Test of Lolth: at class level 6, or ECL 6? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Test of Lolth: at class level 6, or ECL 6? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Stanoje
03-13-07, 07:18 PM Hey folks, I've got a couple of questions.

1) Is the Test of Lolth administered when a drow reaches 6th level in a class, or when his/her ECL reaches 6?

2) Does the drider template (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mm/20011118a) need any adjustment for 3.5?
Zanan
03-14-07, 04:17 AM The MM 3,5's driders as such will answer both your questions. They are in essence the transformed drow (base form) right after the cursing (some may say otherwise, but there you go).

There is no set rule, but 6th level (class level, not ECL) is the time when a test MIGHT take place. Hence, a freshly formed drider has at least 6 in-build class levels as wizard, sorceror, or cleric. Note that any additional levels the creature attains in these class stack with regard to caster levels etc., if they belong to the same class that is.

As for the template, again just check the new MM 3,5 stats of the drider, take out the drow in there and compare it to the old template. An alternative template was created HEREABOUTS (http://forum.dnd-gate.de/viewtopic.php?p=216756#216756) (check the quoted bit) too. There is also a class-break-down of the drider in Savage Species - ECL 10 or 12 methinks.

Note that not all drow will be subjected to the test of Lolth. While the lorebooks are pretty vague about this, it appears that only the Lolthite followers may have to undergo the test and more often than not it will be males and some "strange-behaving" females (e.g. those not willing to undertake any sort of religious training). There are no set rules for this (Ed Greenwood's The Drow of the Underdark have some guidelines though) and all tests out there so far are IMHO not working or way over the top. The one in Faiths & Pantheons would leave hundreds of drow dead each year - by testing alone - which is not the case by any other lore (we wouldn't have any drow priestesses running about at all after 10,000 years of somesuch); while those given in Dragon 298 (avoid, avoid, avoid - bar the PrC) are suitable for Greyhawk or the like, but are pretty destructive and even more demanding on any drow. It has never been taken up in any FR sourcebook so far, for obvious reasons, it seems.
Stanoje
03-14-07, 06:49 AM Thanks for the answer.

I thought it was class level, but Faiths & Pantheons wasn't clear on that.

Small world, by the way. I'm the guy who pm'd you on dnd-gate about the drow class articles a few weeks back.
Critalondel
03-14-07, 07:30 AM On the bright side, she's a Chaotic Evil goddess, so it's not like the number's really pinned down in any exact fashion (nor is any other aspect of the test, really). So there's no harm done if the GM just kind of wings it. ;)
Zanan
03-14-07, 07:59 AM Thanks for the answer.

I thought it was class level, but Faiths & Pantheons wasn't clear on that.

Small world, by the way. I'm the guy who pm'd you on dnd-gate about the drow class articles a few weeks back.

I noted that ;) Still a wee bit off though, the articles. And no epic folk in those afterwards either, I'm afraid :D
Treymordin
03-14-07, 10:30 AM Perhaps this question will be more fully answered in the upcoming Drow of the Underdark sourcebook?
Critalondel
03-14-07, 11:33 AM Perhaps this question will be more fully answered in the upcoming Drow of the Underdark sourcebook?
Oooh, a what now? *rubs his hands together* Got a link to an announcement or anything?
MarkusTay63
03-14-07, 11:48 AM The following excerpt is taken from Dragon magazine #298 -

In order to advance past 1st level, a Drow must undergo a SERIES of tests, called "Lolthtanchwi", or simply 'The punishments of Lolth'. This normally occurs at the end of adolescence, or around age 80.

At the end of 1st level a Drow must pass Chwineka, "The test of Darkness". When a Drow has shown proper drive and ambition, she is known as a Zwy'il or 'candidate'. This test comes without warning, and at a time when the Zwy'il is commiting a heinious act involving betrayal, ruthlessness, selfishness, and superiority. If he/she acts in true Drow fashion, and is totally without mercy, she passes this test. If their are any feelings of self-doubt or second thoughts, the candidate is instead transformed into an Aracholoth. This spider/Drow hybrid is shunned and hated by other Drow even more so then Driders.

