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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Edena_of_Neith" data-source="post: 259455" data-attributes="member: 2020">Even if the above scenario (which involved 7 12th level characters against 5 7th level drow) is not accurate, I would expect most fights against the drow to end in this sorry way (well, sorry for the adventurers, at least.)  The drow are simply too smart, too well trained, and too well acclimated to their surroundings.  There is little to no hope for surface adventurers to achieve victory against them.  Basically, then, it is impossible to go against the drow.  The best answer to drow is to let them come to you, on the surface, where they are weakened and unprepared for what they will find.  Even then, they are extremely formidable opponents.  The Battle of Mithril Hall (see the Siege of Darkness novel by Salvatore) would have gone far differently in our campaign.  In our campaign, the drow would have taken Mithril Hall without difficulty (especially as there were no dwarven wizards to oppose them.)  The aid of Alustriel would have made the difference - outside - where the drow would have lost the battle of Fourthpeak.  However, inside, the dwarven army and the Harpells would have been overwhelmed.    The Battleragers would have all fallen in a single round.  And Drizzt Do'Urden, Bruenor, Catti-Brie, and Regis could not, alone, have made a significant difference in the outcome (although they could have survived by running.)  Even the well-laid traps of the dwarves would not have availed them.  Their foes are mistresses of traps and tricks, and would have bypassed them all.  The only way I could see Mithril Hall standing against the massive assault is if Alustriel and the Knights of Silver had marched, in their full strength (that is, the entire armed and magical might of Silverymoon, along with all her best magical items) had gone into Mithril Hall proper, and they had deployed against the invasion in the lower levels.  Alustriel could have gained the immediate aid of her Sisters, Khelben, Elminster, and great forces from Waterdeep, Shadowdale, and perhaps from cities in the Lords Alliance.  Even with all of that, it would have been a desperate battle, and casualties would have been enormous.  There is a good chance Mithril Hall would have been totally destroyed (beyond rebuilding) in the great battle (especially when the drow realized they were not going to win, and decided to destroy what they could not have.)  Just my opinion.  Of course, in our campaign, Gromph - Archmage of Menzoberranzan - and all of the city's top mages and magistresses would have gone to fight.  The immense might of the Academy would have been brought to bear.  Noble Houses would have put aside their feuds to destroy the common enemy, each hoping to gain greater glory and favor in the eyes of Lolth.  The drow would not have retreated without the bitterest of fights.  They would not have retreated, for this would have dishonored themselves in the eyes of Lolth (worse than death for them), and no House would have retreated when other Houses were standing and fighting.</blockquote>

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