A drow house question [Archive] - Wizards Community

A drow house question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sola2007
05-11-07, 11:54 PM I have managed to piece together the hierarchy of a standard Drow house in Menzoberranzan and it looks like this I think:

Matron Mother> Daughters (who are the house priestess)>House Wizard, The Patron, Weapon Master>Male Heirs>House Mages and War Leaders>Common Warriors>Craftspeople>Servants>Slaves

So my question is how many members accompany these houses? I know one Matron Mother, no set Daughters, one house wizard, 1 patron, one weapon master, and there are usually two slaves per Drow. But from there I have no clue. So if anyone could fill me in that would be great. Thanks.
Zanan
05-12-07, 04:03 AM Any chance to lay your hands on the Menzoberranzan boxed set? They have about a dozen drow houses "detailed" in there. It's still AD&D, but that does not really matter here.
Sola2007
05-12-07, 02:19 PM no not really, damn that sucks, I still have The Drow of the Underdark book from AD&D and I have been using that, but thanks anyways
Zanan
05-12-07, 06:17 PM Well, you should be able to get one via RPGnow.com as pdf-download these days for some $ 5.
Straploknight
05-12-07, 08:37 PM I have managed to piece together the hierarchy of a standard Drow house in Menzoberranzan and it looks like this I think:

Matron Mother> Daughters (who are the house priestess)>House Wizard, The Patron, Weapon Master>Male Heirs>House Mages and War Leaders>Common Warriors>Craftspeople>Servants>Slaves

So my question is how many members accompany these houses? I know one Matron Mother, no set Daughters, one house wizard, 1 patron, one weapon master, and there are usually two slaves per Drow. But from there I have no clue. So if anyone could fill me in that would be great. Thanks.

let me see, house Baenre claimed about 63 ranking members and could field a combined force of 3300 soldiers (700 of which were slaves) wthout drawing on external forces.

House Barrison Del'Armgo claimed 48 ranking memebers and could field 2100 soldiers (with 1100 being slaves)

These at the time of the Menzo boxed set were the top 2 ranking houses.

Hmmm.... I suppose you could take all the listed houses and average things out and see where they fall???

Average # of

Nobles: 24

Clerics: 12
Priestesses of Lolth: 50%

House Males: 11
Fighters: 36%
Wizards: 54%
Other: 10%

Soldiers: 476
Slave Soldiers: 546
Old Sage
05-12-07, 10:01 PM Well, you should be able to get one via RPGnow.com as pdf-download these days for some $ 5.RPGNow is still dealing with a hack-attempt into its databases. I'd avoid purchasing anything from that site for a while longer.

Instead, try paizo.com where you can make the same purchase for just $4US.
Lord Karsus
05-12-07, 10:54 PM RPGNow is still dealing with a hack-attempt into its databases. I'd avoid purchasing anything from that site for a while longer.

-Wow, still? That was quite a few months ago...
Old Sage
05-12-07, 11:07 PM I'm remaining cautious. It may be that the attempt has been successfully countered... though I am skeptical of using the site to make purchases until it's clear everything is largely okay over there.
Lord Karsus
05-12-07, 11:12 PM -Better safe than sorry. A good maxim to live by. That's why you've lived long enough to be the resident Old Sage. :)
Sola2007
05-13-07, 03:35 AM Straploknight thanks that does help
Straploknight
05-13-07, 08:41 PM My pleasure, however despite averaging the numbers, I'd say the menzo box set info was pulled from the posterior file rather than any sort of concerted effort to apply a game mechanic. There are some anomolies in there that seemed to merely exsist for shock value.
Arbourean
05-13-07, 11:04 PM The Menzoberranzan boxed set is excellent for recreating a drow city or houses, but the npc information is out of date as it stems from before the ToT.
I love the poster of the Matron and her retinue though.
Arbourean
05-13-07, 11:08 PM Speaking of the Houses, does anyone have an updated list of the noble Houses? There have been considerable changes the past 20 or so years, DR.
Old Sage
05-13-07, 11:39 PM I'm assuming Zanan's likely compiled this type of information. You may want to take a look through the website sources indicated in Zanan's sig above.
Zanan
05-14-07, 04:09 AM I'm assuming Zanan's likely compiled this type of information. You may want to take a look through the website sources indicated in Zanan's sig above.

