Drow (Dark Elves)

The Dreaded Subterranean Overlords

The Drow, or Dark Elves, are the almost-exclusively evil cousins of the surface Elves. Long ago, the Drow were driven underground by the war between the Yuan-Ti and their slaves, and as they waited in the UNderdark for their kin to rescue them, a rescue never came. Thought dead by the other Elves, the Drow were forgotten, and under the influence of the dark Elven goddess Llolth the Drow became bitter and xenophobic, and made the Underdark their domain.

Believing their brethren had abandoned them, the Drow became so filled with hate that they declared an eternal war against their kin. In addition to their Elven fratricidal crusade, the Drow continue to plot and plan on world domination, to bring all people both on the surface and under it under the Drow's iron rule.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Drow are similar to other Elves, though they stand slightly taller than their above-ground kin and have dark, almost charcoal-black or purplish skin. Their hair is white or silver, and their eyes tend towards red shades, purples, or white.

Genetics and Reproduction

Drow reproduce like other humanoid races.

Additional Information

Social Structure

See Drow of Menzoberranzan.

Facial characteristics

Roughly the same as a High Elf's, but with much darker skin and white or silver hair.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Throughout the Underdark

Average Intelligence

12 INT

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Drow have no extraordinary senses, but they can see exceptionally well in the dark, due to living in the Underdark for hundreds of years.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Same as the High Elves.

Beauty Ideals

Drow are matriarchal, and so feminine features, even in the males, are seen as much more beautiful. However, males are also valued and seen as attractive for incredibly masculine traits, but only if they fit the visage of their god Vhaeraun.

Gender Ideals

Drow, being wholly controlled by the dictates of Llolth, outlaw transgenderification. Males at birth stay that way, as do females.

Courtship Ideals

The Drow's matriarchal society dictates most courtships. Partners are selected based on familial ties, genetics, and magical aptitude.

Relationship Ideals

Most Drow, especially those in the Underdark, are paired in an arranged marriage for the sole purpose of strengthening the Drow race through reproduction. Though they may grow to love each other, the partners are matched based on their genetic and magical compatibility or by families wishing to tie bloodlines together, rather than any sort of affection.

Average Technological Level

Renaissance-level technology. Drow biology manipulation and transfiguration is far ahead of the surface races, however, and their greatest strength is their mutant slaves.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Undercommon, Elvish, Drow, Abyssal

History

The Drow were once close kin to the other Elven species, living on the surface with their gods and creating wonderful magics and architecture. When the gods left, and the Yuan-Ti rose to power, the Drow were some of the first to be enslaved by the Yuan-Ti because of their larger frames and higher intellect. When the High Elves led the slaves' revolt, the Drow fled underground, and then Yuan-Ti chased after them. Fleeing into the Underdark, the Yuan-Ti gave up the chase, and the other Elves believed their kin to be destroyed. This led to the Drow becoming what they are today. They waited for rescue that never came, and many turned to the dark goddess Llolth for protection in their new, dark home. Llolth, newly invigorated with worshipers, shaped the Drow into denizens of the Underdark, and cultivated a ruthless and xenophobic culture for them to adhere to.

Historical Figures

Kiaransalee, Daughter of Llolth, Cerebor Vharandrus,

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Drow are constantly at war with almost every other race in the world; the only races they have a non-antagonistic relationship with are the Svirfneblin and the Duergar, and even they are not allies per se, just uneasy neighbors.

Scientific Name

Homo sapiens svartaelfar

Origin/Ancestry

Elven

Lifespan

500 years

Average Height

5' 5" to 6' 5"

Average Weight

130 to 250 lbs

Average Physique

10 STR, 12 DEX, 8 CON

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Roughly the same as a High Elf's, but with much darker skin.

Related Ethnicities

• Drow of Menzoberranzan

Related Materials

• Cold Iron