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+++ wiki:drow [2025/12/14 00:15] (current) – ersatz
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 ====== Drow ======
-{{ placeholder |}}
+{{ :wiki:drow.png |}}
-^ Drow    ^
+^ Drow ^
-| Height: 150 to 180  |
+| Height: 160–180 cm |
 | Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Constitution |
-| Language: Elven, Undercommon |
+| Languages: Common, Elven, Undercommon |
-| Common Cultures: [[Drow Noble Houses]], [[Underdark Cities]], [[Surface Exiles]]  |
+| Cultures: [[Cavern Drow]], [[House Drow]], [[Underdark Outcasts]] |
+[[https://www.aonprd.com/RacesDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Drow|Archives of Nethys: Drow]]
-=== Overview  ===
+=== Overview ===
-**Male Names:** Arcavato, Drovic, Firyin, Kaelmourn, Mirrendier, Pharnox, Syrendross, Zov.
+Male Names: Arcavato, Drovic, Firyin, Kaelmourn, Mirrendier, Pharnox, Syrendross, Zov
-**Female Names:** Belmarniss, Cylellinth, Ilvaria, Johysis, Loscivia, Tyvorhan, Ulumbralya, Volundeil.
-Cruel and cunning, drow are a dark reflection of the elven race. Also called dark elves, they dwell deep underground in elaborate cities shaped from the rock of cyclopean caverns. Drow seldom make themselves known to surface folk, preferring to remain legends while advancing their sinister agendas through proxies and agents. Though not inherently evil, malignancy is deep-rooted in drow culture, and nonconformists rarely survive long.
+Female Names: Belmarniss, Cylellinth, Ilvaria, Johysis, Loscivia, Tyvorhan, Ulumbralya, Volundeil
+Drow are elves twisted by time, circumstance, and the influence of malevolent forces in the depths of Golarion. Originating from surface elves who refused to abandon their homeland during the Age of Legend, they retreated into the Deep Dark of the Calphiak Mountains. There, exposure to subterranean energies and the awakened influence of Rovagug corrupted their appearance and nature. The resulting drow possess dark, often lavender-hued skin, red or pale eyes, and an inherent drive toward cunning and ambition.
-=== Physical Description  ===
+Half-drow, born of drow and human parents, inherit some of these traits but are often seen as outsiders in both human and drow societies. They are rare and frequently stigmatized, though they may carry latent potential for leadership or magical talent.
-Drow are similar in stature to humans but retain the slender build and pointed features of elves. Their skin ranges from coal black to dusky purple, and their hair is typically white or silver. Eyes lack pupils and are usually solid white or red. Drow move with a lithe, graceful precision, exuding a subtly dangerous presence.
+== Physical Description ==
+Drow share the slender, graceful frame of their elven ancestors but are smaller on average than surface elves. Their skin ranges from deep violet to ashen lavender, and their hair is usually white, silver, or pale gray. Eyes are strikingly red, white, or pale blue, lacking visible pupils. Drow move with a natural agility, and their features often carry an unsettling perfection. They favor elegant, dark clothing that blends with the shadows of their underground homes.
-=== Society  ===
+== Society ==
-Drow society is traditionally matriarchal and hierarchical. Male drow primarily fulfill martial roles, defending the community or acting as agents of noble houses. Female drow hold leadership and authority, governing noble houses and overseeing military, political, and magical enterprises. Noble houses are tied to demon lord patrons, and politics within drow society are rife with intrigue, assassination, and betrayal. Survival and advancement require cunning, subtlety, and relentless self-interest.
+Drow society is matriarchal and hierarchical, governed by noble houses led by powerful female leaders. Male drow often serve martial or specialized roles, while female drow hold positions of authority, magical mastery, and political influence. Houses engage in elaborate schemes, intrigue, and rivalries, often under the patronage of a demon lord. Power, cunning, and ambition are prized above all else. Drow who fail to conform to societal expectations risk exile or death.
+== Relations with Other Races ==
-=== Relations  ===
+Drow maintain a strong sense of superiority over other races, treating many as tools or inferiors. They tolerate or even ally with races that share their ambitions or cunning, such as hobgoblins or orcs, but harbor deep hatred toward elves and surface dwellers. Half-drow are generally distrusted, even within drow communities. Despite this, drow may cooperate with other underground races when mutually beneficial.
-Drow maintain a strong sense of racial superiority. Non-drow are either slaves, tools, or potential allies if they share similar inclinations. They cooperate with like-minded races such as orcs and hobgoblins, while shunning dwarves, gnomes, halflings, and other surface races. Drow particularly despise surface elves, whom they view as rivals, but may treat shadow-adapted races like fetchlings with cautious curiosity.
+== Alignment and Beliefs ==
+Most drow lean toward chaotic evil, valuing power, survival, and personal gain above compassion. They channel emotion and passion through ambition, manipulation, and sometimes violence. While some drow worship deities of darkness or trickery, others follow philosophies emphasizing personal power, strategy, and cunning over divine intervention.
-=== Alignment and Religion  ===
+== Adventurers ==
-Drow are usually chaotic evil, valuing power, survival, and self-interest above all else. Compassion is rare, and vengeance and ambition guide most of their actions. While many drow follow no deity, those who do tend to venerate powers connected to darkness, trickery, or domination.
+Drow often become adventurers due to exile, personal ambition, or the pursuit of power. Males tend toward stealth, martial, or arcane-focused roles, while females often assume magical or leadership-oriented classes. Both genders excel at spellcasting, manipulation, and strategy. Half-drow adventurers often seek acceptance or mastery over the powers inherited from their drow ancestry.
-=== Adventurers  ===
-Drow often become adventurers, serving as spies, assassins, or agents of their houses. Male drow favor martial or stealth classes such as fighters, rogues, and rangers. Female drow gravitate toward leadership and arcane roles, including clerics, bards, wizards, and summoners. Both genders possess natural arcane talent, making them versatile and formidable allies—or dangerous foes.