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Darwin Tenderfoot
Seeker
USA
57 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Oct 2002 : 17:25:40
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I was about to create a character that was drow and I reallized that I had no info. on them. Could someone please be so kind as to tell me this information or direct me to a website thank you.(Age,Height,Weight,Special abilities, and so on....) Also I would like to know why people do not play Drow characters that often. And what the advantages and disadvanteges are? Just wondering.
Darwin 
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Stoyka Wintercrow
Acolyte
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2002 : 18:30:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Darwin Tenderfoot
Also I would like to know why people do not play Drow characters that often. And what the advantages and disadvanteges are? Just wondering.
Darwin
Greetings Darwin,
Please don't take this as a flame. The following should be taken as nothing more than my own humble opinion. (Maybe a tiny bit of a rant as well.  ) Definitely NOT the final word on drow PCs by any stretch of the imagination.
Your post just happens to have come hot on the heels of me having to explain to a friend exactly why he wouldn't be allowed to play a drow in an upcoming Realms campaign I'll be running. (Nor will he be starting out at first level as a Bladesinger, but that's another story altogether.) Also, as much as I enjoy the character of Drizzt from Salvatore's novels, drow player characters have become a pet peeve with me. They may be rare in your experience but I keep hearing about them right and left. Now, hearing about drow PCs is at least partially my own fault. I work in the games department of my local hobby shop and I like to hear the stories of other peoples' gaming exeriences and then tell my own. Hearing about drow PCs, good and evil (yes, some people play evil characters  *sarcasm*) is just the price I pay.
But, I digress. Sorry. To get to the point. The big disadvantage with drow characters is that they're going to cause big problems. In most areas of the Realms, people are going to either shoot first and ask questions later or be scared to death when they see a drow.
What's that you say? Not all drow are evil? Well, I heard not all illithids want to eat your brain, but I haven't met one yet and I don't think I'll let one play with my skull just to find out. ("An illithid barber?! Are you really? Well, will wonders never cease? Sure, I'll just sit right down in the chair and let you get started."   ) Sorry, sarcasm again.
This discussion has probably gone round and round on just about every Realms discussion board there is. I'm sorry, but in my opinion a small handful of good drow isn't enough to change the opinion of the whole Realms. Drizzt is not THAT famous (and he's only one guy) and the efforts of Elistraee's worshippers (not that big a group either when compared to rest of the population of drow) are not that widely known yet. IMHO, that means at least 95% of the Realms population are still thoroughly convinced that drow are nasty evil bad guys. And that other 5% who have actually met a good drow? Well, they still know that 99% of the drow population are still evil bad guys.
Now, this is not to say nobody can ever play a drow character ever. That's between each DM and their players. I'm just saying that I will not have them in my campaign and I don't plan on playing one myself any time soon. Drizzt is supposed to be unique and I would like him to stay that way. |
"What's the doppleganger password!?!" |
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Stoyka Wintercrow
Acolyte
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2002 : 18:44:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Darwin Tenderfoot
I was about to create a character that was drow and I reallized that I had no info. on them. Could someone please be so kind as to tell me this information or direct me to a website thank you.(Age,Height,Weight,Special abilities, and so on....)
Sorry Darwin. I let myself get sidetracked into rant land there and totally forgot to give you any advice on drow reference.
The 3rd Edition FRCS book has a lot of good material for both drow and half-drow characters, including stat adjustments and physical descriptions and the like. Don't just read the section on character creation. Check out the geography section with all the new drow creeping into the forests of the Realms.
You might also look for Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark and I believe there was a City of Menzobaranzen(spelling?) box set several years back. About the only other thing I can think of would be the Monster Manual(s) and the Icewind Dale and Homelands trilogies.
Hope this helps.
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"What's the doppleganger password!?!" |
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Ditalidas
Learned Scribe
Netherlands
127 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2002 : 20:38:36
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Stoyka, I believe that Darwin forgot to mention that his drow character will live in Menzoberranzan. If I'm correct it is about a Pbem The caimpaign will play in the underdark.
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'All that is' is also 'All that is not' for the one cannot exist without the other.
Sweet Water and Light Laughter |
Edited by - Ditalidas on 20 Oct 2002 20:40:00 |
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2002 : 20:54:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Stoyka Wintercrow
quote:
Originally posted by Darwin Tenderfoot
Also I would like to know why people do not play Drow characters that often. And what the advantages and disadvanteges are? Just wondering.
Darwin
Greetings Darwin,
Please don't take this as a flame. The following should be taken as nothing more than my own humble opinion. (Maybe a tiny bit of a rant as well. ) Definitely NOT the final word on drow PCs by any stretch of the imagination.
