| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| BlackDragonKarameikos |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 07:44:11
I actually have several questions concerning the Drow race.
1.) what kind of Lycanthropes would you see in the underdark? and which ones would be the most likely that a Drow would be bitten by? I know the Werebat would be the most logical one but what others do you think would possibly be down there?
2.) What classess other than Cleric, Wizard, or Fighter, would you think the Drow would take? The ones that I think would almost never be seen is the Druid, Monk, and possibly Ranger. The one I KNOW would never be seen is the Paladin, mostly because it requires a lawful good alignment and most Drow are evil.
3.) Would the Drow have any type of Psionic ability? If so how often would you say it may appear in the race? often, seldom, or rarely?
Any help would be appreciated. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 17:43:28
And don't forget the Lolth-bards that I can't seem to remember the name of, or Eilistraee's many bard followers. She seems to have quite a few rangers and shadowdancers, too, for that matter. |
| Sill Alias |
Posted - 25 Jun 2010 : 17:48:10
Bards are said to be common in Ched Nazad, but in different fashion, more like assassins. |
| Knight of the Gate |
Posted - 25 Jun 2010 : 17:40:16
In CotSQ, (which deals with the followers of Kiaransalee) there are any number of monks, divine champions, and blackguards. When I ran that module, the single most deadly NPC that my party ran across was a drow Arcane Archer*: I doubt that they'd be common, but (just as with drow Bladesingers) I can easily imagine that there were AAs who survived the Descent and passed down their particular martial art. So, IMO, you can add Bladesingers and Arcane Archers to that list. Given the drow prediliction for dealings with infernal beings, Warlocks make perfect sense. Also, with the large number of lizard-riders, I'd be surprised if a handful weren't Knights.
*For those familiar with the module, I had this AA as the captain of the guard of the Szith Morcane,and he was positioned at the opposite side of the giant web linking the lower Dordrien crypts with the entrance to the city of Szith Morcane. As it took numerous rounds for the PCs to cross the web (being hindered by the web itself and defenders on the web, not to mention the colossal spider who spun the web) and since any who fell from the web were unrecoverable... well, he almost killed the whole party. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 25 Jun 2010 : 17:14:59
quote:
Originally posted by Saxmilian
My question of the Drow (from the Realms) can anyone point out a book or other source thats shows the drow using Dancing Lights. They get levitation and darkness and seem to use it more than once per day, but i cant recall Dancing lights ever. Seen farie Fire too but no mention of this?
I've never seen them use it in the novels, unless that little scene at the beginning of Daughter of the Drow between Gromph and a very young Liriel counts. not sure if that was the spell he used, though. But they can and do use it- there is even a section in the 3.5 Drow of the Underdark that discusses tactics for using it. |
| Sill Alias |
Posted - 20 Jun 2010 : 17:18:56
I think Drow of the Underdark for 3.5 can help with it, at least not with lycanthropy. |
| Zireael |
Posted - 20 Jun 2010 : 11:49:29
1) Wererats, werebats (those have their evidence in canon)
2) There were a few drow druids in canon. Monks happen also - have you never heard about the Order of the Blackened Fist from Undrek'Thoz?
3) House Oblodra from Menzoberranzan is the best known example. Also, I would think the drow from cities close to mind flayers' would also try their hand at psionics.... |
| woodwwad |
Posted - 20 Jun 2010 : 05:10:43
quote:
Originally posted by BlackDragonKarameikos
I actually have several questions concerning the Drow race.
1.) what kind of Lycanthropes would you see in the underdark? and which ones would be the most likely that a Drow would be bitten by? I know the Werebat would be the most logical one but what others do you think would possibly be down there?
2.) What classess other than Cleric, Wizard, or Fighter, would you think the Drow would take? The ones that I think would almost never be seen is the Druid, Monk, and possibly Ranger. The one I KNOW would never be seen is the Paladin, mostly because it requires a lawful good alignment and most Drow are evil.
3.) Would the Drow have any type of Psionic ability? If so how often would you say it may appear in the race? often, seldom, or rarely?
Any help would be appreciated.
I would say Wererats would be way more common than werebat drow.
