Dark Elf-Drow

Drow, Oerth

Drow, the evil dark elves, thrive in Under-Oerth. Their society is based upon violence, murder, cunning, and the philosophy that only the strong survive. It is primarily matriarchal, ruled by the priestesses of their spider goddess, Lolth. The males are typically considered inferior, and though some can reach relative repect if they become powerful wizards, they are never permitted to rule. Most drow plot endlessly to murder or otherwise incapacitate their rivals. They are constantly wary of the threat of assassination, especially if they enjoy any seat of power. Their society, as a whole, is seemingly nonviable. The only reason they do not murder themselves to extinction is by the will of their goddess. As a race, drow are usually evil.

Drow are characterized by white or silvery hair, obsidian black skin, and red eyes, though their eyes can rarely be gray, violet or yellow instead. Female drow tend to be slightly taller than males, though the difference is barely noticable to outsiders.

Drow, Faerun

On the whole, Drow are sadistic, derstructive, and treacherous. They view themselves as the rightful heirs to Faerun, and still remember the perceived injustice of their exile to the Underdark. Drow live in militaristic societies with strong religious foundations. They are matriarchal, ruled by the most powerful priestess to their spider goddess Lolth. Drow do not form nations, but congregate in vastly powerful city-states located in massive caverns undergroupnd. Though they are divided by endless feunds and schisms, the drow are at the same time united in one terrible desire: they seethe with a hatred for the surface elves.

Drow have black skin that resembles polished obsidian, and stark white or pale yellow hair. This hair is carefully groomed and cared for by most drow and worn long with jewelry and other accessories decorating it. They commonly have unusually bright red eyes, although pale eyes (so pale as to be often mistaken for white) in shades of pale lilac, silver, pink, and blue are not unknown. They also tend to be smaller and thinner than most Faerunian elves, varying in height between 4'7" and 5'5", and weighing 95 to 135lbs.

Svartalfar, Ysgard

Called Svartalfar, the drow of Ysgard are considerably less evil than their prime bretheren. They live primarily undeground, in the tunnels close to the surface of their home realm Svartalfheim. Clouded in mystery, the Svartalfar are just as chaotic and unpredictable as any other elf, perhaps even moreso, but they like to be left alone. Utterly ruthless in opposing the dwarves and gnomes, it's said that the Svartalfar revere the Eilistraee the Dark Maiden, though others believe it's truly Erevan Ilesere or even Loki in disguise. Of the three, no one knows for certain whose realm Svartalheim is.

Like other Drow, the Svartalfar have pitch-black skin and shock-white hair with red, violet, gray or yellow eyes. They average around 5'2" and 115lbs, with lithe attractive bodies. Many are skilled dancers, and their physiques and dress both reflect this.

Racial Traits

• +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma, -2 Constitution
• Sleeplessness: Immmune to magical sleep effects
• Hardiness vs. Enchantments: +2 racial bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting spells
• Spell Like Abilities: Darkness 1x/day
• Spell Resistance: 11 + the drow's character level
• Darkvision: Drow can see in the dark up to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and drow function just fine wtih no light at all.
• Light Sensitivity: Drow are dazzled in bright sunlight or within the radius of a daylight spell
• Keen Senses: Drow are always considered to be in Detect Mode. They apply their full listen, search and spot skills even when making a passive search
• Skill Affinity: Drow receives a +2 racial bonus to the Listen, Search and Spot skills
• Weapon Proficiency: Drow are proficient with the longsword, rapier, longbow, and shortbow.
• Level Adjustment +2

Setup Instructions

• Create your character with the Elf race, and use the Subrace Setter in the start area.
• This race will require a DM to modify your ability scores.
• The ability score modifications, compared to the standard Elf, are: +2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma