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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
 Posted - 17 May 2009 : 19:08:33
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Zanan, Do you just have them wearing plain old steel then or something more exotic? The switch in drow armor from 2E to 3E always confused me.
And the way you said "most of my drow troops" gave me visions of elves in some German basement, biding their time. |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2009 : 21:24:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
Zanan, Do you just have them wearing plain old steel then or something more exotic? The switch in drow armor from 2E to 3E always confused me.
And the way you said "most of my drow troops" gave me visions of elves in some German basement, biding their time.
Drow usually wore adamantite chain or adamantite breastplates. The former were what now can be considered chain shirts rather than chain mail. Drow chain was in essence nothing but elven chain, with the property that it wasn't resistant to sunlight.
Now, my drow usually wear "drow chain shirts" which essentially are dark-coloured mithral shirts (as of DMG). Those who can afford it wear drowcraft items (i.e. +1 drowcraft chain shirts), perhaps with the camouflaged / muffled property (as of Underdark). That's the basic equipment. Less dextrous folk may wear drow chainmail (akin to elven chainmail) or adamantine chain shirts, mail or breastplates. None of my drow wear heavy armor.
Is that too expansive* for NPCs? Maybe so. But in this respect, logic, theme, and culture overrules DMG lore. Lolthite drow running about in the Underdark or the surface are House troops. They are equipped by their House and wear House property, not their own. Same goes for inner city patrols or House Guards. It might be different with your ragtag Vhaeraun raider or mercenary gang, but my usual drow patrols are not from these lot.
*Do keep in mind that a drow's level adjustment also comes into contention with regard to his / her gear value - even though more modern designers hand out gear with regards to the CR, not the ECL of the NPCs. But that's their call. I go by the stuff mentioned in the Menzoberranzan box, with regards to raiders, patrols and house guards, adjusted to 3RE. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
Edited by - Zanan on 17 May 2009 21:26:54 |
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Misery
Acolyte
27 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2009 : 08:41:04
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Concerning the topic of males VS females as far as revealing clothes go, my MALE character walks around shirtless all the time. But given the fact he's a duelist, he's not supposed to wear armor.
... just saying.
My wife plays a shadow draconic drow female and she usually fights in robes lined in mithral (equiv of mithral chain shirt) |
... can I still be a bad A and like kittens? |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2009 : 22:06:49
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Misery, your opinion is also held by Todd Lockwood. While his female drow fighters are absurdly underclothed, so are his male drow fighters. Armor is for the hero.
So what do your female fighter wear, Zanan? Do they get somewhat better equipment than the males? |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2009 : 23:11:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
Misery, your opinion is also held by Todd Lockwood. While his female drow fighters are absurdly underclothed, so are his male drow fighters. Armor is for the hero.
So what do your female fighter wear, Zanan? Do they get somewhat better equipment than the males?
If they are of higher level, yes. I make no differences when it comes to handing out equipment. Generally, priestesses will wear "heavier" armor than fighters, since IMHO drow fighters are generally of the dextrous ilk. Hence, priestesses get more chain mails and breastplates than the fighters. Apart from that, well, they may have scourges of fangs, of course. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 14:08:45
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Overall I am getting a picture of Drow society that goes something like this...
Individual Drow are always striving for personal power. While females are generally "in charge" in their society, any given individual is judged on their personal power. Thus Gromph is able to casually slaughter the priestess he was sleeping with and take their daughter.
High born Drow have little choice in their preferred profession. Females strive to become priestesses, males either fighters or mages.
Common Drow have a wider range of options but fewer possibilities to wield official authority. Aside from the usual range of NPC classes, they can also hope to become pristesses, mages, or fighters. Rogues would likely come from commoner stock almost exclusively.
How much does blood really affect your chances? Are high born Drow actually inherently "better" (higher ability scores on average)? IS there much upward mobility or will a commoner eventually hit a ceiling, no matter her abilities? For instance, can a particularly capable Drow female of commoner stock hope to one day found a minor house?
