Drow Campaign - help!!! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Drow Campaign - help!!! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
squidfur-
11-08-05, 08:00 AM My mind is empty!!!

I'm starting a campaign and have no idea where to start, story wise. Need ideas.

The party consists of 3 drow
1 - wizard
1 - rogue (with plans to be an assassin)
& 1 - monk

all are of the same house, based in Ched Nesad. Set about a month-month and a half-or so before Lolth falls silent.

Oh, and is there any info to be found on drow monasteries?
Gendar Manyspell
11-08-05, 10:55 AM If you are going start the adventure about the a month before the fall of the city. I would try to make the PC's into dupes. Some possibilities might be for them to be hired out by the duergar (without their knowledge ;) ), to find the means of making the firepots that burnt the city to the ground. Or obtain plans for some of the cities foundations, where the firepots would be put to the most use. But have them gather this data, without the knowledge of where the information is going or what it is to be used for. After the fall of the city, I would think that the decision on where to go from there would be up to the PC's.
As for a monestary for drow? That's a tough one :confused: . If I were the DM, I would place it somewhere out in the wild's of the underdark. Reason being, the female priestess' wouldn't take to kindly to a stronghold which might threaten their power base. And monks being lawful might cause another problem if you were in the city of chaotic evil drow.
Beppo
11-08-05, 01:16 PM I wouldn't involve drow monasteries. Just call it some kind of exotic drow martial arts style that is taught to only a few talented students at the fighter's academy. Use spiderish and evil names describing the styles and moves and it should be good.

For the beginning you can start with deciding which position your players hold in their family house - and what rank their house is compared to the rest.
You need to figure out their attitude towards each other and prevent them from killing themselves at the first opportunity.
Maybe give them some common enemy inside their own house, a sister perhaps, that can be killed some day later on without causing too much trouble - and of course the super villain the matron mother.
Let them kill and humiliate lesser races, slaves, traders or visitors. Their hatred for all lesser races will keep them together.

Develop at least two houses that scheme against their house and maybe the one one step ahead on the ladder.

then just start by letting them fulfill some duty for their house, that will bring them in tone with Ched Nasad, their characters and their social position. Maybe an escort mission regarding some nobles with some trouble on the route.

If I remember correct Lolth remains silent for nearly a year. Ched Nasad didn't crumble at the very beginning of her silence, so you have plenty of time to let them scheme, play and finally witness the fall of their little world.

You can use the idea as kind of overplot, that fulfills in small steps.
Mikayla
11-09-05, 03:00 PM On the monk - I will take a little inspiration from the recent Underdark minis. There is a new mini called "Lolth's Sting" which is a female drow...ninja. Yes, drow ninja (right from Complete Adventurers book). So, its not to far a stretch to conceive of a 'house' or sect of ninja/monk/assassin types, "Lolth's Sting" (or some similar appellation) that work within the city to which your PC could belong to. The idea of drow ninja is very sexy one - all we need now is a way to make it plausible for them to be drow ninja pirates.... ;)
squidfur-
11-09-05, 07:51 PM drow ninja pirates aye...now there's an idea :D

anyhoo, for the drow monk, there's the character in the video game - Baldur's Gate 2: Dark Alliance. seems like i remember a fairly decent amount of background info being there to explain it, but can't remember any of it. Yes, I know it's not necessarily cannon, but 3.5's about options, right? :)

So, anyone remember any of the info from the game?
Czechmate
11-10-05, 08:54 PM You could do something based off the idea that someone was kidnaped and they were the "top of the line warriors" so they have to find the missing body. Or if they are level.1 they are send to become men out into the world to explore and then they run into trouble or something like that. Just some ideas..
Kes Alanadel
11-10-05, 09:22 PM drow ninja pirates aye...now there's an idea :D

anyhoo, for the drow monk, there's the character in the video game - Baldur's Gate 2: Dark Alliance. seems like i remember a fairly decent amount of background info being there to explain it, but can't remember any of it. Yes, I know it's not necessarily cannon, but 3.5's about options, right? :)

So, anyone remember any of the info from the game?

