Drow: An Interest Check

[Krayz]

What has black skin, white hair, and a chronic-backstabbing-disorder? The answer: a drow elf.

This thread is nothing more than a look into just how many people, like me, want to see a nice Group Roleplay featuring the above-mentioned dark elves of D&D. Twice I've tried to get into a roleplay with this intriguing race, only for them to putter out both times; once, one of mine that simply didn't gather enough players, and another time, where we simply haven't found a dedicated GM. So, I'm posting this badboy as a means of avoiding such failure again. Both times before, the games had titles that a dedicated drow fan could have missed. The point of this is to find answers to two simple questions:

1) Do you want a roleplay featuring the drow elves?

2) Are there any things in particular you would like to see in such a roleplay?

And, by answering these questions, find a way for those of us *dying* to get such a roleplay going to see it done. I don't actually have any plans on how to see this fulfilled yet, though the two big options are a) going back to one of those attempts I mentioned, or b) myself or someone else setting up something new altogether based on the feedback here. If I end up making something new, a few points need to be established:

~No Drizzts. MAYBE a warrior dual-wielding scimitars, but I'd give a fingerwag for that even... We do not want a legion of goodie-two-shoes drow moaning about the evil of drow society. I like Drizzt; he's a great novelty, and a very deep character, but that makes imitations all the worse. Show some originality, and try and enjoy the delicious wickedness of a genuinely drow-flavoured roleplay. This roleplay is about enjoying the delicious sinfulness of the dark elves.

~I would be using the book "Drow of the Underdark", a D&D 3.5 supplement, as the base material for my work, and thus while anything you know about the drow would be of some use, the most thorough understanding of what I'd be doing could be found in there.

[Kunoichi]

1) Well, I'd certainly be interested in a Drow roleplay, though not the sort that you seem to have an interest in.

2) Eberron.  Not that I'm expecting anyone else to be interested in doing something based around Eberron Drow, of course.  I mostly like them because of all the ways they differ from the default flavor of Drow in the Monster Manual and other such books.

[Krayz]

I actually know nothing about the drow of Eberron save mention in passing ^_^; I heard they have a thing for scorpions instead of spiders and are jungle-dwellers or something. That's pretty much it.

[elfguy]

I'm always interested in dark elves. I have a nice (or rather, extremely evil) girl I can play. Personally I'd rather have a freeform game rather than system, since it's been a while since my last D&D game. There are other Drow related games in this forum but they seem slow to start or to not have enough interest. Hopefully one will get going soon.

[Krayz]

I'm hoping for the same, mate.

[elfguy]

We don't need a vast number of people either, I'm sure we'd find enough. Just need someone to take the initiative and propose a plot, start a thread, etc.

[Travaius]

Lol I'd be willing to try this again, if you would still have me Krayz. Shocked I still have the old one bookmarked.

[RubySlippers]

Female Drow Expert (really skilled household servant) if DnD 3.5 or freeform  is fine for me. I don't want the responsibility just role-play and have fun and maybe order non-Drow slaves around. Heck that is one case she is of higher station being a freeborn Drow even of minor standing.

[Kunoichi]

I actually know nothing about the drow of Eberron save mention in passing ^_^; I heard they have a thing for scorpions instead of spiders and are jungle-dwellers or something. That's pretty much it.

Well, the stereotype is that of a tattooed tribal warrior in armor made from a scorpion's carapace, sacrificing outsiders before a scorpion idol in the deep, dark jungle, but that's just a stereotype.  There are certainly a few groups of drow that might do something like that, but they're not a monolithic culture, and individual groups can vary widely.

Take the Sulatar, for example.  The name means 'Firebinders', and they are, in fact, known for binding fire elementals into things.  A typical member of that group might be a warrior in blazing bronze armor, wielding a fiery double-sword and covered in mystic flame tattoos that cause fire elementals to regard him as a friend.  Or you could have a flame sorceress who draws power from a fire elemental bound directly into her own body, burning down her enemies with fire spells so hot that they can even overcome fire resistance.  They live near active volcanoes, in basalt towers built in deserts of black sand.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg as far as Eberron's Drow are concerned, though most of the fluff is left intentionally vague so that players and DMs can come up with whatever they want...

[elfguy]

Mine would be a pretty traditional Drow warrior, strong and powerful, selfish, ruthless with slaves.

So the question is, what kind of plot would it be. Would it be more about the family structure inside of a Drow society, or would we be exploring the world and spreading our evil?

[Krayz]

@elfguy and Kunoichi: while the details haven't been thought out yet, it's going to be a traditional drow kind of roleplay, with the scale depending on how many people we find.

I tend to play with Turn-Based-Logic rather than systems; basically, people establish the limits of their characters abilities, and the other plays call them on it when its considered that they've gone too far.

[Sabriel]

I would be interested in something Drow based depending on how it is done and well the setting obviously, I am not that familiar with Eberron Drow or Eberron itself but may be interested in this also. I have read about Eberron and have some vague experience with it and the Underdark of Eberron. 

I would probably prefer something using a system myself since it has been quite some time since Ive got involved in a proper D&D based thing. I have lots of ideas for Drow type scenarios but have been sort of craving the more traditional type of late, although one other idea I have always wanted to explore also is a Modern based setting.

 

[Creeper]

Well, the stereotype is that of a tattooed tribal warrior in armor made from a scorpion's carapace, sacrificing outsiders before a scorpion idol in the deep, dark jungle, but that's just a stereotype.  There are certainly a few groups of drow that might do something like that, but they're not a monolithic culture, and individual groups can vary widely.