Once again, official answers are swell, but speculation is welcome. How do you address these issues, if you do, in your campaigns? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 15:17:18
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Keep in mind that Gromph didn't openly slay Liriel's mother. He had her killed in his own halls, and then told her family she met with an accident in the city. Remember that one of the most important "laws" in drow cities is that if there are no witnesses, then there is no crime.
In 2E, noble-born drow did have a couple extra powers on common drow. I don't think that was carried over to 3E. However, since noble-born drow can be more selective of their mates and which kids they keep, I'd imagine that there is a slight ability score difference between the average noble and the average commoner. |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 16:28:41
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| Officially, there is no difference between the drow in 3,5E, there was with regards to males and females in 3.0E. In late AD&D (Demihuman Deities), drow gained "spell-like abilities" (powers) the longer they lived, split in normal (dancing lights, faerie fire, darkness) and mature (4th level or higher; levitate, know alignment, detect magic) powers. All usuable once per day. Priestesses, as a boon of their deities, could also cast clairaudience/clairvoyance, detect lie, suggestion, and dispel magic. There were chances for each level that a drow priest/ess attained to gain more powers (boons for exceptional service et al). Noble drow could use all these powers once per decade of life (one reason why Drizzt never run out of darkness). YET, all the above referred to NPC drow only. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
Edited by - Zanan on 19 May 2009 16:31:30 |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3243 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 17:32:47
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| Actually, near the end of 3.5, they split the drow. With the PGtF, the Lesser Drow race does not have the level adjustment and fewer, weaker powers. They also introduced the 'Highborn Drow' feat that gave drow more powers as long as they wore house insignias that were enchanted. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 21:48:48
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Thanks, I was wondering if blood would really be a distinguishing characteristic and it sounds like the answer is... sort of.
What of a commoner founding a house? Is that even remotely plausible? Do new houses come into existence or is it a constant winnowing? |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 21:53:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
Thanks, I was wondering if blood would really be a distinguishing characteristic and it sounds like the answer is... sort of.
What of a commoner founding a house? Is that even remotely plausible? Do new houses come into existence or is it a constant winnowing?
Most merchant houses and whatever guilds there are would be ruled by commoners. You see, about 10% of drow soiety are made up from nobles, which leaves plenty of opportunity for the rest.
The Highborn Drow feat was kind of retconning the old abilities back into the people, whereas the lesser drow (tiefling et al) thing was something to ease the pain for e.g. Drizzt-lovers when taking a cool-looking drow character on, but don't want to pay overly for it.* Not that there would be any difference in surface people behaviour towards any sort of drow, of course.
*Yeah, there's a touch of sarcasm in here. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
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Herkles
Seeker
82 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2009 : 16:53:32
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| A question, in a city where Selvetarm's worship is allowed, what type of position would they have in a Lolthlite city. How would followers of Selvetarm be treated? |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2009 : 16:56:52
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That's good to know. I had forgotten about the non-noble houses. I guess that could also allow for more mercenary house arrangements. Instead of merchants, they are swords for hire.
I'd like to explore being pregnant in Drow society a bit more. Does anyone have any ideas on how that would work for the common drow woman? How could she survive the process if she had any enemies?
On a related note, it seems to me that trust is a very valuable commodity in society. Imagine the resources being wasted on making sure you aren't being doublecrossed by your allies. Perhaps there would be a market for "contract mages" who could ensure that two parties could actually trust one another and work together for a common goal. |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2009 : 17:16:21
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unfortunately, trust has no definition amongst the drow.
its not, I'll wash your back if you wash mine, its watche your own back |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2009 : 17:34:43
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True enough, but what if some enterprising enchanter came up with a spell to allow binding contracts? Surely the Drow are capable of seeing the benefits of having true allies, even if only for a time.
So, for instance, that pregnant drow could have a binding contract with someone to defend her for the duration of pregnancy, and she wouldn't have to worry about her protector getting a better offer. Just a thought. |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2009 : 23:34:25
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the geas spell/ritual.
and that would be the house weaponmaster or the patriarch.
and that means nothing, the first born daughter of noble house could pay weaponmaster or patriarch to kill pregnat matron mother.
or the second daughter against the 1rst, and 3rd and so on.
in drow society, everybody is an assassin.
