Post/Author/DateTime	Post
biomante 06-20-03, 03:12 PM	OK I suppose that Sshamath will be present in the upcoming book. Is there any prestige class related to it? (or at least Vhaerunites?). The faerzress (sp?) seems to be back, will it have the same quasi-magical properties as in the 2nd ed? The doubts about if the drow are considered elves for prestige classes, etc. will be treated? The events of the War of the Spider Queen series will be included? Well, these are a lot of questions, I know, but I can't wait until October. (Also, I DON'T want like a "free sneak peek", because I will definitely buy the book..., I am a drowphilic..).
Orbdrin Mizzrym 06-20-03, 04:23 PM	We will get a peak of at least one Drow specific prestige class, the Drow Judicator. This class is like a specialty knight of Selvetarm. Im sure we will finally be answered about Drow and if they are considered Elves for prestige classes. The Prestige Classes in the Underdark sourcebook are as follows: Chapter 3: Prestige Classes Arachnemancer Cavelord Deep Diviner Drow Judicator Illithid Body Tamer [censored] Inquisitor of the Drowning Goddess Prime Underdark Guide Sea Mother Whip Shadowcrafter Vermin Keeper Yathchol Webrider They will also be giving us a Faerzress Infused creature template, which should be interesting. I think they might briefly touch on War of the Spider Queen. Maybe give us some clarifications, if we are using it in our campaigns. Like, does Selvetarm currently grant spells, even though Lolth doesnt? What do we do with our currently weakened Lolthite priestess?
Dargoth 06-20-03, 08:57 PM	wonder what the censored PrC is interesting the censored name is alphabeticly between Ill-In
biomante 06-23-03, 12:55 PM	Up we go...:D
Selvarin 06-24-03, 02:19 PM	Yep, although I recall them saying that the Underdark book will not be a de facto drow book, so they can make sure the other underdark races get more (balanced?) representation.
biomante 06-27-03, 01:57 PM	Well, but I am interested in the Drow. ;)
biomante 07-16-03, 02:20 PM	:bigeyes: C'mon, just a few answers. When are you going to show some previews? (Until september I suppose). Thanks
Elereth_Berantor 07-16-03, 02:53 PM	Originally posted by Dargoth wonder what the censored PrC is interesting the censored name is alphabeticly between Ill-In Well let's see... It must be "Illithid _____" OR "Illsensine _____" (Illsensine being the deity of Illithids) That or I'm completely wrong--they are introducing a new race or something, so probably this PrC goes with the [censored] race.
Selvarin 07-16-03, 04:04 PM	Ilsensine Disciple? Illithid Savant?
WotC_RichBaker 07-17-03, 12:55 PM	To my knowledge, Bruce and Gwen don't regularly monitor this particular board. I'll let them know that you guys are asking for them.
biomante 07-17-03, 01:15 PM	That's the Baker-man!!! :cool: Thanks a lot.
necropolisthelich 07-18-03, 06:29 AM	Hi i love drow too ! but i wanted to ask them this question we all know that drows are very good with magic and spells and i mean VERY good better then almost any other creature and from all the other elfs so why only the sun and moon elves had the high mage prestige class ? i think that the drow should have prestige classes like that , that control magic better then any other creautre and better then the high mages of the other elfs . also we know that they love death and necromancy so why there aren't special prestige classes for special necomancers drows ? what about new liches for drows ? even drows get old and try to become liches some time so why don't they invent somethin new like new types of liches more powerfull then any other liches that are known today ?
