Physical Description: Drow are slightly shorter than surface elves, typically standing around 5 to 5.7 feet tall. They share the elegant and graceful features common to all elves, with lithe, agile bodies. Their most distinguishing physical characteristic is their skin, which can be black, blue, or gray, making them appear noticeably different from other elves. Their hair is typically pale, almost white, and their eyes come in a wide range of colors. Drow have pointed ears, similar to other elves, and these are often adorned with intricate piercings and jewelry. Their striking appearance is enhanced by their dark, often stylish clothing, and they are known for their well-crafted weapons and armor.
Social and Interpersonal Aspects: Drow society is complex and marked by its matriarchal structure and extreme cruelty. Here are some key social and interpersonal aspects of drow society.
1. Matriarchy: Drow society is primarily run by females, with powerful priestesses and matrons holding significant authority. They worship a malevolent spider goddess, Lolth, and their society revolves around her worship and the pursuit of power and dominance. The power struggles within drow society are often fierce and deadly, and ambitious individuals constantly vie for position and favor.
2. Evil Alignment: Most drow are inherently evil, and their society is marked by treachery, deception, and a lack of empathy for others. Acts of cruelty and betrayal are common, and trust is rarely given, even within families. This makes it a harsh and unforgiving environment for those who are not ruthless and cunning.
3. Rare Good Drow: Good-aligned drow are exceedingly rare, but they do exist. These individuals often struggle to survive in the brutal drow society, and many eventually leave their homes to seek a different path. Their rarity often makes them a target of suspicion and mistrust, as other drow find it difficult to comprehend their moral compass.
4. Darkvision: Drow possess exceptional darkvision, allowing them to see in complete darkness up to 120 feet. This ability, honed over centuries in the depths of the Underdark, gives them a significant advantage in the subterranean world. However, they are sensitive to bright sunlight, which can be painful and debilitating, leading to a -1 penalty on all rolls when exposed to intense light.
5. Magical Aptitude: Drow have a natural affinity for magic, and many of their society's leaders are skilled spellcasters. They excel in arcane and divine magic, and their magical abilities often contribute to their power and influence.
In summary, drow are a distinct elven subrace with a dark and complex society characterized by cruelty, ambition, and a matriarchal structure. Good drow are exceedingly rare, but their existence is a testament to the potential for change and redemption even in the harshest of environments.
Their race gains a +1 bonus to resist poison/toxins and +2 to resist harmful magical spells/rituals directed against them (Superior Magic Resistance Talent). In addition, they have the ability to call upon one innate ability once per day (commonly Darkness 10’ Radius, Levitation, or Blur, though some others are also possible, Innate Magical Ability Enhancement). Drow gain a +1 to hit or damage with a weapon of their choosing. Drow characters cannot choose the Holy Warrior or Paladin Vocations.
Drow can reproduce with humans, though such pairings, like other half-breeds, are frowned upon. Depending upon the religious nature of the society, punishment can be assigned to females who produce half-races. The only exception to this is racial parings that have been ‘sanctioned’ by the faith. Commonly, these pairings result in the production of Driders, which require extensive magical ability to produce. Drow breeding with elves produce either a full elf or full drow offspring.
Racial Advantages:
Extended Life Span (453-540 years)
Dexterity Stat Boost (D8)
Perception Superior Stat (D6+1), 120 ft Darkvision
Gain Innate Magical Ability Enhancement
Gain (+2) to resist poison/toxins with physical resistance rolls
Gain (+2) to resist harmful magic directed at them
Gain a boost to (1) RANDOM everyman skill
Gain a +1 to hit OR damage with a chosen weapon
Racial Disadvantages:
Thin and Frail (-3) to starting HPS
Constitution Stat Penalty (D4)
Constitution Stat capped at (D10)
Race cannot take the Holy Warrior or Paladin Vocations
Race feared and disliked by underground dwelling goodly races (-2 to reactions)
-2 to ALL actions when in Bright Lights
GM approval required to play this race