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Sourcemaster2
Senior Scribe
USA
361 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 03:52:23
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Most sources I've seen list drow powers as darkness, faerie fire, and dancing lights, each 1/day. But Liriel, and at one point Drizzt, could also levitate. They also seem able to sense magic at will. I've heard that levitate and several other powers are only had by drow nobles; any explanation why? Also, why does Drizzt have any drow powers at all; he's been on the surface for years.
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But what have all the passing years/Done, but breed new angers, fears?/Show me now an equal worth/To innocence I earned at birth. |
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Nate Palm
Acolyte
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 05:27:32
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All Drow can do the darkness and faerie fire thing. Drow nobles on the other hand are the only ones who can levitate. This is because they have enchanted House insignia pins. I have no idea why Drizzt didn't lose his darkess and faerie fire ability along with levitation. Although after the events of Windwalker I guess it doesn't make a difference. Hey! Shouldn't Drizzt be able to levitate now because of the whole Windwalker thing?
Brock |
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Adrian Moonbow
Seeker
Denmark
64 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 08:00:44
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You're right Nate: The levitation is just an effect made by the house pin that nobles have. Darkness and Faerie fire are race inherent powers!
But what about the piwafwi? What kind of magic is that? Simple protection? |
"I would have wanted not to die.
I would have wanted never to grow up!"
-Quidam
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Icewolf
Learned Scribe
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 08:04:32
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| The piwafi did help a litle with protection, but it also subtly showed which house one was from. Each house had its own pattern of lines and such for their Piwafis. |
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Maecenus of Westgate
Learned Scribe
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 12:57:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Adrian Moonbow
But what about the piwafwi? What kind of magic is that? Simple protection?
There are two types of Piwafwis, a Lesser Piwafwi is basically a cloak of elvenkind and a Greater Piwafwi which is a cloak of elvenkind plus it also the ability to resist fire damage (5 points per round) as the spell endure elements (fire). This is according to the City of the Spider Queen book and Races of Faerun. |
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Zacas
Learned Scribe
USA
261 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2004 : 00:37:20
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well i believe there was something about those that come to the surface world at first lost their noble abilities since drow stuff can't usually exist on the surface without disintegrating.
As for sensing magic... i think that's a natural thing for most elves, being more in tuned with the world/weave than most others |
I am like a superhero, with no powers or motivation.
I have gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, please keep me here.
People like you are the reason people like me are on medication. |
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2004 : 00:48:25
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| Ahh, but the drow ability to sense magic is only from noble drow.... I have no idea why. As for the drow diminishing power surface thing, much of the unique Underdark powers are granted because of Faerzress, which can only be found in the Underdark. The darkness and faerie fire will diminish over time. Drizzt hasn't spent enough time on the surface for all his abilities to deteriorate. |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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Nate Palm
Acolyte
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2004 : 06:51:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Shadowlord
As for the drow diminishing power surface thing, much of the unique Underdark powers are granted because of Faerzress, which can only be found in the Underdark. The darkness and faerie fire will diminish over time. Drizzt hasn't spent enough time on the surface for all his abilities to deteriorate.
When I asked on the now defunct WotC FR Novels Board why the Drow's weapons in Condemnation didn't melt in the sun, I was told that the whole sunlight destroying Drow equipment thing has been completely removed from D&D. Furthermore, and this one shocked me, I was told that the outcome of Windwalker didn't effect just Liriel, but ALL Drow. So it looks like Drizzt need not worry about lossing any of his tricks.
Brock |
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Ash
Acolyte
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2004 : 07:31:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Nate Palm
All Drow can do the darkness and faerie fire thing. Drow nobles on the other hand are the only ones who can levitate. This is because they have enchanted House insignia pins. I have no idea why Drizzt didn't lose his darkess and faerie fire ability along with levitation. Although after the events of Windwalker I guess it doesn't make a difference. Hey! Shouldn't Drizzt be able to levitate now because of the whole Windwalker thing?
Brock
Things have changed so much since I began roleplaying. Time for some pedantry: Back in the day, all drow had access to such innate spells as dancing lights, darkness, faerie fire, and maybe one other. The advanced spells derived neither from noble rank nor the house insignia, but rather from attaining a certain level (4th level, I think). Additionally, all drow females at a certain level acquired the ability to cast additional spells (I don't have any books with me, but I believe detect lie and suggestion were among them). Salvatore's Homeland series altered this, making advanced spells based on noble status and,for repeated castings, possession of a house insignia. I do like the house insignia granting additional spells, but I don't like the idea of commoner drow losing additional spells based on level, even if this innovation fits the caste society of the drow. Nowadays, the third edition's feat systems preserves a little of both traditions: drow can gain the ability to cast these spells by taking additional feats that require both accomplishment and status. |
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Lina
Senior Scribe
Australia
469 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 08:27:33
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| Drizzt's time on the surface measured in human years is what I think your getting mixed up with. A human lifespan compared to an elf is a relatively huge difference. So although Drizzt's has been on the surface for so many x years is nothing compared to the time he spent living in the underworld. I haven't finished reading the Starlight and Shadow series so the Windwalker could be another factor. |
“Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows! Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name. I pledge myself to darkness. All the fools who stand in our way shall be destroyed…by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!!!”
"Thieves? Ah, such an ugly word... look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."
-Oglar the Thieflord |
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Zelg of Cyric
Acolyte
44 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2004 : 03:07:23
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| From everything I gathered, drow don't actually lose their inate powers on the surface, but drow artifacts and enchaments such as the piwafi and house insignia lose there abilities, and the drow weapons lose their effectiveness and become frail. |
"Even before he first walked the world as a mortal, Cyric had the will to resist the random call of Fate and make his own fortune. As his newborn soul stood before the goddesses, he cast a light upon Tymora's silver coin, blinding them to his presence. The deities never saw the coin fall, never settled their wager on Cyric's destiny. Thus was he born into the world without any fate save the one he himself could forge." -- from the Cyrinishad |
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Drow powers
