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The PCs in my current 4e homegame are rapidly nearing the end of the heroic tier. As part of the evolving campaign story they're venturing into the Underdark. The Underdark, despite what the book of the same name tries to do, is really set-up for Paragon-tier characters. The iconic monsters are all over level 10 – even ones like the drow that can also be a player race and thus encountered at all tiers of play.

The Underdark is portrayed both mechanically and story-wise as an inhospitable place that is a dangerous environment to live in, let alone adventure throughout.

And yet the book tells me the players should encounter no problems coping with the setting.

Reality Versus Fun

The issue starts with the sidebar on page 11 of Underdark, which is emblematic of the attitude of 4e. The sidebar