Drow Elves

Basic Information

Anatomy

Drow Elves have slender, agile bodies typically ranging from 5'4" to 5'7" in height. Their skin ranges from dark gray to obsidian black, often with a faint blue tint. Hair is usually white, silver, or pale yellow. They possess large eyes that are often vivid shades of red, lavender, or blue, adapted for seeing in the dark. Like other elves, they have pointed ears, but theirs might be slightly longer and more swept back.

Growth Rate & Stages

Childhood

Drow births, while not as rare as surface elven births, are still significant events. Each birth represents a new soul entering the world, shaped by the harsh realities of Underdark life and Lolth's influence. Drow children are raised in a competitive and often cruel environment, where strength and cunning are valued above all. Unlike their surface cousins, Drow children do not experience memories of past lives during trance, as their souls are bound to a single mortal existence.

Adolescence

The transition to adolescence for Drow is marked by a rite of passage, often a test of strength, cunning, or loyalty to Lolth. This typically occurs around 15-20 years of age. Adolescent Drow focus on honing their skills in magic, combat, and political maneuvering. They learn to use trance for reflection and planning, but without the connection to past lives that surface elves experience. The adolescent phase for Drow is shorter than for surface elves, typically lasting 30-40 years, reflecting the more intense and dangerous nature of Drow society.

Adulthood

Adulthood for Drow begins around 50-60 years of age, marked by their full integration into Drow society's complex power structures. Adult Drow are expected to continually prove their worth and climb the social ladder, often through ruthless means. Their trance state is used for strategic planning, honing skills, and occasionally as a brief respite from the constant vigilance required in Drow society. The adult phase for Drow can last for centuries, but many do not survive this long due to the dangerous nature of their society.

Elder

Drow elders are rare, as reaching old age in Drow society is often seen as a sign of weakness. Those who do become elders, usually around 350-400 years old, are typically powerful individuals who have managed to secure a stable position in the hierarchy. Unlike surface elf elders, Drow elders do not experience visions of other lives. Instead, their trance state often becomes a time of paranoid vigilance, planning, and reflection on their own experiences. Some elder Drow may become more reclusive, focusing on magical research or religious devotion to Lolth.

Death and Afterlife

When a Drow dies, their soul does not return to Arvandor for rebirth as surface elf souls do. Instead, Drow souls typically go to Lolth's domain in the Abyss. There is no cycle of rebirth for Drow; each life is their only chance at existence. This finality often contributes to the ruthless and ambitious nature of Drow society, as each individual strives to make the most of their single lifetime.

Ecology and Habitats

Drow elves primarily inhabit the vast underground realm known as the Underdark. This subterranean world is a network of caverns, tunnels, and underground seas that spans beneath the surface world. The Underdark is a harsh and unforgiving environment, characterized by:

• Perpetual darkness, broken only by bioluminescent fungi and magical light sources
• Extreme temperatures, ranging from scalding heat near volcanic areas to bone-chilling cold in deeper caverns
• Toxic gases and dangerous spores in certain regions
• Limited resources, leading to fierce competition among its denizens

Drow Cities

 Drow construct their cities in massive caverns, often centered around underground lakes or intersections of major tunnels. Notable examples include:

• Xyndra'Kul 
• Sigmarhel 

Adaptation to Environment

Drow have evolved several adaptations to thrive in the Underdark:

• Superior darkvision, allowing them to see in complete darkness
• Innate magical abilities, particularly those related to darkness and deception
• Sensitivity to sunlight, a drawback of their underground adaptation

Dietary Needs and Habits

Drow are omnivorous but have adapted to a diet heavy in fungi, cave fish, and subterranean animals. They have a tolerance for mildly toxic substances that other races might find inedible. Many Drow cultivate a taste for exotic and rare foods, often using them as status symbols.

Behaviour

Drow society is characterized by ambition, cunning, and a constant struggle for power. They are often perceived as cruel and treacherous by other races, a reputation not entirely undeserved. However, this behavior stems from their harsh underground environment and the influence of their goddess, Lolth.
They possess a deep-seated belief in their own superiority, not just over other races but over other elves as well. This manifests as a drive for perfection in their chosen fields, be it magic, warfare, or political intrigue.
Drow have a complex relationship with their elven heritage. While they scorn surface elves, they still maintain pride in their elven nature, seeing themselves as the true inheritors of elven greatness.
Their society is matriarchal, with females holding most positions of power. This dynamic heavily influences Drow psychology, with males often struggling to prove their worth.
Despite their reputation, Drow are capable of a full range of emotions, including love and compassion, though these are often suppressed in their cutthroat society. Those who escape to the surface may discover and nurture these "softer" aspects of themselves.
Drow have a strong affinity for magic, particularly shadow magic and divine magic related to Lolth. This magical aptitude is a source of pride and is often used as a means of gaining power and influence.
The constant backstabbing and politicking in Drow society has made them naturally suspicious and paranoid, always looking for hidden motives in others' actions.