IIRC, there wasn't really alot, other than you gave the other drow (sister, I think) money to gain allies and influence....but it's been months since I played it, so I could be very wrong.

And drow ninja pirates...could be a super secret faction in Skullport ;)
Mikayla
11-10-05, 09:35 PM And drow ninja pirates...could be a super secret faction in Skullport

Indeed! I hereby declare myself the Queen of..err...the Valsharess of the Drow Ninja Pirates! Avast! err.. Av'st!

Anyway, in accord with my delusions of being a Yathtallar, I am a relentless self-promoter and ego-maniac so here is a link to my recently posted essay about drow role-play. Enjoy...or else! :P

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=7723247#post7723247
Tobus Neth
11-11-05, 12:07 AM Dungeon crawl classics has a adventure called mysteries of the Drow, in which you play drow the module is very good. Goodman Games
Silverpanther
11-11-05, 07:56 AM Rof says that there are indeed several monastic orders und the dark elves... but since you already have the assassin, it is more probably that you will multiclass as ninja, so why not dedicating that order to kiaransalee ;)

but i am sure we will all be glad to help you :) just give us more informations about that campaign, so we can be efficient.
shoonvii
11-13-05, 05:44 PM Some great ideas here. I'm currently running a drow campaign during The Silence and there are several running plots/concepts:

1) As stated before, keeping the PCs from killing each other. I do this by keeping them focused on common enemies or at least enemies outside of the House.

2) The Matron Mother of their House has them artifact-collecting in order to strengthen the House's power base, which is obviously weakened with their lack of divine magic. This has lead to some good conflict with rival Houses and Bregan D'aerthe as they all vie for the various artifacts.

Here's a link to our Drow Campaign forum for your perusal: http://newworldstudios.proboards27.com/index.cgi?board=Drow
squidfur-
11-22-05, 03:17 PM lets see, lets see......

ok, it would be much appreciated if someone could post as much info as possible (or provide a link to it) on the following:

the bregan d'aerth (sp?)

locations that could possibly teach an unarmed drow fighting style, particularly near/in Ched Nesad - or if that fails ideas to connect a character from Undrek'Thoz to Ched Nesad

any portals near to Ched Nesad with a destination point in or relatively close to Cormanthyr (or better yet in Maermydra -sp?), preferably not too well protected :D

any ideas for a derro assassin as a villian/underling (ie. background, motives of, etc)
Rof says that there are indeed several monastic orders und the dark elves... but since you already have the assassin, it is more probably that you will multiclass as ninja, so why not dedicating that order to kiaransalee ;)
Silverpanther, where are these references you speak of. I've taken a look through Rof and have found nothing of the sort. It's likely that I'm just blind, so can you specify p. #s, PLEASE!!!! :P
but i am sure we will all be glad to help you :) just give us more informations about that campaign, so we can be efficient.
That's just it, I've come up with next to nothin' on this, thus the inquiries.

I know that I want to have one of the house priestesses using the PC's against an older/more powerful sibling. But in what matter? That's where I'm not sure, but this is likely where things will start.

I know that I want to include a derro assassin for the PC's to face off with. Most likely, this would be in the mid-low level range.

I know that at some point, I want to at least try to tempt one of the PC's (the rogue) into converting to Eilestraee's (sp?) faith. This would most likely be in the mid-level range (ie 8th-10th level, or so)

Plus, especially if this last idea is successful, to include at least that character in the (later?) events that transpire in the City of the Spider Queen adventure. This being roughly around 10-11th level.
Rakshasa 67
11-23-05, 11:47 PM IM me. :P
squidfur-
11-24-05, 12:56 AM IM me. :P
tried to but your IM address is not listed in your profile and you seem to have it set up where you can't recieve emails either. so you wanna just hit me back (squidfur@peoplepc.com)
Ltlconf
11-24-05, 03:41 AM Hello Folks,

