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134-515: The word "drow" originates from the Orcadian and Shetland dialects of Scots , an alternative form of " trow ", which is a cognate with " troll ". The Oxford English Dictionary gives no entry for "drow", but two of the citations under "trow" name it as an alternative form of the word. Trow/drow was used to refer to a wide variety of evil sprites. Everything about the Dungeons & Dragons drow

268-587: A "middle ground" where "drow are not intrinsically evil" by allowing players to decide if they want to play as an evil drow who adheres to Lolth or play as a "good drow" who deals with "overcoming the racism of the world based on the violence of Lolth-sworn drow. This allows Wizards of the Coast to retain the brand identity of the drow that drove sales of drow-related products for thirty years, while shifting emphasis away from an implied endorsement of naturalized racism". The drow made their first statistical appearance in

402-533: A "middle ground" where "drow are not intrinsically evil" by allowing players to decide if they want to play as an evil drow who adheres to Lolth or play as a "good drow" who deals with "overcoming the racism of the world based on the violence of Lolth-sworn drow. This allows Wizards of the Coast to retain the brand identity of the drow that drove sales of drow-related products for thirty years, while shifting emphasis away from an implied endorsement of naturalized racism". The drow made their first statistical appearance in

536-434: A drow is being a drow." Drow characters are extraordinarily dexterous and intelligent, but have the typically low elf constitution; also, their personalities are described as grating at best, and all other elves hate the drow which affects their reactions to a drow character. In the 5th Edition Basic Rules, drow are described as a subrace of elves with a connection to Underdark magic. Additionally, it states, "the cult of

670-432: A drow is being a drow." Drow characters are extraordinarily dexterous and intelligent, but have the typically low elf constitution; also, their personalities are described as grating at best, and all other elves hate the drow which affects their reactions to a drow character. In the 5th Edition Basic Rules, drow are described as a subrace of elves with a connection to Underdark magic. Additionally, it states, "the cult of

804-591: A drow if you enjoy making others uncomfortable. In most D&D settings, the drow civilization is evil. [...] This makes them excellent campaign villains but also gives them great potential as antiheroes who lack traditional heroic attributes [...]. Playing a drow can also present an opportunity to play against traditional gender norms. [...] The drow are outsiders, even in settings that do not include Lolth and her corruptive influence. These campaigns might not have evil societies of dark elves, but they still tend to make them into foreigners with strange customs [...]. Playing

938-591: A drow if you enjoy making others uncomfortable. In most D&D settings, the drow civilization is evil. [...] This makes them excellent campaign villains but also gives them great potential as antiheroes who lack traditional heroic attributes [...]. Playing a drow can also present an opportunity to play against traditional gender norms. [...] The drow are outsiders, even in settings that do not include Lolth and her corruptive influence. These campaigns might not have evil societies of dark elves, but they still tend to make them into foreigners with strange customs [...]. Playing

1072-454: A foil for narrative protagonists" and this narrative process "warps" and "strips" stereotypes "of their context in order to use them like ingredients in a recipe for a compelling villain". Holmes also highlighted the inconsistent artistic portrayal over time as "the black skin of the drow is not" consistently used across all products – this meant that when "some saw the drow as a fantastical race of spider-themed elves, others saw them as one of

1206-450: A foil for narrative protagonists" and this narrative process "warps" and "strips" stereotypes "of their context in order to use them like ingredients in a recipe for a compelling villain". Holmes also highlighted the inconsistent artistic portrayal over time as "the black skin of the drow is not" consistently used across all products – this meant that when "some saw the drow as a fantastical race of spider-themed elves, others saw them as one of

1340-487: A misunderstood, feared yet potentially heroic character can be great fun. In contrast, in his review of Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue for DieHard GameFan , Alex Lucard wrote, "I'll be honest: I've never understood the appeal of the Drow at all. They just seemed overly angsty and dark for the sake of being dark. I've been bored by the novels where they are the featured race and I've generally avoided them unless someone

1474-435: A misunderstood, feared yet potentially heroic character can be great fun. In contrast, in his review of Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue for DieHard GameFan , Alex Lucard wrote, "I'll be honest: I've never understood the appeal of the Drow at all. They just seemed overly angsty and dark for the sake of being dark. I've been bored by the novels where they are the featured race and I've generally avoided them unless someone

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1608-637: A narrator, explaining how he came across the information in the book: a discussion with Elminster , and chance encounter with a former apprentice of Elminster—the drow lady, Susprina Arkhenneld—as the two explain the drow of the world to the narrator. The drow are presented as a player character race for 2nd edition in The Complete Book of Elves (1992). Drow deities Lolth, Kiaransalee , Vhaeraun, and Zinzerena are described in Monster Mythology (1992). The drow are later presented as

1742-501: A narrator, explaining how he came across the information in the book: a discussion with Elminster , and chance encounter with a former apprentice of Elminster—the drow lady, Susprina Arkhenneld—as the two explain the drow of the world to the narrator. The drow are presented as a player character race for 2nd edition in The Complete Book of Elves (1992). Drow deities Lolth, Kiaransalee , Vhaeraun, and Zinzerena are described in Monster Mythology (1992). The drow are later presented as

1876-619: A non-Lolth based society of drow which was introduced in the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount (2020). Per Wizards of the Coast, the drow of these settings are presented as more "morally and culturally complex". On June 26, 2020, Netflix and Hulu removed the " Advanced Dungeons & Dragons " episode of the TV series Community from their platforms due to scenes with Chang playing a dark elf by wearing elf ears and makeup resembling blackface . A statement from Sony Pictures Television said that

2010-504: A once-civilized people gone feral under the debased rule of women". In response to this criticism in 2020, Wizards of the Coast stated: "we present orcs and drow in a new light in two of our most recent books, Eberron: Rising from the Last War and Explorer's Guide to Wildemount . In those books, orcs and drow are just as morally and culturally complex as other peoples. We will continue that approach in future books, portraying all

2144-447: A once-civilized people gone feral under the debased rule of women". In response to this criticism in 2020, Wizards of the Coast stated: "we present orcs and drow in a new light in two of our most recent books, Eberron: Rising from the Last War and Explorer's Guide to Wildemount . In those books, orcs and drow are just as morally and culturally complex as other peoples. We will continue that approach in future books, portraying all

