| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Azar |
Posted - 07 Sep 2025 : 02:44:17
Hello.
As I was combing through The Ruins of Undermountain II: The Deep Levels, I noticed the following entry on Level 6 ->
quote:
Room 11: A Pleasant Refuge
This area is immense and looks like a park. The lighting is warm and subdued, like a spring evening. The ground is covered with a green mossy growth that seems soft enough to fall asleep on, and there is even a fountain with a statue of a centaur. The pillars supporting the roof have been carved into the shapes of nymphs and dryads, and the entire area looks completely inviting.
This area was intended for relaxing before and after bathing. In the days when this area was inhabited, there would have been servants passing around trays with drinks and refreshments on them. There would have been music and dancing in the central area and exhibits of artistic works. For now, however, it must suffice that the air is fresh and warm, and the moss on the ground is as comfortable as any bed that the characters entering here have ever slept in.
...
This area is so conducive to rest, that if the party rests here any victims of the illusion in the gate have no nightmares while asleep here, and if the victims sleep here nightly until the time for the dreams has expired, they lose no Wisdom.
Given that the Drow are utterly convinced of their own superiority...the perfection of their form...and the fact that they consider surface dwellers potential prey or slaves (especially woodland friends of The Seldarine and their offspring), I find it odd that they would decorate their habitat with sculptures of centaurs, dryads and nymphs. Even if there were that one-in-a-million dark elf who could appreciate art inspired by beings from so disparate a way of life, would it truly be displayed in a common area of a Drow enclave (and one which, by all indications, was firmly dedicated to Lolth)?
There is also the lighting evocative of a surface season, but that is a relatively minor issue. |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| AJA |
Posted - 14 Sep 2025 : 08:33:12
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
A petrified centaur makes for a very believable statue.
A pacified centaur makes for a very believable statue. A petrified centaur makes for a bunch of upright hooves and fists.
And horse poop.
Believable, but in a totally different way.
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| sleyvas |
Posted - 11 Sep 2025 : 01:09:44
A petrified centaur makes for a very believable statue. |
| eldritchq |
Posted - 09 Sep 2025 : 15:28:37
quote:
Originally posted by Azar
I was thinking: as an alternative to the nymph (i.e., a surface nature spirit which leans Good), might not there be statues of succubi? The succubus is a Chaotic Evil demon and Lolth is herself Chaotic Evil (and sometimes described as demonic if not an outright demon); I do not know if Lolth ever officially had succubi servants, but, it seems a perfect fit.
quote:
Succubi appear most often polymorphed into stunningly beautiful women with perfect figures and smooth, milky skin. They may also appear as any demihuman race. However, they do not often deal with demihumans, because humans’ fiery nature makes them easier prey.
Yochlols, Lolth's own creation, have been theorized about once being succubi.
quote:
"Remnant of wings gives credence to the theory about their succubi heritage"
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| Dalor Darden |
Posted - 08 Sep 2025 : 01:32:37
quote:
Originally posted by Azar
quote:
Originally posted by HighOne
Maybe they are actually carvings of drentaurs, drymphs, and... drdryads. You know, the underground Lolthite varieties.
But yes, it seems like a mistake.
I was thinking: as an alternative to the nymph (i.e., a surface nature spirit which leans Good), might not there be statues of succubi? The succubus is a Chaotic Evil demon and Lolth is herself Chaotic Evil (and sometimes described as demonic if not an outright demon); I do not know if Lolth ever officially had succubi servants, but, it seems a perfect fit.
quote:
Succubi appear most often polymorphed into stunningly beautiful women with perfect figures and smooth, milky skin. They may also appear as any demihuman race. However, they do not often deal with demihumans, because humans’ fiery nature makes them easier prey.
Could even take the shape of a beautiful drow. |
| Azar |
Posted - 08 Sep 2025 : 00:53:22
quote:
Originally posted by HighOne
Maybe they are actually carvings of drentaurs, drymphs, and... drdryads. You know, the underground Lolthite varieties.
But yes, it seems like a mistake.
I was thinking: as an alternative to the nymph (i.e., a surface nature spirit which leans Good), might not there be statues of succubi? The succubus is a Chaotic Evil demon and Lolth is herself Chaotic Evil (and sometimes described as demonic if not an outright demon); I do not know if Lolth ever officially had succubi servants, but, it seems a perfect fit.
quote:
Succubi appear most often polymorphed into stunningly beautiful women with perfect figures and smooth, milky skin. They may also appear as any demihuman race. However, they do not often deal with demihumans, because humans’ fiery nature makes them easier prey.
