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I was just wondering, is it possible for a drow character to become a master in their respective drow academy? I mean as a teacher or some sorts, it wouldnt have anything to do with the quest to graduate, but their job would be to teach or instruct the younger students and some sort.

I actually proposed something similar at one point, and while the idea was well regarded, it never went anywhere. Would be nice to have it as a possibility.

Academy titles

Instructor (lowest rank, works for any branch)
Master (works for any branch)
Weaponmaster (Head of Melee-Magthere, hero position)
Archmage (Head of Sorcere, hero position)
High (or Arch) Priestess (Head of Arach-Tinilith, hero position)

The Weaponmaster, Archmage and Arch Priestess positions would be one-of, most likely hero positions in the academy, with Instructors and Masters working under them, possibly being specialized in certain areas, like Master of Necromancy for Sorcere, Master of certain weapon types in Melee-Magthere, etc.

Instructors could work under Masters, possibly as something of a "Master in Training" position, and Masters could recruit Instructors (or the Heads of the Academy could be in charge of recruiting) from promising students or elsewhere and act as a mentor, allowing that Instructor to take over should the Master come up "missing" for some reason (all too likely in Menzo, and on a MUD for that matter).

Sounds good to me. Anything that could create new life down in the ol' Underdark.

Well, a ring would be an obvious item, but obvious is no fun, so... how about smoething like this:

an onyx spider bracelet

Desc:
This item has been carved from a chunk of onyx to resemble a large spider, its legs curved in an oval shape, allowing it to be worn around the wrist. It is an identifing item of a member of the Academy of Menzoberranzan.

A spider may be a bit cliche for Drow, but hey... with as fanatic as they are about Lloth, it makes sense.

Actually, the Arch/High Priestess would be the Matron Mother of the Arach-Tinilith, that is actually a position that Triel held before she became Matron Mother of her house.

Quinthel Baenre is the current High Priestess of Arach-Tinilith according to a few different novels, whether or not the IMM staff wants to set her up as an auction character or let a player priestess try to obtain that seems like a tough choice.

back up toward the middle you talked about objects.. if i have read correctly, in the "War of the Spider Queen" series of books, Ryld, who is a master of Melee-Magthere has a ring as well as an insignia that granted him levitate. The ring if I remember correctly turned his skin into the likeness of a dragons when he was hit, though not that that matters.

I've read the first three WoTSQ books and I don't remember anything about Ryld with a ring. If he has it in the 4th, well then I might not buy the 4th due to the editing and writing nightmare the 3rd was and how I don't really find it amusing that after being beat up various times he all of a sudden has a ring that can do that.

he had an amulet given to him by the acedmy when he became a master. Its about the closest thing that a commoner to get to being a noble. it allowed him to use the powers that nobles normally have ie levitation/faerie fire/darkness ect ect.

I was wandering through the Drow boards, and thought to comment on this.

There are multiple Masters of Melee-Magthere. It's usually shuffled often, so that some males can watch over new nobles, and such for interhouse conflict, or support members of their house as they go through.

There are also multiple Masters of Sorcere. They are the instructors and trainers of Mages. From what I remember reading there are usually a half dozen or so Masters, and then sometimes House Wizards train nobles and the like until they go to Sorcere.

And, Arach Tinilith is as was mentioned earlier. Matron Mother of Arach Tinilith etc etc.

Mostly though, the Academy is a place for intrigue amongst drow. It's another breeding ground for chaos, especially as all drow nobles must spend a little time in each.

Fighters go to Melee-Magthere for a majority, then to Sorcere for education on their innate skills and the pro's con's of magic. Then to ArachTinilith, for indoctrination, and graduation.

Wizards spend longer time in Sorcere, then to Melee-Magthere to learn to work with, and support fighters, and allow them to be supported. Then to Arach-Tinilith for indoctrination and graduation.

Priestesses spend the most time in Arach-Tinilith, then to Sorcere for enhancement of their natural abilities, and to Melee-Magthere for their martial skills.

I'm sure most of you already are aware of this, I just wanted to post it so others new to the Drow would get an idea of how things work.

just out of interest, what with the current influx of new drow down in Menzoberranzan at the moment, did this idea ever get followed up?

Hopefully it is on the todo list thingy. Ive been looking forward to it.

you and me both, chief

Mystra wrote:Think of an IC item that a member of the academy can wear that would record time on line and pay and stuff.

Sharni

I was just browsing across the WotC forums and the Melee Magthere masters seem to be equiped with one of these:

WotC Forums wrote:Master’s Ring: The most talented and capable masters of Melee-Magthere aspire to win one of these greatly prized rings. Wrought in the patternof a small twisting dragon, a master’s ring provides a +6 enhancement bonus to Constitution and +4 natural armor bonus. Furthermore, the wearer is continuously under the effect of a Longstrider spell, which increases his base land speed by 10 feet.

Source: Dragon #312, Rogues Gallery: The Heroes of the War of the Spider Queen part 2 by Richard Baker.
Strong Transmutation; CL: 12th; Forge Ring, Bear’s Endurance, Limited Wish, Longstrider; Price: 102,000 gp.

Obviously this is a little broken in the context of FK but perhaps the enchantments bestowed by the ring could be toned down to be more in balance with the FK game?

Anyway, just my thoughts