The second test occurs at either 3rd, 4th, or 5th level, when Lolth deems the Zwy'il ready. This second test is called Chwikezzar, or "The test of Ambition". During these levels, the Drow is expected to commit all sorts of horrid acts in order to further their own ambitions. At some point, they receive information that will allow him/her to advance in some way in their chosen class/profession. It may be an opportunity to murder a rival, or to frame another priestess with false evidence against Lolth. Whatever form it takes, she must commit an atrocity against another Drow for her own benefit. If they pass this test he/she may move on. If the Drow fails to act on the information, she fails the test and a small green spider is seen exiting her mouth. From that point on she will fail at everything he/she attempts; for game purposes she functions at -6 Charisma and takes a -4 on all dice rolls.

At the very end of 5th level, and in order to make 6th, the Drow then undergoes Chwidridera, or "The test of the Drider". For a certain amount of time the Drow candidate becomes very paranoid and afraid of spiders. She must continue as if nothing is wrong, and overcome her fears, no easy task given the amount of spiders present in the average Drow city. If he/she succumbs to her fears she fails the test, and becomes a Drider. If she passes she continues onto the Test of Lies (Chwiakrell).

After that test, their are still five more, including the tests of Sacrifice, Betrayal, Domination, Vengeance, and Lolth. I'm not going to condense the entire article, but I think I've answered the OP some what. The actual "Test of Lolth" (Chwilolth) takes place at 19th or 20th level.
Critalondel
03-14-07, 12:38 PM Wow. That's...pretty lame. I thought a single test at ~6th level (against a +2 CR opponent) was already unnecessarily harsh, myself.
Zanan
03-15-07, 09:47 AM Much (if not all) of what is written in Dragon 298 is Greyhawk / Core setting material. I hope that nothing of this makes it into the namesake of Ed's great book on the FR drow though, the PrC apart.
Alac Luin
03-16-07, 10:47 PM As far as I'm concerned, FR drow only have "the bloodletting" ceremony/test at adolescence and the test we are talking about here between 6th and 8th class level.
Serik_Swift
03-17-07, 02:20 AM As i understand it, it takes place between the 6th and and 8th Class level. if she multicalssed, for example, as a cleric and bard like Halisstra, it would be at hte combined levels, i.e Lv 4 cleric and lv. 2 bard.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Stanoje 03-13-07, 07:18 PM	Hey folks, I've got a couple of questions. 1) Is the Test of Lolth administered when a drow reaches 6th level in a class, or when his/her ECL reaches 6? 2) Does the drider template (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mm/20011118a) need any adjustment for 3.5?
Zanan 03-14-07, 04:17 AM	The MM 3,5's driders as such will answer both your questions. They are in essence the transformed drow (base form) right after the cursing (some may say otherwise, but there you go). There is no set rule, but 6th level (class level, not ECL) is the time when a test MIGHT take place. Hence, a freshly formed drider has at least 6 in-build class levels as wizard, sorceror, or cleric. Note that any additional levels the creature attains in these class stack with regard to caster levels etc., if they belong to the same class that is. As for the template, again just check the new MM 3,5 stats of the drider, take out the drow in there and compare it to the old template. An alternative template was created HEREABOUTS (http://forum.dnd-gate.de/viewtopic.php?p=216756#216756) (check the quoted bit) too. There is also a class-break-down of the drider in Savage Species - ECL 10 or 12 methinks. Note that not all drow will be subjected to the test of Lolth. While the lorebooks are pretty vague about this, it appears that only the Lolthite followers may have to undergo the test and more often than not it will be males and some "strange-behaving" females (e.g. those not willing to undertake any sort of religious training). There are no set rules for this (Ed Greenwood's The Drow of the Underdark have some guidelines though) and all tests out there so far are IMHO not working or way over the top. The one in Faiths & Pantheons would leave hundreds of drow dead each year - by testing alone - which is not the case by any other lore (we wouldn't have any drow priestesses running about at all after 10,000 years of somesuch); while those given in Dragon 298 (avoid, avoid, avoid - bar the PrC) are suitable for Greyhawk or the like, but are pretty destructive and even more demanding on any drow. It has never been taken up in any FR sourcebook so far, for obvious reasons, it seems.