-trust is for the foolish and the dead. Viconia D'vir |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 00:04:29
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I'd imagine that things aren't quite so cut-throat among commoners as they are among nobles. Everyone is jockeying for position, sure, but there's going to be less good positions to go around for commoners.
Not only that, but taking out pregnant females is threatening the future of the drow race. I'd imagine that there's some dictate from Lolth that limits attacks against expectant mothers. |
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Herkles
Seeker
82 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 00:15:26
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This is not cannon but from the tome of drow lore, it has this paragraph on drow pregnancy and birth. It has my idea that a pregnant female, regardless of status is considered to have "Lolth's" blessings and attacking her might bring her wrath upon the attacker.
"A pregnant drow is the safest drow in the world. Without exception, attacking or injuring a pregnant female is forbidden in drow societies and most temples will offer sanctuary to any pregnant female who requests it. A drow carrying a child is not completely safe, of course. Her enemies or those of her House may still try to strike at her, but they will certainly be much more careful in doing so and many decide it is easier to simply wait until she delivers the child before moving against the currently-pregnant drow.
Childbirth is relatively easy for drow, as for all elves, but is not without its dangers. For the wealthy drow, there is ready access to priests from the temples and the healing magic they can provide, but for the poor at the bottom levels of society, there is no such help. Still, it is rare that a drow woman dies in childbirth."
source: Tome of drow lore by mongoose publishing. |
Edited by - Herkles on 21 May 2009 00:17:27 |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 04:46:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'd imagine that things aren't quite so cut-throat among commoners as they are among nobles. Everyone is jockeying for position, sure, but there's going to be less good positions to go around for commoners.
Not only that, but taking out pregnant females is threatening the future of the drow race. I'd imagine that there's some dictate from Lolth that limits attacks against expectant mothers.
commoners against commoners maybe.
commoner against noble? or vice versa.
personal slights would still end up in blood more or less.
guess we'd have to ask Mr. Greenwood on this. |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 05:11:44
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quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'd imagine that things aren't quite so cut-throat among commoners as they are among nobles. Everyone is jockeying for position, sure, but there's going to be less good positions to go around for commoners.
Not only that, but taking out pregnant females is threatening the future of the drow race. I'd imagine that there's some dictate from Lolth that limits attacks against expectant mothers.
commoners against commoners maybe.
commoner against noble? or vice versa.
personal slights would still end up in blood more or less.
guess we'd have to ask Mr. Greenwood on this.
Personal slights and such would still end up in blood, but again, how much opportunity are commoners going to have to do this kind of thing? The entire society can't be running around constantly killing each other -- it would very quickly collapse, if that was the case.
And how often will commoners have the chance to act against nobles? |
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Knight of the Gate
Senior Scribe
USA
624 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 06:41:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Herkles
A question, in a city where Selvetarm's worship is allowed, what type of position would they have in a Lolthlite city. How would followers of Selvetarm be treated?
IMO, the worshippers of Selvetarm form the backbone of the temple defenders (read: Divine Champions of Lolth). I would imagine that they are led by female Fighter/Cleric officers (since males can't counted on to think, for the Spider Queen's sake!) and be foaming-at-the-mouth loyal and motivated. IMO, this is the highest on the food-chain that most commoner males can get. It's probably seen as a good social 'stepping stone' for commoner males, whereas noble males either become house weapons-masters or mages. I can see particularly skilled and intelligent Templars of Selvetarm being taken as bed-warmers by priestesses, which is a HUGE social 'promotion' for a commoner male, and generally being given a fair amount of status in society for their 'holy' efforts.