If I'm not mistaken there is a order of monks operating openly in a Drow confederation of small cities, located under Thay. Called the Black Hands or something :thinks:. They are important due to the portals connecting the communities will not allow weapons (could use those at the airports :D). Thus these are the assassins for the nation. If such could exist there, well...DM's choice, his game.
squidfur-
11-24-05, 03:58 AM Hello Folks,

If I'm not mistaken there is a order of monks operating openly in a Drow confederation of small cities, located under Thay. Called the Black Hands or something :thinks:. They are important due to the portals connecting the communities will not allow weapons (could use those at the airports :D). Thus these are the assassins for the nation. If such could exist there, well...DM's choice, his game.
Yeah, that's what this quote was for...
locations that could possibly teach an unarmed drow fighting style, particularly near/in Ched Nesad - or if that fails ideas to connect a character from Undrek'Thoz to Ched Nesad.
:P
Haole
11-24-05, 10:12 PM Sorry for the slight hijack, but what exactly is Lolth's Silence?

Is it from a source book or fiction?

Thanks
squidfur-
11-25-05, 08:26 PM Sorry for the slight hijack, but what exactly is Lolth's Silence?

Is it from a source book or fiction?

Thanks

Originally from the War of the Spider Queen novels, but incorporated into the setting material (in the Player's Guide to Faerun, City of the Spider Queen, and the Underdark).

The idea is that Lolth has suddenly went silent, meaning she has stopped answering prayers and is no longer granting divine abilities to her followers. If you can imagine what this might do to drow society, then you have a pretty good idea of what goes down. :D
Tobus Neth
11-25-05, 08:41 PM Is it ever gonna fly?
Ltlconf
11-26-05, 03:43 AM Hello Folks,

Oh mighty Squidfur, I so humbly apologize for my utter lack of complete and accurate knowledge of Realms lore :bow:!
Actually, I suspected but didn't want to put down a location that be incorrect. Rather, I decided to explain it as the details had stuck in my mind. I figured this would give some ideas as to intergrating monks and a full fledged order into Lolthian Drow society. As a DM myself, I understand moving into unfamilar ground.
Thus I do not mind you pointing out the accurate name, but the implication of lack of intelligence on my part, in a post put forward during a 15 minute break at work, is a little much.:ahem:
None the less, you are correct.
I now give you a five minute head start, whelp (click!) :smirk::plotting:!
Silverpanther
11-26-05, 04:01 AM allright, you want a derro assasin...

make this guy the henchman of a duerzagon MONK :) monk/reaping mauler!

so this neckbraker can be a fine enemy the matron mother sends your pcs after... since he and his LARGE squad of duergar fragged your houses... wepon master (apprentice?)... i don`t know, maybe just her favourite sword-spider, but something the mother wants to be revenged, since you can`t risk loosing your face as a drow... because then you are considered weak... and we all know how the first drizzt novel starts :D

so you have a nice organisation (okay, duergar are more a race) to start with ;)

and duergar means you can always get mind flayers into the game...

and mind flayers lead to beholders :) maybe that beholder is the new cohort of the duerzagon (duerzagon because the slime of their beards matches the reaping mauler so perfectly ;))...

so then, i will think about some more stuff in the library ;) until then...
squidfur-
11-26-05, 07:09 PM ...but the implication of lack of intelligence on my part, in a post put forward during a 15 minute break at work, is a little much.:ahem:
C'mon man!!!!! That's not what I meant at all! I put the smiley on it! I PUT THE SMILEY ON IT >>>> :P

I now give you a five minute head start, whelp (click!) :smirk::plotting:!
You here that?..............