Your post just happens to have come hot on the heels of me having to explain to a friend exactly why he wouldn't be allowed to play a drow in an upcoming Realms campaign I'll be running. (Nor will he be starting out at first level as a Bladesinger, but that's another story altogether.) Also, as much as I enjoy the character of Drizzt from Salvatore's novels, drow player characters have become a pet peeve with me. They may be rare in your experience but I keep hearing about them right and left. Now, hearing about drow PCs is at least partially my own fault. I work in the games department of my local hobby shop and I like to hear the stories of other peoples' gaming exeriences and then tell my own. Hearing about drow PCs, good and evil (yes, some people play evil characters *sarcasm*) is just the price I pay.
But, I digress. Sorry. To get to the point. The big disadvantage with drow characters is that they're going to cause big problems. In most areas of the Realms, people are going to either shoot first and ask questions later or be scared to death when they see a drow.
What's that you say? Not all drow are evil? Well, I heard not all illithids want to eat your brain, but I haven't met one yet and I don't think I'll let one play with my skull just to find out. ("An illithid barber?! Are you really? Well, will wonders never cease? Sure, I'll just sit right down in the chair and let you get started." ) Sorry, sarcasm again.
This discussion has probably gone round and round on just about every Realms discussion board there is. I'm sorry, but in my opinion a small handful of good drow isn't enough to change the opinion of the whole Realms. Drizzt is not THAT famous (and he's only one guy) and the efforts of Elistraee's worshippers (not that big a group either when compared to rest of the population of drow) are not that widely known yet. IMHO, that means at least 95% of the Realms population are still thoroughly convinced that drow are nasty evil bad guys. And that other 5% who have actually met a good drow? Well, they still know that 99% of the drow population are still evil bad guys.
Now, this is not to say nobody can ever play a drow character ever. That's between each DM and their players. I'm just saying that I will not have them in my campaign and I don't plan on playing one myself any time soon. Drizzt is supposed to be unique and I would like him to stay that way.
Yes, well, at least the people of Faerun aren't discriminating the drow just because of their physical appearance. MOST of the drow deserve that reputation for their evilness(is that a word?), but still most of the people of Faerun haven't heard of any good drow other than the tales of the famous Drizzt Do'Urden. |
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The Great Drizzt
Learned Scribe
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2002 : 07:46:43
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....OH my god!!!!!!
I don't Even know where to start....
Do you want this Drow PC in 2nd or 3rd Ed.?
If its 2nd, you definatly need the handbook "Drow of the Underdark"
that book has everything from their history, Drow dieties, drow names, words, glyphs, different drinks, poisons, weapons, drow spells, house names, you can even learn to speak drow right out of this book! just about anything you can imagine! Literally, trust me, I've been playing this game for about 8 years now, and for the 7, I've been a Drow PC every time, you definatly need this book(I have 2 copies if you wanna buy one) if you wann know ANYTHING about drow, E-mail me at DrizztGundam429@aol.com, I can answer pretty much ANY question you might have, I like to think I'm a Guru of sorts
The Great Drizzt--Drow Guru Extrodenaire! |
"Don't poke Drizzt, 'tis highly unsociable!" Drizzt Do'Urden -BG1 |
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The Great Drizzt
Learned Scribe
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2002 : 07:53:30
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By the way,
Drummerboy, have you heard of Drizzt's father Zaknefein?
Lireal Baenre, Jarlaxle, or Nissatyre? they are all nice, theres actually alot of "Nice" Drow, read the books, Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, or Dissillusioned, there will be more of these books too, I just forgot their names. Not ALL Drow are evil, just about 98-99% of them are lol.
The Great Drizzt |
"Don't poke Drizzt, 'tis highly unsociable!" Drizzt Do'Urden -BG1 |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2002 : 09:05:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Stoyka Wintercrow
[quote] I work in the games department of my local hobby shop and I [i]like to hear the stories of other peoples' gaming exeriences and then tell my own. Hearing about drow PCs, good and evil (yes, some people play evil characters *sarcasm*) is just the price I pay.
LOL
Stoyka, you don't happen to be the shopkeep from Dork Tower maybe?
Darwin, if I'm not mistaken you're indeed looking for 2e rules to make a drow character. The Great Drizzt mentioned probably the best source for that. I would advice to contact him for further questions. |
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Stoyka Wintercrow
Acolyte
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2002 : 03:57:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Ditalidas
Stoyka, I believe that Darwin forgot to mention that his drow character will live in Menzoberranzan. If I'm correct it is about a Pbem The caimpaign will play in the underdark.
Oho! It's an underdark and/or drow campaign then?   In that case, I wouldn't have any problems with a drow player character. Thanks for the clarification, Ditalidas.
My question now would be, is this to be a 2E or 3E game? If you are doing a 3E game you better check with the DM about starting level because drow are an ECL +2 I think. Also, I believe drow have some natural spell resistance so you probably want to read up on the specifics.
