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TBeholder
Great Reader
2473 Posts |
 Posted - 30 May 2012 : 14:15:45
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From the thread - it seems that there's no conclusive answer whether "advanced" drow powers are given by the bloodline or better training.
But there's yet another issue: how much they are/were linked to faerzess?
Canonically, drow spell-like powers and magic resistance were slowly disrupted by sunlight or simply living above ground, then Liriel fixed the problem and it's not an issue. Correct?
Sshamath environs were depleted, beyond the point where teleportation is not scrambled. Yet servers in The Lukhorn's Gullet could float back and forth for no better reason than it beats walking up the stairs and doubles as "exotic" show-off. Of course, there are still the question of magic items, but...
May all this levitation and everything painted with permanent faerie fire mean that faerzess as such is necessary for item, but not living drow magic?
The most tempting hypothesis is that Sshamath at some point turned more attention to study and training of innate powers. For example, when faerzess began to fade, won't they start clinging to all other advantages? This would explain how they got this situation despite not thinking much about anything save arcane magic now - for the last generation or two they'd simply have higher standards in this training.
Is there anything related to this matter?
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People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2012 : 18:36:01
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All civilized drow receive training in wizardly magic, both to test their aptitude for casting spells and to train them in the mental concentration necessary for control of their natural spell-like abilities. These innate "base powers," so called because all drow are born with them, and with practice can learn to use them without formal tutelage, are the abilities to evoke dancing lights, faerie fire, and darkness. Drow of fourth level gain "mature powers" of levitate, know alignment, and detect magic. Drow of noble blood or name typically gain the ability to use all of their base and mature powers more than once a day. An additional daily use is granted at the end of each decade of life; senior noble drow have practically unlimited use of their powers.
There's a bit of an excerpt from the 2E Drow of the Underdark book from pages 6-8. I tend to go with this, and just keep the 3e version of powers don't fade on the surface (introduced in 3E via Liriel as you mentioned). In any case, use what you want and ignore the rest. For instance, in our campaign we have stripped drow of magic resistance, mainly because i never understood why they should have it in the first place. I'd guess that has more to do as them as bad-arse enemies back in the day and it was the thing to do. ;)
Regarding Faerzress, as far as I know there is no specific rules regarding its use. In the past, all it basically did was scramble the ability to teleport and I believe scrying. I think it was also the source of the radiation that the drow used to make their quasi-magical items that would melt in the sunlight. 3E mostly did away with that however unless you added the drowcraft property to an item. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 00:52:48
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That sounds like saying the drow are (or start off as) sorcerers, or Arcnaturals. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 01:14:17
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I gain a great deal of insight into the Drow from this alone:
"Ages past, when the elvenfolk were but new to the face of the earth, their number was torn by discord and those of better disposition drove from them those of the elves who were selfish and cruel. However constant warfare between the two divisions of elvenkind continued, with the goodly ones ever victorious, until those of dark nature were forced to withdraw from the lands under the skies and seek safety in the realm of the underworld. Here, in lightless caverns and endless warrens of twisting passages and caves hung with icicles of stone, the dark elvenfolk - the drow - found both refuge and comfort. Over the centuries they grew strong once again and schooled themselves in arcane arts. And though they were strong enough to face and perhaps defeat their former brethren in battle, the drow no longer desired to walk upon the green lands under the sun and stars. They no longer desired a life in the upper world, being content with the gloomy fairyland beneath the earth that they had made their own. Yet they neither forgave nor forgot, and even now, above all else, they bear enmity for all their distant kin - elves and fairies - who drove them down beneath the earth and now dwell in the meadows and dells of the bright world. Though they are seldom if ever seen by any human or demi-human, the drow still persist, occasionally entering lower dungeon levels and consorting with other creatures in order to work out their schemes and inflict revenge upon those who inhabit the world above."
The BOLD part is what stands out to me. The original written description of the Drow indicates to me that all Drow powers come from schooling. Bloodline wouldn't apply because both a Drow male and female could have identical parents...and the female is still going to have more spell power than the male.
I even equate the earlier movement rates (12 for men and 15 for women) to arcane schooling. Drow equipment and other things also denote a particular kind of magic different from other magic...unique to their race and possibly only understood by certain members of their society.
As an example, even in the novels about Drizzt, he had to go to an academy to learn some few spells...these were spells in the writings and not truly "innate" magics without this training. The magic itself may come from inside them...but it has to be taught to them.
I've actually had MALE drow with all the powers of a female Drow High Priestess...but the fellow was also the follower of Vhaerun and had learned to harness his full potential by being taught how to do so by priests of that god.
While the drow have innate magic running in their DNA...it is no more use to them than my capacity to learn how to swim: if I'm not taught how to swim, that potential is wasted...if a Drow is not taught how to work certain magic, they simply can't do it. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1601 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 02:23:27
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| Mr. Salvatore's novels imply that dark elves are trained in martial and arcane arts, IIRC. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2473 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2012 : 16:37:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Eilserus
For instance, in our campaign we have stripped drow of magic resistance, mainly because i never understood why they should have it in the first place. I'd guess that has more to do as them as bad-arse enemies back in the day and it was the thing to do. ;)
That, too, but don't most creatures with innate magic have at least some resistance?
Also, the way they as magical creatures were changed could do something with this. Though in this case Liriel's fix would affect resistance.
quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
I gain a great deal of insight into the Drow from this alone:
[...]
The BOLD part is what stands out to me. The original written description of the Drow indicates to me that all Drow powers come from schooling.
Yes, but this also says they were driven down, as opposed to seeking shelter when they caught light sensitivity...
quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
As an example, even in the novels about Drizzt, he had to go to an academy to learn some few spells...these were spells in the writings and not truly "innate" magics without this training. The magic itself may come from inside them...but it has to be taught to them.
Good point, but he never was an arcane caster in novels or sourcebooks, was he? Then it's knowledge that translates to "spellcraft" and "lore". And maybe using wizard items, was there anything definitive as to whether he can / can't do this? |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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[drow] innate magic