That's the sound of Squidfur running away..............HAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!!
You'll never catch me copper!!!!!!!!!!!!
squidfur-
11-30-05, 07:29 PM :bump:
Ltlconf
12-01-05, 01:57 AM Hello Folks,

Nothing personal Squidfur, my tounge was firmly planted in cheek :ayyyy!: ! My personal advice is listen to Mikayla on things Drow, she knows her stuff. Otherwise she'll sic a huge honking spider on you :evillaugh !
Ltlconf
12-01-05, 02:00 AM Hello Folks,

Besides Squidfur, this 'ol dog won't chase you, I've got hounds and a very accurate long rifle for that :ayyyy!: ! :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
squidfur- 11-08-05, 08:00 AM	My mind is empty!!! I'm starting a campaign and have no idea where to start, story wise. Need ideas. The party consists of 3 drow 1 - wizard 1 - rogue (with plans to be an assassin) & 1 - monk all are of the same house, based in Ched Nesad. Set about a month-month and a half-or so before Lolth falls silent. Oh, and is there any info to be found on drow monasteries?
Gendar Manyspell 11-08-05, 10:55 AM	If you are going start the adventure about the a month before the fall of the city. I would try to make the PC's into dupes. Some possibilities might be for them to be hired out by the duergar (without their knowledge ;) ), to find the means of making the firepots that burnt the city to the ground. Or obtain plans for some of the cities foundations, where the firepots would be put to the most use. But have them gather this data, without the knowledge of where the information is going or what it is to be used for. After the fall of the city, I would think that the decision on where to go from there would be up to the PC's. As for a monestary for drow? That's a tough one :confused: . If I were the DM, I would place it somewhere out in the wild's of the underdark. Reason being, the female priestess' wouldn't take to kindly to a stronghold which might threaten their power base. And monks being lawful might cause another problem if you were in the city of chaotic evil drow.
Beppo 11-08-05, 01:16 PM	I wouldn't involve drow monasteries. Just call it some kind of exotic drow martial arts style that is taught to only a few talented students at the fighter's academy. Use spiderish and evil names describing the styles and moves and it should be good. For the beginning you can start with deciding which position your players hold in their family house - and what rank their house is compared to the rest. You need to figure out their attitude towards each other and prevent them from killing themselves at the first opportunity. Maybe give them some common enemy inside their own house, a sister perhaps, that can be killed some day later on without causing too much trouble - and of course the super villain the matron mother. Let them kill and humiliate lesser races, slaves, traders or visitors. Their hatred for all lesser races will keep them together. Develop at least two houses that scheme against their house and maybe the one one step ahead on the ladder. then just start by letting them fulfill some duty for their house, that will bring them in tone with Ched Nasad, their characters and their social position. Maybe an escort mission regarding some nobles with some trouble on the route. If I remember correct Lolth remains silent for nearly a year. Ched Nasad didn't crumble at the very beginning of her silence, so you have plenty of time to let them scheme, play and finally witness the fall of their little world. You can use the idea as kind of overplot, that fulfills in small steps.
Mikayla 11-09-05, 03:00 PM	On the monk - I will take a little inspiration from the recent Underdark minis. There is a new mini called "Lolth's Sting" which is a female drow...ninja. Yes, drow ninja (right from Complete Adventurers book). So, its not to far a stretch to conceive of a 'house' or sect of ninja/monk/assassin types, "Lolth's Sting" (or some similar appellation) that work within the city to which your PC could belong to. The idea of drow ninja is very sexy one - all we need now is a way to make it plausible for them to be drow ninja pirates.... ;)
squidfur- 11-09-05, 07:51 PM	drow ninja pirates aye...now there's an idea :D anyhoo, for the drow monk, there's the character in the video game - Baldur's Gate 2: Dark Alliance. seems like i remember a fairly decent amount of background info being there to explain it, but can't remember any of it. Yes, I know it's not necessarily cannon, but 3.5's about options, right? :) So, anyone remember any of the info from the game?
