The various monsters, such as Orcs, Kobolds, Goblins, etc., also have villages or lairs. These tribal monsters tend to put a lot of effort into raids on human caravans, and occasionally a village. There are extensive numbers of monsters like gelatinous cubes, rats, and such. These non- or semi-sentient monsters roam the tunnels.
Gold, iron and other metals are pretty common on the mountain. The extensive tunneling has made access common. Between the adventurer economy, lots of metals and general scarcity of non-metal goods, prices are high. Metal products are readily available, but still expensive. The crafting of metal uses fuels that are expensive such as wood or even coal. Coal has to be brought in from a relatively few seams.
Most foods are cooked with solar heat, or eaten uncooked. In some towns, magic is used to cook, heat and even craft metals.
There are a few plants that are unique to Spire. These plants are very efficient in their use of light. They grow nodules, like potatoes, while spreading vines of leaves all over like ivy. These leaves tend to attract and hid small pest animals. Also, there are various monsters that are attracted to them, such as gelatinous cubes.