Underrymd

Underrymd is a fictional concept that appears in certain speculative fiction narratives. It is generally understood to represent a subterranean or hidden realm beneath the surface of a planet or world. This realm is often depicted as a place of mystery, ancient secrets, or unique ecological systems separate from the surface world. The term itself suggests a location that is both "under" and possibly "damp" or "deep," hinting at its submerged or hidden nature.

Within these fictional contexts, underrymds can vary greatly in their characteristics. They might be home to lost civilizations, bizarre flora and fauna adapted to darkness and pressure, or even portals to other dimensions. The inhabitants, if any, are often portrayed as distinct from surface dwellers, possessing different cultures, technologies, or biological traits due to their isolated environment. Exploration of the underrymd is a common plot device, driving narratives of discovery, peril, and the revelation of hidden truths. The concept taps into a primal human fascination with the unknown depths and the possibility of worlds existing unseen beneath our feet.