[CoffeeAddict19]

I'm thinking about starting up a 4-5 player Forgotten Realms Underdark campaign in July. The problem is that I do not have experience DMing, so I can't gauge at what level I should start trying to get my characters underground. I want to start at low level, level 1 if possible, so the players will have plenty of time to develop their characters. The question is- what's the lowest level where characters can survive for an extended amount of time in the Upperdark? By extended I mean being able to go for a tenday without shelter (shelter being an underdark city or somewhere where they don't need someone on 24/7 guard). Any other advice would be much appreciated.

[Dthclaw]

From what I understand of the setting, you could start at level 1 if you were doing nothing but city campaigns (which would still be quite dangerous compared to 'normal' campaigns). But ten days in the Underdark wilderness? To have any decent chance of survival in the FR Underdark, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of levels 6-8, and even then they'll be running A LOT.

[Rintaran]

It all depends on your mode of play. If you're heavy hack'n'slash, wait until level 10. If you're more RP and intrigue, you could easily start at level 1. The Underdark is huge, but a lot of it, isn't deadly... Of course, they don't put that stuff in any of the MMs so you'll have to make a fair bit of stuff up yourself.

[super sorcerer]

I would go for level 6 becouse it is the lowest I can think of if they need to survive a tenday. Even on level 6 it won't be easy but you asked for minimun. Level 6 is a fair level to start with and you can still develop your character properly, it is just when you qualify for the first prestige classes. Have a lot of fun running that campain and giving your characters a little better ability scores could help a bit , to roll 4d6 seven times each time choosing the highest 3 and then drop lowest of the 7 results and let the player to decide what go where is fair enough or you might just say "have 78 as the sum of all your ability scores" which is much more simple and much more safe becouse a big difference in ability scores between two players is the most common thing that cause unballance in the party. Have a lot of fun running that campaign and I wish you only good luck.

[Raven Bloodmoon]

I would have a go at 1st level. The Underdark is BIG. That means that even random encounters won't happen THAT often, unless they are near something creatures find valuable. Just make sure that if they do encounter something BIG, give them the surprise round to run if they want to. Also, make sure they know that it's something that can easily kill them through your description. No 20th level drow monks that just look like old, decrepit drow wandering out for one final walk before death. Also, they will have to think more than attack, so if they aren't the brightest people in the world ("I LIKE SWORDS!"), I would hold off a little or expect at least one of them to die. But like I said, I'd let them have at it at 1st level. And if anyone forgets to bring food, water, or other supplies, let them die. That's 100% their fault at that point.

[Jimp]

Also remind your players that if they are beginingat 1st level in the Underdark then they will probably want to be a race that is found in the Underdark.
If they are entering the Underdark from above then they'd want to be around 9th level and well prepared.