2278-581: A people wholly dedicated to Lolth and her scheming and for many, many centuries were viewed in the multi-verse as a people of evil". However, since all elves are descended from Corellon, the drow have the ability to "break free of Lolth's influence" and turn to "the light within themselves". With the ability to resist magic and powerful darkvision, drow are more powerful than many of Dungeons & Dragons ' races. Drow possess natural magical abilities which enables them to summon globes of darkness, outline targets in faerie fire which causes no harm but makes

2412-578: A people wholly dedicated to Lolth and her scheming and for many, many centuries were viewed in the multi-verse as a people of evil". However, since all elves are descended from Corellon, the drow have the ability to "break free of Lolth's influence" and turn to "the light within themselves". With the ability to resist magic and powerful darkvision, drow are more powerful than many of Dungeons & Dragons ' races. Drow possess natural magical abilities which enables them to summon globes of darkness, outline targets in faerie fire which causes no harm but makes

2546-651: A playable character race again in Player's Option: Skills & Powers (1995). The drow appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). The drow of the Forgotten Realms setting appear in the hardcover Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (2001), and in Races of Faerûn (2003). The drow also appears in the revised Monster Manual for the 3.5 edition (2003). The Underdark hardcover for

2680-417: A playable character race again in Player's Option: Skills & Powers (1995). The drow appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). The drow of the Forgotten Realms setting appear in the hardcover Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (2001), and in Races of Faerûn (2003). The drow also appears in the revised Monster Manual for the 3.5 edition (2003). The Underdark hardcover for

2814-569: A scroll which promises "powerful help from the Drow", signed by Eclavdra . Actual drow can be encountered starting on level #2 of the king's hall, beginning with a group of drow priests, and then other drow later. Having discovered that the drow instigated the alliance between the races of giants and its warfare against mankind, in D1 Descent into the Depths of the Earth (1978) the party follows

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2948-404: A scroll which promises "powerful help from the Drow", signed by Eclavdra . Actual drow can be encountered starting on level #2 of the king's hall, beginning with a group of drow priests, and then other drow later. Having discovered that the drow instigated the alliance between the races of giants and its warfare against mankind, in D1 Descent into the Depths of the Earth (1978) the party follows

3082-459: A sensitivity to sunlight. Drow have several kinds of innate spell powers and spell resistance. This is balanced by their weakness in daylight. Half-drow are the result of crossbreeding between another race and a drow, and share characteristics of both. Orcadian dialect Orcadian dialect or Orcadian Scots is a dialect of Insular Scots , itself a dialect of the Scots language . It

3216-701: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Lolth The drow ( / d r aʊ / or / d r oʊ / ) or dark elves are a dark-skinned and white-haired subrace of elves connected to the subterranean Underdark in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game . The drow have traditionally been portrayed as generally evil and connected to the evil spider goddess Lolth . However, later editions of Dungeons & Dragons have moved away from this portrayal and preassigned alignment . More recent publications have explored drow societies unconnected to Lolth. The word "drow" originates from

3350-577: Is before me, and it is not all that important anyway), and as Dark Elves of evil nature, they served as an ideal basis for the creation of a unique new mythos designed especially for the AD&;D game." Gygax later stated that he took the term from a listing in the Funk & Wagnall's Unexpurgated Dictionary , and no other source at all. "I wanted a most unusual race as the main power in the Underdark, so used

3484-508: Is derived from Lowland Scots, with a degree of Norwegian influence from the Norn language . Due to the influence of Orkney fur traders working for the Hudson's Bay Company in early Canada, a creole language called Bungi developed, with substratal influence from Scottish English , Orcadian Scots, Norn , Scottish Gaelic , French , Cree , and Saulteaux Ojibwe . As of 2013, Bungi

3618-422: Is how it explores drow society, which up to that point was best summarized as 'very evil.' Prior to Drizzt, in the vein of orcs, trolls, and primary-colored dragons, the Drow were essentially categorized as more monsters for players to battle and defeat. Their skin was obsidian black, earning them the alternate name of dark elves, and marking them as the evil counterpart to the good and heroic lighter-skinned elves of

3752-422: Is how it explores drow society, which up to that point was best summarized as 'very evil.' Prior to Drizzt, in the vein of orcs, trolls, and primary-colored dragons, the Drow were essentially categorized as more monsters for players to battle and defeat. Their skin was obsidian black, earning them the alternate name of dark elves, and marking them as the evil counterpart to the good and heroic lighter-skinned elves of

3886-409: Is making fun of them". Some critics have highlighted that the drow are "dark skinned and inherently evil" and are connected to the "racist idea that non-white people are inherently bad". In the academic journal Mythlore , Holmes argued that the depiction of drow was an example of various creators using "negative estrangement" within the narrative "to create a 'more evil' antagonist to serve as

4020-403: Is making fun of them". Some critics have highlighted that the drow are "dark skinned and inherently evil" and are connected to the "racist idea that non-white people are inherently bad". In the academic journal Mythlore , Holmes argued that the depiction of drow was an example of various creators using "negative estrangement" within the narrative "to create a 'more evil' antagonist to serve as

4154-540: Is thought to have very few if any speakers and is potentially extinct . In 2021, Orcadian poet Harry Josephine Giles released a science fiction verse novel , Deep Wheel Orcadia , in Orcadian Scots with parallel translation into standard English, described by their publisher as a "unique adventure in minority language poetry". This article about Germanic languages is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to Orkney

Drow - Misplaced Pages Continue

4288-557: The Baldur's Gate video game series, "issues of contemporary race relations are brought to the fore in the player-Character's interactions with the dark-skinned Drow Elves." In the book Dungeons and Dragons and Philosophy (2012), author James Rocha states that the difference between drow and dark elves in the Forgotten Realms setting is rooted in racist stereotypes: "an acceptable lighter skinned dark race side by side with only

4422-438: The Baldur's Gate video game series, "issues of contemporary race relations are brought to the fore in the player-Character's interactions with the dark-skinned Drow Elves." In the book Dungeons and Dragons and Philosophy (2012), author James Rocha states that the difference between drow and dark elves in the Forgotten Realms setting is rooted in racist stereotypes: "an acceptable lighter skinned dark race side by side with only

4556-465: The Greyhawk adventure module series explored the drow in depth, including statblocks for drow and an introduction to their Underdark society. The first hardcover D&D rulebook featuring statistical information on the drow was the original Fiend Folio (1981). Gygax wrote this entry, listed under "Elf, Drow", according to the book's credits section. The text is a slightly abridged version of