I actually kind of like the idea of an underdark ranger BTW. A drow with at least a little respect for life would probably work for this and I'd probably take illithids as preferred enemy since they are one of the most dangerous of the drow's competition for supremacy in the underdark, IIRC. (BTW. Am I remembering correctly that Drizzt didn't "go ranger" until after he left the underdark and met up with an old blind ranger in some valley? It's been quite a while since I've read any of the Drizzt books but I remember that I really liked that story.) |
"What's the doppleganger password!?!" |
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Stoyka Wintercrow
Acolyte
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2002 : 04:17:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Mumadar Ibn Huzal
LOL
Stoyka, you don't happen to be the shopkeep from Dork Tower maybe?
Darwin, if I'm not mistaken you're indeed looking for 2e rules to make a drow character. The Great Drizzt mentioned probably the best source for that. I would advice to contact him for further questions.
LOL!
Nope that's not me, although I can sympathize with the guy. I haven't been called a satanist in years though. If you know the Dork Tower scene to which I'm referring, in my life it wasn't nearly as friendly as that. Did you know some sweet little old grannies can knock a 200+ pound man silly with one slap? I do now. (truth)
Sorry I digress again. Back to the funny.
I do happen to bear at least a slight resemblance to Weird Pete of KoDT fame. Then again, don't a lot of gamers and game store proprieters? I've got more hair on top and the beards nowhere near that thick. I just wish I was as smart as that guy. He has some brilliant schemes for unloading minis!
Everybody have fun now, ya hear.
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"What's the doppleganger password!?!" |
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2002 : 04:38:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Stoyka Wintercrow
quote:
Originally posted by Ditalidas
Stoyka, I believe that Darwin forgot to mention that his drow character will live in Menzoberranzan. If I'm correct it is about a Pbem The caimpaign will play in the underdark.
Oho! It's an underdark and/or drow campaign then? In that case, I wouldn't have any problems with a drow player character. Thanks for the clarification, Ditalidas.
My question now would be, is this to be a 2E or 3E game? If you are doing a 3E game you better check with the DM about starting level because drow are an ECL +2 I think. Also, I believe drow have some natural spell resistance so you probably want to read up on the specifics.
I actually kind of like the idea of an underdark ranger BTW. A drow with at least a little respect for life would probably work for this and I'd probably take illithids as preferred enemy since they are one of the most dangerous of the drow's competition for supremacy in the underdark, IIRC. (BTW. Am I remembering correctly that Drizzt didn't "go ranger" until after he left the underdark and met up with an old blind ranger in some valley? It's been quite a while since I've read any of the Drizzt books but I remember that I really liked that story.)
Yes, you are correct about how Drizzt became a ranger. |
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Stoyka Wintercrow
Acolyte
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2002 : 04:45:11
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Whoops. 
I have quoted my own life incorrectly. How do I rewind this thing?
Sorry folks, I've had a long day and I'm very tired. I had actually gone offline the computer and was ready to go to bed when I realized exactly what I had written.
I accidently mixed two different incidents in my life. The older lady who slapped me was during another discussion altogether. The little old grannie that actually seemed to like me right up until I told her I played D&D just spit on me. Yeah, I know, like that's any better.
Again. Sorry to go so far off subject (and for such a charming little anecdote too ) but I just wanted to clear that up.
Now back to your regualarly scheduled fun. |
"What's the doppleganger password!?!" |
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2002 : 04:52:01
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| Ya' know, you can delete replies on the forums. |
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The Great Drizzt
Learned Scribe
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2002 : 05:29:42
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Lol, my only question, is when she spit on you, did you spit back or at least smack her? I would have, then again, I am a Drow right!?
The Great Drizzt |
"Don't poke Drizzt, 'tis highly unsociable!" Drizzt Do'Urden -BG1 |
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2002 : 15:10:29
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| Hahahaha.....we all know YOU would, Drizzt! |
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The Great Drizzt
Learned Scribe
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2002 : 07:31:44
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LOL, your right, ........wait a sec, hey what the hell does that mean? is that a good thing or a bad thing?
The confused Great Drizzt |
"Don't poke Drizzt, 'tis highly unsociable!" Drizzt Do'Urden -BG1 |
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Darwin Tenderfoot
Seeker
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2002 : 11:46:25
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Thank you all for your help. Great Drizzt how much do you want for that Drow book?
Darwin |
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2002 : 14:53:38
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| I meant we all knew you would "spit back or at least smack her" as you wrote in a previous post. |
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The Great Drizzt
Learned Scribe
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2002 : 06:31:10
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I'd say $10 bucks should do it, its in really good shape.
