Drow Elves

Drow Elves

Manipulators of Deceit, Darkness and Duplicity

An overview of the history, characteristics, and culture of drow elves—the mysterious and cunning race known for its command of deceit, deception, and the Underworld’s darkness. Discover some of their unique traits and abilities and strict societal structure.

Introduction to Drow

The drow, exiled from the surface, found solace and power in the Underworld. Initially intended as punishment, the darkness resonated with their nature, enhancing their malevolent intentions.

Fervently believing Naraneus the Spider Goddess gifted their retreat, the drow embraced their concealment, realizing its potential for achievements. Instead of dismissing ancient inhabitants, they assimilated their malevolence, cunning, and intelligence, seamlessly integrating it with their own. This fusion allowed them to subjugate societies and transform drow cities like Holoth into wonders of the Underworld.

History of the Drow

Ancient Origins

Despite their reputation as a venerable humanoid race, the displaced diaspora found themselves relatively new to the Underworld. The drow labeled Underworld races as aberrations or monstrosities, dismissing them as “degeneranti.” In turn, the drow were regarded as a “young upstart” culture. The drow brought their unique approach to ancient societal structures, mastery of magic, and engineering to the realms where blunt methods yielded coarse objectives. While some Underworlders still consider the drow newcomers, their deity, Naraneus, predates all those cultures.

Over tens of thousands of years, the drow have cultivated and refined Naraneus’ old ways, honing them into the most precise instruments, whether spells, swords, or tongues.

Exile and Underworld Society

While surface elves treat drow as a foul stain on their race, the dark elves themselves consider their actions and demeanor to be nothing more than pragmatic and boundary-setting. Not cruel, but clearly hierarchical; not callous, but rewarding of compliance; not calculating, but considered of all long-term possibilities.

The societal structure of elven society underwent a profound transformation when the drow were first exiled. Once drow leaders realized that Naraneus would reward those who ensured the survival of their species, banishment transformed into determined migration.

Character of Drow Elves

Drow prioritize themselves above all else. Driven by their desire for status and reward, they meticulously design every thought and action to achieve these from society. Deep-seated animosity toward other creatures stems from the fear of belittling cruelty or being perceived as inferior.

While fleeting admiration or jealousy may arise, these sentiments are quickly corrupted by resentment, covetousness, or spite. Judging a drow’s opinion of you by the time it takes for them to insult you is challenging, as they use a complex system of stances, gestures, tones, and expressions to enhance their words. The angle of their head, the sincerity of their smile, the pitch of their voice, and the openness of their hands all contribute to their meaning. A drow matriarch’s seemingly pleasant welcome may in all actuality be an order to have a visitor executed.

Overall, drow are “honestly dishonest,” meaning nothing they say or do should be taken at face value. Once an understanding is reached, it becomes sacrosanct until circumstances change.

Culture & Community

Worship of Naraneus and Matriarchy

Naraneus, the sole deity who supported the drow during their expulsion from the Upperworld, guided them through the treacherous path and chose to persevere. Despite minor deities emerging and vanishing over generations, Naraneus remained steadfast in her support.

Worshipping Naraneus is a significant undertaking for drow. It involves celebrating the drow as a unified race while skillfully understanding and executing praises and commands.

Naraneus is not distant; she actively engages with her clergy and favored individuals. She ensures exceptional drow attain senior positions, leading all dark elves to dominance in the Underworld. Naraneus maintains a strict matriarchal system, with males rarely elevated to dominant positions.

Naraneus aims to preserve her essence in the best females who will ensure the continuation of the finest lines and genes. As a female, Naraneus appears most radiant, and females command the highest ranks in drow society.

Unique Traits & Abilities

Drow have two captivating characteristics:

  1. They perceive any event as advantageous.

For example, their resilience, which may seem demoralizing to outsiders, is pragmatic. They exploit events to their benefit.

2. They deeply connect with their possessions.

Upperworlders misunderstand drow weapons and armor. The manufacturing process makes them vulnerable to sunlight, but their decay is also due to the bond between the owner and the weapon. As time passes, a part of the drow’s soul becomes intertwined with the sword, enhancing its effectiveness. Severing this bond weakens the weapon.

2 thoughts on “Drow Elves”

  1. Brian Johnson

    Fabulous! As someone whom is just starting the ‘Rise of the Drow’, this is very helpful!!!

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