Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

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Pigdog
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Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Pigdog »

So i'm looking to start a new character in the Underdark, as it seems more interesting than the surface, if not as active. I'd preferably be a Duergar (or Tanarukk) as I fancy the fighter approach.
I have a bio and a build already but i'm looking for some tips for roleplaying a non-drow and roleplaying in the Underdark.
Can you guys give me some tips on organisations/roles suitable for a Gray Dwarf (or Tanarukk)? Bearing in mind i'm not completely adverse to playing him in a drow house where he'd be expected to meatshield and do what he's told, wouldn't be up for playing a slave, more a servant or mercenary
I'm also brand new to the Underdark so will be grateful for tips for a level 14 (after RCR) adventuring. Thanks.
chad878262
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by chad878262 »

Slavery RP is forbidden (PG-13 server). RP can include mention of NPC slaves, but there is no Master/Slave RP allowed between players, so you should be solid with the idea of Mercenary or house grunt/guard/whatever.

I know Bregan D'aerth is quite active over the past several months, but there are likely still the main two houses active as well.

Grey Dwarf or Tanarukk can function as up front fighter types, but there are a few other builds conducive to them if you want to be stealthy too or whatever.

For a Fighter type I would advise to include WoD10 in your build and, if going Fighter take 12 levels of that. F12/WoD10/FB5/R3 might be a good one for a Grey Dwarf, for example.
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Rinzler
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Rinzler »

I pulled this quote from another thread and highlighted areas related specifically to Duergars.
Sshamathans are both welcoming of outsiders and xenophobic. The city's culture is steeped in fear of conquest, yet Sshamath's continued existence depends on the steady flow of Underdark traders bringing in goods for its inhabitants' artifice. This conflict enables all races to visit Sshamath, even traditional drow foes, yet ensures that such visitors are only superficially welcomed and always under great, unspoken suspicion.

Most Duergar are to be found in the Darkspires area of town where the metal-work and smithing occurs although some Duergar have trading relationships with the Conclave that permit them to maintain premises in the Dark Weavings Bazaar. Whereas all other non-citizen races are confined to the Darkwoods ghetto the Duergar live where they work for the most part, in the Darkspires.

In general Drow are inherently racist so they ALWAYS look down their noses at every other race (well except for some Drow that worship Ellistrae and Vhaeraun but those are special cases). The Duergar would not be tolerated in a Lolthian city as they are even more racist than the rest of the Drow population (and that's saying something). However Sshamath is ruled by a Conclave of wizards and they REALLY want those shiny magic items which the Duergar are unparalleled at making so as long as the Duergar keep turning them out the wizards will be quite happy. The Duergar (and all other races) will never garner full citizenship in the city however this is not necessarily a big setback as they would make their own alliances both within their race, between other races (svirf etc) and to whichever school of magic holds the most power. Being evil and insanely avaricious Duergar keep working for Sshamath (as opposed to their own Duergar towns) for the potential to make more money than they could at home. Indeed a large percentage of the Duergar in Sshamath have been sold into indentured service to other Duergar by their own families, such is the avaricious nature of the grey dwarves.

In theory the Conclave could just one day wake up and say "we want the Darkspires back all Duergar must leave the city" but in practice as long as the Duergar remain relatively neutral (i.e. not as a group ally themselves to single school of magic) the Conclave will keep them around for the benefits they bring to the city.
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Nachti
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Nachti »

chad878262 wrote:Slavery RP is forbidden (PG-13 server). RP can include mention of NPC slaves, but there is no Master/Slave RP allowed between players, so you should be solid with the idea of Mercenary or house grunt/guard/whatever.
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When I hear such things like Bgtscc & PG 13 it almost makes me laugh as I cant take it serious. I mean - have you looked around at the server?

Half of the game is about violence. As soon as you as you walk the sword coast youre propably going to KILL something. Youre not just hurting some plants...you are going to kill something - putting an end to someone. And there will be alot of BLOOD.

Youre also going to kill other humans. And that..... is much worser then SLAVERY.

How can that be PG 13? A movie would rate this to NC 17.
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Rinzler
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Rinzler »

Those weren't my words I just copied and pasted something I saw from the UD forum. However, I agree with you.
Pigdog
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Pigdog »

Thanks for the replies! Going to run a Gray Dwarf as they have a richer lore to pick from
sounds like a Duergar in it for the money is a good way to start
I'll look up the other guides while i've got time too, if anyone wants to group up give us a nod :D
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Glowfire
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Glowfire »

Your options for guilds in the UD is a bit limited. I've only seen Bregan D'aerthe and House Zau'afin (Lolthites) active. Bregan D'aerthe are mercenaries, if you're interested, feel free to read up on the guild page and contact any of us IG.

