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Alright, I tried to find a existing topic on this, but without success.

I'm interested to play a drow, female, and I am wondering if I can have some aid. I'm already going trough topics from Amiawiki about drows and their society. But more I am wondering how to get a new character mixed among the old, tried before without success, on my own. Any help please?

Mags.

It all depends on the character. There are many ways to connect with the society.

Perhaps give us your idea of the character and perhaps some bits of the background.

I'm sorry to hear your first try didn't work out. Let us know what you think would be fun and interesting and we can start from there.

Or if you are interested in the backstabbing politics then go cleric. If you are interested in the arcane there's a group to assist you (High Archmage Krrja in the Edonil Sorcere). If you are interested in a fighter then as a female it'll be tougher than elsewhere as the other females will consider you weak since Lolth didn't see fit to give you divine or arcane power. However, with excellent RP and fortitude you can prevail. (NPC's Adavrae, Xa'chena and Aly'isgar have done this.)

Feel free to PM me, I'm happy to assist.

or if you want to eventually go heretic, go bard.

No I wana be freaking Lolthite chaotic evil drow that is as traditional drow as it can, or at least die trying!

About the character, I don't feel like posting much about her on puplic forum, however, of her background. I have no clue. I PM:ed Fierene about it. And I would need somekind of help with it.

She would not be a mage nor a cleric at the begining at least, so that is what makes it a bit tricky. If, I have understood right about Drow society: A female without divine or arcane magic is considered weak and would be heavily bullied on, at least by other females.

I'm exited about the build however, but the lore and the backgound intimidates me. And I wouldn't want to ruin everything instantly I log on and spend a few minutes among the drows.. but then again, she could learn about all in IC, however, if I remember right. Every drow is taught the social standing questions in drow society in a very young age.

Is it normal that a plaeyr send you PM: "Excuse me, are you a higher social standing woman or not?" *Rp:ies: She takes a quick look at her, attempting to avoid her eyes and face for time being*

Mags

Just because I happen to have just come from the build advice thread...

You're aware that Lolth doesn't sponsor any druids, right?

Lizzie wrote:

Just because I happen to have just come from the build advice thread...

You're aware that Lolth doesn't sponsor any druids, right?

If it's for shifter then it doesn't matter, I believe. That is, I heard a rumour that it was ruled by the higher-ups that you can just be a shifter, and the druid levels are just there for the prereqs and otherwise to be ignored. I don't know if you need to be fallen'd to make certain you don't use the druid powers that your character wouldn't have, though.

Don't quote me on this! Ask DMs/they might see this and come yell at me.

Everything is taken care of. I'm aware Lolth doesnt sponsor druids and I have contacted DM before I took it to the build topic. Thank you though.

Yes, I intent to play her as shifter, not a druid. How this is handled, is up to the DMs. If I get the character background and everything figured out, I will again contact DM's to find out if they are okay with this. If not. Then it's a no go. Before that the character wont be made.

And the last class will be taken because of the lore. If Lolth sponsors Blackguards that is, if not. Then I will figure it out some other way.

Don't mind the in depth lore. You'll get to know it after you started playing over time.
Besides, Amian drow society is a standalone anyway

That's one perspective, Gondor, and I suppose it's just as valid as any other player's. But if I were giving advice on this sort of thing, I don't think I'd go with what seems to amount to, "never mind the lore, just play whatever feels fun, and try to catch up later."

I'm trying to think of a way to phrase this without sounding like a terrible bitch.

How about..

A lot of people invest a lot of time and effort into researching the lore of their characters' societies, religions, traditions, and so on. You can't really set aside the world's shared history ("don't mind the indepth lore") without thereby also setting aside all of that energy and care that people put into making their characters fit neatly into that shared world. When a player who has done all that work encounters a player who's involved in a very lore-complex area (like the UD drow) but who has felt entitled to just skip past all that and get right to the RP, the lore-dedicated player can feel (justifiably, I believe), a bit disrespected.

