Drow

Drow re an elusive race that live in subterranean cities and settlements. They keep their distance from the surface world, and are rarely found or communicated with. They live long lives, same as their surface kin, and are trained thoroughly with spears and daggers, relying on speed and reach. They are very uncommon and rarely sighted. Most are 5 feet tall, are of above average strength, above average speed, average constitution, and above average intelligence. They have secluded themselves for so long that they think of little other than their own desires, and evil can find purchase within their hearts.

This race is hated by Elves.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Yueret Indryn, the largest Drow city and only city known to the surface world, is the center of Drow society. It is filled with relics and oddities unfamiliar to the surface world. The few records that refer to this city, call it by aliases. The city of Black Flame, referring to a time where darker magics were practiced and accepted as a whole, before the vanishing of all things arcane. Though to this day, its architecture reflects that time period within the Second Era, and remains standing. However, this city, like most Drow cities, has fallen into squalor after war with the elves.
Living in the Underdark is incredibly dangerous. The types of life that live in the eternal darkness of the underground are ones of danger. Creatures born of the dark often feed upon one another, and Drow are no different in terms of being seen as prey.
Even still, there are some who are willingly sent out into the overworld.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Females are the dominant sex in Drow society. The only exceptions are male Drow who manage to gain prominence through military exploits or great deeds that serve to further the cause of Drow civilization. They often head up great families, and armies, and women in general are often revered and feared. Drow society is ruled by a Grand Matriarch, an ancient Drow woman of great power and, in the previous Era’s magical ability.
The current Grand Matriarch’s name is T'rislanna Tlin'arran. She is exceptionally cruel to those who displease her, and has annihilated the Houses of old that refuted her rule, and attempted to have her replaced. She had all of the House matriarchs executed, and their offspring sacrificed. In one fell swoop, she brought the Underdark to heel.

Average Intelligence

Drow have an above average intelligence, as is common with most elves.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Drow often communicate using Undercommon, a deep, rough language that is often indiscernible by those who do not know of it. It is learned by all Drow, and there are very, very few who do not know it.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Drow have become exceptionally adept at the use of crossbows and spears to face down these creatures at range. After constant need for defense against such things, it is not uncommon for most Drow to know how to wield these weapons in the name of their own survival. This tenacity is owed to their ferocious faith in their dark Goddess, Zalii’Kost. She is the Goddess of Power, Fertility and Vengeance. Her pantheon consists of several deities, all female, who are various forms of female domination. They are fanatically followed and worshipped by all Drow, and oftentimes are seen being praised mid-battle.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The Drow Pantheon has several goddesses, three of whom are the most known, and most worshipped. They are as follows.

• Sassintra, Goddess of Domination
• Pellanva, Goddess of Revenge
• Ssapriina, Goddess of Subjugation

These Goddesses are the most well known and worshipped of the Pantheon. They are revered by Drow of all classes. They can often be seen as idols carried by those who have professions that reflect their faith. Many soldiers and warriors worship Ssapriina, while many politicians and nobles worship Sassintra.

History

There is much that is unknown about the Drow themselves. They are known to come from a place only ever referred to by the elves as “The Underdark”. This is a place where few tread, and even fewer return, unless they are Drow by nature.

Historical Figures

There are a few families within Drow society that have true power and prominence, and even less so now after the actions of the Matriarch during the ‘Wrath of Talons’. Now there is a power vacuum, with every remaining Dominion vying for the Matriarch's favor and attempting to make themselves prominent enough for her notice. This has resulted in absolute power for the Matriarch, and the promise of a few new family names.

• Hylach Dominion
• Nizana Dominion
• Talssysn Dominion

These families are small, and rather new to the scene of power, but they all attempt to please the Matriarch in turn. Anything from acts of violence, to attempted eradication to opposing houses, to claiming of territory, these Dominions obey their Matriarch’s orders to the letter. These families have servants, and private retinues, built over time and conscripted from the younger males within these Dominion’s territory. Often times the females are officers to these companies, and the females who do not serve as warriors often find themselves acting as assassins.
Assassins who do their job, and well, can find themselves contacted by servants of the Matriarch - and commanded to serve as her personal Shadows. The Shadows are an elite, all female, handpicked force of assassins who serve as protectors and extensions of Matriarch T'rislanna Tlin'arran’s will. These Shadows serve until death. Once inducted, the life of a Shadow is all you will know.

Common Myths and Legends

Some females are purposefully sold to outsiders, or made to look as though they are vulnerable - so they are enslaved and brought to the nearest city center. This practice is rare, but it does exist - and these women are not helpless. They serve as the Matriarch’s Spiders - spies who are being used to build a web of connections and locations in the world above, especially in Eshma Thalas, among the lower class, and Drow whomst live there. These Spiders establish connections with the surrounding people who either find themselves subverted by guile, wit, or pure desire, and use them to undermine or weaken their enemies. These Spiders also are used to locate and learn about targets for the Matriarch’s Shadows.
Perhaps the most unsettling thing about these people, is that it is known they exist, but no one acknowledges this within Drow society. It is a whisper, and breeze in the air, something you know is there, but never look for. To mention them, is to risk knowing too much - and rare is the Drow that is that foolish.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Heavily watched and restricted by the surface elves, the Drow rarely ever head outside the Underdark. They stick to themselves, and refuse to trade with most from the surface.

Average Length

5 ft tall

Average Physique

While not muscle-bound and ripped as some races, Drow do still have the capacity for above average strength and speed, even if their constitution tends to the average side.