Dark Elves (Drow)
Basic Information
Biological Traits
The Drow, as is their name for themselves, appear very much like high elves, albeit they are often shorter and leaner weighing less than 100 lbs. on average and usually less than 5 ft. in height. This, most scholars assume, is a result of their diet being extremely limited based on the options available in the underdark. In concert with the diminutive size, dark elves also have dark skin ranging from a pale purple to a pitch black. The developed this skin color over the thousands of years they spent in their cities miles underground as a camouflaging technique to make them harder to see in the interminable darkness of the underdark.
Adapting to the darkness did not come easy, however over generations of evolution, the dark elves acquired a sight level superior to that of their surface dwelling brethren: thermographic vision. Over generations in the underdark, evolution determined that simple low-light vision like their elven ancestors had would not be enough to survive in the pitch black of the underdark and so the developed the ability to see into the infrared spectrum, allowing them to negate the need for any kind of light whatsoever. (NOTE: Mechanically this does not differ from a Dark Elf's Superior Darkvision trait, it is simply a narrative spin on it that I decided to add.) They still retain low-light vision, and can switch between the two when necessary. They are also incredibly fast, and would need to be to survive the horrors that call the heart of the earth their home.
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Although it did not begin that way, under Lolth's influence drow society has developed to become extremely matriarchal to the extent that male drow are considered of little worth beyond fighting in wars and providing seed for reproduction. Outside of that, male drow are almost considered slave in dark elf society.
Drow society tends to be falsely honorable. In fact, one could consider it a racial trait that any given drow is as pathological liar. I say falsely honorable because each individual and family is constantly vying for the praise and favor of Lolth. They must do this in the most honorable and decent way possible, less Lolth become displeased. This is not to say that duplicitous or outright traitorous acts are forbidden, quite the opposite, they are encouraged. What is forbidden is getting caught. Being caught lying, cheating or stealing your way into Lolth's favor is indicative that you never deserved it in the first place and a quick way to a family wide execution.
History
In the dawning generations of the Age of Blood Maferath the Destroyer sought to corrupt the hearts and souls of the Children of Solun. The first of these was the elves, and in those first few generations thousands of Elves were lead astray by the servants of Maferath.
During the Age of Blood and the centuries of war that followed those first few corrupted elves fought alongside Maferath and his Balor, but in time they were defeated and driven into hiding. The first colony of Dark Elves managed to escape the wrath of their ancestors by travelling into the massive tunnel network that exists miles beneath the surface of the world known as the underdark. Many perished during the first few generations as the dark elves fought for their very survival against the myriad of hostile creatures within the underdark. These years upon years of constant battle and strife bread a species of itinerant warriors, masters of death and cunning villains.
Then, with Maferath's fall at the end of The Creation Wars the drow were forgotten. Left behind relics of a failed kingdom based on evil, corruption and death. Abandoned by their old god, they sought a new one. At some point in history, not even the drow are entirely sure when, the dark elves contact Lolth, a dark minor goddess from a distant plane of existent. Recognizing these drow as only different in origin from those she claimed on her plane of existence, she adopted them into her fold of followers and they have worshiped her and developed their society around her beliefs ever since.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Dror are above all else, arrogant. They got their trait from their creator and first god Maferath who thought himself above even his own creator Solun. There are not that many options for sentient life in the underdark, and drow hate the sunlight so only rarely have they ever been provoked to go above ground. But in their encounters with those who's path they have come across it is always the same: submit to us and our slaves for being inferior beings, or die by our blade. And more species than not have indeed died by a drow's adamantine blade.
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