D&D 5E Redeeming Drow?

[Zardnaar]

For the second time ever I'm running a Drow campaign. Two of the players picked clerics of Elistraee and another a Paladin of Redemption following Elistraee.

I did a players guide 101 for the Drow of FR. They started in Szith Morcane and just passed through the Lake of Shadows.

They encountered some Drow survivors who survived the fall of Maerimydra. There's a variety of safe spits they can get food from and there's a few hidden Mad Max type settlements.

A remnant population is enslaved in Maerimydra.

Anyway they used create food and water to feed the survivors and revealed they followed Elistraee.

The Drow took the food but kind of laughed at them but some were "the goddess is with them" and "what's Lolth done for us since her silence"?

None were priestesses of Lolth.

Anyway I don't anticipate them redeeming the Drow en masses but redeeming some is doable IMHO 10-30% idk.

I've set it up where faith in Lolth us weak but Elistraee is kind of viewed as weak/useless.

Any ideas? Not sure if they will set Maerimydra up to send redeemed Drow to surface or lead redeemed Drow to the Dalelands themselves.

They saved an NPC surface Elf so they're making an effort I suppose to be good.

 

[MNblockhead]

With sentient beings, I treat the society as being evil. Those within it may act evil from brain washing, fear, etc. Many of course have bought all into it because they were raised in that culture and persistent evils exist in societies because their is a lot of effort spent on apologetics, philosophical unpinning, and peer pressure in favor of the evil. But intelligent beings with souls can change, some come to it on their own and fight against or resist the evil to varying degrees based on their ability and courage. Others can have a change of heart when removed from that society and its influences. Some may not have a real change of heart but they are pragmatic and are more self interested than actually being true believers. They can at least change their behaviors if not their hearts.

An interesting historical parallel may be german prisoners of war in US concentration camps in the United States in WW II. Many of the german prisoners were "reformed" somewhat or a whole lot, but there were Nazi true believers who held fast to their beliefs and sense of patriotism and would take revenge on their country men in the camps they viewed as traitors.

Another angle, which you already hinted at, as that many of the lower class drow are victims themselves. With the ruling class gone and the destruction of their society, they seem ripe for building a new society and adopting new ways.

 

[Zardnaar]

With sentient beings, I treat the society as being evil. Those within it may act evil from brain washing, fear, etc. Many of course have bought all into it because they were raised in that culture and persistent evils exist in societies because their is a lot of effort spent on apologetics, philosophical unpinning, and peer pressure in favor of the evil. But intelligent beings with souls can change, some come to it on their own and fight against or resist the evil to varying degrees based on their ability and courage. Others can have a change of heart when removed from that society and its influences. Some may not have a real change of heart but they are pragmatic and are more self interested than actually being true believers. They can at least change their behaviors if not their hearts.

An interesting historical parallel may be german prisoners of war in US concentration camps in the United States in WW II. Many of the german prisoners were "reformed" somewhat or a whole lot, but there were Nazi true believers who held fast to their beliefs and sense of patriotism and would take revenge on their country men in the camps they viewed as traitors.

Another angle, which you already hinted at, as that many of the lower class drow are victims themselves. With the ruling class gone and the destruction of their society, they seem ripe for building a new society and adopting new ways.

That's why I did it. Makes sense from the CotSQ Adventure and my idea still works if the players chose to be Lolthites.

They're still evil but there's wiggle room.


Just don't want to knock off Drizzts storyline.

 

[MNblockhead]

I don't think it is a knock of Drizzts storyline, but I haven't read the books, so I'm not a good judge. My understanding, however, is that Drizzt LEFT Drow society. In this case you have pockets of survivors. They didn't have an awakening and have an exodus from a powerful and fully-functioning evil society. Their evil society collapsed and they are having to eke out a survival and rebuild. Excellent opportunity to influence a group to rebuild a better society.

 

[Zardnaar]

I don't think it is a knock of Drizzts storyline, but I haven't read the books, so I'm not a good judge. My understanding, however, is that Drizzt LEFT Drow society. In this case you have pockets of survivors. They didn't have an awakening and have an exodus from a powerful and fully-functioning evil society. Their evil society collapsed and they are having to eke out a survival and rebuild. Excellent opportunity to influence a group to rebuild a better society.

Yeah I don't think they'll redeem the lot and they don't reveal their faith to large groups of Drow eg Szith Morcane.

Original idea was free the slaves in Maerimydra but I turned a random encounter from Xanathars into a pocket of survivors and the PCs went with it.

I'll build in that and do more pickets if post apocalyptic survivors I think.

The other Drow gods are active though in the game.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I don't think it is a knock of Drizzts storyline, but I haven't read the books, so I'm not a good judge. My understanding, however, is that Drizzt LEFT Drow society. In this case you have pockets of survivors. They didn't have an awakening and have an exodus from a powerful and fully-functioning evil society. Their evil society collapsed and they are having to eke out a survival and rebuild. Excellent opportunity to influence a group to rebuild a better society.

so build a better civilisation from the ruins plot line?