Indeed ...

http://www.dnd-gate.de/gate3/page/index.php?id=420

... and warlockco (check the navbar on the left side of the link) has converted many a drow NPC of Menzo and Ched Nasad to 3,5 as well. Unofficial, but nonetheless immensily useful.
Straploknight
05-15-07, 01:26 AM Speaking of drow houses, I think its time I update one for my (N)PC - Formerly the 13th House of Ched Nasad (which all this time doesn't seem to have been officially filled) and I been giving some thought as to how they have survived and where they may have fled to, the obvious choice is Menzoberranzan since it is/was a sister city. However, what is the dispostion of Menzo and is it stable enough for a displaced Lolth worshipping family to begin anew or should they look farther afield for more a hospitable location?
Zanan
05-15-07, 07:09 AM Speaking of drow houses, I think its time I update one for my (N)PC - Formerly the 13th House of Ched Nasad (which all this time doesn't seem to have been officially filled) and I been giving some thought as to how they have survived and where they may have fled to, the obvious choice is Menzoberranzan since it is/was a sister city. However, what is the dispostion of Menzo and is it stable enough for a displaced Lolth worshipping family to begin anew or should they look farther afield for more a hospitable location?

Well, there are 30odd drow cities to chose from. I for one wouldn't go for the "mother" of all Faerūnian drow cities. ;)
Try Karsoluthiyl some 200 miles west of Baldur's Gate.
Straploknight
05-15-07, 11:50 PM Is there info in DGttU or other sources? - lol, nevermind I found a some info in a web enhancement, and it gave a good idea as to how the Helviiryn family will gain a foothold in the city, and gain some measure of revenge for the destruction Ched Nasad, looks like they will be making a new start in Karsoluthiyl dealing in half drow dragon sourced leather accoutrements.

<---edit, check it out, I found some old info - like really old - I uploaded some of this info as a file on TSR's old AOL website --->

Matron: Elaele Hai'Kaz Helviiryn (19th level Priestess)
Nobles: 14
Females: 9 (Elaele Helviiryn, Gifnae Helviiryn, Alystin Helviiryn, Elvanshalee Helviiryn, Sindelviira Helviiryn, Mitoi'iuve Hune, Irruit Luen Sifnay Helviiryn)
Males: 5 (Chazmyr Helviiryn, Ketnishizbhal Naerth, Riklaunim Helviiryn, Soluafein Helviiryn, Lhen'zixkabal Helviiryn)

Soldiers: 500
Slave Soldiers: 350

Special: Velve'veldrin (elite ftr/rog - IIRC - used a shotel and 75 in number)

The House made its money as traders operating under the name of Orbb'colbauth Z'hineifhar. The Velve'veldrin operated as more or less as asassins and spies (under the guise of a mercenary company, the house was also engaged in slavery(gobliniods in particular with an emphasis on providing better than normal specimens through a breeding program)

Elaele Helviiryn -Matron Mother, noteworthy for her diplomacy, and infamous for her (by drow standards) lack of inequality among males and females in her house.

Gifnae Helviiryn - noted for her wanton nature and love of gaudy jewelry

Alystin Helviiryn - playful prankster, CE with N tendencies, never the less devout follower of Lolth

Elvanshalee Helviiryn - Soluafein's twin sister, CN w G tendencies - also escaped Ched Nasad - probably a follower of Elistraee

Sindelviira Helviiryn - Prodigy and thouroghly in the sway of Lolth, secretly feared by her mother as the next matron.

Mitoi'iuve Hune - adopted daughter

Irruit Luen - adopted daughter

Sifnay Helviiryn - Youngest female

Adinhirahc - necromancer driven insane by a failed attempt to become a lich, kept in check by the power of the house females, but dreams of converting his family into the undead.

Chazmyr Helviiryn - LE House Weapon master, and second oldest male, harbor's a grudge against his younger brother Soluafein which drove the younger male from the house, Chazmyr is known for the rigid discpline he exacts from his troops.

Ketnishizbhal Naerth - House patron, also leader of the Velve'veldrin

Riklaunim Helviiryn - devil-may-care and third son of the house, noted for his proficeint use of hand-axe and whip in combat.

Soluafein Helviiryn - Lives on the surface, widely accepted to be a traitor to the house (although Matron Elaele knows the truth to the matter and at some point in the future may recall her lost son and see what his time on the surface has taught him, either as a poweful ally to the family or another sacrfice to the spider queen)

Lhen'zixkabal Helviiryn - szarkai - slavishly devoted to Sindelviira Helviiryn

The house was a wall compound before DGttU and remained so afterwards (just no courtyard), now I think they will have moved into a stalactite structure in thier new home??? I'm thinking maybe they will probably (most if not all of the house regulars and slaves perished in Ched Nasad's destruction, but 30 or 40 of the Velve'veldrin survived) infiltrate some very minor noble family and eliminate them in one fell swoop.

