Drow Origins?

[Kae'Yoss]

The original conception of Drow, as seen in G3 and D123, was a race that worshipped demonlords (emphasis on plural). Lolth was just an interesting example of a superdemon.

Today's FR - drow are a race that worships dark deities (emphasis on plural). Lolth is just the most powerful of them, not the only one.

Not all drow are spider-kissers.

And after Exctinction (War of the Spider Queen Book IV) I start to think that, maybe, none of them will be in a couple of months/years. I have the theory, that the drow return to the surface, for some time now. At first, I thought it was very improbable, but since I read the WotSQ series, I think it is not that improbable. And then there's the fact that DR 1375 is called "Year of Risen Elfkin". Elfkin could mean drow, and the rise could very well be the actual rise back again on the Night Above (some fractions are doing it even now, and the Silence helps things along I would think). It still is only one of several theories on the outcome of the Silence (and not the one I'd bet the farm on), but...

 

[SylverFlame]

If you're looking for the best reference I've seen for Drow in FR, check out the novel Evermeet (by Elaine Cunningham, if I'm not mistaken).

First off, it is a GREAT read and you learn so much of the FR elves history it's disgusting. It covers the moonblades, high magic, portals, everything! I was really impressed and it gives it all in story form so it's easy to remember. Also, it explains the Seldarine and all kinds of other stuff. I was really impressed with the book.

 

[ruleslawyer]

I'd say that Drow of the Underdark is a much, much better resource on the FR drow for oh-so-many reasons (not least of which is that the novels don't often inspire great game concepts), but YMMV.

Wow, so G3 dates back to 1978? Y'know, that's before the release of the 1e Dungeon Master's Guide (or at least the printing that I own, anyway; the one with the City of Brass).

 

[hunter1828]

Plot & Poison: A Guidebook to Drow by Green Ronin is a wonderful 3rd edition sourcebook that brings the drow back closer to their 1st edition origins, IMO. Great book. Damn great book.

hunter1828

 

[Derulbaskul]

Ridley's Cohort,

(snip) Lolth was just an interesting example of a superdemon. (snip)

If she was so "super" why did she have only 66 hit points? Or, putting it another way, why do you think she was "super" when she had only 66 hit points?

Making Lolth a central figure of an elvish pantheon in Deities & Demigods was jumping the shark IMO. The rather mundane FR mythology was equally successful in sucking the fun out of Drow.

I disagree (IMO only, of course). The FR mythology actually made Lolth more interesting by having her fall to her demonic/divine state. I think it's quite an interesting take on the whole backstory.

 

[Kweezil]

Ridley's Cohort,
If she was so "super" why did she have only 66 hit points? Or, putting it another way, why do you think she was "super" when she had only 66 hit points?

She also had an AC of -10 and 70% MR. It made her an interesting variation from most of the other demon lords and arch devils who had a lot more hit points, but much worse AC. Or at least that's how I always remember her, but I can't find my old MM to check

 

[Nine Hands]

IIRC the drow (originally called the Ilythiiri) were dark-skinned with white hair in honour of Araushnee, Corellon Larethian's consort and their patron goddess. When she was banished from the Seldarine and became Lolth, they remained devoted to her and were declared dhaeraow, traitor, and they took this as their name as an insult to the rest of elvenkind.

Damn, I feel geeky now

Actually, I feel that the name Drow was just a human's bad attempt at mimicing elven speak for these strange jet black skinned elves killing his fellow townfolk and it just stuck.

 

[Count Arioch the 28t]

She also had an AC of -10 and 70% MR. It made her an interesting variation from most of the other demon lords and arch devils who had a lot more hit points, but much worse AC. Or at least that's how I always remember her, but I can't find my old MM to check

Plus, she could cast Heal 3 times a day. (I think it was 3, I'm too lazy to dig out my old 1E Fiend Folio/Deities and Demigods/1E modules right now.)