Drow'Kara

Drow Culture

Naming Traditions

Family names

• Baenre (noble house)
• Do'Urden (noble house)
• Xorlarrin (house known for warriors)
• Baenre (house known for magic)
• Jarlaxle Baenre (infamous pirate lord)
• Menzobarren (city known for intrigue)
• House Xorlarrin
• Clan Melarn
• House Baenre
• Clan Dhun't
• Tribe Ilvara

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Power as Currency: Every aspect of Drow life revolves around power. It's displayed in every interaction, from cunning wordplay to displays of magical prowess. Respect is earned through strength, intelligence, and arcane ability, forming the backbone of their social hierarchy.
Shadow Dance of Emotions: Displays of affection are rare, replaced by subtle gestures, shared dangers, and unspoken understanding. Love and loyalty exist, but run deep within established circles, prioritizing family and house above outward emotion.
Intrigue and Mystery: Openness is shunned. Riddles test wit, veiled threats hint at power plays, and challenges showcase potential. This creates a culture steeped in secrets and hidden agendas, where even greetings can hold double meanings.
Underdark Harmony: Their harsh, unforgiving environment demands respect. Drow revere the Underdark's power, adapting and harnessing its resources to survive. This fosters a pragmatic approach to life, valuing resilience and resourcefulness.
Lineage and Legacy: Family history holds immense weight. Houses compete for power and influence, each with unique traditions and rituals. Ancestry dictates social standing, but individual prowess can rewrite expectations.

Spiderweb Aesthetics: Their art and architecture echo the Underdark's beauty and danger. Spiderweb motifs symbolize cunning and connection to their goddess. Dark stone dominates, carved with glowing runes and adorned with obsidian jewelry. Functionality reigns supreme, yet elegance emerges in intricate details.
Functional Cuisine: Food reflects their practicality. Mushrooms, cave creatures, and bioluminescent fruits form the base, seasoned sparingly to highlight natural flavors. Communal meals, often accompanied by dark, acidic wines, provide sustenance and social connection.
Cunning and Adaptability: Drow society is built on constant maneuvering. They excel at manipulation, strategy, and adapting to challenges. This inherent cunning, however, can easily breed suspicion and betrayals.
Magic as Power: Arcane ability holds a revered position. Spellcasters wield immense influence, and magical knowledge is fiercely guarded. This fascination with magic shapes their cultural identity and societal structure.

Shared customary codes and values

Power: The ultimate currency, displayed through intellect, magic, cunning, and strength. Respect flows to those who wield it well.
Respect: Earned, not given, expressed through subtle gestures and strategic partnerships, not outward affection.
Pragmatism: Emotions take a backseat to logic and self-interest, though loyalty to family and house runs deep.
Mystery: Open displays are shunned, replaced by riddles, challenges, and veiled intentions, creating a constant air of intrigue.
Shadowdance: Public displays of affection are rare, replaced by subtle touches, shared dangers, and unspoken understanding.

Shared Power: Alliances built on mutual benefit thrive, forming bonds as cold and calculating as their obsidian world.
Underdark Harmony: Respect for the harsh environment and its dangers, valuing resilience and adaptation.

Common Etiquette rules

Drow etiquette dances on razor's edge, cloaked in subtlety and laced with danger. Public displays are shunned, replaced by cryptic gestures and veiled expressions. Challenges test prowess, riddles tease wit, and gifts whisper hidden agendas. Respect, not affection, is the currency earned through cunning, strength, and arcane might. Public displays of love are deemed naive, replaced by measured touches, shared perils, and understanding woven into alliances as cold and calculating as the Underdark itself. In this realm of shadows, every interaction holds potential for power plays and hidden meanings, making even the simplest courtesy a step in a complex, silent dance.