4690-408: The Greyhawk adventure module series explored the drow in depth, including statblocks for drow and an introduction to their Underdark society. The first hardcover D&D rulebook featuring statistical information on the drow was the original Fiend Folio (1981). Gygax wrote this entry, listed under "Elf, Drow", according to the book's credits section. The text is a slightly abridged version of

4824-654: The War of the Spider Queen series (2002–2005, various authors), and Lisa Smedman 's The Lady Penitent series (2007–2008). Keith Baker 's The Dreaming Dark trilogy (2005–2006) featured the story of the drow in Baker's world of Eberron . The drow appear first for this edition in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), which expands the information on drow society. Also included in

4958-407: The War of the Spider Queen series (2002–2005, various authors), and Lisa Smedman 's The Lady Penitent series (2007–2008). Keith Baker 's The Dreaming Dark trilogy (2005–2006) featured the story of the drow in Baker's world of Eberron . The drow appear first for this edition in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), which expands the information on drow society. Also included in

5092-521: The 1st Edition 1977 Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual under the "Elf" entry, where it is stated that "The 'Black Elves,' or drow, are only legend." No statistics are given for the drow in this book, apart from the statistics for normal elves. The drow are described as purportedly dwelling deep beneath the surface world, in strange subterranean realms. They are said to be evil, "as dark as faeries are bright", and pictured in tales as poor fighters but strong magic-users . From 1978 to 1980,

5226-557: The Dungeons & Dragons game in the 1st Edition 1977 Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual under the "Elf" entry, where it is stated that "The 'Black Elves,' or drow, are only legend." No statistics are given for the drow in this book, apart from the statistics for normal elves. The drow are described as purportedly dwelling deep beneath the surface world, in strange subterranean realms. They are said to be evil, "as dark as faeries are bright", and pictured in tales as poor fighters but strong magic-users . From 1978 to 1980,

5360-615: The Forgotten Realms setting (2003) features the drow yet again as a player character race, as does the Player's Guide to Faerûn (2004). Lost Empires of Faerûn describes the drow werebat (2005). The drow paragon 3-level prestige class appears in Unearthed Arcana (2004). In 2004, the new Eberron campaign setting introduced drow in a world where Lolth doesn't exist; various drow societies were then explored in more detail in Secrets of Xen'drik (2006). Additionally,

5494-490: The Forgotten Realms setting (2003) features the drow yet again as a player character race, as does the Player's Guide to Faerûn (2004). Lost Empires of Faerûn describes the drow werebat (2005). The drow paragon 3-level prestige class appears in Unearthed Arcana (2004). In 2004, the new Eberron campaign setting introduced drow in a world where Lolth doesn't exist; various drow societies were then explored in more detail in Secrets of Xen'drik (2006). Additionally,

Drow - Misplaced Pages Continue

5628-599: The Forgotten Realms setting, the Drow followers of Eilistraee were originally the largest group of good Drow, as Eilistraee is the patron goddess of all Drow that have a good alignment. The 4th Edition Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms (2010) does not suggest any typical alignment for drow player characters; however, it highlights the drow that break away from the evil Lolth based societies. The 5th Edition Player's Handbook (2014) described drow as "more often evil than not". In 2021, official errata removed

5762-528: The Forgotten Realms setting, the Drow followers of Eilistraee were originally the largest group of good Drow, as Eilistraee is the patron goddess of all Drow that have a good alignment. The 4th Edition Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms (2010) does not suggest any typical alignment for drow player characters; however, it highlights the drow that break away from the evil Lolth based societies. The 5th Edition Player's Handbook (2014) described drow as "more often evil than not". In 2021, official errata removed

5896-618: The Open Game License and the System Reference Document 's inclusion of the drow race also led to a number of books related to drow being published by companies not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast , such as The Quintessential Drow , The Complete Guide to Drow , and Encyclopaedia Arcane: Drow Magic . The drow appear in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), including the drow warrior,

6030-407: The Open Game License and the System Reference Document 's inclusion of the drow race also led to a number of books related to drow being published by companies not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast , such as The Quintessential Drow , The Complete Guide to Drow , and Encyclopaedia Arcane: Drow Magic . The drow appear in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), including the drow warrior,

6164-451: The Orcadian and Shetland dialects of Scots , an alternative form of " trow ", which is a cognate with " troll ". The Oxford English Dictionary gives no entry for "drow", but two of the citations under "trow" name it as an alternative form of the word. Trow/drow was used to refer to a wide variety of evil sprites. Everything about the Dungeons & Dragons drow was invented by Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax except for

6298-462: The 1990–1991 followup The Dark Elf Trilogy focused on Drizzt and the drow of the Forgotten Realms setting. Salvatore continued the story of Drizzt and the drow in his subsequent series Legacy of the Drow (1992–1996), Paths of Darkness (1998–2001), and The Hunter's Blades Trilogy (2002–2004). Other works continuing the story of the drow in the Forgotten Realms include Elaine Cunningham 's Starlight and Shadows series (1995–1996, 2003),

6432-462: The 1990–1991 followup The Dark Elf Trilogy focused on Drizzt and the drow of the Forgotten Realms setting. Salvatore continued the story of Drizzt and the drow in his subsequent series Legacy of the Drow (1992–1996), Paths of Darkness (1998–2001), and The Hunter's Blades Trilogy (2002–2004). Other works continuing the story of the drow in the Forgotten Realms include Elaine Cunningham 's Starlight and Shadows series (1995–1996, 2003),

6566-612: The 3.5 edition in Expedition to the Demonweb Pits (2007) and Drow of the Underdark (2007). Drow of the Underdark also features the arcane guard, the drow assassin, the house captain, the house wizard, the drow inquisitor, the favored consort, the drow priestess, the drow slaver, the spider sentinel, the albino drow (szarkai), the szarkai fighters, the szarkai druids, and the drow warrior, along with numerous prestige classes and other monsters related to drow. The release of

6700-518: The D&;D game itself. Designer James Jacobs considers the drow to be a rare example of a D&D-invented monster becoming mainstream, with even non-gamers recognizing them. Rob Bricken, for Io9 , named the drow as the eighth most memorable D&D monster. In the 1990s, products which featured drow produced higher sales. While Paizo Publishing was printing Dragon and Dungeon , covers featuring drow often sold better than other issues in

