Drow

Drow, like most elves, are medium sized humanoids with pointed ears and otherwise sharp features. They stand taller than many other humanoids, but Drow tend to be on the shorter side of other elf species.

Drow skin tones range from pale white to dark grey, typically depending on the light levels in their generational environment. Drow born to families in the Deeper Dark often have lighter skin tones while those who are born to families in areas closer to the surface tend to skew to darker skin tones.

Drow hair, similarly, ranges through monochromatic tones from black through stark white.

Similar to other elf species, Drow are born with non-white sclera (in this case, Black). Iris colors, however, have been noted with quite the wide range.

Drow do not appear to deviate significantly from the reproductive habits of other Elves.

Genetically, Drow genetics appear to be less persistent than other Elf types, likely due to the specificity of their ecological adaptations. Many Drow half-elves bare less of a resemblance to their elven parent than other half-elves might and Drow who spend their pregnancies on the Surface tend to see the most dramatic alteration in the appearance of their offspring.

Drow growth rates do not differ significantly from other types of elves.

Drow live almost exclusively within the Underdark, a series of caves and tunnels carved out deep below the planet's surface. These caves often lack any light from the surface and instead rely on bioluminescent flora and fauna for visibility. The caves also tend to be damp and temperate. Drow, in turn, often find themselves uncomfortable or even dysfunctional in environments that are too bright, too dry, or that experience extreme changes in temperature.

Drow are excellent scavengers who have excelled at identifying and making creative use of the unique flora and fauna of the Underdark. Because many of the Underdark's creatures are blind and sensitive to sound, Drow have managed to take advantage of their enhanced vision to create a Sign Language for communicating during hunts.

Drow share the Underdark with a handful of other races, though only Kobolds and Anadi have been recorded at the Deep Dark level. Dwarves, Gnomes, and Earth Genasi are known for building underground homes, with some of those considered as part of the Underdark's Shallows. Because of this consistent overlap, many Drow cultures are quite melded and cooperative with the Drow embracing and adapting the cultures and capabilities of their neighbors. Even among more solitary groups, Drow are often forced to trade and barter with their neighbors or risk lacking the resources necessary for survival.

Drow primarily consume fungus, insect & lizard meat, occasional cafe fish, and other hardy foraged plants that grow in the underdark. Drow with access to the surface or that experience a lot of trade through surface visitors seem happy to incorporate wide varieties of surface foods into their diets as well. Most notably, Drow who share their homes with Nightkin Kobolds often share in the wide varieties of surface vegetables that the Kobolds harvest.

The Underdark's consistent temperature and lack of access to the sun has significantly shifted the biological cycles of the Drow in comparison to other species. Drow are particularly in tune with their body's natural rhythms, sleeping and waking when the need calls for it. This has been noted as inconsistent even within nuclear family units, suggesting evolutionary necessity for a single Drow to be awake at all times to keep the rest of the community safe. Meal times, in turn, operate similarly with Drow often eating sporadically from one another rather than engaging in concentrated meal times. All of this can often give off the perception to other species that Drow have no sense of time or urgency.

Because they cannot rely on the sun or seasons, Drow have developed a close connection and understanding to the biological cycles of Underdark flora and fauna. The lifecycle of various plants, migration habits of creatures, and the growth and development of domestic insectoids help Drow to keep track of important timings. In Underdark cities that more heavily trade with or host surface races, water clocks are commonly used for Surface time keeping.

Drow, even within the Deep Dark, have extraordinary vision capable of seeing with impossibly tiny amounts of light. Many Drow, particularly in these deeper areas, also tend to develop 'Blindsight' allowing them to hunt and navigate even in pitch darkness. These benefits, however, come with the major drawback of heightened photo-sensitivity, making it difficult for Drow to operate normally on the Surface during daylight hours.

Touch-based texture sensitivity has also been noted as common among Drow.

Despite being highlight sociable, Drow are notable for their formidable military.

Drow speak Common Elvish as well as their own Elvish dialect which is notably difficult for non-native speakers to learn or understand. Most Drow also 'speak' Drow Sign Language as silent communication is often crucial in the Underdark.

Many Drow also pick up the languages of their neighbors making Dwarvish, Gnomish, and Kobold Dialect Draconic common languages among Drow. Meanwhile, Drow who live near Adani villages tend to be quite adept at the Adani's musical/vibrational communications.

Most Drow are highly sociable and enjoy the presence of other species. Their inconsistent schedules tend to mean their villages and cities are in a state of constant operation. This tends to be equal parts endearing and aggravating to visiting species as the constant access to food and activities allows visitors to engage with Drow culture at their own pace, but can make it difficult to rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment.

Much of Drow Culture is a massive melting pot of both internal and external influences varying from city to city depending on the neighboring groups.

Across all regions of the Underdark, the domestication of the area's giant spiders is commonplace among Drow. These domestic spiders have been bred and raised for a variety of purposes from riding, to entertainment, to hunting companions, to herding animals for domestic insectiods.

Drow are among the younger sub-species of elves along with Sea Elves and High Elves. The population of these groups increased significantly after the Calamity due to the relative safety of their respective environments from the effects of the Corruption, though Drow had a significant foothold beneath Neroydia even prior to the height of the War.

It is said, at the height of the Great War, when the Calamity was imminent, the Drow beneath Neroydia were approached by the pale gold Kobold who would become one of the Seven Saints: Y'lryyg TrippTrapp. The Kobold is said to have sought an audience with the City's General, pleading for refuge for all of Dragon-kind and seeking help in expanding the Underdark beneath Neroydia to house as many occupants as possible in this time of crisis. The General agreed; securing a long-lasting bond with the Dragons who would come to lead their major Houses. That General is still venerated as a hero among Dragon-kind, a feat few other outside species can lay claim to among the otherwise egotistical Dragons.

Drow enjoy the difference in perspective other species have to offer and always appear to seek integration and inspiration from them above all else. Most do, however, tend to view many of these other species as a bit too regimented in some cases, noting lack of flexibility from Dwarves in particular to be something of an annoyance.

There are mixed opinions on the Drow from other species. Those who interact with them more frequently seem them as curious but often unreliable, excepting Dragons and Kobolds who are endlessly endeared by their underground neighbors. Those who seldom interact with Drow either view them with a sense of suspicion (conflating the dark with that which is frightening or wicked) or under a lens of obsessive exoticism.