Drow
Drow (also known as dark elves) are a subterranean race of elves dwelling in the Underdark, characterized by their obsidian-black skin, white or pale hair, and distinctive red eyes. Once exiled from the surface world, they have built a cruel and intricate civilization in the lightless depths, dominated by worship of the demon goddess Lolth, the Spider Queen.
Physical Description
Drow possess distinctive features that set them apart from their surface-dwelling elven kin:
- Skin: Obsidian-black or deep purple-black, smooth and unmarred
- Hair: Stark white, pale silver, or occasionally pale yellow; often worn long and elaborately styled
- Eyes: Vivid red, violet, amber, or pale lilac; adapted to complete darkness
- Build: Slender and graceful like other elves, typically standing 5 to 6 feet tall
- Lifespan: Exceptionally long-lived, often reaching 700 years or more
Their distinctive appearance makes them immediately recognizable to those familiar with Underdark denizens, and their presence on the surface is almost always viewed with suspicion and fear.
Society and Culture
[FR Canon] Drow society is one of the most complex and ruthless civilizations in Faerûn, built upon foundations of cruelty, ambition, and absolute devotion to Lolth.
Matriarchal Hierarchy
Drow society is strictly matriarchal, with power concentrated in the hands of female priestesses of Lolth:
- Matron Mothers: Powerful priestesses who rule noble houses with absolute authority
- Noble Houses: Constantly scheming and plotting against one another for status and power
- Male Drow: Considered inferior to females; serve as warriors, wizards, and servants
- Commoners: Live in constant fear of their noble overlords
- Slaves: The lowest caste, captured from other races or born into bondage
Cities and Settlements
The drow have carved magnificent cities from living stone deep within the Underdark:
- Menzoberranzan: The most famous and powerful drow city [FR Canon]
- Ched Nasad: A great drow metropolis built on stalactites [FR Canon]
- Eryndlyn: City of Shimmering Webs [FR Canon]
- Smaller Outposts: Scattered throughout the Underdark, often near valuable resources or strategic locations
These cities are architectural marvels, illuminated by magical faerie fire and adorned with intricate spider motifs. They are also places of constant intrigue, assassination, and political maneuvering.
Religion and Worship
[FR Canon] The vast majority of drow worship Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders, who demands absolute obedience and delights in chaos and cruelty:
- Priestesses of Lolth: Wield both divine magic and political power
- Spider Imagery: Permeates all aspects of drow culture
- Tests of Lolth: Trials and tribulations sent by the goddess to test her followers
- Sacrifices: Regular offerings to appease the Spider Queen
- Other Deities: Some drow worship alternative gods like Eilistraee (goddess of good drow), Vhaeraun (god of male drow), or Ghaunadaur (god of oozes)
Cultural Values
Drow culture emphasizes:
- Ambition: Advancement at any cost, including betrayal and murder
- Strength: Both martial and magical prowess are highly valued
- Cunning: Deception and manipulation are considered virtues
- Cruelty: Mercy is seen as weakness
- Surface Raids: Regular expeditions to capture slaves and resources
- Family Loyalty: Only within one's own house, and even then, tenuous
Abilities and Traits
[FR Canon] Drow possess several innate abilities that make them formidable opponents:
Darkvision
Drow have Superior Darkvision extending 120 feet, allowing them to see in complete darkness as if it were dim light. However, this adaptation comes with a significant weakness: Sunlight Sensitivity. In direct sunlight, drow have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Innate Magic
Many drow possess innate magical abilities that manifest as they mature:
- Dancing Lights: Can create magical lights at will
- Faerie Fire: Can illuminate targets with a purple flame outline
- Darkness: Can create magical darkness to confuse and disorient enemies
Combat Training
Drow warriors are trained from childhood in:
- Rapiers: Light, precise weapons favored for their finesse
- Hand Crossbows: Often loaded with potent poisons
- Poisoncraft: Expert creation and use of debilitating toxins, particularly drow poison (sleep-inducing venom)
- Stealth and Ambush: Masters of guerrilla warfare in underground environments
Magic
Many drow study the arcane arts, becoming accomplished wizards specializing in:
- Evocation: Destructive spells
- Illusion: Deception and misdirection
- Enchantment: Mind control and manipulation
Relations with Other Races
Drow are almost universally feared and hated by surface dwellers and many Underdark races alike.
Surface Elves
[FR Canon] The enmity between drow and surface elves (particularly moon elves and sun elves) runs millennia deep, stemming from ancient wars and the drow's corruption and exile. Surface elves view drow as irredeemably evil, while drow see their surface cousins as weak and foolish.
Svirfneblin (Deep Gnomes)
Drow regularly raid Svirfneblin communities for slaves, viewing deep gnomes as valuable workers and convenient targets. The deep gnomes have developed elaborate defenses and traps to protect their settlements from drow raiders.
Duergar (Gray Dwarves)
Drow and Duergar exist in a state of constant, simmering warfare over territory, resources, and slaves. Both races are similarly cruel and ambitious, making alliances rare and short-lived.
Other Underdark Denizens
- Mind Flayers: Cautious respect mixed with mutual distrust
- Aboleths: Generally avoided
- Derro: Occasional trade partners
- Surface Dwellers: Targets for raids, slavery, or elimination
In the Campaign
The party's first significant encounter with drow occurred during Session 45 and Session 46 in the depths of Garmok's Mine.
Drow Raiding Party (Session 46)
A drow raiding party led by Commander Vyran T'sarran was hunting Svirfneblin in the lower tunnels when they encountered the party. The drow force consisted of:
- Commander Vyran T'sarran: Tactical leader who cast Faerie Fire
- Drow Priestess: Unnamed priestess who cast Darkness and used magical flight
- Drow Warriors: Multiple soldiers armed with hand crossbows and weapons
The drow interpreted the party's peaceful overture to the Svirfneblin as an act of alliance and immediately attacked. The battle was fierce but brief:
- Xanphina's Javelin of Lightning killed one drow instantly
- The same attack knocked the flying Drow Priestess prone, causing her to plummet into an endless chasm
- Karma's Moonbeam devastated multiple drow warriors
- The Svirfneblin guards joined the fight, attacking the drow from their elevated positions
- Xanphina delivered the killing blow to Commander Vyran T'sarran
Ilyra Voss
Ilyra Voss, the drow researcher encountered in Garmok's Mine, is a rare exception to typical drow behavior. She has separated herself from drow society to pursue academic research in relative isolation, suggesting she is either a rogue scholar or an exile. Her motivations and ultimate loyalties remain unclear.
Appearance in Sessions
- Session 45 - First encounter with Ilyra Voss
- Session 46 - Combat with drow raiding party led by Vyran T'sarran
Notable Drow
- Vyran T'sarran - Commander of drow hunting party (deceased)
- Ilyra Voss - Wizard researcher in Garmok's Mine
- Unnamed Drow Priestess (deceased)