Orbb'colbauth Z'hineifhar, spread out and splintered with the destruction of Ched Nasad, the family probably had some hidden caches of supplies and wealth, but for the most part, with the exception of the surviving Velve'veldrin only had only those things they could take with them when fleeing the city. They will no doubt be keen on reclaiming lost operations if at all possible and trying to consolidate as well as gain power in thier new home.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sola2007 05-11-07, 11:54 PM	I have managed to piece together the hierarchy of a standard Drow house in Menzoberranzan and it looks like this I think: Matron Mother> Daughters (who are the house priestess)>House Wizard, The Patron, Weapon Master>Male Heirs>House Mages and War Leaders>Common Warriors>Craftspeople>Servants>Slaves So my question is how many members accompany these houses? I know one Matron Mother, no set Daughters, one house wizard, 1 patron, one weapon master, and there are usually two slaves per Drow. But from there I have no clue. So if anyone could fill me in that would be great. Thanks.
Zanan 05-12-07, 04:03 AM	Any chance to lay your hands on the Menzoberranzan boxed set? They have about a dozen drow houses "detailed" in there. It's still AD&D, but that does not really matter here.
Sola2007 05-12-07, 02:19 PM	no not really, damn that sucks, I still have The Drow of the Underdark book from AD&D and I have been using that, but thanks anyways
Zanan 05-12-07, 06:17 PM	Well, you should be able to get one via RPGnow.com as pdf-download these days for some $ 5.
Straploknight 05-12-07, 08:37 PM	I have managed to piece together the hierarchy of a standard Drow house in Menzoberranzan and it looks like this I think: Matron Mother> Daughters (who are the house priestess)>House Wizard, The Patron, Weapon Master>Male Heirs>House Mages and War Leaders>Common Warriors>Craftspeople>Servants>Slaves So my question is how many members accompany these houses? I know one Matron Mother, no set Daughters, one house wizard, 1 patron, one weapon master, and there are usually two slaves per Drow. But from there I have no clue. So if anyone could fill me in that would be great. Thanks. let me see, house Baenre claimed about 63 ranking members and could field a combined force of 3300 soldiers (700 of which were slaves) wthout drawing on external forces. House Barrison Del'Armgo claimed 48 ranking memebers and could field 2100 soldiers (with 1100 being slaves) These at the time of the Menzo boxed set were the top 2 ranking houses. Hmmm.... I suppose you could take all the listed houses and average things out and see where they fall??? Average # of Nobles: 24 Clerics: 12 Priestesses of Lolth: 50% House Males: 11 Fighters: 36% Wizards: 54% Other: 10% Soldiers: 476 Slave Soldiers: 546
Old Sage 05-12-07, 10:01 PM	Well, you should be able to get one via RPGnow.com as pdf-download these days for some $ 5.RPGNow is still dealing with a hack-attempt into its databases. I'd avoid purchasing anything from that site for a while longer. Instead, try paizo.com where you can make the same purchase for just $4US.
Lord Karsus 05-12-07, 10:54 PM	RPGNow is still dealing with a hack-attempt into its databases. I'd avoid purchasing anything from that site for a while longer. -Wow, still? That was quite a few months ago...
Old Sage 05-12-07, 11:07 PM	I'm remaining cautious. It may be that the attempt has been successfully countered... though I am skeptical of using the site to make purchases until it's clear everything is largely okay over there.
Lord Karsus 05-12-07, 11:12 PM	-Better safe than sorry. A good maxim to live by. That's why you've lived long enough to be the resident Old Sage. :)
Sola2007 05-13-07, 03:35 AM	Straploknight thanks that does help
Straploknight 05-13-07, 08:41 PM	My pleasure, however despite averaging the numbers, I'd say the menzo box set info was pulled from the posterior file rather than any sort of concerted effort to apply a game mechanic. There are some anomolies in there that seemed to merely exsist for shock value.
Arbourean 05-13-07, 11:04 PM	The Menzoberranzan boxed set is excellent for recreating a drow city or houses, but the npc information is out of date as it stems from before the ToT. I love the poster of the Matron and her retinue though.
Arbourean 05-13-07, 11:08 PM	Speaking of the Houses, does anyone have an updated list of the noble Houses? There have been considerable changes the past 20 or so years, DR.
Old Sage 05-13-07, 11:39 PM	I'm assuming Zanan's likely compiled this type of information. You may want to take a look through the website sources indicated in Zanan's sig above.
Zanan 05-14-07, 04:09 AM	I'm assuming Zanan's likely compiled this type of information. You may want to take a look through the website sources indicated in Zanan's sig above. Indeed ... http://www.dnd-gate.de/gate3/page/index.php?id=420 ... and warlockco (check the navbar on the left side of the link) has converted many a drow NPC of Menzo and Ched Nasad to 3,5 as well. Unofficial, but nonetheless immensily useful.