6834-460: The D&D game itself. Designer James Jacobs considers the drow to be a rare example of a D&D-invented monster becoming mainstream, with even non-gamers recognizing them. Rob Bricken, for Io9 , named the drow as the eighth most memorable D&D monster. In the 1990s, products which featured drow produced higher sales. While Paizo Publishing was printing Dragon and Dungeon , covers featuring drow often sold better than other issues in

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6968-454: The Demonweb Pits (2007) and Drow of the Underdark (2007). Drow of the Underdark also features the arcane guard, the drow assassin, the house captain, the house wizard, the drow inquisitor, the favored consort, the drow priestess, the drow slaver, the spider sentinel, the albino drow (szarkai), the szarkai fighters, the szarkai druids, and the drow warrior, along with numerous prestige classes and other monsters related to drow. The release of

7102-524: The Fire Giant King in the back of this module, along with statistics for Lolth herself. The story concludes in module Q1 Queen of the Demonweb Pits (1980). The astral gate from D3 leads to the Abyssal realm of Lolth, goddess of the drow elves and Demon Queen of Spiders; Lolth is the architect of the sinister plot described in the two previous series of modules. At the very end of the module,

7236-404: The Fire Giant King in the back of this module, along with statistics for Lolth herself. The story concludes in module Q1 Queen of the Demonweb Pits (1980). The astral gate from D3 leads to the Abyssal realm of Lolth, goddess of the drow elves and Demon Queen of Spiders; Lolth is the architect of the sinister plot described in the two previous series of modules. At the very end of the module,

7370-493: The Frost Giant Jarl (1978) mentions this guiding force again in its introduction. The third module in the series, G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King (1978) again mentions the party's need to find out whatever is behind the giants' alliance, and this time mentions the drow specifically by name. In the adventure, the player characters can discover the first hint of drow involvement in the fire giant king's council room, on

7504-426: The Frost Giant Jarl (1978) mentions this guiding force again in its introduction. The third module in the series, G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King (1978) again mentions the party's need to find out whatever is behind the giants' alliance, and this time mentions the drow specifically by name. In the adventure, the player characters can discover the first hint of drow involvement in the fire giant king's council room, on

7638-479: The Greyhawk adventure module Hall of the Fire Giant King (1978) at the end of the module, and received a lengthy writeup. The history of the drow within the game is revealed; in ages past, the elves were torn by discord and warfare, driving out from their surface lands their selfish and cruel members, who sought safety in the underworld . These creatures, later known as the "dark elvenfolk" or drow, grew strong in

7772-423: The Greyhawk adventure module Hall of the Fire Giant King (1978) at the end of the module, and received a lengthy writeup. The history of the drow within the game is revealed; in ages past, the elves were torn by discord and warfare, driving out from their surface lands their selfish and cruel members, who sought safety in the underworld . These creatures, later known as the "dark elvenfolk" or drow, grew strong in

7906-528: The Lorendrow and Aevendrow seem to suggest that Dungeons & Dragons is officially moving past some long-held canon about the drow". Tika Viteri, for Book Riot , highlighted that Salvatore's Starlight Enclave (2021) "contains a singular shift in the narrative of the story of the drow; Salvatore reveals that drow are not, in fact, the only dark-skinned elves in the Forgotten Realms". Made famous by R. A. Salvatore 's Drizzt novels, these dark elves from

8040-469: The Lorendrow and Aevendrow seem to suggest that Dungeons & Dragons is officially moving past some long-held canon about the drow". Tika Viteri, for Book Riot , highlighted that Salvatore's Starlight Enclave (2021) "contains a singular shift in the narrative of the story of the drow; Salvatore reveals that drow are not, in fact, the only dark-skinned elves in the Forgotten Realms". Made famous by R. A. Salvatore 's Drizzt novels, these dark elves from

8174-634: The adventure. The drow are also discussed in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (2015) and in the Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (2018) supplements, including write-ups for their pantheon updated to the 5E Forgotten Realms status-quo. The drow of Xen'drik are again outlined in Eberron: Rising From The Last War (2019). The new Exandria campaign setting added a non-Lolth based society of drow which

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8308-539: The arcane arts over the centuries and content with their gloomy fairyland beneath the earth, though they still bear enmity towards and seek revenge against their distant kin, the elves and faeries who drove them down. They are described as chaotic evil in alignment , and highly intelligent. They are described as black-skinned and pale haired in appearance, around 5-feet tall and slight of build with somewhat sharp features, with large eyes and large pointed ears. Drow are difficult to surprise as they are able to see very well in

8442-539: The arcane arts over the centuries and content with their gloomy fairyland beneath the earth, though they still bear enmity towards and seek revenge against their distant kin, the elves and faeries who drove them down. They are described as chaotic evil in alignment , and highly intelligent. They are described as black-skinned and pale haired in appearance, around 5-feet tall and slight of build with somewhat sharp features, with large eyes and large pointed ears. Drow are difficult to surprise as they are able to see very well in

8576-598: The basic concept of "dark elves". However, in the Prose Edda , Snorri Sturluson wrote about the black elves : "... the dark elves however live down below the ground. ... [and] are blacker than pitch." Gygax stated that "Drow are mentioned in Keightley 's The Fairy Mythology , as I recall (it might have been The Secret Commonwealth —neither book is before me, and it is not all that important anyway), and as Dark Elves of evil nature, they served as an ideal basis for

8710-419: The creation of a unique new mythos designed especially for the AD&D game." Gygax later stated that he took the term from a listing in the Funk & Wagnall's Unexpurgated Dictionary , and no other source at all. "I wanted a most unusual race as the main power in the Underdark, so used the reference to 'dark elves' from the dictionary to create the Drow." There seems to be no work with this title. However,

8844-439: The dark, have an intuitive sense about their underground world similar to that of dwarves , and can detect hidden or secret doors as easily as other elves do. Drow are highly resistant to magic , while all drow have the ability to use some inherent magical abilities even if they are not strictly spellcasters. The module also reveals that there are rumors of vast caverns housing whole cities of drow which exist somewhere deep beneath

8978-439: The dark, have an intuitive sense about their underground world similar to that of dwarves , and can detect hidden or secret doors as easily as other elves do. Drow are highly resistant to magic , while all drow have the ability to use some inherent magical abilities even if they are not strictly spellcasters. The module also reveals that there are rumors of vast caverns housing whole cities of drow which exist somewhere deep beneath

