D&D 5E Thoughts on playing Elf in Out of the Abyss [SPOILERS]

[CapnZapp]

But...

...the sheer number of you suggesting variations on this have softened my stance somewhat. If one of my player does choose Elf, and isn't satisfied with any of the "hidden in plain sight" suggestion, then I'll take the "we'll kill her later" options under consideration...

One thing that kinda helped here was a random passage from the Drow sourcebook, where the heroes pass by a slave den and can find web cocoons with unconscious slaves in them. I got the feeling they were long-term storage, kinda like a coma: reduced metabolism and all. I could imagine determined drow rolling up an elf in one of those puppies to resist temptation and for safe-keeping (but them cocoons being far too expensive to be wasted on common slave trash like the other PCs)

The elf player would then be asked to play one of the great NPCs until they could rescue the Elf character, to reinforce the severity of being an elf in Drow-land.

 

[Mouseferatu]

My issue is that I don't want to downplay the "rabid hatred against elves" schtick drow are always described having.

See, lots of monsters try to kill PCs--or certain PCs--on sight. I'd think saving them for sacrifice or special abuse (or both) would emphasize the hatred, not dilute it. It's an exception to the normal "kill 'em all!" practice, but not that rare of an exception; the drow would see it almost as a special treat. "Ooh, we get to keep this one for a while!"

 

[77IM]

I understand it's possible to rationalize the "keep elves alive" behavior - that's not my issue.

My issue is that I don't want to downplay the "rabid hatred against elves" schtick drow are always described having.

Experiencing drow for the first time as a player and them NOT killing off any elves weakens this impression considerably.

Oh! Include some elf NPCs as fellow prisoners, and have the drow kill those elves, viciously and cruelly, at the slightest provocation -- make it clear that the drow will keep other prisoners alive for transport, but they are LOOKING for an excuse to murder elves. Frequent beatings help too; maybe the other PCs start at full health, but the elf PCs start with 1 hit point and 2 levels of exhaustion, or something, due to the abuse.

EDIT: CapnZapp, your idea of putting elven prisoners into suspended animation is great. Having a player rescue their own PC during the opening adventure -- brilliant! That is a new one for me; I'll have to try that some time.

 

[Zaran]

Yeah you guys are thinking too hard about this. Drow would rather kill you as a spectacle than do it at first sight. Also there could be a reason why they are gathering prisoners... like for Sacrifice Saturday.

 

[Creamsteak]

Sacrifice Saturday.

I imagine this comes across like a monster truck rally.

 

[Mephista]

Thanks but I would need more specifics. This doesn't really answer the question.

Its a novel/movie quote from The Princess Bride

My issue is that I don't want to downplay the "rabid hatred against elves" schtick drow are always described having.

Experiencing drow for the first time as a player and them NOT killing off any elves weakens this impression considerably.

Then don't downplay it? You don't have to show off hatred with through killing. If anything, killing is a mercy compared to being taken to the Underdark. Drow are not known for mercy for a reason.

 

[aramis erak]

Sorry about the vague thread title.

The real title is "Ten reasons my Elf PC isn't murdered yet"

That is, the module doesn't adress the fact that Drow usually kill surface elves on sight, rather than bothering to take them prisoners or as slaves. I can't very well rule out elves as a racial choice, or I'll ruin the surprise.

And no, I don't want any "let's not argue about who enslaves who" and handwave away millenia of intense racial hatred.

So... what do you say?

"Amuse us"... The Drow speak elvish. Sometimes a smart and sassy slave can be a fun playtoy. Provided he learns his place...

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

But...

...the sheer number of you suggesting variations on this have softened my stance somewhat. If one of my player does choose Elf, and isn't satisfied with any of the "hidden in plain sight" suggestion, then I'll take the "we'll kill her later" options under consideration...

Here's a mean idea: any player who wants to play an elf gets asked to create four elf characters. Three of them, chosen at random, get brutally slaughtered in the opening seconds of the campaign; the shell-shocked fourth becomes the PC.

 

[Arial Black]

While the rest of the PCs are kept in a cell with some others, the elf PC is strung up in a line of elves. All the elves to his left have been tortured to death, all the elves to his right are awaiting their grisly turn, while the drow had just started on the PC before they were called away.

If you have any healers in the party, the elf PC could start with 1hp and his favourite kidney on the floor.

I'm pretty sure that this will adequately reflect the 'drow hate elves' trope you are hoping to convey.

I have a question of my own: are PCs allowed to be drow in this adventure?

 

[Teemu]

Maybe the fact that the elf character or characters aren't immediately killed becomes a (minor?) plot point that's initially a mystery to the party. As in, what extraordinary circumstances would warrant keeping a surface elf alive; what's going on here? Could build up some dread with it too.