Drow: A Few Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Drow: A Few Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Adrian_Crane
12-29-06, 10:48 PM I'd like to make a Drow Duskblade for a level 3 group I'm looking at, but I've run into a snag. I want the character to pass himself off as a Wood Elf, and towards that end I have a couple of questions.

The Hat of Disguise (affordable with standard level 3 wealth) says that it "allows its wearer to alter her appearance as with a disguise self spell." Does this mean it's constant effect, or not? The item has no charges or uses/day listed. It also doesn't have a CL listed, and Disguise Self is 10 min/level, which further makes me believe it's an "always on" item. Clarification would be nice, though.

Aside from looks, the other snag is the Light Blindness (go figure). Taking Daylight Adaptation seems like a steep cost for a character who will already be sitting at 1d8+1 hp and low BAB, so I'd prefer to be able to spend that feat on Imp Toughness or a combat-oriented option. The problem is, that leaves me with only two other options that I can see.

1) I can flat out eat the penalty. RP-wise, though, this is going to make it hard to maintain the appearance of being a surface elf (though I do intend to take CC ranks in Bluff).

2) I can try to talk the DM into allowing Shaders from Eberron, which negate the problem for only 1 sp. These are a much cheaper fix, but an even bigger snag than squinty and watery eyes. Any elf walking around with big ol' goggles on is bound to attract attention, and your average joe commoner could figure out that the guy's probably not too fond of sunlight. From there, an orc could deduce that he must be Drow. :bored:

I have a lengthy backstory complete with nemesis, and quite a lot of material (sketches and otherwise), so there's the *slim* chance I could negotiate for the feat as a bonus (since it does so little). I'm not exactly expecting that approach to work, though, and I'd rather have alternatives that don't require out-of-game solutions. :nonono:

As far as personality, he's CN, looks out for himself first, and keeps himself in check only because he knows that groups can be useful and killing every civilian who quirks an eyebrow is a good way to draw attention. He's not outgoing either, though again, he can be pleasant enough when he has to be. In other words, he's pretty much a jerk, but he isn't stupid (WIS 13, INT 16, CHA 14).

I'm actually unsure of the alignment tag, still trying to figure out if CN, N, NE, or CE is the best fit. He's not into wanton slaughter for its own sake, but sees killing more as a means to an end. He's also a perfect fit for the quote in the RoF book that "Drow believe in doing what they want to do, when they want to do it." For now, though, I intend to have him doing his best to keep a low profile, which means easing up on the impulse to stab first and ask later.

I don't intend to backstab party members because OOG you should at least be able to trust your party, simply because otherwise the game's too frustrating. I mean, sure, I'm gonna watch my items around the rogue, but party PKing is something I despise. My IC justification is that, as a hunted exile, he needs whatever "non-enemies" he can get.

Of course, just because I don't plan to kill them outright doesn't mean they won't occasionally get screwed over in other ways. I did say he's being hunted. :plotting:

Any advice on skills, equipment, or just thoughts on how to roleplay the character would be great. :bow:
Tiefling_Warlock
12-31-06, 12:52 PM Hat of Disguise works for as long as you wear it. You could deck your character in full mystery gear. Trench coat, high boots, multiple daggers, large floppy hat, gloves, and baggy pants, all black (even the daggers) so the sunglasses will fit in. Also will probably give you pluses on disguise check.

For role playing, being a bit of a jerk is ok. Have you personal goals be the party's goals and rationalize in character (but not out loud). Be harsh. Be a bit evil, kill for the overall good of the party, and you goals (which are the same). As long as you kill people and do evil things for the good of the entire party, no one will care (except the dead guy), (and his assosiates)
Jaisin
12-31-06, 02:38 PM I'm actually unsure of the alignment tag, still trying to figure out if CN, N, NE, or CE is the best fit. He's not into wanton slaughter for its own sake, but sees killing more as a means to an end. He's also a perfect fit for the quote in the RoF book that "Drow believe in doing what they want to do, when they want to do it." For now, though, I intend to have him doing his best to keep a low profile, which means easing up on the impulse to stab first and ask later.