9112-533: The drow arachnomancer, the drow blademaster, and the drow priest. The drow appear as a playable race in the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide (2008) and the Essentials rulebook Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms (2010). The drow feature in a pre-written playable module called Demon Queen's Enclave (2008) which takes adventurers from levels 14 through 17 into the Underdark to battle

9246-451: The drow arachnomancer, the drow blademaster, and the drow priest. The drow appear as a playable race in the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide (2008) and the Essentials rulebook Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms (2010). The drow feature in a pre-written playable module called Demon Queen's Enclave (2008) which takes adventurers from levels 14 through 17 into the Underdark to battle the forces of Orcus and possibly ally with members of

9380-483: The drow were originally simply elves who held more with the tenets of might than those of justice, and as they quested for power they became corrupted and turned against their fairer brethren. Any elf character of good or neutral alignment, even drow, is allowed into the realm of Arvanaith where elves go upon reaching old age. The book notes that drow player characters have a large number of benefits while suffering few disadvantages, but that "the major disadvantage to being

9514-483: The drow were originally simply elves who held more with the tenets of might than those of justice, and as they quested for power they became corrupted and turned against their fairer brethren. Any elf character of good or neutral alignment, even drow, is allowed into the realm of Arvanaith where elves go upon reaching old age. The book notes that drow player characters have a large number of benefits while suffering few disadvantages, but that "the major disadvantage to being

9648-495: The drow. The Elfwar is presented, an elven myth in which the elves were one people until the Spider Queen Lolth used the dissent among the elves to gain a foothold; the elves of Lolth took the name Drow to signify their new allegiance, but as they massed to conquer the other elves, Corellon Larethian and his followers drove Lolth and her people deep into the earth, where they chose to remain. The dark elves who became

9782-426: The drow. The Elfwar is presented, an elven myth in which the elves were one people until the Spider Queen Lolth used the dissent among the elves to gain a foothold; the elves of Lolth took the name Drow to signify their new allegiance, but as they massed to conquer the other elves, Corellon Larethian and his followers drove Lolth and her people deep into the earth, where they chose to remain. The dark elves who became

9916-465: The drow. The main issue is that the drow (like other 'evil' races) are presented as a large monolithic society dedicated to evil instead of a group with multiple competing interests and beliefs. It's not that some drow, or even a city or country of drow, are seen as evil—it's that Dungeons & Dragons lore has traditionally considered evil drow to be the default. [...] By bringing in two entirely new cultures of drow that have rejected Lolth, it seems that

10050-465: The drow. The main issue is that the drow (like other 'evil' races) are presented as a large monolithic society dedicated to evil instead of a group with multiple competing interests and beliefs. It's not that some drow, or even a city or country of drow, are seen as evil—it's that Dungeons & Dragons lore has traditionally considered evil drow to be the default. [...] By bringing in two entirely new cultures of drow that have rejected Lolth, it seems that

10184-502: The earth, and now that the drow have dwelled in these dark labyrinthe places they dislike daylight and other forms of bright light as it hampers their abilities. They are able to communicate using a silent language composed of hand movements, and when coupled with facial and body expression, movement, and posture, this form of communication is the equal of any spoken language. The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game's second edition product Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989) describes

10318-501: The earth, and now that the drow have dwelled in these dark labyrinthe places they dislike daylight and other forms of bright light as it hampers their abilities. They are able to communicate using a silent language composed of hand movements, and when coupled with facial and body expression, movement, and posture, this form of communication is the equal of any spoken language. The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game's second edition product Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989) describes

10452-525: The entry for drow is a description and statistics for the drider . This entry is reprinted with some minor modifications in the Monstrous Manual (1993). Drow society, religion, history, magic, craftwork, and language for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting is detailed significantly in The Drow of the Underdark (1991), by Ed Greenwood . Greenwood appears in the book's introduction as

10586-404: The entry for drow is a description and statistics for the drider . This entry is reprinted with some minor modifications in the Monstrous Manual (1993). Drow society, religion, history, magic, craftwork, and language for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting is detailed significantly in The Drow of the Underdark (1991), by Ed Greenwood . Greenwood appears in the book's introduction as

10720-546: The fleeing drow into the tunnels leading northwest and deep into the earth, to eliminate the threat they pose. Examining a golden spider pin found on one of the drow priestesses, the party can discover runes in the drow language reading " Lolth , Death Queen Mother". The party continues to pursue the drow in D2 Shrine of the Kuo-Toa (1978). In D3 Vault of the Drow (1978), the adventurers eventually make it to Erelhei-Cinlu,

10854-432: The fleeing drow into the tunnels leading northwest and deep into the earth, to eliminate the threat they pose. Examining a golden spider pin found on one of the drow priestesses, the party can discover runes in the drow language reading " Lolth , Death Queen Mother". The party continues to pursue the drow in D2 Shrine of the Kuo-Toa (1978). In D3 Vault of the Drow (1978), the adventurers eventually make it to Erelhei-Cinlu,

10988-471: The following entry can be found in abridged editions of Funk & Wagnall's Standard Dictionary of the English Language , such as The Desk Standard Dictionary of the English Language : "[Scot.] In folk-lore, one of a race of underground elves represented as skillful workers in metal. Compare TROLL. [Variant of TROLL.] trow " The drow were first mentioned in the Dungeons & Dragons game in

11122-457: The forces of Orcus and possibly ally with members of the treacherous dark elves and/or their minions. The drow of Xen'drik are also outlined in the 4E Eberron Campaign Guide (2009). The drow appear as a playable elf subrace in the Player's Handbook (2014) for this edition. They also appear in the Monster Manual (2014) for this edition. In the adventure module Out of the Abyss (2015),

11256-418: The game influenced subsequent works of fantasy. Drow have a gender-based caste system that one author claims says "a great deal about attitudes towards gender roles in the real world". The drow originally created by Gary Gygax are now "essentially the drow of fantasy fiction today", according to Ed Greenwood , who believes them to be "arguably Gary Gygax's greatest, most influential fantasy creation" after

11390-415: The game influenced subsequent works of fantasy. Drow have a gender-based caste system that one author claims says "a great deal about attitudes towards gender roles in the real world". The drow originally created by Gary Gygax are now "essentially the drow of fantasy fiction today", according to Ed Greenwood , who believes them to be "arguably Gary Gygax's greatest, most influential fantasy creation" after

