CHAPTER 9: MANTOL-DERITH
Mantol-Derith has endured for centuries as a neutral
outpost where draw. duergar, svirfneblin, and surface
dwellers can meet and trade without fearing for their
lives. Despite its usefulness and the safety it enjoys.
Mantoi-Derith has never become a proper town. Those
who maintain it as a trade hub have resisted any urge for
expansion. apart from installing basic infrastructure to
assist with commercial activities.
The Zhentarim took over the holdings where surface
dwellers conducted business and quickly cornered the
market for surface goods, gaining the organization a
foothold in the Underdark. This presence grew into a
power base that serves the Black Network well, and
which is now being made available to the characters.
Upon arrival, however, the characters discover
there is no safe haven anywhere in the Underdark
with the demon lords running rampant. The safety of
Mantol-Dcrith has been shattered by the demon lord
Fraz-Urb'luu. who has turned the trading outpost's
various factions against one another.
The characters must navigate and overcome the
madness dominating Mantol-Derith in order to find
their Zhentarim contact. Ghazrim DuLoc. He has
the means for them to reach the stone giant library of
Gravenhollow (see chapter II). whose vast lore might
provide some clue as to what has brought the demon
lords to the Underdark.FRAZ-URB'Luu's GEM
Having previously been imprisoned for many mortal
life times on the Material Plane, Fraz-Urb'luu had
taken s teps to bind himself to his laye r of the Abyss. As
soon as he felt the tug of Gromph's spell, Fraz-Urb'luu
transferred his evil life force to a specially crafted.
magically protected receptacle a black jewel. However
the spell proved irresistible, and the precious receptacle
was cast into the Undcrdark. As a further indignity,
Fraz-Urb'luu found himsclftrapped within the gem,
.,. unable to escape while on the Material Plane.