Underdark Campaign Setting - Lake of Spires: Drow of the Underdark (Nobles)

Underdark Campaign Setting – Lake of Spires: Drow of the Underdark

Of all the underdark there is nothing more vicious then the drow, even when compared to the underdark itself or perhaps the undying thirst of a trapped vampire the drow are still the only race as a whole that takes pleasure in the pain and suffering of others. There might be single beings who can match or rival the drow’s desire for the suffering of others but as a species the drow are on a scale all their own. There are very few who can visit a drow city without being scared in some way, either physically, mentally or emotionally.

Structural Chaos: Drow Noble Houses

From an outsider’s perspective the social and power ladder within the drow city might seem organized however as anyone who spends time within the city it is anything but rigid and structurally sound yet it has existed since the beginning of the drow. The city is broken down into different noble houses, each at a certain level of power on the ladder, they know where they stand as does everyone else. Those on the lower rungs of the ladder are constantly reminded of it by those higher up, those on the upper rungs can feel the other noble houses watching for a moment of weakness of vulnerability to exploit. To exist within within the drow society means you must always be looking for a way to bring down those above you and watching out for those wanting to bring you down. There is a saying amongst the drow nobles, the only thing safe is death. Everyone else outside of the noble houses works for them in some way, some are employed by a single house and others offer services to any willing to pay. There is a constant flow of which businesses and people are allied with which houses and it can change from day to day based on the political climate and how it fluctuates. The worst thing possible is to be caught allied to a drow house when it collapses because their demise will surely be your death.

A drow noble must always be aware of what is going on around him, eager to crush any that offend him and yet be wary of those he offends within stronger noble houses. Every day is spent between a delightful mix of taking pleasure from the suffering of those under them, scheming how to rise to new heights in standing and both eyes watchful to not be someone’s next victim. Always needing to venture out from the safe walls of the walls of their compound as a show of strength and power yet knowing very well they could be caught off guard at that moment of vulnerability. Those nobles at the lowest level must venture even further, going not just beyond the compound walls but also the city walls where being pushed into a chasm by a bribed guard happens all too often.

This constant struggle between noble houses is what breeds the vicious nature of the drow to inflict pain and suffering to those who happen to find themselves in that position. The more their victim suffers it reminds the drow noble who he is and the power they have over all others and the only thing that will satisfy their lust for those screams and begging is another victim.