Additional Information

Social Structure

• Matriarchal. Drow society is dominated by females, with males occupying subservient roles.
• House System. Society is organized into noble houses, each ruled by a Matron Mother. Houses constantly vie for power and position. Lower-ranked houses serve higher-ranked ones, creating a complex web of alliances and rivalries.
• Lolth's Influence. The Spider Queen's worship permeates all aspects of society, with priestesses holding significant power.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Drow have exceptional darkvision, allowing them to see clearly in complete darkness. Their hearing is acute, and they possess a heightened sense of touch, useful in navigating dark caverns. They are sensitive to bright light, which can cause them discomfort.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

• Compound Names. Drow names are often compound words, combining two or more elements from their vocabulary. This reflects the complexity of their language and culture.
• Meaningful Components. Each part of the name typically has a specific meaning, often relating to aspects of the Underdark, Drow culture, or desired traits.
• Use of Apostrophes. Names frequently include apostrophes to connect different elements, mirroring the language's adjective-noun agreement structure.
• Dark Themes. Names often incorporate words related to darkness, secrets, shadows, and other concepts important in Drow society.
• Gendered Suffixes. It's common in many cultures to have gendered name endings. For Drow, this is '-in' for females and '-al' for males.
• Titles and Honorifics. Given the hierarchical nature of Drow society, names might include or be preceded by titles indicating social status or magical prowess.

Example names ( female ):

• Zhaen'sharaal (Whisper of Gloom)
• Vel'zindin (Shadow Dancer)
• Nylo'phalin (Night Secret)

Example names ( male ):

• Dosin'ziral (Shadow Blade)
• Undar'shindal (Crystal of the Deep)
• Zor'velal (Veiled Chasm)

Major Organizations

• Burning Spiders, organization focused on smuggling things from and to Underdark near Fatharik 

History

The Drow Elves trace their origins to the earliest days of elven civilization. Initially part of the unified elven race created by Corellon , a significant schism occurred that would forever change their destiny.
In ancient times, a group of elves led by Araushnee (later known as Lolth) formed the Rhae'velahr, or "Untamed Brotherhood." This faction sought to expand the elven experience beyond the perceived limitations of Corellon's paradise. They pursued deeper emotions, darker knowledge, and more intense experiences than their kin.
As the Rhae'velahr delved into these new aspects of existence, they found themselves physically and spiritually changing. Their forms began to adapt to their evolving consciousness, and they felt drawn to the subterranean realms. This led to their retreat into the Underdark, a vast network of underground caverns and tunnels.
For tens of thousands of years, the Rhae'velahr remained isolated in the Underdark, developing a distinct culture and society. During this time, they underwent significant physiological changes, their skin darkening and their eyes adapting to the perpetual darkness of their new home. 
When they eventually re-emerged and made contact with surface elves, the two groups found themselves irrevocably changed. The surface elves dubbed their underground kin "Drow," a term the subterranean elves adopted and turned into a point of pride.
Under the guidance of Lolth, who had ascended to godhood, Drow society evolved into a matriarchal theocracy. They built vast underground cities, developed potent forms of magic, and established a complex social hierarchy based on strength, cunning, and devotion to Lolth.
Drow culture came to value ambition, power, and survival above all else. Their harsh environment and religious beliefs shaped them into a race known for its cruelty, cunning, and exceptional skill in magic and warfare.
Over time, the Drow established themselves as one of the dominant forces in the Underdark, often coming into conflict with other subterranean races and surface dwellers alike. Their raids on the surface world and their reputation for cruelty have made them feared and hated by many, while their achievements in magic and architecture have reluctantly earned them respect in certain quarters.
Despite the millennia that have passed, the Drow maintain a deep-seated enmity towards surface elves, viewing them as weak and misguided. This antagonism, combined with their ambition and the influence of Lolth, continues to shape Drow society and their interactions with the wider world.

Statblock 
Drow Elves

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Elvenkind

Scientific Name

Dor'quessir ( Dark People )

Origin/Ancestry

Underdark

Lifespan

between 700 and 1000 years

Average Height

5'4" - 5'7"

Average Weight

80 to 155 pounds

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin color. Ranges from deep ebony to dark grey, sometimes with a subtle purple or blue undertone. 
Tattoos. Many Drow adorn themselves with intricate tattoos, often in white or silver ink to stand out against their dark skin. These can denote house allegiance, personal achievements, or religious devotion.