Selvarin 07-18-03, 01:10 PM	Originally posted by necropolisthelich Hi i love drow too ! but i wanted to ask them this question we all know that drows are very good with magic and spells and i mean VERY good better then almost any other creature and from all the other elfs so why only the sun and moon elves had the high mage prestige class ? i think that the drow should have prestige classes like that , that control magic better then any other creautre and better then the high mages of the other elfs . also we know that they love death and necromancy so why there aren't special prestige classes for special necomancers drows ? what about new liches for drows ? even drows get old and try to become liches some time so why don't they invent somethin new like new types of liches more powerfull then any other liches that are known today ? You really need to read up on the history of Faerun's elves and drow. For starters, it's part of elven culture (read the Cormanthyr game supplement). Two, Corellon Larethian handles high magic and he cut the drow off from it just as he banished them from the surface. Third, why the *bleep* do some think that drow are entitled to have access to every single elven-related PrC? Technically they already have access to the bladesinger PrC, something that was exclusively surface elven prior to Races of Faerun. (and 3e). What's required to become a high mage is something that drow do not or cannot possess. It's called 'flavor', it's why drow can do some things that most elves wouldn't (or cannot) grasp. That's what some prestige classes are for, they're for flavor. Some prc's will reflect a particular culture and I'm glad for it. If one wishes for more drow-related necromantic material, there is a book on liches that includes a 'drowlich'. As for being 'control magic better than any of the other elfs', that is quite arguable. They're among the most powerful wizards, and to some they are the most powerful, but that matter is up to debate.
Alac Luin 07-19-03, 01:03 AM	Come on now, Drow should have acces to high magic becouse they can be skilled magic users? I dont really want to fame here, but we have to look at this a minute. High magic cast by elfs requires a certain level of intamacy and trust, several individuals joined in the compleation of a singular goal. Drow really dont have that cooperation, to many individual agendas here. A drow workind with a bigger surface high elf circle? Wsure a few elfs may accept a good Drow to live in a city(typicly under watch, near the outscurts of town). They could never be compleatly accepted by a circle, at least one member would have this twinge of raceism. Evil Drow use, lern Magic as a sourse of personal (key word- personal)power, for survival, after generations of such use of it would be hard. A high magic using enclave of Ellastraee worsiping Drow may be an intristing plot line for a DM to use, but would be SO unheard of that a High Magic PC would be Imposible (as imposible as anything in fantacy that is :) ) Altho that Corellon Larethian most likely cut the Drow off compleatly and forever, never to have the ability IS a very good point.
necropolisthelich 07-19-03, 08:09 AM	Hi i don't mean to give drow high magic as elfs but to give them a diferent type of powerfull personal magic that can be as powerfull as high magic if a drow is a lich he can control magic better then ANY other elf so i think thath they need new type of magic
Selvarin 07-19-03, 03:52 PM	Originally posted by necropolisthelich Hi i don't mean to give drow high magic as elfs but to give them a diferent type of powerfull personal magic that can be as powerfull as high magic if a drow is a lich he can control magic better then ANY other elf so i think thath they need new type of magic I'd still disagree with them being the absolute best but they occupy the upper echelon with a few others. ;) Fair enough regarding drow and a magic of their own, but for the most part the highlights of drow magic (besides some of the deadly, devious combinations they've developed) is what they did using the radiation of the Underdark. That was initially seen as being special for drow. There could be some expansion of this, we do know some drow are trying to create magical effects similar to that created by High Magic, but so far with no great success. In my personal opinion I'd just spread the use of the shadow weave and be done with the 'Shar controls this only' bit. It suits the drow perfectly, and would further accentuate their weaknesses (and strength) against the powers of Light. Lolth should be seen as the drow goddess of magic (in addition to her other titles), so she could administer it appropriately. OK, what ways would/could drow differentiate their magic from others? Just looking through the Book of Vile Darkness I can see the Corrupt Spell and Corrupt Spell-Like Ability feats help in this regard. PrC-wise, there's the Demonologist....Oh, and if you have a certain issue of Dungeon magazine (an early one, #84 IIRC) one can get the Arachnemancer PrC without having to wait till October for the Underdark book to come out. The 'magic' relates to spiders, of cours,e but still...Anyhow, there's a number of ways to define drow magical mastery.
necropolisthelich 07-20-03, 06:59 AM	Hi maybe a faern lich might be a good idea don't you think ?
