City Sublevels
City sublevels are subterranean areas of a large megacity or city planet. These fictional underground locations may be located deep below the surface and may contain the city slums or deep mines. They may be connected to the surface via elevators or large central shafts that provide an open conduit from the surface to these lower levels. In fictional settings, certain sublevels may be in ruins, taken over by gangs or criminals, or may be infested.
| Synonyms: lower levels |
| Example Mythonyms: the Undercity |
Designing Fictional City Sublevels
Archetypes
Overview
City sublevels are often used by worldbuilders to explore themes of social hierarchy with the rich and powerful inhabiting the surface and the poor housed within the depths of the planet below.
Within the city sublevels, there may be doors, gates, or checkpoints that seal these sections off. Travel between levels or to the surface may be restricted or require travel documents. Sublevels may be flooded, collapsed, or may frequently loose power. Sublevels may house maintenance rooms, maintenance corridors, as well as power systems, ventilation systems, sewer systems, and other infrastructure critical to the city above.