Respecting your fellow players = respecting the lore.

That's just how I see it. But back to the OP... Magiros, you're free to play whatever you like, obviously. But I think that in trying to shape the lore to fit your character, rather than vice versa, you're alienating yourself from many players who I believe you'd really enjoy RPing with.

/rant off

I'm not trying to get the lore to fit my character. I'm trying to gather lore to get background fitting for a drow. The blackguard class, if available for Lolth servants, is taken because I get spells, divine spells(or arcane), which females usually posses. I can also make her cleric, or Cot (once the hack gets in). Females without arcane or diveine magic are considered weak, I'm not trying to be unicorn in a forest, I'm trying to get a rather regular drow female. How the rp takes her, it takes her.

I really think you have gotten something wrong there, my intention has not a single time been trying to shape the lore to fit my character.

Quote:

I'm exited about the build however, but the lore and the backgound intimidates me

What I ment with that was that the drow lore intimidates me, I have tried to learn it but there is a lot to take in. Therefore I'm intimidated to create a background yet as I would like it to be rather normal background. Not with back twists and such. That is why I tried to contact other drow players who know better and with whom I can disgus with and have their opinion on what I create, is it too much or is it missing something.

I'm actually supprised you took it that way, by what I have written, yes I understand it can be understanded so. But still, I thought I have been very clear I dont want to be a unicorn, but a regular horse. Even though I have been thinking of her end build a lot, just because I like planning things, I'm not saying she will walk that path. Of course I aim at it. And how I think of that build I'm planning, I do not feel like it is a powerbuild, I have no clue how to play divine classes. Tried and failed. Most likely will with this one as well but I don't mind.

If you don't have anything to help me work out the lore nor to give tips on how to play a drow, please then don't post here, PM instead please. And forgive me if I sound harsh here, just writing my opinion as it is and trying to get myself understood the right way. Actually, if you could, would you point out what gave you the impression of me trying to shape the lore to fit the character?

Thanks
Mags

Edit: Just need to write again, that please, I'm not trying to sound a bitch either!!! >.<' Read this three times now and still I sound like a bitch quueney.. So, sorry before hand! :oops:

I'd just like to remind people that Lolthite drow believe that they are the epitome of creation. That you can't possibly do any better than them, that all other things are inferior.

Thus, a drow shifter may run into a bit of problems when the inevitable question of why they disregard their superior form arises.

This is not to say that you shouldn't do it, just that you should be aware of this and the possible outcomes it could give way to.

ainjyll wrote:

I'd just like to remind people that Lolthite drow believe that they are the epitome of creation. That you can't possibly do any better than them, that all other things are inferior.

Thus, a drow shifter may run into a bit of problems when the inevitable question of why they disregard their superior form arises.

This is not to say that you shouldn't do it, just that you should be aware of this and the possible outcomes it could give way to.

This is true, I actually did see it come up once.

One gets around it by claiming they do so in order to spy on their hated enemies, but you can expect to deal with suspicion at the very least. But then, that's about par for the course with drow... everyone's at least a little suspicious of everyone else.

PM'd Magiros back.

@ Lizzie - a very good point. I have a lot of notes on Drow lore and even though Edonil doesn't exactly follow it to the letter, there are pretty specific things that are followed.

Ainjyll points out the number one thought of Drow. Anyone with questions about what build to try out in Edonil just needs to read Ainjylls response a few times.

I can tell you that before I made a specific build that was outside the drow "norm" I ran it by other players with high ranking drow in Ultrinnan at the time. Not that they had the power to tell me what to do but to find out how difficult it would be for my character in such a rigid society.

The key is to build something you will have fun with, not something that will make you pull out your hair.