Selvarin 07-20-03, 01:38 PM	The Forgotten Realms have a number of 'native' liches: Archlich (albeit originally listed in some Spelljammer product), baelnorn, banelich (albeit most were destroyed by Iyactu Xvim's tyrant-fog as well as Fzoul and...?), and the alhoon. All of these are listed in the lich entry found in Monsters of faerun . I should also point out that a list of alternative powers for 'Faerun liches' in general were provided there as well.
necropolisthelich 07-20-03, 05:23 PM	Hi i know i have monsters of faerun but i am thinking on new different liches
primemover003 07-20-03, 07:29 PM	Why would a Drow Lich be any different than a human Lich. Evil, Undead, Spellcaster.... Yep that pretty much ticks off the checklist for being a lich. Sure you could create different abilities Liches have, heck just try to find some of the old Ravenloft VanRichten's guides for info on what liches do when they age, I'm sure it might even be updated to 3rd edition by S&S.
Selvarin 07-20-03, 08:56 PM	Yep, and one could as easily replace power-x with a similar-strength spell or spell-like ability.
biomante 07-25-03, 12:02 PM	Let's get back on topic, please. :rolleyes:
GwendolynK 07-31-03, 02:46 PM	Greetings, gentlefolk, I can answer a few of your questions: The book will be out in October. There is, indeed a section on Sshamath. Faerzress is described, much as it is in the recent City of the Spider Queen, with a bit more information and an associated template: Faerzress-Infused Creature. It's true that the book is much broader than just drow, but there's plenty of good stuff in the book for drow afficionado: Feats, armor, prestige class, information on drow cities, and much more. In addition to drow, kuo-toa, illithids, and a number of other races get good support. You'll find a couple of new races, too. Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel
biomante 08-01-03, 12:55 PM	Thanks a lot for the info! (How about that "drow-considered-elves-for-prestige classes-and-stuff?"):D
GwendolynK 08-01-03, 01:08 PM	Yes, gentle readers, a drow is an elf. A drow can become an arcane archer or join any other elf-focused prestige class for which it meet the prerequisites. In FR, there are all manner of drow. Some are surface-dwelling worshippers of Eilistraee, others live in the Underdark and worship Lolth. Of course, for campaign flavor purposes, a DM may choose to rule that in his or her campaign, only certain types of elves may join specific prestige classes.
Bishop the Bardican 08-03-03, 02:59 PM	First, I'm a big fan of your work, guys. How strong is the presence of Elistraee's clegy and faithful in the Underdark? Would they have subterranean temples? I understand that the faith and some of the rites are tied to the experience of being a good drow on the surface, but most faiths prostelitize. Most of their potential converts are down below. Finally, as a chaotic organization would it be possible to have underground enclaves with competing purposes? One temple is working to convert the occasional drow outcast, while another hunts down the most evil and dangerous of the drow? Thanks
Dargoth 08-03-03, 07:49 PM	Gwendolyn: A couple of Questions 1) on the map provided with Drizzts guide to the Underdark theres a couple of cities that arent detailed in the book Phuglotllart (Under Sembia) Zanhoriloch (Under Battledale) Glanderultok (North of the Citedal of the Ravan) Which races live in those 3 cities and are they detailed in Underdark? 2) Any chance we you can do a Web enhacement for Underdark? Things Id like to see a) F&P style write ups for monster gods such as Blibdoolpoolp, Ilsensine and Ilxendren b) A write up for the Mines of Tethyrmar
Nighttfall 08-04-03, 01:05 AM	No offense but i hope there will be something about the Underdark in the Northeast part of Faerun, the Blood Stone Lands, Narfell etc.