That's NE. Depending on how 'noble' or 'structured' he is, it could pass for LE. Which deity does he venerate, and why? I would guess Vhaeraun, and think it would fit with either alignment.
DaemonSaDiavlo
12-31-06, 02:41 PM Well there are a few options that I see. I often play drow, and since playing in the underdark often has players killing each other, i always end up playing them on the surface.
The first way you may be able to get solve your problem is play the lesser drow variant race, if the DM allows. This variant makes it so all drow are like normal elves, +2 dex -2 con, etc, with a lvl adjustment of 0. They also some minor spell like abilities, at the cost of still being averted to light. However without the lvl adjustment of 3 you can now take the ligh adaption feet and still have you origanal feets to choose.
Second you can always go with the good old method of disuise, make it seem like you need the glasses from an acident gone wrong, or that you need them from a war injury, etc. Make people sympatize with you, so as to lead away suspicion
Laslty you could always talk to the DM, most would understand your dilema and would work with you towards a solution. Maybe he would let you make the glasses look less conspicous, or maybe he would give you the feet for freem regardless talk it out.
If none of these are to your liking , than sadly that is the cost of playing a drow. I would say however that taking the feat is far more important, people WILL kill you on sight if they know you are a drow, rather than a chance of death from low HP.
Tiefling_Warlock
12-31-06, 06:33 PM Contacts.
Tiefling_Warlock
01-02-07, 11:39 AM I've killed another thread...
Adrian_Crane
01-02-07, 02:05 PM I've killed another thread...
Heh...nah. You made some good points. I may go with a variant of what you suggested, though the trenchcoat thing does seem done to death. I'll just have to put a personal spin on it.
Doomed_Penguin
01-02-07, 04:21 PM He's CN, maybe CE. He's out for himself first and formost (so ChaoticSomething), and he either: kills when it's necessary or seems to be a far easier means to an end than any other action (ChaoticNeutral), or he kills whenever he gets the opportunity, even when it's not entirely necessary (Chaotic Evil). I think you're going for CN.

As for Hat of Disguise, it's a constant effect. But if you're going to use it, keep this in mind: it may look like you're wearing a wizard's robe, but it still feels like chainmail (to anyone who touches it, not just you). I would suggest only using it to disguise your skin/hair/eye color, and not your clothes. Cause last time I checked, skin feels the same, even if it's colors are changed.

Light blindness... maybe you could make a deal w/ your dm? Give up one or two of your racial spells or shorten the range of your darkvision to get rid of your light blindness. Otherwise, I suggest Goggles of Day from Libris Mortis.
Adrian_Crane
01-02-07, 05:26 PM He's CN, maybe CE. He's out for himself first and formost (so ChaoticSomething), and he either: kills when it's necessary or seems to be a far easier means to an end than any other action (ChaoticNeutral), or he kills whenever he gets the opportunity, even when it's not entirely necessary (Chaotic Evil). I think you're going for CN.

Honestly, CN or maaaaaaaybe N is about what I think of him as. The Hero Builder's chapter on Alignment flat out says that N is looking out for yourself, E is being actively out to harm others (and G is actively trying to help others, which he sure as hell isn't).

Good idea on the barganing for light blindness. As to the hat, my plan was pretty much to change colors like you suggested, and add an inch or two to his height (nothing major).

