Undercity

Undercity is a term in fantasy for a city or district built beneath the surface of a larger urban area. Such subterranean metropolises may arise from deliberate planning, disaster recovery, or social policy, and often function as shelters, fortresses, or hubs of commerce that exploit tunnels, caverns, and disused sewers. They emphasize concealment, resilience, and isolation.

Life in an undercity relies on specialized infrastructure such as drainage, ventilation, lighting, and water management. Buildings may be carved from rock or constructed with stone and brick, arranged around transit arteries and chokepoints. Public spaces tend to be compact, with markets and workshops layered beneath the surface. Social dynamics often reflect marginalization, resource scarcity, and a degree of opacity between authorities and residents.

Governance and security are typically centralized in underground authorities, criminal networks, or paramilitary groups. Access to the surface is restricted, and myths about the outside world may shape daily life. Despite harsh conditions, these cities can foster strong communities and distinctive cultures centered on resilience, trade, and secrecy.

In the World of Warcraft universe, the Undercity serves as the capital of the Forsaken, a faction of undead. It lies in the subterranean tunnels beneath the ruined capital of Lordaeron in Tirisfal Glades and functions as a political and military hub with necromantic overtones.