I would disagree, I would think there would be a lot of CE paladins among the Drow (that paladin is presented in the Unearth Arcana book). Rogues would be really common among the drow, as is the Assassin prc.
In the RA Salvator books their is a house of drow that have Psions. |
| Saxmilian |
Posted - 20 Jun 2010 : 03:39:18
My question of the Drow (from the Realms) can anyone point out a book or other source thats shows the drow using Dancing Lights. They get levitation and darkness and seem to use it more than once per day, but i cant recall Dancing lights ever. Seen farie Fire too but no mention of this?
|
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 22 Feb 2010 : 17:07:36
I remember those WOD werespiders. Almost played one once. They were cool. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 10 Feb 2010 : 05:31:25
quote:
Originally posted by BlackDragonKarameikos
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So just scale it down a size. 
After looking it over Wooly it doesn't seem as if scaling it down would be a good idea. Taking it from a huge to a large would bring its stats down too much I feel to make it viable.
What would you suggest?
Ignore that factoid and make it something that works for you... I mean, look at the real world wolf -- in the right circumstances, it could be scary, but stat-wise, it wouldn't be impressive. But mix in the lycanthropy angle, and you've got a big bad killing machine. Bats are pretty unimpressive, too, but a werebat isn't something I'd want to meet in a dark alley.
So don't worry about the stats of the base critter -- make what you need. It's your game, and there's plenty of precedent for doing exactly that. |
| BlackDragonKarameikos |
Posted - 10 Feb 2010 : 04:33:35
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So just scale it down a size.
After looking it over Wooly it doesn't seem as if scaling it down would be a good idea. Taking it from a huge to a large would bring its stats down too much I feel to make it viable.
What would you suggest? |
| Knight of the Gate |
Posted - 10 Feb 2010 : 02:30:47
As for werespiders, there are ample RW legends about such creatures (mostly from jungle and island cultures). Just look up Anansi for reference. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 10 Feb 2010 : 00:19:04
quote:
Originally posted by BlackDragonKarameikos
Thanks for the info Matthus.
There is only one problem though, The Lycan can be either the same size as the base creature, or one size larger or smaller than the base creature (i.e. the Drow). Since Drow are Medium sized creatures, I would need a creature that is either small, medium, or large sized.
So the snake that you suggested would not be possible for use as a Lycan unless the base creature were large sized to begin with.
Although, the creature itself could still be living undergroud, just not as a werecreature
So just scale it down a size. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Feb 2010 : 00:10:16
quote:
Originally posted by Rhewtani
Is there an appropriate patron for drow rangers and druids?
I'd say Eilistraee comes as close as possible for the needs of both classes. But I don't really think there's a full-blown patron for drow rangers and druids. |
| Rhewtani |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 20:18:06
Is there an appropriate patron for drow rangers and druids? |
| BlackDragonKarameikos |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 19:58:45
Thanks for the info Matthus.
There is only one problem though, The Lycan can be either the same size as the base creature, or one size larger or smaller than the base creature (i.e. the Drow). Since Drow are Medium sized creatures, I would need a creature that is either small, medium, or large sized.
So the snake that you suggested would not be possible for use as a Lycan unless the base creature were large sized to begin with.
Although, the creature itself could still be living undergroud, just not as a werecreature |
| Matthus |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 08:43:39
There is one snake from Stormwrack that may be living underground:
Snake, Huge Spitting Cobra
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 4d8+4 (22 hp)
Initiative: +4 (Dex)
AC: 15 (-2 size, +4 Dex, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+6
Attack: Bite +5 melee
Full Attack: Bite +5 melee
Damage: Bite 1d4 and poison
Space: 15 ft. (coiled)/10 ft.
Special Qualities: Scent
Special Attacks: Poison
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +2
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 19, Con 13, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance, +12, Climb +12, Ride +3, Listen +9, Spot +9
Feats: Improved Initiative; Weapon Finesse (bite)
Climate/Terrain: Temperate and warm land, aquatic and underground
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 7-18 HD (Huge)
|
| BlackDragonKarameikos |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 06:51:02
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I don't like the were-dragon idea for a drow. Weredragons are a separate race, and despite the name, are not lycanthropes.