EDIT: And I love the sig quotes. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Adrian_Crane 12-29-06, 10:48 PM	I'd like to make a Drow Duskblade for a level 3 group I'm looking at, but I've run into a snag. I want the character to pass himself off as a Wood Elf, and towards that end I have a couple of questions. The Hat of Disguise (affordable with standard level 3 wealth) says that it "allows its wearer to alter her appearance as with a disguise self spell." Does this mean it's constant effect, or not? The item has no charges or uses/day listed. It also doesn't have a CL listed, and Disguise Self is 10 min/level, which further makes me believe it's an "always on" item. Clarification would be nice, though. Aside from looks, the other snag is the Light Blindness (go figure). Taking Daylight Adaptation seems like a steep cost for a character who will already be sitting at 1d8+1 hp and low BAB, so I'd prefer to be able to spend that feat on Imp Toughness or a combat-oriented option. The problem is, that leaves me with only two other options that I can see. 1) I can flat out eat the penalty. RP-wise, though, this is going to make it hard to maintain the appearance of being a surface elf (though I do intend to take CC ranks in Bluff). 2) I can try to talk the DM into allowing Shaders from Eberron, which negate the problem for only 1 sp. These are a much cheaper fix, but an even bigger snag than squinty and watery eyes. Any elf walking around with big ol' goggles on is bound to attract attention, and your average joe commoner could figure out that the guy's probably not too fond of sunlight. From there, an orc could deduce that he must be Drow. :bored: I have a lengthy backstory complete with nemesis, and quite a lot of material (sketches and otherwise), so there's the slim chance I could negotiate for the feat as a bonus (since it does so little). I'm not exactly expecting that approach to work, though, and I'd rather have alternatives that don't require out-of-game solutions. :nonono: As far as personality, he's CN, looks out for himself first, and keeps himself in check only because he knows that groups can be useful and killing every civilian who quirks an eyebrow is a good way to draw attention. He's not outgoing either, though again, he can be pleasant enough when he has to be. In other words, he's pretty much a jerk, but he isn't stupid (WIS 13, INT 16, CHA 14). I'm actually unsure of the alignment tag, still trying to figure out if CN, N, NE, or CE is the best fit. He's not into wanton slaughter for its own sake, but sees killing more as a means to an end. He's also a perfect fit for the quote in the RoF book that "Drow believe in doing what they want to do, when they want to do it." For now, though, I intend to have him doing his best to keep a low profile, which means easing up on the impulse to stab first and ask later. I don't intend to backstab party members because OOG you should at least be able to trust your party, simply because otherwise the game's too frustrating. I mean, sure, I'm gonna watch my items around the rogue, but party PKing is something I despise. My IC justification is that, as a hunted exile, he needs whatever "non-enemies" he can get. Of course, just because I don't plan to kill them outright doesn't mean they won't occasionally get screwed over in other ways. I did say he's being hunted. :plotting: Any advice on skills, equipment, or just thoughts on how to roleplay the character would be great. :bow:
Tiefling_Warlock 12-31-06, 12:52 PM	Hat of Disguise works for as long as you wear it. You could deck your character in full mystery gear. Trench coat, high boots, multiple daggers, large floppy hat, gloves, and baggy pants, all black (even the daggers) so the sunglasses will fit in. Also will probably give you pluses on disguise check. For role playing, being a bit of a jerk is ok. Have you personal goals be the party's goals and rationalize in character (but not out loud). Be harsh. Be a bit evil, kill for the overall good of the party, and you goals (which are the same). As long as you kill people and do evil things for the good of the entire party, no one will care (except the dead guy), (and his assosiates)
Jaisin 12-31-06, 02:38 PM	I'm actually unsure of the alignment tag, still trying to figure out if CN, N, NE, or CE is the best fit. He's not into wanton slaughter for its own sake, but sees killing more as a means to an end. He's also a perfect fit for the quote in the RoF book that "Drow believe in doing what they want to do, when they want to do it." For now, though, I intend to have him doing his best to keep a low profile, which means easing up on the impulse to stab first and ask later. That's NE. Depending on how 'noble' or 'structured' he is, it could pass for LE. Which deity does he venerate, and why? I would guess Vhaeraun, and think it would fit with either alignment.
DaemonSaDiavlo 12-31-06, 02:41 PM	Well there are a few options that I see. I often play drow, and since playing in the underdark often has players killing each other, i always end up playing them on the surface. The first way you may be able to get solve your problem is play the lesser drow variant race, if the DM allows. This variant makes it so all drow are like normal elves, +2 dex -2 con, etc, with a lvl adjustment of 0. They also some minor spell like abilities, at the cost of still being averted to light. However without the lvl adjustment of 3 you can now take the ligh adaption feet and still have you origanal feets to choose. Second you can always go with the good old method of disuise, make it seem like you need the glasses from an acident gone wrong, or that you need them from a war injury, etc. Make people sympatize with you, so as to lead away suspicion Laslty you could always talk to the DM, most would understand your dilema and would work with you towards a solution. Maybe he would let you make the glasses look less conspicous, or maybe he would give you the feet for freem regardless talk it out. If none of these are to your liking , than sadly that is the cost of playing a drow. I would say however that taking the feat is far more important, people WILL kill you on sight if they know you are a drow, rather than a chance of death from low HP.
Tiefling_Warlock 12-31-06, 06:33 PM	Contacts.
Tiefling_Warlock 01-02-07, 11:39 AM	I've killed another thread...
Adrian_Crane 01-02-07, 02:05 PM	I've killed another thread... Heh...nah. You made some good points. I may go with a variant of what you suggested, though the trenchcoat thing does seem done to death. I'll just have to put a personal spin on it.
Doomed_Penguin 01-02-07, 04:21 PM	He's CN, maybe CE. He's out for himself first and formost (so ChaoticSomething), and he either: kills when it's necessary or seems to be a far easier means to an end than any other action (ChaoticNeutral), or he kills whenever he gets the opportunity, even when it's not entirely necessary (Chaotic Evil). I think you're going for CN. As for Hat of Disguise, it's a constant effect. But if you're going to use it, keep this in mind: it may look like you're wearing a wizard's robe, but it still feels like chainmail (to anyone who touches it, not just you). I would suggest only using it to disguise your skin/hair/eye color, and not your clothes. Cause last time I checked, skin feels the same, even if it's colors are changed. Light blindness... maybe you could make a deal w/ your dm? Give up one or two of your racial spells or shorten the range of your darkvision to get rid of your light blindness. Otherwise, I suggest Goggles of Day from Libris Mortis.
Adrian_Crane 01-02-07, 05:26 PM	He's CN, maybe CE. He's out for himself first and formost (so ChaoticSomething), and he either: kills when it's necessary or seems to be a far easier means to an end than any other action (ChaoticNeutral), or he kills whenever he gets the opportunity, even when it's not entirely necessary (Chaotic Evil). I think you're going for CN. Honestly, CN or maaaaaaaybe N is about what I think of him as. The Hero Builder's chapter on Alignment flat out says that N is looking out for yourself, E is being actively out to harm others (and G is actively trying to help others, which he sure as hell isn't). Good idea on the barganing for light blindness. As to the hat, my plan was pretty much to change colors like you suggested, and add an inch or two to his height (nothing major). EDIT: And I love the sig quotes. :D