The sun that Stein orbits is deadly. The surface is uninhabitable. Only bare stone and death awaits any who step upon it. A mile below, a network of tunnels and caverns slowly grows, expanding the borders of the great, dark city: Locus.

Every living thing on the planet exists within the borders of Locus, an advanced subterranean metropolis that stretches for miles in every direction but up. It was founded at the beginning of time from within the Heart, a long-dead machine that the first Sunless were born from. The Heart still rests at the very center of Locus’ many concentric districts, now the seat of power from which their leaders rule.

Every aspect of Sunless society requires incredible coordination and efficiency. If any aspect of the system fails, it would mean the collapse of their entire society. Every person must fulfill their given role as effectively as possible, without the burden of economy, prejudice, or class. The minds and bodies that labor are considered the most valuable resource.

Insect, fish, fungus and seaweed farms provide the majority of nutrition. Packed storehouses and cafeterias distribute necessities. Tiny, close stacked domiciles offer little more than a bed and a screen. Titanic drills carve out new space from bedrock around the clock. Rails guide titanic bins carrying overburden, cargo, and passengers.

The governance of The Sunless is strict and brutal, but in turn they are held to even higher standards of competence and conduct. The ritual execution of magistrates who overstep their roles is not uncommon. There is no room for pride or corruption in the tunnels.

The underworld of Locus consists of those who exploit the numerous cracks in this delicate ballet of people, places, and things. Drugs, weapons, fashion, gourmet food and other luxuries are not part of the egalitarian distribution of resources, so the only people that get to have them are the ones that are willing to break the system. The Heart is in a constant struggle with their own officers to tear down these institutions, because they are often the more frequent clientele.

The Sunless participate in ritual cannibalism, and consuming the dead honors their life as well as forgiving their transgressions. Taking the life, memories, and energy of members of your community into yourself is a deeply intimate and loving action. Only the most hated and outcast Sunless are dumped into the incinerator and forgotten.

Despite the difficulty and oddity of their customs, family, community, work and play are what dominate the daily lives of The Sunless. In the dim light of their Locus’ streets, life goes on as it always has.