Svirfneblin: are they Evil like Drow and Duergar?

[Kwyn]

Yup. Svirfneblin were first in the D series (D-2 I believe). They can be a terrific resource for surface dwellers who have to traverse the Underdark. They can provide valuable recon, supplies and places to rest and recover.

The underdark race that Svirfneblin would likely ally with are Gray Dwarves (Deep Dwarves) who are LN as I recall.

What you want are Derro. Derro are chaotic evil underdark 'dwarves' that have been mutated and driven insane by worshipping their freaky, chaotic evil gods. They have 'savants' who are their super-intelligent leader caste.

While they probably wouldn't work closely with Duergar, they could provide a second enemy down there for your PC's.

If you are running an Underdark campaign, I would highly recommend you try to find copies of Drizz't Do'Urden's Guide To The Underdark and The Night Below. DDGTtU is a terrific resource that can be used in any campaign. The Night Below is one of the best mega-adventures I've ever played in. Derro, Kuo-Toans, Aboleth, even a race of good, Underdark Elves. And best of all, not a Drow to be seen. Both products are unfortunately out of print, but perhaps you can get lucky on E-Bay.

 

[ArcOfCorinth]

The underdark race that Svirfneblin would likely ally with are Gray Dwarves (Deep Dwarves) who are LN as I recall.

Gray Dwarves and Deep Dwarves are two different subraces.

Gray Dwarves (Duegar) = LE
Deep Dwarves= LN

 

[Kwyn]

I thought the Complete Dwarven Handbook listed Gray Dwarves as being the same as Deep Dwarves. No?

I'll check when I get home.

 

[ArcOfCorinth]

I've never read it. I'm just going by the MM.

 

[Wolf72]

I thought the Complete Dwarven Handbook listed Gray Dwarves as being the same as Deep Dwarves. No?

I'll check when I get home.

iirc gray dwarves were the evil ones (LE-LN) and deep dwarves were the not so evil ones (LN-LG)

 

[Kwyn]

iirc gray dwarves were the evil ones (LE-LN) and deep dwarves were the not so evil ones (LN-LG)

You guys are right.

 

[Gez]

Gray dwarves are duergars.


Svirfneblins have never been evil; however they had this reputation on the surface, out of ignorance and generalization ("everything below ground is evil").

Gnomes are simply too good to be evil. Dwarves and elves have each another alignment that may be used to stir them away from goodness, but not the gnomes.

What? Spriggans? Look at the Fiend Folio: Do you see the (Gnome) subtype on them anywhere?

 

[diaglo]

What? Spriggans? Look at the Fiend Folio: Do you see the (Gnome) subtype on them anywhere?

1edADnD..... you must remember who mentions them. under their description you will see....gnome.

 

[Gez]

Should have put a .

I know they were gnomes before, and I found it a bad idea that they didn't gave them the (gnome) subtype in the FF. I would give it to them. Fey or not, I don't care, but gnome, dammit.

Just as I give the (dwarf) subtype to azers.

And the planetouched and half-fiends keep their humanoid subtypes too.

 

[Staffan]

Is that why people can't agree on how to pronounce "Drow"? Because they're so evil?

Sheesh. Everyone knows "drow" is pronounced like "bow".