| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 09 Apr 2005 : 08:29:34
I'm writing a tale about drows and i'm interested in any info you could give me about the drow society, the houses, the liders, and I'm specially interested in the way they rise their children in clerical ways. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 15 Oct 2005 : 02:58:41
Drows is a short cut for Drow Elves. :)
Well, I believe that the books and stuff lead us down a path where murder is super rampant - and I just don't think a society could maintain itself by always killing each other with no rest. Birth Rate exceeds death rate, which is a good thing (ask Italy).
C-Fb |
| Forge |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 19:03:26
Actually, if that child was a Noble, then YES a drow WOULD save them. If that child could survive to carry the accusation to the Matron Council then the Council would act against the attacking house and destroy it.
This occured in the Dark Elf Trilogy at one point.
Oh, and the plural of Drow is Drow, not Drows. Minor point. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 18:45:08
General lore indicates that birth rate still exceeds death rate (not counting the destruction of one city), the number of Lolthians are increasing in numbers. It is survival of the fittest, Lolth's way. It is the only way the system can hold togrther. One does not apply RL realities to FR. Sometimes they or course are there to cover mant aspects of the Realms, but others are answered "Just because I say so".
In the past perhaps one half born reached age 20, not sure if lore has changed on child rearing customs. Those survivors know well not to trust others and are on their guard. The percentage of deaths drop and life expectancy greating increases.
Age age 0 life expectancy might be 15 years (the average span of life for all born that year).
Reaching age five one might expect to on aveage live to 16 (11 more years), hoverever if you make it to 20 you might expect 200 or more years.
The society is LE that maintains a control of the mostly CE Drow that allows enough to survive and be very deadly when facing most other races. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 14:34:37
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
The one thing that helps the drow race is their high birth rate. So even though they're happily killing each other in Lolth's name, there's plenty more drow being born to take the place of the fallen.
And remember, a lot of the battles that go on between houses are done on the backs of slaves. Very rarely is it Elderboy v. Elderboy or a similar situation. The orcs, minotaurs, kobolds, etc. are the fodder for the Drow House wars. And remember, we are made to believe there is always backstabbing going on between the Drow houses, but if you look at it, most of the Drow actually survive. How long were Dinin and Nalfein in the house before Malice decided to have Drizzt? I mean, it's not like there were 10 sons before those three. And remember, backstabbing doesn't always lead to murder? Sometimes it's merely a station gainer.
C-Fb |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 14:13:03
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
The one thing that helps the drow race is their high birth rate. So even though they're happily killing each other in Lolth's name, there's plenty more drow being born to take the place of the fallen.
Anyway you can't sustain a whole civilization in the fact you have children as rabbits. Specially if you despice the ones that made possible their born. And what objectives has the drow civilization? Living to conquer all Faerun? Difficult as they can't conquer even a city and specially survive in a place where their magic disappears and they get blinded. The whole world moves on the objectives, so, what is the drow objective? Destroy each other? That's the reason I find their civilization kinda of foolish, always saving the ones with vision that are ironically mostly male (Jarlaxle, Gomph, ...) and Liriel, I know. |
| Lord of Bones |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 12:41:06
Drow society is somewhat primal (in Lolth dominated cities). It's survival of the fittest, and they venerate their women. The females will use as many males as they want to produce as many children as possible, and then the males will often be killed, or at least forgotten.
I'd be interested to see how a city mostly worshiping Ghaunadaur works. How the society differs, and what kinds of roles the priests play. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 11:23:39
The one thing that helps the drow race is their high birth rate. So even though they're happily killing each other in Lolth's name, there's plenty more drow being born to take the place of the fallen. |
| Kaladorm |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 09:51:13
Off to lectures now so I don't have time to read the whole thread  Sorry!
Apologies if this has already been posted, but this site might help you some more. http://myth-drannor.net/DlabraddathNet/z-sshamath/Main.htm |
| DDH_101 |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 07:53:28
Dunno if anyone mentioned this, but Elaine Cunningham's short story in Best of the Realms I, The Blooding, describes about the ritual into adulthood that a noble drow goes through. I suggest it for more info on drow. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 14 Oct 2005 : 07:34:57
I've decided to re-open this topic, cause I wanted to know the opinion of the scribes here about something related with the drow.