Quote:

What I ment with that was that the drow lore intimidates me, I have tried to learn it but there is a lot to take in. Therefore I'm intimidated to create a background yet as I would like it to be rather normal background. Not with back twists and such. That is why I tried to contact other drow players who know better and with whom I can disgus with and have their opinion on what I create, is it too much or is it missing something.

trust me on this, dont worry about it. Drow players are for the most part extremely accommodating oocly (also, dont let this get you into a false sense of security. you can come to think of someone as a very good friend, while they are plotting to ruin your character forever. Nothing down here is personal, and unfortunately that's something that people in the past have forgotten). In short, if you have a question, ask it. If you dont know what something someone says means, ask for clarification. There are a lot of drow words thrown around that take some time getting used to, trust me when I say when I first started playing drow I had to scroll for 30 seconds to get past my list of definitions in my IG journal, just to get to the names and what rank they held. It IS a lot to take in and get used to, but I find it quite rewarding. Some people may remember when I first started playing drow on Amia back in i think 07, having zero lore knowledge and stumbling into the underdark. But I was given guidance, and I was instructed, and after my first failure of a character, I made Isendu't'tar, who I've stuck with all these years.

I think I got off track a bit, but dont worry about not knowing the lore at first. Sure, it will help you, but we're here to answer any questions. Hell, I still send at least one message a week to people who know about lore than I do.

Explaining my idea to Fierene, seeing what she thinks of it.

Being an old elf player, I can say I know rather well about drows, as when you read about elfs, drows in there! I have quite a clear view on what to expect. No matter what character I make, I am to expect to be tossed around like trash in the begining. I intent to avoid cleric class itself, but the other choices would be possible.

And thanks Ainjyl, you really gave something to think about. Why would she choose other form everynow and then. I though I had a clear picture in this, it still is somewhat with me, but needs a bit more work on it. Perhaps I should write the character on paper and PM it to old player, most likely Fierene now (is she is up for it), as she knows most details of what I'm planning.

I do myself attempt to follow the lore, and as well like to use details to make rp more interesting. Even with elfs, even playing them for two to three years, I didnt get everything. No matter though.

And the build i'm planning seems interesting to me, I hae playing a class or build that doesnt seem to offer anything. Mages are out of question after been lvling so many of them. Clerics, as said, I aim to avoid! Their just nonsense?!? Who understands what to do with cleric builds anyway?!?

Then again, after considering, this build would be possible with a male character. Leaving the BG out.

Hmm. I should weigh in, that you're probably expecting it to be worse than it is. I've been playing for a little under a year here and my character's never really been bullied or kicked into the dirt (combat aside!). I've seen it happen to others though, and I am in kind of a dead time zone, so I wouldn't put it entirely out of your mind. Part of it is whether or not your character is the type to be defiant, in which case others might go out of their way to show them that they're better. Generally if your character knows who not to piss off, aside from being made to bow and otherwise obey their every order, there'll be no troubles.

But yes, I myself started with almost no knowledge about drow except the basics, and their general outlook. My friend told me to look up and write down some common drow words/phrases because they get thrown around a lot (less often these days, but I like them... the little, common words, are quite charming to me) and to bow to ranked females (the ones wearing fancy insignia usually) but that was it really. So don't worry about a lack of lore knowledge. You just need an idea of the basics (which you seem to have), and everything will get clearer over time. If it's not clear, just send a tell to whoever you're RPing with and they'll likely be willing to help.

Zanthair wrote:

or if you want to eventually go heretic, go bard.

What's wrong with a bard? They are quite respected in drow society, actually. Hence why it's a disgrace to yourself and your house to deny one entry into your home ^_^

Just sayin

Naivatkal wrote:

... it's a disgrace to yourself and your house to deny one entry into your home ^_^

That's really interesting. I like that enough that I might consider making an underdarker.

Can you cite a source on it?

I will see if I can dig it up, but I think it was something advised to me months back by Gers (or someone drowy here) when I made my drowess. She's a bard, obviously lol

It was actually ainjyll:

Quote:

Third. Bit of lore on the drow, for ya. A bard (a.k.a. linthar) in drow society was the foremost assassin. It's considered to be a huge social faux pas to deny entry to your house to a bard. So, because of that bards became the premier assassins because they had the easiest time getting into houses.