Dargoth 08-04-03, 05:03 AM	Originally posted by Nighttfall No offense but i hope there will be something about the Underdark in the Northeast part of Faerun, the Blood Stone Lands, Narfell etc. Rich B said that the drow city under thay got a write up and Im pretty sure he said the Drow city under Damara (The one full of Banshees) got a write up to
Nighttfall 08-04-03, 11:46 AM	Is that in the book or in something else?
GwendolynK 08-04-03, 04:56 PM	So many questions! I'll answer briefly. Bear in mind that the book is only 192 pages and can't possibly include every enclave the Underdark. It covers quite a bit, though, and certainly provides a good base from which to extrapolate. Eilistraee: She has some worshipers in the Underdark, but they're uncommon. There are established places of worship in Llurth Dreir. Chaotic Organizations: Oh, yes chaotic groups can easily work at cross purposes or have very different interpretations of a core philosophy. Phuglotllart, Zanhorilock, Glanderultok: Nope, not in this book. Web Enhancement: Oh, yes. I'm writing it. It will focus primarily on organizations in the Underdark. I'm on the cusp of turning it over to the web team. F&P-Style Write Ups for More Gods: Not in the Underdark book and not in the web enhancement. I don't know if Jeff, Bruce, or someone else would be interested in doing these. Tethyrmar: Yes. Areas of the Underdark: The geography section is organized a bit different from most past products. It becomes evident that what area of Faerun an Underdark site lies under is less important than how that site can be reached (often the surface entry to an area is miles away from it, especially when dealing with the Middledark or Lowerdark). There's also a large chapter on Exploring the Underdark that talks about adventuring underground and the types of terrain one finds. Damara: Not sure. It's not in my section, perhaps in Bruce's or Jeff's? If Rich said it's written up, I'm sure it is. Thanks! Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel
Nighttfall 08-04-03, 08:05 PM	Thanks Ms. Kestrel! :) I appreciate the feedback.
Dargoth 08-04-03, 08:08 PM	Originally posted by WotC_Gwendolyn So many questions! Web Enhancement: Oh, yes. I'm writing it. It will focus primarily on organizations in the Underdark. I'm on the cusp of turning it over to the web team. Tethyrmar: Yes. Will one of those organisations in the web enhancement be the Scourged Legion? Is that Yes the Mines of Tethyrmar are getting a write up in the web enhancement your working on? Rich B said the Mines didnt make it into the book due to a lack of space
GwendolynK 08-04-03, 08:15 PM	Sorry, I should have specified: the Mines of Tethyrmar are in the book. My organizations don't include the Scourged Legion, but they sound cool. I'll just say that I've written up a merchant group, an anarchist group, and a group of Underdark guides.
Dargoth 08-04-03, 08:18 PM	Originally posted by WotC_Gwendolyn Sorry, I should have specified: the Mines of Tethyrmar are in the book. My organizations don't include the Scourged Legion, but they sound cool. I'll just say that I've written up a merchant group, an anarchist group, and a group of Underdark guides. Richard Baker Told us the Mines of Tethyrmar where cut.. Oh well How much of a write up did the mines get? (How many pages etc)
Faraer 08-04-03, 08:20 PM	As well, did Ed Greenwood provide any additional Tethyamar lore to work from? Since this is one of the longstanding minor holy grails of the Realms, I'm concerned that the version that enters the continuity is a good one.