The race that I saw at the start as an interesting and misterious, as long as I am concerned right know, has become a race of .... fools. What exactly does Lloth expects of them? The continuous slaughter between them, the predictable chain of betrayals that leads with the death of one of them (if not all) the drow in the game. Baenre killing Auropo'l, is only a light example of what I mean, killing the male, killing the children, priestesses killing each other with pleasure and always thinking the best way to do it, the more flagrant and bloody the better. I may think that this allows the Spider Queen to choose the most worthy between them, but later she is the first who makes them die in some ways. That makes me think that their continous internal (and external, cause the drows aren't know by their social relationships), conflicts will not allow them to survive much longer, only drows as Drizzt, Jarlaxle, Liriel, and the followers of Verhaun and Eillistrae seem to be able to survive. So, in my opinion, the Spider Queen will be alone with no one to command. IMHO of course. What do you think? As long is a Have read the Legacy of the Drow and Daughter of the drow. Maybe in some of the books I haven't read this behaviour changes? |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 21 Apr 2005 : 14:00:08
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
In fact that's the situation I was trying to describe, and I was thinking in some kind of direct attack against a house, the drow patrols killing anyone alive in the house, ... what would an adult drow do if he/she found a child?
An adult drow from the house being attacked would save the child if and only if it was possible without risking too much the adult's own survival. |
| TymoraChosen |
Posted - 21 Apr 2005 : 10:23:47
Well if ythe child is a male, probably slain or raised to be a expendable conscript in their military ranks. If a female, slightly higher chance of survival, either slain or raised as part of the victorous house as a matron under a new name and never knowing which house she really originated from.
*shrug* Just a guess. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 21 Apr 2005 : 10:03:27
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I could see another House sending troops into the battle, specifically to grab some kids and hold them for future use against the attacking House...
I read the situation that Thelonius Andrass presented as...If House X were attacking and about to destroy House Y, would a member of House Y perhaps save a child from House Y or would it be every dark elf for him/herself.
In fact that's the situation I was trying to describe, and I was thinking in some kind of direct attack against a house, the drow patrols killing anyone alive in the house, ... what would an adult drow do if he/she found a child? |
| LordAnki |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 21:57:55
I laughed when House Do'Urden fell. Their house sucked anyways. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 19:46:52
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
I read the situation that Thelonius Andrass presented as...If House X were attacking and about to destroy House Y, would a member of House Y perhaps save a child from House Y or would it be every dark elf for him/herself.
If this is the case, there is more reason to save the child then already outlined above (my previous post). The House defenses breached and the odds droping of repealing invaders, the fleeing to save life could use extra pairs of eyes. A child could be carried in such a way to warn on how close one might be followed. There is also strenght in numbers that is well recoginised. While elves do not sleep they still have down time, a lone Drow would be in danger far more then with a Drow child to be alert when the adult needs to rest. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 19:35:29
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I could see another House sending troops into the battle, specifically to grab some kids and hold them for future use against the attacking House...
I read the situation that Thelonius Andrass presented as...If House X were attacking and about to destroy House Y, would a member of House Y perhaps save a child from House Y or would it be every dark elf for him/herself. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 18:52:14
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
I've got a doubt that's been hitting myself for centuries 
If agreat house is falling, you know, for example the house Baenre destroying house Do'Urden, and there was a drow child lost in the battle, would a drow save the child to carry the vengeance of the house, or would they let him die, cause they prefer to save themselves?
There can always be a power play that a child would be saved to bring down another House. One good reason to do this is the basic law that in a House war if the attacking House fails to distroy the House attacked that the attacking House is to be distroried by all the other Houses for their failure.
There is also a need for slaves that might be a consideration that results in saving the lives of non Noble blood being saved.
Last point not all Drow put self-interest above all other interests. Even a Presstes of Lolth will sacafice for own child though that could weaken the House, of course the cost is paid to advoid Lolth removing spells from the House members.
There are general guidelines that SKR and others offer, however within those general guidelines there are room for a few to many exceptions. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 17:02:39
I could see another House sending troops into the battle, specifically to grab some kids and hold them for future use against the attacking House...
For example: House Smith is ranked 3rd in the city. House Jones is a close fourth. House Miller is only ranked 11th.
