusa • mimic • mind flayer • mudman • ochre jelly • panther (astral) • purple worm • rust monster • salamander • spider (deathjump, demonweb terror, glass, harrower, pyrachnid, swarmhorde, websnare) • squirrel • undead (skeleton, zombie) • vine horror • werewolf • will-o'-wisp • wolf (winter) • wood woad • yuan-ti (abomination, malison, pureblood) • yugoloth (arcanaloth)

Items[]

Armor
breastplate of the shining sun • embrace of the Spider Queen • hide of the goristro • leathers of the woodsman • Purple Dragon armor • Purple Dragon helm • Purple Dragon gauntlets • stout oak walking stick • terrorweb chitin breastplate
Clothing
boots of the woodsman • drow piwafwi • vestments of the Sun Soul • belt of the Sun Soul • bracers of the Sun Soul • spider-spun caparison • spidersilk robes • War Wizard's bracers • War Wizard's robes
Weapons
Agony, the Knife in the Dark • alarphon's staff • Antipode, Fist of the Horizon • Balizarde, Protector of the King • blade of the high priestess • Breach, the Dividing Blade • Celestia, Brightest Star of Day • Cleaver, Hewer of Suffering • Dun'Robar Weapon Master set • grave wrappings • Icerazor • implement of the deep woods • Mornh, Hammer of the Mountains • Needle, Quill-slinger • Nightmare, the Fallen Moon • Oathblade • pale rod • Pinion, Cloud-piercer • sacrificial dagger • Sireth, Spear of the Sky • slaver's hand crossbow • staff of the necromancer (quarterstaff) • Star of Day • Tinah, Sword of the Sea • Twilight, Element of Magic
Jewelry
holy symbol of Lolth • seal of House Avithoul • seal of House Dun'Robar • seal of House Szind • signet of the shining sun • symbol of the shining sun • War Wizard's amulet
Miscellaneous
ancient gemstone • archaic Device • ballista • drow smoke goggles • figurine of wondrous power • lenses of the woodsman • Malchor's undersun goggles • planar focus of erudition • planar focus of prowess • planar focus of subterfuge • stone heart

Locations[]

Buildings
Great Tree • Eveningstar bridge • Eveningstar Hall • House of the Morning • Lonesome Tankard • Market Square • Midler farmhouse • Ruined keep • Sschindylryn Ziggurat • Temple of Lolth • Temple of Mystra • Underdark Arena
Planes & Regions
Settlements
Deep Glen • Eveningstar • Riz Malag • Sschindylryn
Referenced only
Marsember • Menzoberranzan • Suzail
Wilderness

Events[]

Darkening • Sschindylryn invasion of Eveningstar

Organizations[]

Religion[]

Amaunator • Lolth • Mystra • Zehir

Appendix[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. Now Available: Menace of the Underdark™. Standing Stone Games. Archived from the original on 2020-11-26. Retrieved on 2021-01-28.

Connections[]

Advertisement