11524-465: The god Lolth, Queen of Spiders, has corrupted some of the oldest drow cities, especially in the worlds of Oerth and Toril. Eberron, Krynn, and other realms have escaped the cult's influence—for now. Wherever the cult lurks, drow heroes stand on the front lines in the war against it, seeking to sunder Lolth's web". Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (2018) retells the story of Corellon and Lolth; the elves who supported Lolth were cast "into darkness. They became

11658-464: The god Lolth, Queen of Spiders, has corrupted some of the oldest drow cities, especially in the worlds of Oerth and Toril. Eberron, Krynn, and other realms have escaped the cult's influence—for now. Wherever the cult lurks, drow heroes stand on the front lines in the war against it, seeking to sunder Lolth's web". Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (2018) retells the story of Corellon and Lolth; the elves who supported Lolth were cast "into darkness. They became

11792-463: The great war amongst the elves, a vast system of caverns and tunnels spanning much of the continent. The drow live in city-states in the Underdark, becoming one of the most powerful races therein. The drow are well adapted to seeing in the dark, and they loathe, are terrified of, and are easily blinded by the light of the surface. Some magic weapons, armor, and various other items of the drow disintegrate or lose their magical properties if exposed to

11926-458: The great war amongst the elves, a vast system of caverns and tunnels spanning much of the continent. The drow live in city-states in the Underdark, becoming one of the most powerful races therein. The drow are well adapted to seeing in the dark, and they loathe, are terrified of, and are easily blinded by the light of the surface. Some magic weapons, armor, and various other items of the drow disintegrate or lose their magical properties if exposed to

12060-464: The history of D&D, and that's Drizzt Do'Urden, who is one of the Mary Sue -iest characters in all of fiction—and he's been the star of countless novels and is the only reason any D&D player has even been interested in the Drow, of which now there is a terrifying amount of material". Matthew Beilman, for CBR , highlighted multiple reasons to play as a drow character: You will love playing

12194-408: The history of D&D, and that's Drizzt Do'Urden, who is one of the Mary Sue -iest characters in all of fiction—and he's been the star of countless novels and is the only reason any D&D player has even been interested in the Drow, of which now there is a terrifying amount of material". Matthew Beilman, for CBR , highlighted multiple reasons to play as a drow character: You will love playing

12328-417: The lore will show that drow are just as complex and multi-faceted as the many other elven subraces in the game. Holmes commented that "to some extent, the current revisions being applied to race, half races, and the drow specifically reflect longstanding tensions in gaming spaces" and how audience views around "narrative subjects change over time". Holmes thought Wizards of the Coast appears to be aiming for

12462-414: The lore will show that drow are just as complex and multi-faceted as the many other elven subraces in the game. Holmes commented that "to some extent, the current revisions being applied to race, half races, and the drow specifically reflect longstanding tensions in gaming spaces" and how audience views around "narrative subjects change over time". Holmes thought Wizards of the Coast appears to be aiming for

12596-566: The most divergent sub-race, and dark elf player characters are considered outcasts from their homeland, either by choice, differing from the standard chaotic evil alignment of the race, or having lost in some family-wide power struggle. It is hinted in G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief (1978) that there is a "secret force, some motivational power behind this unusual banding of different races of giants." G2 The Glacial Rift of

12730-438: The most divergent sub-race, and dark elf player characters are considered outcasts from their homeland, either by choice, differing from the standard chaotic evil alignment of the race, or having lost in some family-wide power struggle. It is hinted in G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief (1978) that there is a "secret force, some motivational power behind this unusual banding of different races of giants." G2 The Glacial Rift of

12864-525: The most rare exceptions in the darker race, which is thought to be inherently evil, mirrors American history in a very uncomfortable fashion". In a retrospective on the legacy of Dungeons & Dragons , academic Daniel Heath Justice also commented that the " Forgotten Realms was explicitly based on the civilized-versus-savage binary and leaned in hard on racial essentialism in its sadistic black-skinned drow led by vicious matriarchs and their terrible spider goddess, firmly melding anti-Blackness with misogyny,

12998-523: The most rare exceptions in the darker race, which is thought to be inherently evil, mirrors American history in a very uncomfortable fashion". In a retrospective on the legacy of Dungeons & Dragons , academic Daniel Heath Justice also commented that the " Forgotten Realms was explicitly based on the civilized-versus-savage binary and leaned in hard on racial essentialism in its sadistic black-skinned drow led by vicious matriarchs and their terrible spider goddess, firmly melding anti-Blackness with misogyny,

13132-480: The peoples of D&D in relatable ways and making it clear that they are as free as humans to decide who they are and what they do". Christian Hoffer, for ComicBook.com , highlighted a 2021 Forgotten Realms lore update on the Wizards of the Coast website: While Drizzt himself is proof that all drow aren't inherently evil, many fans still think that Dungeons & Dragons lore needs major updates when it comes to

13266-424: The peoples of D&D in relatable ways and making it clear that they are as free as humans to decide who they are and what they do". Christian Hoffer, for ComicBook.com , highlighted a 2021 Forgotten Realms lore update on the Wizards of the Coast website: While Drizzt himself is proof that all drow aren't inherently evil, many fans still think that Dungeons & Dragons lore needs major updates when it comes to

13400-433: The players are captured by the drow at the beginning of the adventure. The drow are also discussed in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (2015) and in the Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (2018) supplements, including write-ups for their pantheon updated to the 5E Forgotten Realms status-quo. The drow of Xen'drik are again outlined in Eberron: Rising From The Last War (2019). The new Exandria campaign setting added

13534-596: The players face a final confrontation with Lolth, an exceptionally difficult challenge. The G1-G3 modules were later published together in 1981 as a single combined module as G1-2-3 Against the Giants , and the entire series of modules in which the drow originally appeared were later published together in Queen of the Spiders (1986). Gary Gygax 's 1986 novel for TSR 's "Greyhawk Adventures" series, Artifact of Evil ,

13668-433: The players face a final confrontation with Lolth, an exceptionally difficult challenge. The G1-G3 modules were later published together in 1981 as a single combined module as G1-2-3 Against the Giants , and the entire series of modules in which the drow originally appeared were later published together in Queen of the Spiders (1986). Gary Gygax 's 1986 novel for TSR 's "Greyhawk Adventures" series, Artifact of Evil ,