 

[Zardnaar]

so build a better civilisation from the ruins plot line?

Seems to be where they're going.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Seems to be where they're going.

sounds like it will be interesting, a real get stuck into the work kind of thing.

 

[Zardnaar]

sounds like it will be interesting, a real get stuck into the work kind of thing.

Basic idea was reclaim Maerimydra and do what they want.

Beyond that well.....

They might want to rule Maerimydra or take over Szith Morcane or head to the surface or do something else.

 

[Krachek]

Sure go on.
Drow society is lock in an evil loop.
To acquire Lolth favor and power you do evil act, that make enemies, and to survive your enemies you ask for more favor and power from Lolth doing more evil act, ....
If the loop is broken for any reason you can have new bahavior.

 

[Zardnaar]

Sure go on.
Drow society is lock in an evil loop.
To acquire Lolth favor and power you do evil act, that make enemies, and to survive your enemies you ask for more favor and power from Lolth doing more evil act, ....
If the loop is broken for any reason you can have new bahavior.

More or less how I see it.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

You could create sword & sandals stories with drows about inhuman civilitations who learn to respect the human dignity and discover the difference between true leaders and toxic bosses/tyrants. Of course that could need centuries, but it is not totally impossible.

 

[Zardnaar]

You could create sword & sandals stories with drows about inhuman civilitations who learn to respect the human dignity and discover the difference between true leaders and toxic bosses/tyrants. Of course that could need centuries, but it is not totally impossible.

Would take centuries. I don't think anyone is thinking mass conversion.

 

[Mind of tempest]

You could create sword & sandals stories with drows about inhuman civilitations who learn to respect the human dignity and discover the difference between true leaders and toxic bosses/tyrants. Of course that could need centuries, but it is not totally impossible.

I am fairly certain there is a market for this I could see this on a bestseller list.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

When you learn something about leadership, toxic bosses and loyalty you notice you haven't to sacrifice yourself for something you doesn't worry about you, doesn't respect you, and then your faith and trust is for somebody who deserves.

The evil deities have got the power, but not true loyalty but if you offer a common goals, for example a better future for your kindred. If they are totally selfish then they will be too busy with their game of thrones and will fail against a group with true will of sacrifice.

Somebody tries to follow the right path and she is killed as a saint martyr. It doesn't sound as a happy end, or does it? If her soul goes to a better place, one of the celestial planes, because she died "with honor" then you should wonder about... Maybe those deaths can later troubles to the infernal outsiders, for example the weapon used to kill a martyr may become a "sacred relic", working as a blessed weapon against evil supernatural creatures.

 

[Vaalingrade]

The bigger question is why non-successful drow would choose Lloth's almost sarcastic incompetence if given an alternative.

 

[Mind of tempest]

The bigger question is why non-successful drow would choose Lloth's almost sarcastic incompetence if given an alternative.

lots of people will jump to a thing if it promises to make their life better and if you're used to being at the bottom it is an attractive thing.

 

[Istbor]

I think it would work fine.

As others said, you can convert ones that want to convert, or ones that see pragmatic advantages to it, but there should be those that simple don't want to.

Maybe even some that feign conversion and report it to others, actual powerful devotees of Llolth. Throw some wrenches in to the gears. Spy hunts can be fun, if done correctly. And it sets the players up for an opportunity to display the virtues of their 'better' goddess. Or not... depending on your players.

 

[jgsugden]

The bigger question is why non-successful drow would choose Lloth's almost sarcastic incompetence if given an alternative.

When you grow up in a society where you see constant propaganda, you tend to believe the propaganda. You see it in the real world all the time. A maniac spewing lies to followers will be believed, despite how ridiculous and outlandish the claims, because enough people buy into it to allow people to overlook the absolute ridiculous idiocy of what is being said.

In my setting, the drow, and pretty much everything living in my expansive Underdark, live in isolated cities where information from the outside world is rare. Those that doubt the official story are either killed, outcast, or adjusted. Lolth, in particular, as the Lady of Deception, uses misinformation and manipulation to keep the followers in line. The drow in her service generally believe they are doing what is necessary to preserve the drow way of life from the surface threats, and that preemptive strikes and attacks are the only thing keeping the inevitable surface invasion at bay.

 

[Zardnaar]

I think it would work fine.

As others said, you can convert ones that want to convert, or ones that see pragmatic advantages to it, but there should be those that simple don't want to.

Maybe even some that feign conversion and report it to others, actual powerful devotees of Llolth. Throw some wrenches in to the gears. Spy hunts can be fun, if done correctly. And it sets the players up for an opportunity to display the virtues of their 'better' goddess. Or not... depending on your players.

Vhaeruns planning on doing this.

The Drow are nominally loyal to Lolth but there's very few priestesses around and Szith Morcane is kind of a low key magocracy.

There's only two priestesses, ones heading for Maerimydra the other ones being corrupted by a Vhaerunite.

Any Drow survivors in the wilds thinking of making them agnostic.

PCs likely to meet a Drow Druid this week.