Drow

The Drow language is the most common native language of the drow. Generally speaking, when choosing  this language one is indicating that they have learned to speak High Drow. Those who speak High Drow can fully understand Deep Drow as it includes all of Deep Drow. Part of learning High Drow is also learning Drow Sign Language.

Deep Drow

Deep Drow, also known as Low Drow or Drowic, was the normal language of the drow. Each isolated community had its own variant with a distinct accent. Deep Drow was read right to left in single-word columns with little punctuation. This is in reference to the general language used and spoken by the every day people of the language.

High Drow

High Drow was a more complex language than Deep Drow and had a larger, runic alphabet. This language was primarily used by priestesses in their rituals and by nobles who wished not to be understood by lower-born drow and slaves. This is also the language used by the merchants who were the group of drow most likely to be interacting with other races and most likely to be teaching other races their language.

Drow Sign Language

Drow Sign Language was a silent hand code used to communicate in the Underdark. Unlike other languages that must be heard to be comprehended, Drow Sign must be seen to gather meaning. It had no alphabet or written form. Humans and other goodly races often confused the language's motions as spell conjurations. Drow Sign Language was commonly known by drow, who found it particularly useful on patrols and in other instances when silence was expedient. It was a very expressive language, able to convey tone and emotions. Signing drow sometimes disguised their signing with what was called a "visual code of silence": holding up part of one's cloak with one hand in order to shield the signing hand. Everyone who knows High Drow knows the Drow Sign Language as it was considered an essential skill for surviving in the Under Dark. Many of those who speak Deep Drow also know Drow Sign Language because of its importance in keeping individuals and groups alive while on patrols.