Post by Elva'ree on May 14, 2017 15:43:26 GMT
A Lolthian Drow
Welcome to House Do’Valtor Drow Class.
Today we are going to talk about what it is to be a drow; what motivates us.
Now before I start, I want to make sure everyone understands that this information is unique to my house here in Island of Shadows. Each Drow house has their own traditions and backgrounds; mine is based on Forgotten Realms and D&D.
Now a Lolthian drow will most likely never do anything out of the goodness of their heart, if only for the fact that they do not know what that is, they have no understanding of it. They are almost entirely motivated by anger, fear and pride and are constantly consumed by gaining favor, station and vengeance.
Station:
Social standing is everything to a drow. There is a deeply entrenched hierarchy within the drow. We divide everyone into three categories.
Those with more power, who must be appeased and placated.
Those who are useful to one’s own advancement and must be exploited in all ways possible.
The weak, who are worthless expect as labor or disposable troops.
Example:
Young Priestess’ View point:
Matron, More powerful must be appeased and placated
High Priestess, Useful with getting close to Matron and powerful ally
Non ranking surfacers, those who are to low ranking to bring her more power mean little to her
Young Mage’s View point:
House Mage, more powerful must be appeased and placated.
Full Wizard, can help him get in good with the House Mage
House guards, easily replaced cannon fodder.
Anger:
Drow are primal and instinctive, they are quick to lash out at those who offend them. Violence is their first reaction. A current of rage runs through them that they keep in check, just waiting for the right moment and time to release it.
Example: Elva has spent much of last week furious at one of her advisors. But, as the Ilharess, she could hardly walk around and take it out on everyone around her. Though because of her fury, she has been quick to snap at others, she's made an effort to not show that anger to everyone but it is trying.
Fear:
In a society that worships a Demon Goddess who thrives on watching her followers performing acts of treachery on one another, drow tend to live in constant mortal terror. They fear their superiors will eliminate them, their underlings will betray them, of losing status and displeasing Lolth. This fear engenders paranoia, distrust and their driving need for secrecy.
Example: Valun is Elva’s favorite sister, and even though they share a trust that is very uncommon among drow, Elva still fears one day Valun will decide she would make a more fitting Ilharess than Elva, and destroy her. At the same time, Valuna fears Elva will lose favor with her and therefore she would lose status in the house.
Pride:
Every drow believes she is the shining example of a superior race. When a drow is under the authority of another, they chafe at the servitude. And if a drow fails in some way it is always because of underling’s failures, enemy’s machination, or Allies’ betrayals, it is never the individual’s fault.
Example: While Elva is the Matron of the house and her word is law, but outside of the house, she is second to Valuk Drizryn. Elva both respects and hates him for his ability to raise to such a position. But despite the hate, that even while Elva is not at all pleased with having to give the Valuk her respect, she does and you will never see Elva not be courtly and respectful to him. His presence is, and will always be something that rubs her the wrong way, but at least he is a drow.
Favor:
The Spider Queen holds her favor over the drow as a reward to those who please her. She forces the drow to dance about like puppets on a string to gain her favor and she is quick to take it away. Because of this, drow are constantly begging for Lolth’s favor and trying to find new ways to earn it.
Example: After one mis-step by a house member, Elva and her priestesses spent a week in prayer- barely leaving the temple- to ensure that they didn't fall from Lolth's favor. The depend on that favor to not only stay in power but to keep the House safe. Lolth's favor is of the greatest importance and while it might last for generations it can also be gone in an instant, making you and yours the next target for her amusement.
Vengeance:
Drow do not take kindly to insults, it might take years, but the drow will repay every slight and plot a devastating vengeance. With that said, drow are more inclined to use trickery and stealth rather than take on an opponent head on. They will not demand a duel and fight to the death, they will ambush you in the dead of night when you are all alone and stab you in the back with a poisoned dagger, so no one will ever know who dealt the death blow.
As a last note:
Drow are quick to anger, as they are most likely already angry at something, paranoid, and prideful, but they are elves. They have long lives; they forget little and forgive nothing. That does not mean every insult will be met with blades drawn. What it does mean, that even though the drow is laughing with you, smiling at you, she has already planned your death and how to obtain all your wealth and standing. And as they know this to be true for all other drow, they speak carefully, politely, and with lots of though.
Brian R. James, Eric Menge (2012), Dungeons & Dragons, Menzoberranzn City of Intrigue; Roleplaying Game Supplement.