13802-489: The reference to 'dark elves' from the dictionary to create the Drow." There seems to be no work with this title. However, the following entry can be found in abridged editions of Funk & Wagnall's Standard Dictionary of the English Language , such as The Desk Standard Dictionary of the English Language : "[Scot.] In folk-lore, one of a race of underground elves represented as skillful workers in metal. Compare TROLL. [Variant of TROLL.] trow " The drow were first mentioned in

13936-598: The same year. Academic Steven Holmes noted that drow "remain highly visible in successful media projects". Holmes highlighted that Gygax created drow as "perfect villains—endpoints on a divide of good and evil". However, Holmes thought R. A. Salvatore 's depiction was more complicated than Gygax's and Salvatore's work "in many ways" ended up as the definitive portrayal of the drow. In the Io9 series revisiting older Dungeons & Dragons novels, in his review of Homeland by Salvatore, Bricken says that "its greatest strength

14070-543: The same year. Academic Steven Holmes noted that drow "remain highly visible in successful media projects". Holmes highlighted that Gygax created drow as "perfect villains—endpoints on a divide of good and evil". However, Holmes thought R. A. Salvatore 's depiction was more complicated than Gygax's and Salvatore's work "in many ways" ended up as the definitive portrayal of the drow. In the Io9 series revisiting older Dungeons & Dragons novels, in his review of Homeland by Salvatore, Bricken says that "its greatest strength

14204-476: The studio supported the decision to remove the episode. Christian Hoffer, for ComicBook.com , highlighted a 2021 update on Drizzt Do'Urden by Wizards of the Coast and wrote, "it also notes one major change to D&D canon that relates to the drow culture that Drizzt ultimately abandoned. The website points out that while Drizzt grew up in a 'cult of Lolth' [...], there are two other entire cultures of drow who have no ties to Lolth whatsoever. [...] The reveal of

14338-474: The studio supported the decision to remove the episode. Christian Hoffer, for ComicBook.com , highlighted a 2021 update on Drizzt Do'Urden by Wizards of the Coast and wrote, "it also notes one major change to D&D canon that relates to the drow culture that Drizzt ultimately abandoned. The website points out that while Drizzt grew up in a 'cult of Lolth' [...], there are two other entire cultures of drow who have no ties to Lolth whatsoever. [...] The reveal of

14472-469: The suggested alignments for playable races, including drow, in all 5th Edition sourcebooks. As of Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (2022), creature stat blocks that also have playable races "now state that they can be any alignment". Within the context of many Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings, the drow were forced underground in what is now known as the Underdark after

14606-407: The suggested alignments for playable races, including drow, in all 5th Edition sourcebooks. As of Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (2022), creature stat blocks that also have playable races "now state that they can be any alignment". Within the context of many Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings, the drow were forced underground in what is now known as the Underdark after

14740-499: The sun. Drow characters are extremely intelligent, charismatic and dexterous, but share surface elves' comparative frailty and slight frames. Females tend to be bigger and stronger than males. Drow are characterized by white or silver hair and obsidian black skin. Their eyes are red (or rarely gray, violet, or yellow) in darkness and can be many different colors in normal light. In 5th Edition, drow typically have "white hair and grayish skin of many hues" along with better darkvision and

14874-496: The sun. Drow characters are extremely intelligent, charismatic and dexterous, but share surface elves' comparative frailty and slight frames. Females tend to be bigger and stronger than males. Drow are characterized by white or silver hair and obsidian black skin. Their eyes are red (or rarely gray, violet, or yellow) in darkness and can be many different colors in normal light. In 5th Edition, drow typically have "white hair and grayish skin of many hues" along with better darkvision and

15008-506: The surface." The drow, especially when used as player characters , are surrounded by much controversy, especially after the release of Salvatore's novel, The Crystal Shard . Game designer James Jacobs has said that the drow player characters often spark arguments, with some players refusing to play in a campaign that allows drow PCs. Jacobs says that "even the name" is controversial, having at least two pronunciations. Rob Bricken, for Kotaku , wrote that there "has been one good Drow in

15142-503: The surface." The drow, especially when used as player characters , are surrounded by much controversy, especially after the release of Salvatore's novel, The Crystal Shard . Game designer James Jacobs has said that the drow player characters often spark arguments, with some players refusing to play in a campaign that allows drow PCs. Jacobs says that "even the name" is controversial, having at least two pronunciations. Rob Bricken, for Kotaku , wrote that there "has been one good Drow in

15276-424: The target brightly visible to everyone who sees them, and create magical balls of light. They can also levitate for short periods of time. They live to extraordinarily long ages if not killed by violence first, over a thousand years in some cases. Their hearing and vision are better than that of a human being and they are difficult to sneak up on because of this. They naturally excel at moving silently. Drow also employ

15410-424: The target brightly visible to everyone who sees them, and create magical balls of light. They can also levitate for short periods of time. They live to extraordinarily long ages if not killed by violence first, over a thousand years in some cases. Their hearing and vision are better than that of a human being and they are difficult to sneak up on because of this. They naturally excel at moving silently. Drow also employ

15544-476: The text originally found in modules G3 and D3. Likewise, Lolth's description from module D3 is reprinted in the Fiend Folio under the "Demon" heading. The drow were first presented as a player character race in Unearthed Arcana (1985), also written by Gygax. Several elven sub-races are described in the book, including gray elves, wood elves, wild elves, and valley elves; the dark elves are described as

15678-416: The text originally found in modules G3 and D3. Likewise, Lolth's description from module D3 is reprinted in the Fiend Folio under the "Demon" heading. The drow were first presented as a player character race in Unearthed Arcana (1985), also written by Gygax. Several elven sub-races are described in the book, including gray elves, wood elves, wild elves, and valley elves; the dark elves are described as

15812-406: The treacherous dark elves and/or their minions. The drow of Xen'drik are also outlined in the 4E Eberron Campaign Guide (2009). The drow appear as a playable elf subrace in the Player's Handbook (2014) for this edition. They also appear in the Monster Manual (2014) for this edition. In the adventure module Out of the Abyss (2015), the players are captured by the drow at the beginning of

15946-691: The umbragen for the setting appeared as a player character race in Dragon #330 (April 2005). The arcane guard drow, the dark sniper drow, the drow priestess, the Lolth's sting, and the Lolth-touched drow ranger appear in Monster Manual IV (2006). The deepwyrm drow is presented as a player character race in Dragon Magic (2006). The drow are presented as a player character race for

