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

Underdark Campaign Setting – Lake of Spires: Drow of the Underdark (Drow Wizards)

In every house city there stands the clergy and noble houses but below that there is no certain structure of power, existence or longevity. It comes down to a combination of luck, who you know, what you know and the whim of nobles. Those allied with the right noble house on the top or on its rise to power can be assured many luxuries and great wealth but make the wrong decision and you can find yourself begging just for your existence. This is how civilization within a drow city works, this is how the drow live.

Structural Chaos: Drow Wizards

In any other civilization wizards and those who arcane powers that are beyond the understanding of most would enjoy a pleasant existence, rich with comforts and power depending upon the understanding of magic they possess. In a drow city this is not the case, drow wizards and drow sorcerers are almost considered second class citizens. Even the most powerful drow wizard in a city must smart enough to not anger a member of the clergy or most drow nobles for retribution will be costly. While most drow wizards and sorcerers are male, this puts their standing in a drow city even lower than the ruling female class of the drow. A male drow can find himself replaced by even a human if that human demonstrates he has the skills and power to assist a female to accomplish her goals, this is how expendable male drow are considered. The arcane arts are nothing more than tool for the female drow to use to exploit those above and below their current position, much like a sword or dark secret about an adversary.

Even with all that the clergy and powerful matrons of the noble houses know how powerful wizards and sorcerers are and can be especially useful when dealing with constant power struggles. For this very reason matrons keep a close eye on all wizards as they rise in power, never letting their guard down or letting them forget their place. This balancing act of constant spying, diplomacy, negotiations and threats becomes a normal part of the relationship between drow wizards and other drow, for a smart drow wizard knows he can easily take one one or two but an entire city is another matter entirely. So if a drow wizard ever wishes to enjoy the fruits of his labor, he plays the game that has been played for so long in the drow cities.

Every so often though a drow wizard grows wary of the constant dance and will leave the city life for a secluded existence. In the underdark this is not a simple as going off and building a tower though because the drow are constantly sending out patrols. So he must find a place that is secure and not easily found by others. The problem is the magic needed to accomplish this feat is also enough to be assured his every move is being watched by someone if not many others, escaping the city may be more challenging then living in the city.

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