During one of the many, many apocalyptic wars on Shem, many humans chose to flee underground. In their subterranean wanderings, they found their way to a region called the Hollow, a massive cavern midway through the layers of the world. Unbelievably, it was a realm of waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and strange underground plants. Foraging for their survival, they soon found they could eat many of these plants and some of the animals present. At first, they wore masks to protect them from the dust in the air and carried lights to see, but after many generations, they evolved so they could handle it. The ambient earthpower in the area also transformed them, giving them their skin, eyes, and other powers.

These first explorers of this wilderness lived in desperate groups just trying to survive, but after they settled, these groups developed into tribes. Slowly but surely they built a complex society of cicular stone temples with great spires in the middle, cities built along rivers and lakes, and beautiful tunnel-complexes.

Having fled the disastrous merchant-states and tyrannies of the upper world, their tribes developed a system they felt was more fair below. Every member of the community has a vote after they turn 12, and all issues that affect the whole community are subject to a vote. There are multiple councils which guide the community, including those based on craft or work, those based on gender (of which there are 12), those based on age (children's council, young adults, adults, and elders), and those based on certain political interests. These councils are called the phand (Umphand literally means "all councils," referring to the whole nation). The councils elect their own officers, but these officers have no more power than any other member--just more responsibilities.

The only kind of work not allowed to have a council is the military. These must answer to the councils. Everyone must serve at least two years after they come of age at 16 and before they turn 30. Those who choose to remain in the military must be tested by the councils to ensure their loyalty, political acumen, and skills. They are split into several different branches: soldiers, tunnelers, sailors, spies, pathfinders, hunters, assassins, war-mystics, and demolitionists. They elect among them their own leadership, but these must also be approved by the councls.

Umphandians wear little clothing, preferring loincloths and little else. They engage in body-piercing, especially the ears, nose, lips, arms, legs, sides, backs, and even necks. Most piercings are ornamental, but a handful have special meaning: a neck-piercing along the left side is received when one comes of age, a piercing of the lower back is given as a reward for excellence and bravery in combat, a piercing of the septum is done when one has their first child, a piercing of the upper part of the right ear is done as a wedding gift. Different metals and jewels are used. None of these represent status, but rather, personal style. Some choose to ornament themselves only with one kind of jewel or metal, or with specific designs, or with special combinations of color and size, and so on. Often they have personal meaning.

Children are raised by their extended families, taught in community schools, and encouraged to pursue their own paths. Gender is a complex system that is less a spectrum and more a puzzle of different correlations. Once a child comes of age at 16, they are welcomed to adulthood with a special piercing ceremony and a week-long party.

Music is very popular among the umphandians, and they prefer to play in the tunnels to incorporate echoes into their songs. Every year, communities near to each other gather for special performances to mark the turning of the year and remembrance of their times above. (They mark time based on the surface-calendars using a counting system.) They also engage in numerous sports, mostly revolving around endurance, strength, and precision.