This actually plays into the question about how common drow can become ennobled: I imagine that if a commoner provides exemplary service and shows profound loyalty to an established noble house, (or, perhaps has a vendetta against one of the 'sponsoring' House's rivals) that an existing noble House might sponsor the commoner to the 'peerage'. The benefit to the sponsoring house is that, given that the newly minted noble owes his increased social status to House X, they can reasonably expect (given proper safeguards and taking a care to ensure the new House's continued dependence upon the sponsoring House) a certain amount of loyalty from that house, and if all goes well, in a century or two, they might have a viable ally.
The OTHER way (far rarer) that I can see commoners being ennobled is by direct deific fiat: I.e., a yochlol comes to a high priestess and informs her that this or that house is to be ennobled- I can see the Queen of the Demonweb Pits doing this 1) because the new house is particularly devout or 2) Lolth just wants to throw a monkey wrench into the city in question, and knows that the Matron Mothers of the existing Houses will fly into a tizzy wondering what to do with the upstarts... after all, eradicating the people your tyrranical and notoriously temperamental goddess just showed favor to is probably a no-no, and she's never been shy about showing her displeasure before.
All in all, just some thoughts of mine... none of this is canon, so I point out (as always) that I am no sage (nor Sage, for that matter). |
How can life be so bountiful, providing such sublime rewards for mediocrity? -Umberto Ecco |
Edited by - Knight of the Gate on 21 May 2009 07:04:28 |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 10:16:33
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Outside Demihuman Deities, the Drow Justiciar PrC in Underdark, and the rebel-Selvetarmites in Lady Penitent I, very little knowledge has been passed on about the Selvetarmites.
Going by the lore we have, they might be employed on Lolthite cities who have a more "lax" dogmatic view, whereas you'd still find it hard to find them in a truly dogmatic place like Menzoberranzan. There are samples for them in DD. In a place where there is a number of religions about (Eryndlyn), it might be conceivable that they even reach positions of power. But I for one cannot view them as having any sort of impact on drow society, really.
As for pregnant drow, the Tome of Drow Lore deals with this (for the Mongoose setting), while the late-3RE Drow of the Underdark has a word or two about them in D&D Core. You'd probably has to ask Ed over at his Candlekeep board with regards to Realmspace. I can't think of having read on pregnant drow females in an FR book (apart from Qilué's birth and the involvement of Mystra). |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 13:26:49
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quote:
Personal slights and such would still end up in blood, but again, how much opportunity are commoners going to have to do this kind of thing? The entire society can't be running around constantly killing each other -- it would very quickly collapse, if that was the case.
That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out. How does Drow society keep from collapsing? That's why I tend to believe that the truly crazy behavior is reserved for the nobles, who can afford it. I can't imagine surviving a day in a Drow city as they are generally implied to operate, let alone decades.
Let's say it is a serious social no-no to off a pregnant woman, what about after she has her little evil squirt? Can you make an orphan of her before she is of age and still be invited to all the important social engagements?
I just don't see how any rational female would take the risk for such little reward. They aren't even really supposed to like their kids, right?
I think those dreadfully evil Drow ladies are really soft on inside, wanting to get a little nurturing in before somebody stabs them in the back.
When I started writing that sentence, I was joking, but it makes more sense to me than some of other possibilities. |
Edited by - Ozzalum on 21 May 2009 13:28:10 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 15:02:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Ranak
I was glad that in the Lady Penitent we saw Drow priestesses in full armor (Catavina). I always wondered how Eilistrae's followers survived combat half dressed.
Priestesses of Eilistraee normally wear whatever is appropriate for the task at hand, including protective armor. There's no mandate that they always be nude or only half-dressed--that's just for certain rituals.
EDIT: I see Zanan addressed this, but I'll leave this post up anyway to help keep the point seen. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 21 May 2009 15:04:28 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2009 : 15:03:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
That Catavina really was a prude, all covered up in the full plate.
http://www.o-love.net/realms/covers_large/pic_lad2.jpg
Heh... |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2009 : 13:53:19
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Ozzalum ... you have actually read abook about the drow or two, yes? T'seem's to me to become a Q&A about stuff that should be "common" knowledge.