16080-431: The umbragen for the setting appeared as a player character race in Dragon #330 (April 2005). The arcane guard drow, the dark sniper drow, the drow priestess, the Lolth's sting, and the Lolth-touched drow ranger appear in Monster Manual IV (2006). The deepwyrm drow is presented as a player character race in Dragon Magic (2006). The drow are presented as a player character race for the 3.5 edition in Expedition to

16214-636: The unusual hand crossbow , firing small, though very lethal, darts. In Lolth based societies, noble drow males are commonly wizards or fighters . Female nobles are almost always clerics and almost never wizards. As a race, drow were traditionally portrayed evil . There were unusual exceptions, the most notable being Drizzt Do'Urden , Jarlaxle Baenre , and Liriel Baenre . Originally, drow were chaotic evil in alignment. Beginning with 3rd edition D&D , drow were usually neutral evil. There have been encounters with non-evil drow, but these are distrusted as much as their brethren, due to their reputation. In

16348-635: The unusual hand crossbow , firing small, though very lethal, darts. In Lolth based societies, noble drow males are commonly wizards or fighters . Female nobles are almost always clerics and almost never wizards. As a race, drow were traditionally portrayed evil . There were unusual exceptions, the most notable being Drizzt Do'Urden , Jarlaxle Baenre , and Liriel Baenre . Originally, drow were chaotic evil in alignment. Beginning with 3rd edition D&D , drow were usually neutral evil. There have been encounters with non-evil drow, but these are distrusted as much as their brethren, due to their reputation. In

16482-488: The vast subterranean city of the drow, which is thoroughly described in the module. An extensive overview of the drow power structure is given for the purpose of creating any number of mini-campaigns or adventures taking place inside the drow capital. The characters travel on to the Egg of Lolth, where they must enter the dungeon level and fight the demoness herself. The statistics and information for drow are reprinted from Hall of

16616-438: The vast subterranean city of the drow, which is thoroughly described in the module. An extensive overview of the drow power structure is given for the purpose of creating any number of mini-campaigns or adventures taking place inside the drow capital. The characters travel on to the Egg of Lolth, where they must enter the dungeon level and fight the demoness herself. The statistics and information for drow are reprinted from Hall of

16750-438: The very few depictions of black-skinned people in Dungeons & Dragons " and the inconsistent "visual representation" then "further compounds the complexity of discussing the relationship of the drow to real world race, given that some players may see the drow as obviously modeled on real world black bodies, and others seeing them as a fantasy race with no realworld analogue". In 2010, scholar Cory Lowell Grewell found that in

16884-436: The very few depictions of black-skinned people in Dungeons & Dragons " and the inconsistent "visual representation" then "further compounds the complexity of discussing the relationship of the drow to real world race, given that some players may see the drow as obviously modeled on real world black bodies, and others seeing them as a fantasy race with no realworld analogue". In 2010, scholar Cory Lowell Grewell found that in

17018-404: The world of the drow, where violent conflict is part of everyday life, so much so that most drow encountered are ready for a fight. Their inherent magic use comes from training in magic, which all drow receive. Not long after the creation of the elves, they were torn into rival factions, one evil and one good; after a great civil war, those who followed the path of evil and chaos were driven far from

17152-404: The world of the drow, where violent conflict is part of everyday life, so much so that most drow encountered are ready for a fight. Their inherent magic use comes from training in magic, which all drow receive. Not long after the creation of the elves, they were torn into rival factions, one evil and one good; after a great civil war, those who followed the path of evil and chaos were driven far from

17286-833: The world's forests and into the bleak, lightless caverns and tunnels of the underworld. Drow society is fragmented into opposing noble houses and merchant families, and they base their rigid class system on the belief that the strongest should rule. Female drow tend to fill many positions of great importance, with priests of the dark goddess Lolth holding a very high place in society. Drow fighters are required to go through rigorous training in their youth, and those who fail are put to death. Drow constantly war with other underground neighbors such as dwarves and deep gnomes (svirfneblin), and keep slaves of all types - including allies who fail to live up to drow expectations. The Complete Book of Elves (1993) by Colin McComb focuses some of its attention on

17420-779: The world's forests and into the bleak, lightless caverns and tunnels of the underworld. Drow society is fragmented into opposing noble houses and merchant families, and they base their rigid class system on the belief that the strongest should rule. Female drow tend to fill many positions of great importance, with priests of the dark goddess Lolth holding a very high place in society. Drow fighters are required to go through rigorous training in their youth, and those who fail are put to death. Drow constantly war with other underground neighbors such as dwarves and deep gnomes (svirfneblin), and keep slaves of all types - including allies who fail to live up to drow expectations. The Complete Book of Elves (1993) by Colin McComb focuses some of its attention on

17554-475: Was introduced in the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount (2020). Per Wizards of the Coast, the drow of these settings are presented as more "morally and culturally complex". On June 26, 2020, Netflix and Hulu removed the " Advanced Dungeons & Dragons " episode of the TV series Community from their platforms due to scenes with Chang playing a dark elf by wearing elf ears and makeup resembling blackface . A statement from Sony Pictures Television said that

17688-432: Was invented by Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax except for the basic concept of "dark elves". However, in the Prose Edda , Snorri Sturluson wrote about the black elves : "... the dark elves however live down below the ground. ... [and] are blacker than pitch." Gygax stated that "Drow are mentioned in Keightley 's The Fairy Mythology , as I recall (it might have been The Secret Commonwealth —neither book

17822-471: Was the first novel to feature the drow prominently. Gygax's subsequent Gord the Rogue novels, published by New Infinities, Inc., continued the story and the drow's involvement, in the novels Sea of Death (1987), Come Endless Darkness (1988), and Dance of Demons (1988). R. A. Salvatore 's 1988–1990 The Icewind Dale Trilogy featured the unlikely hero Drizzt Do'Urden as one of the protagonists, and

17956-418: Was the first novel to feature the drow prominently. Gygax's subsequent Gord the Rogue novels, published by New Infinities, Inc., continued the story and the drow's involvement, in the novels Sea of Death (1987), Come Endless Darkness (1988), and Dance of Demons (1988). R. A. Salvatore 's 1988–1990 The Icewind Dale Trilogy featured the unlikely hero Drizzt Do'Urden as one of the protagonists, and

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