But when the forces of House Smith attack House Jones, House Miller sends in a small, elite squad to try to grab the kids of House Jones. If they grab at least one or two and get out again, then they have proof of what happened and who did it. They can then pop up the next day, and point to the fact that one House was almost but not quite destroyed by another. This could cause the fall of House Smith, which would elevate House Miller.
Of course, this scenario supposes that House Miller knows of the attack beforehand or can mobilize troops for the snatch and grab in mere minutes, that they can get to the kids before House Smith, that they can get them out, and that they'd want to do all this in the first place.
So it's a possibility, but not a definite one.
As for an individual survivor, it'd be a serious uphill battle to get vengeance without the backing of another House. I think they'd have to offer the other House something seriously valuable to get their assistance -- otherwise, the assisting House may turn the lone survivor over to the offending House, so they could finish the job and would owe the assisting House a favor. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 16:38:14
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
So, first a great ¡Run for your lives! that's what I thought, then i have a problem in my story 
Well what's the situation in your story? Can you get more specific? |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 16:37:09
So, first a great ¡Run for your lives! that's what I thought, then i have a problem in my story |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 16:33:09
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
I've got a doubt that's been hitting myself for centuries
If agreat house is falling, you know, for example the house Baenre destroying house Do'Urden, and there was a drow child lost in the battle, would a drow save the child to carry the vengeance of the house, or would they let him die, cause they prefer to save themselves?
Push comes to shove, most dark elves will worry about themselves first. In that situation, I can see a child being saved if possible as the adults would wish to get as many children out for, if not vengeance, survival in the future. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 16:29:38
I've got a doubt that's been hitting myself for centuries
If agreat house is falling, you know, for example the house Baenre destroying house Do'Urden, and there was a drow child lost in the battle, would a drow save the child to carry the vengeance of the house, or would they let him die, cause they prefer to save themselves? |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 16:19:18
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
Thanks Sirius, i'll check them out.... if i find them here  ]
You're welcome. Oh, and just so you know a bit of what you are getting from one of the products I mentioned, here is a link to the art gallery for City of the Spider Queen.
Mmmm... simply frightening, thanks sirius! |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 16:17:04
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
Thanks Sirius, i'll check them out.... if i find them here ]
You're welcome. Oh, and just so you know a bit of what you are getting from one of the products I mentioned, here is a link to the art gallery for City of the Spider Queen. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 16:12:20
Thanks Sirius, i'll check them out.... if i find them here ] |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 15:58:58
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
pardon my ignorance but I really didn't know anything about Kiaransalee, and I've found her most interesting, cause i'm searching for a "Drow Deity" (not Lolth) that a Evil drow cleric would worship, where can i find more info about her?. I've see that Shar doesn't appear in you deities list, I thought she was also worshipped by some drows, was I mistaken?[/red][/size=2]
Demihuman Deities is your best source for information on Kiaransalee. She also got the spotlight in the last FR adventure, City of the Spider Queen. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 16 Apr 2005 : 08:47:32
Wow!!! You really helped me Veszaun, this information you've just given me is incredibly valuable for my story thank you very much, pardon my ignorance but I really didn't know anything about Kiaransalee, and I've found her most interesting, cause i'm searching for a "Drow Deity" (not Lolth) that a Evil drow cleric would worship, where can i find more info about her?. I've see that Shar doesn't appear in you deities list, I thought she was also worshipped by some drows, was I mistaken? |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 09:50:14
quote:
Originally posted by LordAnki
Lolth? Lloth? Why did R.A. Salvatore change the spelling. Even in the dark elf trilogy it switches. But if your elf lives in Menzoberanzan they all worship Lloth (Lolth)
Well met
This particular scroll may interest ye, LordAnki. |
| LordAnki |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 02:27:11
Lolth? Lloth? Why did R.A. Salvatore change the spelling. Even in the dark elf trilogy it switches. But if your elf lives in Menzoberanzan they all worship Lloth (Lolth) |
| Veszaun Auvryath |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 01:51:41
Thank you both, Sirius and Alaundo, for the information provided on posting guidelines. It will help in future whenever the desire to post strikes me. I don't post often on message boards, but when I do, I tend to ramble on incessantly and inadvertantly overstep boundaries more often than not. Hrm, that's one reason I don't post often, I suppose  |
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