Czechmate 11-10-05, 08:54 PM	You could do something based off the idea that someone was kidnaped and they were the "top of the line warriors" so they have to find the missing body. Or if they are level.1 they are send to become men out into the world to explore and then they run into trouble or something like that. Just some ideas..
Kes Alanadel 11-10-05, 09:22 PM	drow ninja pirates aye...now there's an idea :D anyhoo, for the drow monk, there's the character in the video game - Baldur's Gate 2: Dark Alliance. seems like i remember a fairly decent amount of background info being there to explain it, but can't remember any of it. Yes, I know it's not necessarily cannon, but 3.5's about options, right? :) So, anyone remember any of the info from the game? IIRC, there wasn't really alot, other than you gave the other drow (sister, I think) money to gain allies and influence....but it's been months since I played it, so I could be very wrong. And drow ninja pirates...could be a super secret faction in Skullport ;)
Mikayla 11-10-05, 09:35 PM	And drow ninja pirates...could be a super secret faction in Skullport Indeed! I hereby declare myself the Queen of..err...the Valsharess of the Drow Ninja Pirates! Avast! err.. Av'st! Anyway, in accord with my delusions of being a Yathtallar, I am a relentless self-promoter and ego-maniac so here is a link to my recently posted essay about drow role-play. Enjoy...or else! :P http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=7723247#post7723247
Tobus Neth 11-11-05, 12:07 AM	Dungeon crawl classics has a adventure called mysteries of the Drow, in which you play drow the module is very good. Goodman Games
Silverpanther 11-11-05, 07:56 AM	Rof says that there are indeed several monastic orders und the dark elves... but since you already have the assassin, it is more probably that you will multiclass as ninja, so why not dedicating that order to kiaransalee ;) but i am sure we will all be glad to help you :) just give us more informations about that campaign, so we can be efficient.
shoonvii 11-13-05, 05:44 PM	Some great ideas here. I'm currently running a drow campaign during The Silence and there are several running plots/concepts: 1) As stated before, keeping the PCs from killing each other. I do this by keeping them focused on common enemies or at least enemies outside of the House. 2) The Matron Mother of their House has them artifact-collecting in order to strengthen the House's power base, which is obviously weakened with their lack of divine magic. This has lead to some good conflict with rival Houses and Bregan D'aerthe as they all vie for the various artifacts. Here's a link to our Drow Campaign forum for your perusal: http://newworldstudios.proboards27.com/index.cgi?board=Drow
squidfur- 11-22-05, 03:17 PM	lets see, lets see...... ok, it would be much appreciated if someone could post as much info as possible (or provide a link to it) on the following: the bregan d'aerth (sp?) locations that could possibly teach an unarmed drow fighting style, particularly near/in Ched Nesad - or if that fails ideas to connect a character from Undrek'Thoz to Ched Nesad any portals near to Ched Nesad with a destination point in or relatively close to Cormanthyr (or better yet in Maermydra -sp?), preferably not too well protected :D any ideas for a derro assassin as a villian/underling (ie. background, motives of, etc) Rof says that there are indeed several monastic orders und the dark elves... but since you already have the assassin, it is more probably that you will multiclass as ninja, so why not dedicating that order to kiaransalee ;) Silverpanther, where are these references you speak of. I've taken a look through Rof and have found nothing of the sort. It's likely that I'm just blind, so can you specify p. #s, PLEASE!!!! :P but i am sure we will all be glad to help you :) just give us more informations about that campaign, so we can be efficient. That's just it, I've come up with next to nothin' on this, thus the inquiries. I know that I want to have one of the house priestesses using the PC's against an older/more powerful sibling. But in what matter? That's where I'm not sure, but this is likely where things will start. I know that I want to include a derro assassin for the PC's to face off with. Most likely, this would be in the mid-low level range. I know that at some point, I want to at least try to tempt one of the PC's (the rogue) into converting to Eilestraee's (sp?) faith. This would most likely be in the mid-level range (ie 8th-10th level, or so) Plus, especially if this last idea is successful, to include at least that character in the (later?) events that transpire in the City of the Spider Queen adventure. This being roughly around 10-11th level.
Rakshasa 67 11-23-05, 11:47 PM	IM me. :P
