Alec will be able to connect with the NPCs sometimes. Vague flickers. It will be very difficult. Whatever is between them underground and the surface is thick and distorts signals. But the closer he is to the membrane that's closed something off, the better his connection is. He can see a fuzzy, static-y version of the surface.

There are nerves down here, but not ones he can control. He might be able to feel them, but they are unfamiliar and foreign in a way that he isn't readily able to do anything with.

Yes, it's similar to the cistern, just more of everything.

Apologies for the late response on this! Lmk if you want any more.