I think the werespider idea is a good one. And they can be found in Volume 1 of the Realms Bestiary by Eric L. Boyd and Thomas M. Costa. Alternatively, you could also go with the World of Darkness version of the werespider -- they could break apart into an entire swarm of spiders.
And being a werespider could even be considered a blessing from Lolth. 
Some sort of wereserpent might be a nifty idea, too.
I was actually thinking of going with the Sword Spider From the 3.0 Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerun if the Drow were a male. And possibly a Black Widow type spider for a female, or is there another spider you think would be better suited to each one? My reason for using two different ones for male and female is that the Black Widow one would be a type of blessing that was given by Lolth to only her most faithful clerics, but the transformation would be controllable by the cleric.
The wereserpent is a good idea, but what kind of serpent would you suggest? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 01:22:27
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I don't like the were-dragon idea for a drow. Weredragons are a separate race, and despite the name, are not lycanthropes.
Indeed. The 2e weredragon was never actually a lycanthrope, folks just thought they were, so in 3e that possible point of confusion was cleared up and they were renamed song dragons.
|
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 01:17:18
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by HelldoG
Handbooks like 'Underdark' and 'Drow of The Underdark' are good referances. At first I myself couldn't imagine Rangers or Druids in Underdark but then I read 'Drow of The Underdark' and everything was clear. Note that 'Drow of The Underdark' isn't an FR book but it can by used for FR drows, methinks.
The original The Drow of the Underdark was an FR book. And it's full of Ed lore. 
Aye. Details here:- http://www.candlekeep.com/bookshelf/products/9326.htm |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 00:49:50
quote:
Originally posted by BlackDragonKarameikos
thanks for the info guys, it is much appreciated.
Now to answer a few replies.
quote:
As posted by Diffan
1.) I think a were-bat is probably one of the few were-creatures you'd see in the underdark. But I could possibly see were-crocadiles(sp?) in Underdark pools and so forth. Also, were-rats are also an option since rats are pretty prevalent in almost any city (Underdark or otherwise). You could also homebrew a were-spider, but I think this would probably be close to a Drider.
I could see a werecrocodille as well, but it would be extremely rare. Wererats would be one of the most frequent ones as well as werebats. A Werespider isn't that far fetched of an idea and would probably work. Yes, it may resemble a Drider in its Hybrid form but would probably be a bit different, as I would add the fangs of the spider to the hybrid form instead of just having them use their regular teeth as their bite attack.
What would you think of a weredragon such as a deep or Shadow Dragon as a possible were-creature for them?
I don't like the were-dragon idea for a drow. Weredragons are a separate race, and despite the name, are not lycanthropes.
I think the werespider idea is a good one. And they can be found in Volume 1 of the Realms Bestiary by Eric L. Boyd and Thomas M. Costa. Alternatively, you could also go with the World of Darkness version of the werespider -- they could break apart into an entire swarm of spiders.
And being a werespider could even be considered a blessing from Lolth.
Some sort of wereserpent might be a nifty idea, too. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 00:43:52
quote:
Originally posted by HelldoG
Handbooks like 'Underdark' and 'Drow of The Underdark' are good referances. At first I myself couldn't imagine Rangers or Druids in Underdark but then I read 'Drow of The Underdark' and everything was clear. Note that 'Drow of The Underdark' isn't an FR book but it can by used for FR drows, methinks.
The original The Drow of the Underdark was an FR book. And it's full of Ed lore. |
| HelldoG |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 21:31:28
Handbooks like 'Underdark' and 'Drow of The Underdark' are good referances. At first I myself couldn't imagine Rangers or Druids in Underdark but then I read 'Drow of The Underdark' and everything was clear. Note that 'Drow of The Underdark' isn't an FR book but it can by used for FR drows, methinks. |
| BlackDragonKarameikos |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 20:49:02
thanks for the info guys, it is much appreciated.
Now to answer a few replies.
quote:
As posted by Diffan
1.) I think a were-bat is probably one of the few were-creatures you'd see in the underdark. But I could possibly see were-crocadiles(sp?) in Underdark pools and so forth. Also, were-rats are also an option since rats are pretty prevalent in almost any city (Underdark or otherwise). You could also homebrew a were-spider, but I think this would probably be close to a Drider.