Straploknight 05-15-07, 01:26 AM	Speaking of drow houses, I think its time I update one for my (N)PC - Formerly the 13th House of Ched Nasad (which all this time doesn't seem to have been officially filled) and I been giving some thought as to how they have survived and where they may have fled to, the obvious choice is Menzoberranzan since it is/was a sister city. However, what is the dispostion of Menzo and is it stable enough for a displaced Lolth worshipping family to begin anew or should they look farther afield for more a hospitable location?
Zanan 05-15-07, 07:09 AM	Speaking of drow houses, I think its time I update one for my (N)PC - Formerly the 13th House of Ched Nasad (which all this time doesn't seem to have been officially filled) and I been giving some thought as to how they have survived and where they may have fled to, the obvious choice is Menzoberranzan since it is/was a sister city. However, what is the dispostion of Menzo and is it stable enough for a displaced Lolth worshipping family to begin anew or should they look farther afield for more a hospitable location? Well, there are 30odd drow cities to chose from. I for one wouldn't go for the "mother" of all Faerūnian drow cities. ;) Try Karsoluthiyl some 200 miles west of Baldur's Gate.
Straploknight 05-15-07, 11:50 PM	Is there info in DGttU or other sources? - lol, nevermind I found a some info in a web enhancement, and it gave a good idea as to how the Helviiryn family will gain a foothold in the city, and gain some measure of revenge for the destruction Ched Nasad, looks like they will be making a new start in Karsoluthiyl dealing in half drow dragon sourced leather accoutrements. <---edit, check it out, I found some old info - like really old - I uploaded some of this info as a file on TSR's old AOL website ---> Matron: Elaele Hai'Kaz Helviiryn (19th level Priestess) Nobles: 14 Females: 9 (Elaele Helviiryn, Gifnae Helviiryn, Alystin Helviiryn, Elvanshalee Helviiryn, Sindelviira Helviiryn, Mitoi'iuve Hune, Irruit Luen Sifnay Helviiryn) Males: 5 (Chazmyr Helviiryn, Ketnishizbhal Naerth, Riklaunim Helviiryn, Soluafein Helviiryn, Lhen'zixkabal Helviiryn) Soldiers: 500 Slave Soldiers: 350 Special: Velve'veldrin (elite ftr/rog - IIRC - used a shotel and 75 in number) The House made its money as traders operating under the name of Orbb'colbauth Z'hineifhar. The Velve'veldrin operated as more or less as asassins and spies (under the guise of a mercenary company, the house was also engaged in slavery(gobliniods in particular with an emphasis on providing better than normal specimens through a breeding program) Elaele Helviiryn -Matron Mother, noteworthy for her diplomacy, and infamous for her (by drow standards) lack of inequality among males and females in her house. Gifnae Helviiryn - noted for her wanton nature and love of gaudy jewelry Alystin Helviiryn - playful prankster, CE with N tendencies, never the less devout follower of Lolth Elvanshalee Helviiryn - Soluafein's twin sister, CN w G tendencies - also escaped Ched Nasad - probably a follower of Elistraee Sindelviira Helviiryn - Prodigy and thouroghly in the sway of Lolth, secretly feared by her mother as the next matron. Mitoi'iuve Hune - adopted daughter Irruit Luen - adopted daughter Sifnay Helviiryn - Youngest female Adinhirahc - necromancer driven insane by a failed attempt to become a lich, kept in check by the power of the house females, but dreams of converting his family into the undead. Chazmyr Helviiryn - LE House Weapon master, and second oldest male, harbor's a grudge against his younger brother Soluafein which drove the younger male from the house, Chazmyr is known for the rigid discpline he exacts from his troops. Ketnishizbhal Naerth - House patron, also leader of the Velve'veldrin Riklaunim Helviiryn - devil-may-care and third son of the house, noted for his proficeint use of hand-axe and whip in combat. Soluafein Helviiryn - Lives on the surface, widely accepted to be a traitor to the house (although Matron Elaele knows the truth to the matter and at some point in the future may recall her lost son and see what his time on the surface has taught him, either as a poweful ally to the family or another sacrfice to the spider queen) Lhen'zixkabal Helviiryn - szarkai - slavishly devoted to Sindelviira Helviiryn The house was a wall compound before DGttU and remained so afterwards (just no courtyard), now I think they will have moved into a stalactite structure in thier new home??? I'm thinking maybe they will probably (most if not all of the house regulars and slaves perished in Ched Nasad's destruction, but 30 or 40 of the Velve'veldrin survived) infiltrate some very minor noble family and eliminate them in one fell swoop. Orbb'colbauth Z'hineifhar, spread out and splintered with the destruction of Ched Nasad, the family probably had some hidden caches of supplies and wealth, but for the most part, with the exception of the surviving Velve'veldrin only had only those things they could take with them when fleeing the city. They will no doubt be keen on reclaiming lost operations if at all possible and trying to consolidate as well as gain power in thier new home.