Anyways ... the question why drow society hasn't blown up time and again over the course of its existence (some 11,000 years) is a conundrum debated as long as the race as such sprung into existence. A few books (The Drow of the Underdark / Drow of the Underdark / Tome of Drow Lore et al) have shed some light on this, while you'd have to sift through the other books and try to make up your own opinion on how they survive.
In essence, while it is all fair and square to speculate, the drow as a monster race are not exactly meant to present us with a full ecology and all, but with monsters to gain XP from. The rest is flair that may or may not make sense.
BTW, Ed Greenwood put out a novel series about drow ... nay Nifl where he describes a dark elven society how he might envisage them, Dark Warrior Rising. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2009 : 21:29:43
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| I guess I should be indignant or something but alas, as you point out, it is only a game. I mostly read the novels, though I have the 2E Drow of the Underdark as well and whatever the core book was called in 3E. I guess that's why I thought they were supposed to be more than just a monster race. They have written a couple dozen novels with Drow as the main protagonists, after all. But if Drow are just there for XP, you're certainly right, no need for them to make any more sense than an owlbear. |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2009 : 22:40:00
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| Well, obviously, in a sophisticated setting as the Realms, the drow are more than just "a type of creature out of the Monstrous/Monster Manuel meant to entertain the players", even though that's their general purpose in the game. The problem with such a sophisticated setting is that one simply cannot have a good and detailed background for everything. The drow got far greater a share of dedication than other races - and creatures for that matter. But still, not all that is out there was written at the same time, by the same authors or, more importantly, was meant to make sense to a "real-worlder". |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
Edited by - Zanan on 22 May 2009 22:41:03 |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2009 : 14:13:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
Thanks, I was wondering if blood would really be a distinguishing characteristic and it sounds like the answer is... sort of.
What of a commoner founding a house? Is that even remotely plausible? Do new houses come into existence or is it a constant winnowing?
ummm, at one time I thought it was stated somewhere what mezob.... had 100 houses in it.
IMO: the top 20 or the houses on the ruling council would be considered nobles of any drow city.
this is just however my opinion and my take on it. which it and of itself is debatable . |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2009 : 19:52:11
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Ok so here's my take on how little Drow keep coming into existence.
Lolthite society is totalitarian and does not suffer anything to exist that could fill the role that Lolth has held for herself. In your standard totalitarian society, there are strict controls on speech and gatherings, with serious distrust of competing religions or political movements. These elements are present in Lolthite society but there is also the addition element that even nuclear families are distrusted. Even in the higher end of society there is no such thing as a mother and father raising their own child. Instead, the father is selected purely for his genetic traits and the mother gives the child to others to be raised/indoctrinated.
Now I had the question of why any sane Drow woman would sign up for pregnancy and childbirth when there is basically no reward. Someone mentioned that killing a pregnant drow would be frowned upon, based on the fact that it was endangering the continuation of the race. While that makes sense at a macro level, it surely wouldn't restrain as individual bent on murder unless there were some penalty to doing so that would outweigh the gain. In this society, the only source for that penalty would be the clergy. So I propose that the death of a pregnant drow would actually be actively investigated by some elements within the Lolth clergy. I propose the formation of CSI: Menzoberranzan.
So that would make pregnancy a reasonably safe experience, but still unfulfilling as there is little gain to be had. So why do the Drow continue to plague us?
1) It would be my contention that despite being cursed by the Elven gods, maternal instincts would still be at least fairly common among the Drow. It is simply too ingrained a trait to disappear entirely. So at least some drow babies would result from purely instinctual drives.
2) While contraceptives are common place in the Realms, perhaps they are outlawed or highly regulated in Drow society. Just sit back and wait for those chaotic, impulsive drow to slip up and have kids.
3) Perhaps the Lolthite clergy take a more direct role in things, mandating that females give birth every X number of years, or else be fined or otherwise sanctioned. Since individual Drow are self-centered to a fault, it would fall on the ruling classes to ensure the survival of the species.
I have some thoughts on how the last method might be implemented but I'll save them for later. Anyone want to add any other possibilities?
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Fighting Female Drow