Common Dress code

Drow fashion exudes both elegance and practicality. Functionality rules: clothing crafted from spider silk or dark, breathable fabrics allows for swift movement and protects against the harsh environment. Black, grey, and deep purples dominate, blending with the shadows.
Power is displayed subtly: intricate embroidery or gemstones hint at magical prowess or family lineage. Spiderweb motifs are prevalent, symbolizing both the Drow's connection to their goddess and their cunning nature.
Gender roles aren't strict: both men and women wear form-fitting clothing that accentuates agility, though women may favor dresses or flowing pants, while men often wear tunics and trousers. Armor is common, often integrated seamlessly into everyday attire.
Accessories carry weight: masks or veils add an air of mystery, while jewelry crafted from obsidian or rare Underdark materials showcases wealth and status. Each detail, from fabric choice to the smallest adornment, speaks volumes in the silent language of the Drow.

Art & Architecture

In the Drow's subterranean world, art and architecture become testaments to power and mystery. Sleek, dark stone dominates, carved with spidery motifs and glowing runes that hum with magic. Sculptures twist and writhe, capturing the Underdark's untamed beauty and danger. Murals depict not idyllic landscapes, but battles won, betrayals enacted, and arcane rituals etched with chilling precision. Architecture leans towards the imposing and functional, with towering fortresses carved into mountainsides, labyrinthine cities defying gravity, and intricate bridges spanning vast caverns. Yet, amidst the harshness, beauty emerges in the intricate details: shimmering waterfalls spilling into obsidian pools, delicate spiderweb-thin bridges, and hidden gardens nurtured by bioluminescent fungi. Each element of Drow art and architecture serves a purpose, whispering power, history, and the ever-present darkness that lies at the heart of their world.

Foods & Cuisine

Drow cuisine reflects their harsh environment and pragmatic nature. Mushrooms, both cultivated and foraged, form the base of many dishes, offering nutrients and versatility. Spiders, considered delicacies, are roasted, fried, or incorporated into stews. Creatures raised or hunted in the Underdark, like cave fish and blind lizards, provide protein. Underground fruits and vegetables, often adapted to bioluminescence, add vibrant color and nutrients. Spices are used sparingly, favoring natural flavors. Meals are communal affairs, served with dark, acidic wines fermented from rare Underdark fruits. While not flashy, Drow cuisine is functional, flavorful, and a testament to their adaptability and resourcefulness.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Respect over affection: Public displays of love are rare, replaced by subtle touches, shared dangers, and unspoken understanding. It's all about who you know and what you do.
Challenges over compliments: Bragging is replaced by showing off in duels, riddles, and feats of skill. Your power speaks louder than words.
Secrecy over sharing: Openness is a weakness. Veiled messages, hidden agendas, and cryptic greetings are the norm. Keep your enemies guessing.
Darkness is beautiful: Clothes are dark and practical, art celebrates the Underdark's dangers, and food focuses on functionality. Beauty emerges in subtle details, like glowing fungi and spiderweb designs.
Family matters most: Your house and lineage define you. Respect your elders, compete for power, and uphold family traditions (even the bloodthirsty ones).
Mushrooms are life: Forget sunshine and daisies. Mushrooms, cave creatures, and bioluminescent fruits fuel the Drow. Meals are communal, and the wine is dark and acidic.
Magic is king: Spellcasters rule the roost. Magic knowledge is coveted, and arcane ability earns you serious respect (and maybe a bit of fear).
Adaptability is key: Be cunning, strategic, and ready to face any challenge. The Underdark is unforgiving, and the Drow thrive on their ability to bend with the shadows.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Underdark Hatchlings: Drow Birth & Baptismal Rites In the dim caverns where spiders spin their webs and shadows whisper secrets, Drow births are not joyous celebrations, but solemn rituals steeped in power and survival. Here's a peek into their unique traditions:
Birth:

• Secrecy and silence: Births are shrouded in secrecy, often taking place within hidden chambers protected by magic and loyal guards. Public displays of emotion are forbidden, replaced by stoic acceptance.
• Trials for mother and child: The birthing process is seen as a test of a woman's strength and resilience. Both mother and child face challenges devised by midwives or priestesses, ensuring their fitness for a harsh world.
• Spiderweb blessings: Newly born infants are swaddled in spider silk, symbolizing connection to their goddess and the web of fate that binds them. Blessings are whispered, calling upon the dark deities for protection and cunning.