Take the Sulatar, for example.  The name means 'Firebinders', and they are, in fact, known for binding fire elementals into things.  A typical member of that group might be a warrior in blazing bronze armor, wielding a fiery double-sword and covered in mystic flame tattoos that cause fire elementals to regard him as a friend.  Or you could have a flame sorceress who draws power from a fire elemental bound directly into her own body, burning down her enemies with fire spells so hot that they can even overcome fire resistance.  They live near active volcanoes, in basalt towers built in deserts of black sand.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg as far as Eberron's Drow are concerned, though most of the fluff is left intentionally vague so that players and DMs can come up with whatever they want...

I, who normally have no interest in drow, have had my curiosity piqued by this description.

Tell me more of these Eberron drow...

[Krayz]

I, who normally have no interest in drow, have had my curiosity piqued by this description.

Tell me more of these Eberron drow...

Unfortunately, Creeper, this is going to be a more traditional drow RP, so if you and Kunoichi could talk about this in private, that would be greatly appreciated :)

[Angi]

1. Yesh o-o ish sounds awesome and I'm dying for rp

2. Ummmm Nah I think you covered everything I would have requested when you said "No Drizzts" So... yup ^.^ I'd be willing to help with fleshing things out some... Once you have an idea of course... xD

[Kunoichi]

Feel free to PM me if you wish to know more, Creeper.

[Ironwolf85]

hmmm... are drow the only race allowed? I might pick another underdark species if it's okay...

[abandoneddolly]

I'd be intrested in playing a drow priestess. " All hail the spider queen"

[Zaer Darkwail]

1) Yes, I want play in game featuring the drows and where most other players are drow also.

2) Well, I would like roleplay all aspects of drow life; education, everyday work, everyday life and social interactions and ofc drow plots and adventures.

[The Clown Prince]

I have two typical drow characters already made up and ready to play, a Vhaeraunite assassin and a psionicist.

[Krayz]

Sorry I've been away so long; been busy with renovations.

@Ironwolf: if you want to be technical, drow are not the *only* option. But it'd be kind of like playing an outsider in a fascist/communist dictatorship, or a Mafia. At best, you're going to be considered inferior but tolerated for one reason or another.

@Zaer: Excellent, because what I have in mind is essentially just everyday life in a drow city. The interesting part is it being a *drow* city, because those dudes are just freaking nuts/awesome.

@Madtheos: Awesome.

The Plan[/u]

I'm going to set up a large and powerful drow city, where the political balance is essentially divided between a number of powerful Houses (pretty standard), and a mercenary-ish group led by yours truly (a little out there), along with the unified priesthood (again, natural). However, I don't plan on designing those Houses, per se. What I *would* like, however, is three to five people to volunteer to play as Matrons of their own Houses, and come up with a basic backstory and play style (Eg, merchant family, arcane specialists, slave traders, etc). I'll then design the city around those elements, and the Matrons can flesh out the details.

For Characters: the general abilities of the players in this are going to be based on D&D 3.0/3.5. I'm not going to run a true D&D game, with dice rolls and such, but the level of a character would have a lot of say in the ability of their gear, and the kinds of spells an arcane/divine spellcaster could use. So, if you know the D&D 3.0/3.5 system, it would do a lot of good to at least figure out the spell lists and equipment of your character (I did a full character sheet for mine, personally, but that's because I'm a little obsessive ^_^;). Character Wealth by Level can be found in the DM's Guide, along with lists of magic items, etc, of course. For players less acquainted with the system, try not to be too exotic, or message me or another player willing to help; I'm always glad to, personally.

To keep a form of balance among players, people acquainted with the system should keep their characters between the levels of 10-15 at the highest. Matrons would be higher, but no higher than level 20, please. [Sidenote: my dude personally is level 17, so better than your average Joe, but not as good as a Matron]

As a final note, players that aren't as obsessive as I am, and simply don't want to worry about all of this are welcome to, but don't get too out there with your abilities and equipment if that's the case; while PC-PC fighting isn't going to be a focus of this game, if it does come up I would prefer there to be a certain degree of balance between characters.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Aha, I see. There is exchisting well detailed drow city in Drows of Underdark book, which you can edit or change as you like. I found the city quite interesting.

Anycase wait more details of city before I introduce my char, I try keep concept quite similar what I originally posted but adjust the background fit in.

[Angi]

I'll volunteer for a Matron position... I can work all that out in a day or so

[Vergil1989]

As I said before when you put this up, I am most definitely interested but I would need help with the Character Sheet when you get it up because I am still trying to learn 3.5 at the moment.  I only have the 3.5 handbook as well as the Book of E Fantasy as far as spells and feats and all that goes, nothing on Drow or the Underdark or anything like that unfortunately unless you count Faiths and Pantheons.  I got it all from Skype friends lol.  Anyway, I'm game for this and I'll try a weapon master of my chosen house once people start creating them.  I'm a sword and spear kind of guy, leave the magic to the priestesses lol.

[Krayz]

@Zaer: Erelhi-Cinlu, or something like that. Indeed. But I prefer my own design to pre-made projects. I'm using that book to help me, however, including the info on the city.

@Despair: That's one :D

@Vergil: You don't need a precise understanding of 3.5; like I said, I'm only using D&D as a guideline, and since you're not playing a spellcaster, it's even easier. Basically, unless you plan on having a lot of magical trinkets or something and need to figure out how much money you'd have, a warrior-type character wouldn't really need too much research.

Still looking for a few more Matrons :D A Matron is usually a cleric of Lloth, but that's not always the case either.