And yes, I would have bitch-smacked her till she was young again
If you have any questions about Drow Darwin feel free to E-mail me, I can answer anything(I'm pretty sure)you have to ask about Drow.
The Great Drizzt |
"Don't poke Drizzt, 'tis highly unsociable!" Drizzt Do'Urden -BG1 |
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Ditalidas
Learned Scribe
Netherlands
127 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2002 : 13:08:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Stoyka Wintercrow
I have quoted my own life incorrectly. How do I rewind this thing?
I was pretty sure I answered this question, but reading the thread over I realized there was no post from me that did answer it.
I guess you already figured it out by now, but I'll say it anyway. You can edit your own posts by pushing the paper-with-the-pencil button above your post. They're a bit small, but when searching you should be able to find the right one
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'All that is' is also 'All that is not' for the one cannot exist without the other.
Sweet Water and Light Laughter |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2002 : 17:15:49
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quote:
Originally posted by The Great Drizzt
By the way,
Drummerboy, have you heard of Drizzt's father Zaknefein?
Lireal Baenre, Jarlaxle, or Nissatyre? they are all nice, theres actually alot of "Nice" Drow, read the books, Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, or Dissillusioned, there will be more of these books too, I just forgot their names.
Hmmmm... I wouldn't qualify Jarlaxle (sp?) as a nice drow, the guy is as ruthless as they come, and the dangerous part about him is that he uses his brain.
quote:
Originally posted by The Great DrizztNot ALL Drow are evil, just about 98-99% of them arelol.
The Great Drizzt
I think this is where the 'wrong' image of drow comes from. Using a few exceptions as main characters in books, the readers get some sort of a wrong perception of the race as a whole. People start identifying with the characters, and before one knows it whole campaign worlds are overrun by Drizzt and Liriel look-alikes or Elistraee-worshippers. A poor reflection on the menace drow should portray in a regular game setting.
(In principle there's nothing wrong with trying to imitate one's favorite character, only it tends to be overdone in to large quantities...and has the potential to ruin a game.) |
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2002 : 01:26:50
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quote:
Originally posted by The Great Drizzt
....OH my god!!!!!!
I don't Even know where to start....
Do you want this Drow PC in 2nd or 3rd Ed.?
If its 2nd, you definatly need the handbook "Drow of the Underdark"
that book has everything from their history, Drow dieties, drow names, words, glyphs, different drinks, poisons, weapons, drow spells, house names, you can even learn to speak drow right out of this book! just about anything you can imagine! Literally, trust me, I've been playing this game for about 8 years now, and for the 7, I've been a Drow PC every time, you definatly need this book(I have 2 copies if you wanna buy one) if you wann know ANYTHING about drow, E-mail me at DrizztGundam429@aol.com, I can answer pretty much ANY question you might have, I like to think I'm a Guru of sorts
The Great Drizzt--Drow Guru Extrodenaire!
Ok, sorry I didn't reply to you promptly, but I didn't notice your post until today for some reason. I didn't mean to imply that all drow are evil, but you have to admit, most of them are. Ok, maybe I'll e-mail you sometime. BTW, how much would you sell "Drow of the Underdark" for |
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2002 : 01:32:54
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quote:
Originally posted by The Great Drizzt
By the way,
Drummerboy, have you heard of Drizzt's father Zaknefein?
Lireal Baenre, Jarlaxle, or Nissatyre? they are all nice, theres actually alot of "Nice" Drow, read the books, Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, or Dissillusioned, there will be more of these books too, I just forgot their names. Not ALL Drow are evil, just about 98-99% of them arelol.
The Great Drizzt
Well, the only drow I've heard of other than Drizzt who isn't evil are Zaknafein and this drow in Pool of Radiance who very uncharacteristically (for drow) actually sacrifices her life in vengeance of her dead lover. I didn't mean that there aren't any non-evil drow, but I haven't heard of those other ones you spoke of because I haven't read that many drow books yet (only The Dark Elf Trilogy and the first two books of the Icewind Dale Trilogy.)I should read those books you spoke of. |
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The Great Drizzt
Learned Scribe
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2002 : 07:00:19
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Yeah they are cool, yeah drop me a line sometime, and I'll sell the handbook for $10, It's in really good shape, I have to get it from my friends house.
The Great Drizzt |
"Don't poke Drizzt, 'tis highly unsociable!" Drizzt Do'Urden -BG1 |
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe
USA
395 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2002 : 14:05:25
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| Ok, I'll think about it and maybe e-mail you sometime. |
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The Great Drizzt
Learned Scribe
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2002 : 06:34:28
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Cool Drummerboy.
Has anyone else here been a Drow previously besides me?
The Great Drizzt |
"Don't poke Drizzt, 'tis highly unsociable!" Drizzt Do'Urden -BG1 |
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Drow Characters
