A Little History....

The secretive and stealthy races of the Underdark have a bewildering variety of gods, some of whom take on forms which are utterly alien to the human or demi-human mind. They have an equally broad range of creation and racial-history myths, and few generalizations can be made about them. There is a broad division between races banished to the Underdark (Duergar, Derro, and Drow) and those which have always been there (Aboleths, Illithids, Myconids). The former often have a mythic history in which they were driven from the surface world by their surface cousins, (Elves and Dwarves), a tale always couched in terms of the deepest bitterness of recollection. These Underdark races consider themselves cheated of surface territories rightfully theirs, when all they wanted was a share of these lands, their surface cousins waging a war of banishment so that they could have everything for themselves. The dark dwarves and elves consider themselves to have been undeserving scapegoats, victims of greed and arrogance.

Still, not even this division is absolute. In some worlds, derro consider themselves to always have been Underdark dwellers, and in others at least some drow consider that they were led to a better place by Lolth because the surface elves were too stupid to deserve drow in their midst. A powerful theme appearing in many myths, too, is the notion that the god(dess) led the race to realms where innate powers could begin to grow in the race. Drow, Derro savants, and others, lose innate magical abilities if forced for any reason to remain in the surface world, while the special skills of many of these races are much less useful there in any event.

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Drow Deities:

Lolth: (Intermediate Goddess, chaotic evil)

Lolth is the principle deity of the drow race and drow society. Her priestesses rule drow society and no drow deity would dare to oppose Lolth. She is an elemental force of darkness and evil, a true tanar'ri.

Despite her chaotic alignment, Lolth is very careful to prevent wide-spread open strife among the drow. For example, the priestess-led noble houses would be in constant struggle for superiority which could be highly destructive. Lolth wishes struggle; it strengthens and improves the drow. But, to prevent it getting out of hand, if one noble house wishes to eliminate another this must be done in one swift, massive, utterly decimating attack. Continual sniping, assassinations, and long-term attritional attacks are frowned upon, and a conclave of noble houses will combine to destroy the offending house. Periodic shifts in power, and continual planning for this, are what Lolth wishes; waste of energy in running battles weakens the drow, and Lolth may act decisively to end this.

Lolth has laid down two cardinal goals for the drow. The first is the rulership of the realms of the Underdark. Weaker races can be eliminated, stronger ones can wait until the drow have gained in strength. Drow may be chaotic, but they are very intelligent, acutely sensitive with wit and senses, and good strategists, all qualities which Lolth has taught and developed in them. The second goal is the extermination of surface elves and the conquest of their lands, although the latter is really only symbolic. The magical powers of drow fade on the surface lands, and they would not really wish to settle the homelands of Corellon's people; even Lolth herself does not wish this.

The priesthood of Lolth is exclusively female, and is organized into noble houses, with the highest standing priestess ruling the house. Younger priestesses follow according to age.

Kiaransalee: (Demi-Goddess, chaotic evil)

Goddess of the Undead and Vengeance. She is powerfully chaotic, swift to anger, but one who plots and schemes dark revenges for slights done to her - real or imagined. In the Abyss, she broods in a frigid necropolis populated by the tortured souls of those she has slain. She acknowledges Lolth's superiority because she has no choice, not because she wishes it. She is cruel, twisted, and only happy with mindless undead servants she can manipulate at will.

Kiaransalee's priestesses are rare, secretive, and found in small drow communities or secret enclaves. They are agents of vengeance, plotting revenge on those who have slain, harmed, or insulted the priesthood in any way. They also undertake regular slaying missions to acquire corpses for animation, and take a prominent role in persecuting slaves.

Her symbol is a female drow hand with silver rings.

Vhaerun: (Lesser God, neutral evil)

God of Thievery. The furthering of drow aims, interests, and power on the surface world are his province. He is also the patron of male drow, teaching that males are as skilled and as valuable as the females, and thus passively opposing Lolth's teachings on this point. He lacks the strength to challenge Lolth, so he avoids her as much as possible.

Vhaerun is haughty and proud, and he bears grudges just as all drow deities do. He favors underhanded means and treachery to further his aims. He actively involves himself in drow affairs and will moderately often send an avatar to assist in the work of his priests should the proper rituals be performed and the need genuine.

Vhaerun's priesthood is exclusively male and practices passive opposition to Lolth's priestesses. They are also active in the surface world, and some preach a heresy of the unity of Elven races and their need to work together for dominion. They specialize in intrigue, trickery and treachery, and foment disobedience and rebellion among males. In drow communities, the priests often disguise their allegiance for obvious reasons.

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If any of these beings haunt your dreams, I will try to help in any way I can.
Please send your plea for assistance to: Strongbow Firehand

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