Baptismal Rites:

• Timing and significance: Not immediately after birth, but when the child shows signs of awareness and potential, usually around the age of five. This rite signifies their official entry into Drow society.
• Trial by darkness: The child is blindfolded and led through a labyrinthine cave, facing challenges that test their senses, courage, and cunning. This symbolizes their journey through the perilous Underdark and their potential to navigate its dangers.
• Marking by magic: Upon successful completion, the child is branded with a sigil signifying their house and allegiance. This mark signifies their place within the intricate web of Drow power and responsibility.
• Sacrifice and offering: A small offering, often a drop of blood or a precious gem, is made to the dark deities, solidifying the child's bond with the powers that guide the Drow.

Variations and Influences:

• House specific traditions: Each house might have unique rituals or challenges within the overall framework.
• Clerical presence: Priestesses or warlocks often officiate, wielding magic and reciting prayers.
• Individual expression: While stoicism is encouraged, some families might incorporate personal touches based on their beliefs or history.

Coming of Age Rites

Drow adolescence culminates not in a joyous celebration, but in a harrowing Trial of Shadows. At ten, blindfolded and alone, they navigate treacherous caverns, facing illusions, monstrous creatures, and riddles whispered by the darkness itself. Success earns them not applause, but a place in the web of Drow society. Their house sigil is branded onto their flesh, marking them as warriors, mages, or servants. A blood offering to the dark deities seals their fate, their loyalty etched in pain. This is no mere transition; it's a baptism by fear, a test of cunning and resilience that thrusts them into the harsh reality of their subterranean world, forever bound to the shadows they walk.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Drow funerals are not solemn farewells, but calculated rituals woven with respect, pragmatism, and a touch of chilling practicality. Here's a glimpse into their unique customs:
Preparation:

• No public mourning: Open displays of grief are seen as weakness. Family members might express sorrow subtly, but outward emotions are suppressed.
• Embalming: Bodies are meticulously embalmed, using dark magic to preserve them and prevent resurrection by enemies. Spider silk shrouds adorn the deceased, symbolizing their return to the web of fate.
• House traditions: Specific rituals vary by house, often involving prayers to dark deities, blood offerings, and the weaving of complex spells to ensure the deceased reaches their designated afterlife.

Burial:

• No surface burials: The Underdark claims its own. Bodies are interred in labyrinthine crypts, hidden chambers, or even lava flows, depending on the deceased's status and potential threat of resurrection.
• Treasure and sacrifice: Valuable possessions and even slaves might be sacrificed and buried alongside the deceased, a testament to their power and a potential offering to appease the dark gods.
• Magic seals: Powerful magical wards and traps are often placed around burial sites, protecting the deceased from grave robbers and ensuring their undisturbed journey to the afterlife.

Afterlife:

• Fate based on deeds: Drow believe in multiple afterlives, with each deity offering a different realm based on the individual's deeds and sacrifices. Warriors might find solace in the realm of war, while cunning mages might ascend to the halls of arcane knowledge.
• Ancestral reverence: Ancestors are revered and held in high regard. Their spirits are believed to watch over the living, offering guidance and blessings to those who uphold family traditions and bring glory to the house.
• Vengeance over mourning: Excessive mourning is discouraged. Revenge against those who caused the death is often encouraged, ensuring the deceased finds peace knowing their enemies have been punished.