Also, feel free to send me a tell with any questions etc if you see me on.


Subject: Bregan D'earthe (UD)
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Rinzler
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Rinzler »

In my opinion the Duergar presence is lacking in the Underdark. We have more Gray Orcs than Gray Dwarves which is unique. So I'm excited for the idea of more Duergar for sure! Maybe you can use this as an opportunity to create a Sshamath Gray Dwarf related faction.
Pigdog
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Pigdog »

Hopefully i'll be able to do them justice! As for starting a clan/guild? Maybe in the future.
And thanks for the Bregan heads up, I got in touch with one when I was playing and they helped get me started
Hope to see you in game sooner rather than later, my characters called Gorst Blackhammer and i'll be posting a biography later today :D :D
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Darker_Thought
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Darker_Thought »

I have an amazing source for Great Lolthite Roleplay for those interested :)

Lolth tlu malla!

See the link below:


The Temple of Lolth:
The Temple of Lolth: (Arach-Tinlith): What is it and how does it function?
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t6-academy-rules-1-7-1

The Path of the Lolthite Priestess: Yath'abban: (Priestess in Aprenticeship)
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t52-yat ... -ascension

Tests of Lolth:
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t7-test ... ng-pending

Prayers...How to rp them?
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t283-on ... of-worship

Drow rituals in the name of Lolth
- http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t285-major-rites
- http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t284-minor-rites


Meele Magthere (School of the warrior):

What is the school: Meele-magthere?
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t20-mel ... -operation

"The security institute" Assassinations and Espionage:

The Valsharen Drow Vel'Xundussa Magthere (VDVM) AKA "The Security Institute":
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t47-str ... f-the-vdvm





Inspiration, examples of role play tips:

Stories of IG Real RP Events on TFR in Lolthie sacrifice cermonies:
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/f18-temple-offerings

A little on drow interaction and alignment: (Lolthite)
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t279-do ... -alignment

Basic Lolthite rp tips
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t17-drow-role-play-tips

Drow quotes for rp:
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t61-dro ... nd-sayings


Understanding Drow and Lolthian society:

Lolthian drow in terms of Goverment of rule:(Does not apply to Sshamath in terms of rule)
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t280-do ... t-and-rule

Society and culture of Lolthite drow:
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t277-dr ... nd-culture

Lore, tradition and Goverment(Lolthian): (Does not apply to Sshamath in terms of rule)
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t278-d- ... government

Ranks in a Lolthite society (Does not apply to Sshamath in terms of rule)
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t286-dr ... s-in-szith

What are the Lolthite relation to other races?:
http://szithcity.aforumfree.com/t11-dar ... -relations
"NWNScript is what happens when you ask Satan to turn C into a scripting language." - DM Doom
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Darker_Thought
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Re: Underdark Noob looking for tips and advice

Unread post by Darker_Thought »

A quotation from the R.A Salvatore Books, Homeland, on the society of drow. (Menzoberranzan).

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Station: In all the world of the drow, there is no more important word. It is the calling of their, of our religion, the incessant pulling of hungering heartstrings. Ambition over rides good sense and compassion is thrown away in its face, all in the name of Lloth, the Spider Queen.

Ascension to power in drow society is a simple process of assassination. The Spider Queen is a deity of chaos, and she and her high priestesses, the true rulers of the drow world, do not look with ill favor upon ambitious individuals wielding poisoned daggers.

Of course, there are rules of behavior, every society must boast of these. To openly commit murder or wage war invites the pretense of justice, and penalties exacted in the name of drow justice are merciless. To stick a dagger in the back of a rival during the chaos of a larger battle or in the quiet shadows of an alley, howeveI, is quite acceptable, even applauded. Investigation is not the forte of drow justice. No one cares enough to bother

Station is the way of Lloth, the ambition she bestows to further the chaos, to keep her drow "children" along their appointed course of self imprisonment. Children? Pawns more likely, dancing dolls for the Spider Queen, puppets on the imperceptible but impervious strands of her web. All climb the Spider Queen's ladders; all hunt for her pleasure, and all fall to the hunters of her pleasure.

Station is the paradox of the world of my people, the limitation of our power within the hunger for power. It is gained through treachery and invites treachery against those who gain it. Those most powerful in Menzoberranzan spend their days watching over their shoulders, defending against the daggers that would find their backs.

Their deaths usually come from the front.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Source:
http://www.o-love.net/realms/samples/sam_dri1.pdf
"NWNScript is what happens when you ask Satan to turn C into a scripting language." - DM Doom
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