Forgotten Kingdoms Forums

I have created a Male Wizard, and have little access to source books on AD&D for reference, so if any advice could be given, I would greatly appreciate it from those who have more knowledge than I on this matter.

I'll try and take a crack at it, but don't forget to read all the help files in Forgotten Kingdoms.

Syntax - Help Drow

Step 1: Knowing what you are.

You're not a slave, yet you are not entirely important. You as a male are to be subservient to female priestesses of Lloth. Your lot in life is to help your house gain power, yet you are also more important than the simple male fighter due to having studied wizardly arts at Sorcere. Drow wizards scheme against one another to gain rank and heirarchy within their own houses or Sorcere. More power means you as a male might either be more useful or one day break free of the shackles of Lloth (Although that is NOT an option in Forgotten Kingdoms).

You as a male are also expected to avoid eye contact with any priestess unless told to make it, Lloth holds your pitiful life in her web and the only way to survive is to submit.

Famous people you should know:

Triel Baerne - Matron Mother of House Baenre. She's the head honcho of Menzoberranzan, definately not a lady to cross.

Mez'barris Armgo - This hulking matron mother rules the second house that prides itself on having the best warriors in Menzoberranzan. She enjoys pulping disobedient males with her dual maces.

Ghillana Tlabbar - Matron Mother of the third house (I really just can't remember anything on the Tlabbars)

Zeerith Xorlarrin - Matron mother of the fourth house, house Xorlarrin prides itself on having the best (Except for Gromph) wizards in Menzoberranzan. Male wizards get slightly better treatment in this house.

Gromph Baenre - Archmage of Menzoberranzan, even some Matron Mothers fear just what Gromph can get away with. Gromph is the Elderboy of House Baenre even though he is not the son, but the brother of Triel Baenre.

Jarlaxle - Flamboyant and mysterious, this male drow leads a society of mercenaries in Menzoberranzan (Bregan De'Arthe) that work for the highest paymaster (Usually Baenre). If a male is dissatisfied with his lot in life and wants some way of escape he can turn towards Bregan De'Arthe.

[EDIT] More to come when I can think of how to word it, I'm sure other people will have plenty to suggest for this too.

Step 2:

Establishing what you do as a male wizard.

The main goal of most wizards in Menzoberranzan is to get the esteemed position of Archmage. Gromph Baenre has held the position for over 700 years however and now that he has more clout within the house than ever it is just a hopeless dream for many.

Drow wizards are just like human wizards but for a few different aspects. Foremost they live longer, this allows a drow wizard to acquire much more power than many others over his (and in rare cases) her lifetime. The bad part however is that drow wizards have a higher mortality rate than most human wizards due to reckless behavior in order to garner power and treachery from their fellow wizards that wish to steal that power.

The startings of any wizard are with Sorcere. Sorcere is the compound in the elevated area of Tier Breche where Wizards train. The spired structure contains the Masters of Sorcere (A cadre of instructors who regularly murder one another) and of course Gromph Baenre who heads it. Sorcere itself is devoid of females and one of the havens where a male can escape from the matriarchy for a brief period of time.

Once a student of Sorcere graduates they go back to either being a commoner wizard and hiring themselves out to a Merchant clan or become retainers to any of the Noble Houses. Nobles who study at sorcere of course go back to their noble houses. The only time a drow stays at Sorcere is either if the drow is a Master of Sorcere, or if attending it.

If the Wizard becomes a retainer ot a house, they of course take orders for that house and do what the Matron commands.