Stanoje 03-14-07, 06:49 AM	Thanks for the answer. I thought it was class level, but Faiths & Pantheons wasn't clear on that. Small world, by the way. I'm the guy who pm'd you on dnd-gate about the drow class articles a few weeks back.
Critalondel 03-14-07, 07:30 AM	On the bright side, she's a Chaotic Evil goddess, so it's not like the number's really pinned down in any exact fashion (nor is any other aspect of the test, really). So there's no harm done if the GM just kind of wings it. ;)
Zanan 03-14-07, 07:59 AM	Thanks for the answer. I thought it was class level, but Faiths & Pantheons wasn't clear on that. Small world, by the way. I'm the guy who pm'd you on dnd-gate about the drow class articles a few weeks back. I noted that ;) Still a wee bit off though, the articles. And no epic folk in those afterwards either, I'm afraid :D
Treymordin 03-14-07, 10:30 AM	Perhaps this question will be more fully answered in the upcoming Drow of the Underdark sourcebook?
Critalondel 03-14-07, 11:33 AM	Perhaps this question will be more fully answered in the upcoming Drow of the Underdark sourcebook? Oooh, a what now? rubs his hands together Got a link to an announcement or anything?
MarkusTay63 03-14-07, 11:48 AM	The following excerpt is taken from Dragon magazine #298 - In order to advance past 1st level, a Drow must undergo a SERIES of tests, called "Lolthtanchwi", or simply 'The punishments of Lolth'. This normally occurs at the end of adolescence, or around age 80. At the end of 1st level a Drow must pass Chwineka, "The test of Darkness". When a Drow has shown proper drive and ambition, she is known as a Zwy'il or 'candidate'. This test comes without warning, and at a time when the Zwy'il is commiting a heinious act involving betrayal, ruthlessness, selfishness, and superiority. If he/she acts in true Drow fashion, and is totally without mercy, she passes this test. If their are any feelings of self-doubt or second thoughts, the candidate is instead transformed into an Aracholoth. This spider/Drow hybrid is shunned and hated by other Drow even more so then Driders. The second test occurs at either 3rd, 4th, or 5th level, when Lolth deems the Zwy'il ready. This second test is called Chwikezzar, or "The test of Ambition". During these levels, the Drow is expected to commit all sorts of horrid acts in order to further their own ambitions. At some point, they receive information that will allow him/her to advance in some way in their chosen class/profession. It may be an opportunity to murder a rival, or to frame another priestess with false evidence against Lolth. Whatever form it takes, she must commit an atrocity against another Drow for her own benefit. If they pass this test he/she may move on. If the Drow fails to act on the information, she fails the test and a small green spider is seen exiting her mouth. From that point on she will fail at everything he/she attempts; for game purposes she functions at -6 Charisma and takes a -4 on all dice rolls. At the very end of 5th level, and in order to make 6th, the Drow then undergoes Chwidridera, or "The test of the Drider". For a certain amount of time the Drow candidate becomes very paranoid and afraid of spiders. She must continue as if nothing is wrong, and overcome her fears, no easy task given the amount of spiders present in the average Drow city. If he/she succumbs to her fears she fails the test, and becomes a Drider. If she passes she continues onto the Test of Lies (Chwiakrell). After that test, their are still five more, including the tests of Sacrifice, Betrayal, Domination, Vengeance, and Lolth. I'm not going to condense the entire article, but I think I've answered the OP some what. The actual "Test of Lolth" (Chwilolth) takes place at 19th or 20th level.
Critalondel 03-14-07, 12:38 PM	Wow. That's...pretty lame. I thought a single test at ~6th level (against a +2 CR opponent) was already unnecessarily harsh, myself.
Zanan 03-15-07, 09:47 AM	Much (if not all) of what is written in Dragon 298 is Greyhawk / Core setting material. I hope that nothing of this makes it into the namesake of Ed's great book on the FR drow though, the PrC apart.
Alac Luin 03-16-07, 10:47 PM	As far as I'm concerned, FR drow only have "the bloodletting" ceremony/test at adolescence and the test we are talking about here between 6th and 8th class level.
Serik_Swift 03-17-07, 02:20 AM	As i understand it, it takes place between the 6th and and 8th Class level. if she multicalssed, for example, as a cleric and bard like Halisstra, it would be at hte combined levels, i.e Lv 4 cleric and lv. 2 bard.