I'm still learning the little details about the server, trying to get familiar with the city's description and such, but I'm still trying to think what is the expected atmosphere the DMs want to achieve on this setting.

To me, the name Escape from Underdark, implies that the server might have a somewhat paranoic atmosphere, of someone who is trying to survive in a hostile and dangerous environment like the Underdark, where people are hard to trust each other (like svin communities?).

But maybe I'm wrong, and common people rely on trusting each other, since they are all on the same boat?

Since the city is mainly formed by surface races, I'd like to know how other races are viewed within the city (drows, duergars, svins, tieflings, etc). If they are accepted, if they can walk freely, or if there's prejudice toward them, etc. Same with religions, especially known evil ones (are they accepted and worshipped freely?)

A description of the city's mentality would be excellent for us who are trying to tailor a background for our characters.

Thanks.

I think it's better if we don't know the atmosphere of the city. Since we ARE new citizens. I'd rather explore the behavior and atmosphere myself. It's not like it's a city like Waterdeep that's established on the map and has fixed routes and everyone knows it's history, relations and atmosphere.

WC, have you checked out the applications section of the website? At the bottom of this page is information about Sanctuary's factions - that's what I used to get an idea of the city's general atmosphere, and that's what I based my faction application on. It's enough to give you a taste, but not so much as to *spoiler* the server.

Oh, I forgot the dazzling FAQ thread and part of the server's utopian vision.

I'll check it out. Thanks.

alstro, FYI two of the links you listed go to the same place.

I think in general the atmosphere is substantially darker than what people may be used to. Seven miles of rock separate your characters from the sun and open air. Many of Sanctuary's citizens lived lives of opression and toil as slaves for one of various evil Underdark civilizations. Sanctuary itself is a twisting, ramshackle town filled with crooked alleys, smoky inns, dark hovels, and eery, eccentric NPCs.

The answer to your question, though, is that the atmosphere will be what players make of it.

In terms of your specific questions, races like the drow are feared and hated. In most areas (such as the Upper Sanctuary bazaar or the town hall) a drow would pretty much be completely unwelcome (the exact response depending on the situation but possibly involving attack or arrest). In darker and more chaotic areas, the response of NPCs to drow would probably be just to stay the hell away out of fear.

The town tends to be religiously tolerant out of necessity. People have enough enemies without earning the enmity of some catankerous deity.

Take a dash of the American Wild West, a few table-spoons of Lankhmar slums, a pinch of Lovecraft, a bit of your post-apocalyptic setting of your choice (Mad Maxx, or whatever) and stick it all in the Underdark: and that's something like Sanctuary.