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| HighOne |
Posted - 08 Sep 2025 : 00:36:57
Maybe they are actually carvings of drentaurs, drymphs, and... drdryads. You know, the underground Lolthite varieties.
But yes, it seems like a mistake. |
| Dalor Darden |
Posted - 08 Sep 2025 : 00:31:35
quote:
Originally posted by Azar
quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
Just because a race is evil, does it mean that they can't enjoy things? Have themed entertainment?
I'd just write it off as that.
The evil race in question follows extreme Lolthite (?) dogma from on-high; this dogma - in part - preaches that they are supreme above all else; it makes little sense for them to adorn their habitation with pleasing symbols of the surface world and even less sense for the religious leaders to allow this decision.
The entire room could be a test of faith then if you like.
Priestess of Lolth: "Do you like this chamber? It is so relaxing isn't it!"
Drow male: "Yes, it is very nice!"
Priestess: "BLASPHEMER! Now you die!" |
| Azar |
Posted - 07 Sep 2025 : 22:41:14
quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
Just because a race is evil, does it mean that they can't enjoy things? Have themed entertainment?
I'd just write it off as that.
The evil race in question follows extreme Lolthite (?) dogma from on-high; this dogma - in part - preaches that they are supreme above all else. It makes little sense for them to adorn their habitation with pleasing symbols of the surface world and even less sense for the religious leaders to allow this decision. |
| bloodtide_the_red |
Posted - 07 Sep 2025 : 19:06:52
The Twisted Twist can work here.
So, in Waterdeep, there is a Tavern called The Crawling Spider where it looks like a cave and the waitresses dress up like drow. Fun For The Whole Family! "Our prices are so good, you'll be enslaved!". So.......why DO humans do this? A race of evil and make a happy tavern? It's messed up.
I'm sure the Rest Spot is exactly the same. Full of Fey, in the same way. The drow here "relax" by looking at a centar, getting enraged and saying "rub my back or die!!!!!" It's just as messed up as the Crawling Spider. |
| Dalor Darden |
Posted - 07 Sep 2025 : 16:24:24
Just because a race is evil, does it mean that they can't enjoy things? Have themed entertainment?
I'd just write it off as that. |
| Azar |
Posted - 07 Sep 2025 : 04:38:30
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
There among the Drow are many that want return to the surface world, reclaiming their lands and ruling over those lessor elves and the other lower than that, humans etc.
So it would not be that odd to find such a room.
I might be willing to entertain that notion, were the sculptures of woodland creatures in the accompanying illustration displaying (or, barring that, described as displaying) fear, pain, submission, et cetera; alternatively, the dryads and nymphs might be rendered in poses suggestive of servitude or bondage. As far as I can tell, there are only run-of-the-mill depictions far more suitable for a temple of Corellon Larethian, Rillifane Rallathil and/or Hanali Celanil.
quote:
Originally posted by AJA
The writing of Room 11 certainly doesn't seem to suggest that Muiral re-shaped it later, so that would be my Plan B out the window.
I briefly considered something similar, but, as you say, the (visible) absence of any alteration to the surroundings makes that theory unlikely. Most dungeons that "changed hands" usually make it a point to inform the DM about any especially strange inconsistencies. Having what might be considered cultural propaganda (by a standard Drow matriarchy) in the heart of a Drow community just feels...off. |
| AJA |
Posted - 07 Sep 2025 : 04:31:08
quote:
This area has obviously been abandoned
by the dark elves for centuries and little evidence
remains to tell which of the great families
dwelt here. It may have been a family that escaped
massacre by others of their kind, buying survival at
the cost of exile, or it may have been a remnant of
the separation of the elves into the light and dark
many millennia ago.
Maybe if that founding family was indeed such a "remnant" it was still more dhaerow than drow, and still enjoyed the stylings of the surface world. I don't personally think that works, but it might be possible. The writing of Room 11 certainly doesn't seem to suggest that Muiral re-shaped it later, so that would be my Plan B out the window.
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| Kentinal |
Posted - 07 Sep 2025 : 03:31:11
There among the Drow are many that want return to the surface world, reclaiming their lands and ruling over those lessor elves and the other lower than that, humans etc.
So it would not be that odd to find such a room.
Oh that was not counting those pests good Drow that worship Eilistraee. They certainly would enjoy a room like that. |
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