Welcome to House Do’Valtor Drow Class.
Today we are going to talk about what it is to be a drow; what motivates us.
Now before I start, I want to make sure everyone understands that this information is unique to my house here in Island of Shadows. Each Drow house has their own traditions and backgrounds; mine is based on Forgotten Realms and D&D.
Now a Lolthian drow will most likely never do anything out of the goodness of their heart, if only for the fact that they do not know what that is, they have no understanding of it. They are almost entirely motivated by anger, fear and pride and are constantly consumed by gaining favor, station and vengeance.
Station:
Social standing is everything to a drow. There is a deeply entrenched hierarchy within the drow. We divide everyone into three categories.
Those with more power, who must be appeased and placated.
Those who are useful to one’s own advancement and must be exploited in all ways possible.
The weak, who are worthless expect as labor or disposable troops.
Example:
Young Priestess’ View point:
Matron, More powerful must be appeased and placated
High Priestess, Useful with getting close to Matron and powerful ally
Non ranking surfacers, those who are to low ranking to bring her more power mean little to her
Young Mage’s View point:
House Mage, more powerful must be appeased and placated.
Full Wizard, can help him get in good with the House Mage
House guards, easily replaced cannon fodder.
Anger:
Drow are primal and instinctive, they are quick to lash out at those who offend them. Violence is their first reaction. A current of rage runs through them that they keep in check, just waiting for the right moment and time to release it.
Example: Elva has spent much of last week furious at one of her advisors. But, as the Ilharess, she could hardly walk around and take it out on everyone around her. Though because of her fury, she has been quick to snap at others, she's made an effort to not show that anger to everyone but it is trying.
Fear:
In a society that worships a Demon Goddess who thrives on watching her followers performing acts of treachery on one another, drow tend to live in constant mortal terror. They fear their superiors will eliminate them, their underlings will betray them, of losing status and displeasing Lolth. This fear engenders paranoia, distrust and their driving need for secrecy.
Example: Valun is Elva’s favorite sister, and even though they share a trust that is very uncommon among drow, Elva still fears one day Valun will decide she would make a more fitting Ilharess than Elva, and destroy her. At the same time, Valuna fears Elva will lose favor with her and therefore she would lose status in the house.
Pride:
Every drow believes she is the shining example of a superior race. When a drow is under the authority of another, they chafe at the servitude. And if a drow fails in some way it is always because of underling’s failures, enemy’s machination, or Allies’ betrayals, it is never the individual’s fault.
Example: While Elva is the Matron of the house and her word is law, but outside of the house, she is second to Valuk Drizryn. Elva both respects and hates him for his ability to raise to such a position. But despite the hate, that even while Elva is not at all pleased with having to give the Valuk her respect, she does and you will never see Elva not be courtly and respectful to him. His presence is, and will always be something that rubs her the wrong way, but at least he is a drow.
Favor:
The Spider Queen holds her favor over the drow as a reward to those who please her. She forces the drow to dance about like puppets on a string to gain her favor and she is quick to take it away. Because of this, drow are constantly begging for Lolth’s favor and trying to find new ways to earn it.
Example: After one mis-step by a house member, Elva and her priestesses spent a week in prayer- barely leaving the temple- to ensure that they didn't fall from Lolth's favor. The depend on that favor to not only stay in power but to keep the House safe. Lolth's favor is of the greatest importance and while it might last for generations it can also be gone in an instant, making you and yours the next target for her amusement.
Vengeance:
Drow do not take kindly to insults, it might take years, but the drow will repay every slight and plot a devastating vengeance. With that said, drow are more inclined to use trickery and stealth rather than take on an opponent head on. They will not demand a duel and fight to the death, they will ambush you in the dead of night when you are all alone and stab you in the back with a poisoned dagger, so no one will ever know who dealt the death blow.
As a last note:
Drow are quick to anger, as they are most likely already angry at something, paranoid, and prideful, but they are elves. They have long lives; they forget little and forgive nothing. That does not mean every insult will be met with blades drawn. What it does mean, that even though the drow is laughing with you, smiling at you, she has already planned your death and how to obtain all your wealth and standing. And as they know this to be true for all other drow, they speak carefully, politely, and with lots of though.
Brian R. James, Eric Menge (2012), Dungeons & Dragons, Menzoberranzn City of Intrigue; Roleplaying Game Supplement.