Selvarin 08-04-03, 11:16 PM	Llurth Drier? Interesting. :)
paradoxmage 08-05-03, 05:47 AM	I personnaly agree with Drow not haveing elven high magic. The reason being is it is a very powerful PC and it is one of the reasons the elves were able to send the drow to underdark and not be defeated by them, and drow being better spellcasters is not entirely true as the reason that there spells may be concidered stronger than other elves was because of the magic inherant to underdark (that is why origionaly there items would disapate over time). Plus if u were going to make spells more powerful for them u would have to make something weaker for them(like say being able to control there magic)
GwendolynK 08-05-03, 05:43 PM	Honestly, I don't know much about this section and the research that the writer(s) put into it. I believe it was written by Jeff Quick and developed by Rich Baker, both of whom have profound skill and respect toward FR. The last draft I saw had 3-5 paragraphs on Tethyrmar. Not much, I admit, but enough to convey the flavor of the place. Some cuts had to be made to fit the book into 192 page. With so much ground (both physically and metaphorically) to cover in one book on the whole of the Underdark, whatever space is given to one area means that another area has that much less. Sorry I can't be of more help on the topic. Gwendolyn
Dargoth 08-05-03, 07:13 PM	Originally posted by WotC_Gwendolyn Honestly, I don't know much about this section and the research that the writer(s) put into it. I believe it was written by Jeff Quick and developed by Rich Baker, both of whom have profound skill and respect toward FR. The last draft I saw had 3-5 paragraphs on Tethyrmar. Not much, I admit, but enough to convey the flavor of the place. Some cuts had to be made to fit the book into 192 page. With so much ground (both physically and metaphorically) to cover in one book on the whole of the Underdark, whatever space is given to one area means that another area has that much less. Sorry I can't be of more help on the topic. Gwendolyn Thats ok I just wanted to clarify if it was in or not. So does this mean theres a whole heap of Underdark material that didnt make the cut, lying around the office somewhere? How about making a web enhancement out of th "Left overs"?
GwendolynK 08-06-03, 08:32 PM	I've passed on the request. Gwendolyn
Dargoth 08-07-03, 05:36 PM	Originally posted by WotC_Gwendolyn I've passed on the request. Gwendolyn Thanks!
Straploknight 08-08-03, 01:40 AM	Originally posted by paradoxmage and drow being better spellcasters is not entirely true In 3rd Ed they are on equal footing (except for high magic), but in 2nd Ed, drow were unparalled demi-human spellcasters. They were not subject to caster level limits. However from a flavor standpoint, I agree drow do not need access to high magic, it is the province of surface elves.
Prince Indirian 08-09-03, 12:03 PM	Originally posted by Straploknight In 3rd Ed they are on equal footing (except for high magic), but in 2nd Ed, drow were unparalled demi-human spellcasters. They were not subject to caster level limits. However from a flavor standpoint, I agree drow do not need access to high magic, it is the province of surface elves. Even those who are not evil and approved by Correllon ? You know the realms are changing. It's alive one could say. But still I understand your point and it's a good one:). But on the other side what makes a elf a better candidate than good drow elf. Remember that Correllon is the deity of all elves and drow are elves whether you like it or not. That part of their charm. Since elves CAN be just as treacherous as dark elves at least when they ( the elfs) are dealing with dark elves, which is by the way kind of logic. But of course the dark elf must sacrifice somethingm like SR. Back to topic It seems as there is a lot about dark elves and thats really good, I love that but are do you have some info about the gray dwarves. I would love to get something on them
Selvarin 08-09-03, 02:14 PM	Originally posted by Prince Indirian Even those who are not evil and approved by Correllon ? You know the realms are changing. It's alive one could say. But still I understand your point and it's a good one:). But on the other side what makes a elf a better candidate than good drow elf. Remember that Correllon is the deity of all elves and drow are elves whether you like it or not. That part of their charm. Since elves CAN be just as treacherous as dark elves at least when they ( the elfs) are dealing with dark elves, which is by the way kind of logic. But of course the dark elf must sacrifice somethingm like SR. Back to topic It seems as there is a lot about dark elves and thats really good, I love that but are do you have some info about the gray dwarves. I would love to get something on them Must not respond, must NOT respond...*telling self*...
Prince Indirian 08-09-03, 03:22 PM	"Arrogance is not good for your health a wise man once said......":smirk: :angel:
Dargoth 08-10-03, 11:00 PM	Will al the Underdark cities appear on the mpas in underdark or only those that have write ups? (DGTU included undetailed cities on its poster map)