Common Taboos

the Drow, where every action holds potential power plays and hidden meanings, taboos go beyond simple "don'ts" and delve into complex social fabric and unspoken rules. Here are some key Drow taboos:
Open Displays of Emotion: Public expressions of love, grief, or joy are seen as weakness and vulnerability. Tears, laughter, and passionate declarations are reserved for the privacy of trusted family or within carefully controlled situations.
Disrespecting Tradition and Hierarchy: Challenging ancestral traditions, questioning house leadership, or defying established societal roles is a major taboo. This includes disrespecting elders, superiors, and those of higher social standing.
Betrayal of Family or House: The bonds of family and house are paramount. Betraying them through treachery, collaboration with outsiders, or aiding rivals is considered the ultimate sin, punishable by swift and often brutal means.
Sharing Magical Secrets: Magic is power, and knowledge is leverage. Sharing magical secrets outside of trusted circles, with unproven loyalty, or for personal gain is strictly forbidden. This extends to magical artifacts and powerful rituals.
Disrespecting the Underdark: The harsh subterranean world is both home and deity to the Drow. Polluting the environment, disrespecting sacred caverns, or disturbing ancient artifacts are seen as offenses against the very foundation of their existence.
Open Worship of Unfavored Deities: While the Drow pantheon dominates their beliefs, openly worshipping deities outside their favored ones, especially those associated with the surface world, is seen as heretical and potentially dangerous.
Cowardice in Battle: While cunning tactics and strategy are valued, outright cowardice in the face of an enemy, especially during organized battles or duels, is a severe taboo. It brings shame upon the individual and potentially endangers the entire house.
Failure to Uphold Family Honor: Every action reflects on the family name. Failing to complete assigned tasks, losing duels, or bringing dishonor through incompetence brings great shame and can lead to punishment or even exile.
Mercy towards Enemies: Showing mercy to your enemies is seen as weakness and undermines the Drow's ruthless reputation. While strategic alliances and temporary truces may occur, true forgiveness is rarely offered, and vengeance usually prevails.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Drow beauty transcends mere physicality, embracing elements of power, mystery, and connection to the Underdark. Pale, flawless skin reflects their subterranean existence, while stark veins, especially silver or violet, are seen as alluring markings of arcane potential. Ebon hair, styled in intricate braids or left to flow freely, evokes darkness and depth. Glowing, vibrant eyes, ranging from fiery red to icy blue, are windows to both inner power and the secrets of the Underdark. Slender builds emphasize agility and grace, while tattoos showcasing family history, magical prowess, or allegiance add layers of intrigue. Beauty is found in the subtle: a knowing smirk, a flick of a spiderweb-thin wrist, or the glint of moonlight on obsidian jewelry. Ultimately, Drow beauty isn't simply skin deep, but a mesmerizing blend of physical elegance, arcane power, and an air of otherworldly mystery.

Courtship Ideals

In the dim chambers of the Underdark, where shadows whisper and intrigue thrives, Drow courtship follows a dance of power and mystery. Forget ballads and stolen glances; here, duels showcase prowess, riddles test wit, and whispered secrets reveal ambition. Women initiate the dance, offering challenges to potential suitors: a dangerous spelunking expedition, a daring raid on a rival house, or the untangling of a cryptic riddle. Impressing through intelligence, cunning, and courage holds more weight than outward displays of affection. Gifts, if exchanged, are subtle – a rare gemstone hinting at hidden depths, a strategically placed spellbook revealing magical aptitude. Love, openly declared, is considered naive and weak, making veiled pronouncements and gestures of respect the preferred currency. Success earns not passionate confessions, but subtle signs of approval: a shared goblet of drowwine, a shared spell woven in tandem, or perhaps a strategically placed hand upon the arm during a tense negotiation. This is a courtship born not of fleeting emotions, but of mutual respect, shared cunning, and the understanding that together, their power and influence can rise like a spiderweb in the dark, ensnaring all who underestimate them.

Relationship Ideals

In the shadowy depths, Drow relationships weave intricate tapestries, bound not by passionate displays, but by pragmatism and shared ambition. Respect trumps affection, evidenced through subtle gestures and strategic partnerships. Power holds allure, with individuals drawn to those who showcase cunning, strength, and arcane prowess. Loyalty runs deep, but within specific circles, often favoring family and house above emotional attachments. Public displays of affection are rare, replaced by veiled hints and shared challenges that test wit and courage. Ultimately, love is a whisper amidst the shadows, woven into power struggles and alliances, forming bonds as cold and calculating as the obsidian caves they call home.

Parent ethnicities

• Elvish Lineage

Encompassed species

• Elf