I could see a werecrocodille as well, but it would be extremely rare. Wererats would be one of the most frequent ones as well as werebats. A Werespider isn't that far fetched of an idea and would probably work. Yes, it may resemble a Drider in its Hybrid form but would probably be a bit different, as I would add the fangs of the spider to the hybrid form instead of just having them use their regular teeth as their bite attack.
What would you think of a weredragon such as a deep or Shadow Dragon as a possible were-creature for them?
quote:
2.) I could easily see drow as rogues, warlocks, duskblades, beguilers, and yes even Paladins.
The main problem with paladins is they're dedicated to a specific deity and most drow worship Lloth/Lolth and she doesn't grant males divine power. A paladin of slaughter could worship another deity of the drow pantheon as long as you don't succumb to the strange belief that every paladin in D&D must be a lawful good, shining paragon of truth and justice.
I could as well Diffan but I was hoping someone had some ideas for other classess as well. I thought of the Paladin of Slaughter as well, it was the only one that came to mind when I was writing this.
And NO, I do not succumb to the belief that a paladin must be just Lawful Good, I feel all of the gods would have a Paladin of some type, Unless it is some kind of over deity who doesn't involve themselves in the affairs of mortals.
quote:
3.) Yes, drow have been known to have psionic abilities and even whole drow houses.
Good to know, then a Psionic warrior, Psion, or Soulknife would not be unheard of in the underdark.
quote:
as posted by HelldoG
2) Drows can be of any class, Clerics, Wizards and Fighters are just the most common.
True HelldoG but some of the classess just don't make sense for them, which is why I asked which one do you think you would see in the underdark. I could even see a Drow as a druid or a ranger, but they would have to be from the the Drow faction living in the Cormanthor Forest led by Jezz the Lame. As for underdark Rangers, They are viable.
quote:
3) I think there is a House specializing in psionics. Oblodra, IIRC.
Good to know, thanks.
quote:
as posted by Brimstone
I will say Drow Duskblades kick major booty. The perfect Mage Slayers. Each Drow House in my games have a couple.
Drow Duskblades? that is a good idea I'll have to look at it in the PHB2.
quote:
as posted by Matthus
There are also some prestige classes for the drow:
arachne
drow judicator
inquisitor of the Drowning Goddess
sword dancer
scorpion wraith
arachnomancer
dread fang of Lolth
kinslayer
Thanks for the info Matthus.
Again I want to say thanmks for all the info, if you come up with any more thatyou think might be interesting for me then please post it here, I check back about once a day if possible.
|
| Brimstone |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 14:21:23
I was thinking of Ray-Guy(sp )...
 |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 14:17:16
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by HelldoG
3) I think there is a House specializing in psionics. Oblodra, IIRC.
Was.
That one guy is still alive right? The one that is kicking it old-school with Jar-Jaraxle.
See my reply above. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 14:16:29
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by HelldoG
3) I think there is a House specializing in psionics. Oblodra, IIRC.
Was.
Indeed.
RA Salvatore details House Oblodra, once the third house of Menzoberranzan, who because of their psionic powers, tried to take over the leadership of the city when the clerics of Lolth had no powers. Kimmuriel, a cast off of the house is a powerful psionicist that figures significantly in later Salvatore novels. |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 14:15:03
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by HelldoG
3) I think there is a House specializing in psionics. Oblodra, IIRC.
Was.
That one guy is still alive right? The one that is kicking it old-school with Jar-Jaraxle.
I will say Drow Duskblades kick major booty. The perfect Mage Slayers. Each Drow House in my games have a couple. |
| Matthus |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 13:47:26
There are also some prestige classes for the drow:
arachne
drow judicator
inquisitor of the Drowning Goddess
sword dancer
scorpion wraith
arachnomancer
dread fang of Lolth
kinslayer
If you are looking for the whole list of prestige classes look
here
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 11:33:55
quote:
Originally posted by HelldoG
3) I think there is a House specializing in psionics. Oblodra, IIRC.
Was. |
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