squidfur- 11-24-05, 12:56 AM	IM me. :P tried to but your IM address is not listed in your profile and you seem to have it set up where you can't recieve emails either. so you wanna just hit me back (squidfur@peoplepc.com)
Ltlconf 11-24-05, 03:41 AM	Hello Folks, If I'm not mistaken there is a order of monks operating openly in a Drow confederation of small cities, located under Thay. Called the Black Hands or something :thinks:. They are important due to the portals connecting the communities will not allow weapons (could use those at the airports :D). Thus these are the assassins for the nation. If such could exist there, well...DM's choice, his game.
squidfur- 11-24-05, 03:58 AM	Hello Folks, If I'm not mistaken there is a order of monks operating openly in a Drow confederation of small cities, located under Thay. Called the Black Hands or something :thinks:. They are important due to the portals connecting the communities will not allow weapons (could use those at the airports :D). Thus these are the assassins for the nation. If such could exist there, well...DM's choice, his game. Yeah, that's what this quote was for... locations that could possibly teach an unarmed drow fighting style, particularly near/in Ched Nesad - or if that fails ideas to connect a character from Undrek'Thoz to Ched Nesad. :P
Haole 11-24-05, 10:12 PM	Sorry for the slight hijack, but what exactly is Lolth's Silence? Is it from a source book or fiction? Thanks
squidfur- 11-25-05, 08:26 PM	Sorry for the slight hijack, but what exactly is Lolth's Silence? Is it from a source book or fiction? Thanks Originally from the War of the Spider Queen novels, but incorporated into the setting material (in the Player's Guide to Faerun, City of the Spider Queen, and the Underdark). The idea is that Lolth has suddenly went silent, meaning she has stopped answering prayers and is no longer granting divine abilities to her followers. If you can imagine what this might do to drow society, then you have a pretty good idea of what goes down. :D
Tobus Neth 11-25-05, 08:41 PM	Is it ever gonna fly?
Ltlconf 11-26-05, 03:43 AM	Hello Folks, Oh mighty Squidfur, I so humbly apologize for my utter lack of complete and accurate knowledge of Realms lore :bow:! Actually, I suspected but didn't want to put down a location that be incorrect. Rather, I decided to explain it as the details had stuck in my mind. I figured this would give some ideas as to intergrating monks and a full fledged order into Lolthian Drow society. As a DM myself, I understand moving into unfamilar ground. Thus I do not mind you pointing out the accurate name, but the implication of lack of intelligence on my part, in a post put forward during a 15 minute break at work, is a little much.:ahem: None the less, you are correct. I now give you a five minute head start, whelp (click!) :smirk::plotting:!
Silverpanther 11-26-05, 04:01 AM	allright, you want a derro assasin... make this guy the henchman of a duerzagon MONK :) monk/reaping mauler! so this neckbraker can be a fine enemy the matron mother sends your pcs after... since he and his LARGE squad of duergar fragged your houses... wepon master (apprentice?)... i don`t know, maybe just her favourite sword-spider, but something the mother wants to be revenged, since you can`t risk loosing your face as a drow... because then you are considered weak... and we all know how the first drizzt novel starts :D so you have a nice organisation (okay, duergar are more a race) to start with ;) and duergar means you can always get mind flayers into the game... and mind flayers lead to beholders :) maybe that beholder is the new cohort of the duerzagon (duerzagon because the slime of their beards matches the reaping mauler so perfectly ;))... so then, i will think about some more stuff in the library ;) until then...
squidfur- 11-26-05, 07:09 PM	...but the implication of lack of intelligence on my part, in a post put forward during a 15 minute break at work, is a little much.:ahem: C'mon man!!!!! That's not what I meant at all! I put the smiley on it! I PUT THE SMILEY ON IT >>>> :P I now give you a five minute head start, whelp (click!) :smirk::plotting:! You here that?.............. That's the sound of Squidfur running away..............HAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!! You'll never catch me copper!!!!!!!!!!!!
squidfur- 11-30-05, 07:29 PM	:bump:
Ltlconf 12-01-05, 01:57 AM	Hello Folks, Nothing personal Squidfur, my tounge was firmly planted in cheek :ayyyy!: ! My personal advice is listen to Mikayla on things Drow, she knows her stuff. Otherwise she'll sic a huge honking spider on you :evillaugh !
Ltlconf 12-01-05, 02:00 AM	Hello Folks, Besides Squidfur, this 'ol dog won't chase you, I've got hounds and a very accurate long rifle for that :ayyyy!: ! :D