I recall being told that, actually, though they later reported that drow characters didn't seem to respect this particular rule. So, it is really dependent on the reactions of others.

As to what Zanthair said: Of the five or so drow bards (as in proper bards, dips don't count!) I can think of (of those that I am aware of)... all of them are now dirty surface drow heretics! Except one who is newish but he may be leaning in that direction. Don't know about your bard, Naivaktavian, but I've never seen them in the UD for my whole year of playing, so...! One might wish to be generally suspicious of those deviants.

And Lizzie should join us. Yes. We are pretty great generally speaking. And need more peoples.
PS: Join the Vanguard!

serbiris wrote:

And Lizzie should join us. Yes. We are pretty great generally speaking. And need more peoples.
PS: Join the Vanguard!

I'm already trying to divide my time among four main characters, and not doing it very well. If I ever become inspired to retire a couple of them, though, I'll keep your welcome in mind.

On topic, though (or at least, on a sort-of relevant topic) perhaps the "all of them are now dirty surface drow heretics" thing has a lot to do with the "drow characters didn't seem to respect this particular rule" thing. I don't know, it just seems like maybe a cause-and-effect there, rather than two separate observations.

Ah yes, I meant to imply that there was a connection between lack of linthar respect and their high fleeing-to-the-surface turnover rate. At least, one player has told me of that. There's other reasons of course. Personally I think the open-minded, social and exploratory nature of bards compels them away from the partly-rigid, mean and tricksy drow society.

For the record I say "dirty surface drow heretics" with the sincerest affection except Xal

Then again, its all abou how you character gains the respect. If he/she has zero repuation, it's not considered much of a honor, bu if your known bard or even famous, no one would deny your access. However, knowing bards are assassins, or at least many of them are.. You would be kept in short leash. That's how I understood from reading Amia Wiki.

Everyone wants a famous bard to their house, even to write a ballade about them! No one wants to get killed though, by the guest.

And after having conversation with you guys, and with Fierene especially, I think I'm leaning in trying this. Why I wan to be a drow is because the whole society and everything works in it. I love the whole "If you don't ge caught, it's okay."- thiiiing.

Many players new to the Lolthite drow society who start out on B come to the realization that the starting quests aren't a breezy jaunt around town. They discover that they can get lost, places are hard to find, when going through cave entrances and ending up in areas too hard for their level 3/ ecl 5 - they can't get out and death is a common occurrence.

So, it's easier to get to the surface where, since they have surfacer characters, they know the areas, it makes sense and it's familiar and no where near as frustrating.

Then because of the ecl the way to get around and not get killed every 3rd spawn, might as well join up with the surfacers and use them as "meat shields". That's how it starts for some characters who go heretic, imho

I encourage all Lolthite drow players to stay in the UD and stay off the surface unless on a specific mission. You can level all the way to ecl 30 in the UD. The areas are beautifully treacherous thanks to the Dev Team.

And yes, bards are revered in drow society, how else are you going to be eternally remembered but by song and painting. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that a priestess won't whip a bard if it gets the priestess power.

I was mostly stating the rule as far as lore goes, don't really know how it works IG lol
Oh yes, I am actually rarely on my drowess. She has been in the UD several times, but while the UD was in a lul and Indon't see many UDers on. I tend to be busy with other chars, too.
She hangs around the surface a lot, though it's a past-time of hers for hunting and such. Hell, the pure fact that she's been fooling so many surfacers into thinking she's a goody type makes her skee. She's a slightly strange mindset, a bit of a heretic in her own right, but you really would have no idea =D
She's a fun one to play.

She's gonna be at least 21 bard, too.

What we really need is more svirfneblin.

I may consider making one. Though, being the only chap may be tough.

Actually not.
Another Svirf

There is at least one more about, other than that one.

Galenson wrote:

What we really need is more non-drow.

Fixed it for you.

{OOC} Possible new recruit...

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