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

CapnZapp · Sep 10, 2015

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?

Let me start you off:

1) "I had time to cut off the tips of my ears, and have kept a low profile ever since"

Lidgar · Sep 10, 2015

2) "I am from a powerful noble family and worth much more alive. Plus I have these crazy good dance moves for those Drow Matriarchs."

Agamon · Sep 10, 2015

CapnZapp said:
I can't very well rule out elves as a racial choice, or I'll ruin the surprise.

The surprise? The game starts with the PCs as prisoners of drow. If you don't tell them that, it's less surprise and more of a "gotcha".

Besides, how does the elf player come up with these reasons if he doesn't know?

I'd tell the players how the game begins and let them come up with a reason if they want to play an elf.

Remathilis · Sep 10, 2015

Our group is screwed; we're importing our 3rd level PCs and among our group is a wood elf ranger, a gold elf rogue and a renegade drow paladin of Lathander. (We also have a gold dwarf cleric of Moradin, a half-orc barbarian, and a human diviner, I don't wager any of them are going to fair that well either).

Corpsetaker · Sep 10, 2015

Remathilis said:
Our group is screwed; we're importing our 3rd level PCs and among our group is a wood elf ranger, a gold elf rogue and a renegade drow paladin of Lathander. (We also have a gold dwarf cleric of Moradin, a half-orc barbarian, and a human diviner, I don't wager any of them are going to fair that well either).

This is something I couldn't ignore if I was DMing. The drow would just slaughter all of you and take anything of value. I never handwave things like this because my group would become disinterested in the campaign.

Remathilis · Sep 11, 2015

Corpsetaker said:
This is something I couldn't ignore if I was DMing. The drow would just slaughter all of you and take anything of value. I never handwave things like this because my group would become disinterested in the campaign.

Just as a thought, what races (from either the PH or EE) WOULDN'T the drow slaughter on sight?

Jester David · Sep 11, 2015

3) The drow slavers finished each day telling me I did a good job but there'd "most likely kill me in the morning."

Corpsetaker · Sep 11, 2015

Remathilis said:
Just as a thought, what races (from either the PH or EE) WOULDN'T the drow slaughter on sight?

I would say maybe the half orc if he appears strong.

Arial Black · Sep 11, 2015

Oh, the drow have plans for them...

...best hope you can escape before those plans are *ahem* executed...

Have the drow taunt the captive PCs, without going into specifics.