Illykur Drow (3.5e Race)
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The Drow of Illykur[edit]
Personality[edit]
The Drow of Illykur appear much like their Lolthsworn kin but with one major difference: Ancient dragon blood running through their veins. Drow of this denomination are very scholarly, generally refraining from the ambiguous moral dogma of Lolth's chosen. They train rigorously in the arts of swordplay and ancestral magics, rarely leaving the sanctity of their house citadel. They are slow to anger, exceedingly wisened in their craft, and unbreakable in their piety.
Physical Description[edit]
The Drow of Illykur have jet-black skin and stark white or silver hair, not unlike most drow. Often there will be telltale signs of their unique heritage such as glowing blue eyes with slitted pupils, solid blue glowing eyes, sharpened canines, patches of blue scales on their face and body, blue dragon wings, or even tiefling-like horns and tails. A notable feature of these Drow are their dimly glowing veins and brightly glowing tattoos that encompass their bodies. These are the direct result of their ancestry and grant them boons to their martial and magical prowess. These tattoos are bestowed at birth as part of an ancient ritual, providing the wearer with untold potency. It is often said that these tattoos are the prophetic destiny of oneself.
Due to the sheer amount of magical energies flowing through them, Illykur Drow are blind and often choose to wear fashionable cloth veils to cover their eyes.
Drow of this sect are quite tall for their race, often standing between the heights of 5'8 and 6'4. From their constant state of training, they are more muscled than a standard drow, sitting comfortably at 190-210 lbs on average.
Relations[edit]
House Do'illykur is highly respected, despite gravitating away from the cult of Lolth. The House numbers just 93 members, but each member is capable of untold devastation.
They are referred to as the "Remnant Uuthli Maelthra" (Blue Dragon), some of the last-standing elites from the army of the Valsharess in her invasion of Waterdeep. These drow are not warmongers like their predecessors, rather they are fairly progressive in their interactions. They tend to be more welcoming and pragmatic with outsiders than the rest of their kin. Often, there will be races of all types visiting the Do'illykur citadel to access the ancient writings collected throughout the span of hundreds of years.
Alignment[edit]
Drow of Illykur are Lawful Evil, still maintaining their natural racial characteristics of vanity, pride and complex morality.
Lands[edit]
Drow of this denomination are exclusively found in the Underdark, relentlessly training in their citadel. Though it is exceedingly rare to see a drow mystic away from home, it is not unheard of.
Religion[edit]
The house is separated into two religious sects, spearheaded by the traditional matriarchal style of drow houses, with Maevi Do'illykur as the house matron and aspiring Valsharess. The two religious sects are The Elder Order and The Silver-Fire Artifice. The Elder Order focuses primarily on those in the house who want to achieve self-mastery and perfection through channeling their draconic heritage. In contrast, the Silver-Fire Artifice is based on scholarship and technological advancement.
Those who follow the path of the ‘Elder Order’ follow the teachings of Khyraen and are referred to as “Darkfire Mystics”.
The Silver-Fire artifice is led by Xor’tlar, and initiates of this sect are generally referred to as Factotum Scholars. Within the halls of Illykur lie vast libraries filled to bursting with ancient and alien texts. Scholars from far and wide come to seek the hidden knowledge of the arcanum, and very few are granted the honor of receiving it.
Lolth worship in the house is nearly non-existent with the Sage council as the definitive figurehead. Naturally, this disconnect from the rest of drow society has caused many attempts to assassinate the sages, to no avail. The Sage Council prides itself on being equivalent to near-living godhood, though in the current timeline, this is seen to be a sheer fallacy. The Sage council draws their power from the soul of their dragon ancestor, Illykur, through the powers of an ancient pact. Though they are not truly omnipotent, they are still imminently formidable. The council is now in the process of attaining true divinity through the means of a truly awesome ceremony that was thought impossible until now, with the finding of several relics of incredible power. What was originally an attempt to absorb Lolth’s power has become a war on the idea of godhood itself. While the new Valsharess and the remnant Uuthli Maelthra fight for the control of the Underdark… the Sage council bide their time to control the cosmos.
Language[edit]
Undercommon, Elvish, and Draconic.
Common is not a language that these Drow speak, and as such would need an interpreter above-ground if a similar language cannot be accommodated
Names[edit]
Names of these drow generally follow a 2 syllable style, separated by an apostrophe. Names such as:
Myz'ii
Khor'yn
Xal'ryn
Mae'lyth
Unless adopted into the house, Do'illykur is the surname of choice. Fae'ala Elu, often being used as a middle name for those in power.
Racial Traits[edit]
- +2 to all attributes (These drow are blind but are at their peak in all other ways.)
- -10 to all visual-based skill checks at DM discretion | +4 to listen, spellcraft, concentration, diplomacy, persuade & knowledge checks
- Illykur Drow NEVER wear armor. They religiously choose their sacred half-robes to showcase their upper-body tattoos. Wearing any armor other than cloth-grade will disable all special abilities.
- Humanoid (Drow Elf)
- Medium
- Illykur Drow base land speed is 40 feet
- Master of Arms: Martial Weapon Proficiency & Weapon Focus: Glaive, and is treated as a monk weapon for the sake of Monk class bonuses. Attack bonus is taken from the highest Attribute, and Illykur Drow treat glaives as light & finesse weapons.
- Lightning Affinity: With their blue dragon ancestry, Illykur Drow gain a +3 to spell DC when casting lightning or thunder based spells AND can replace all elemental effects with electrical damage (Fireball becomes a ball of lightning)
- Silver-fire Blast: A 40ft ranged attack that Deals 1d10 Untyped damage & deals an additional 1d4 electrical damage per 2 character levels, starting at level 1. Also blinds a single enemy for 1 round on a natural 20. Uses Highest bonus of Wisdom or Charisma modifier (1 charge per day, increasing by 1 every 4th level)
- Focus Gem Imbuement: Summon a focus gem, once per day, to float over your right shoulder and provide buffs to yourself and allies:
+1 to armor class, +1 to saving throws, +1 to skill checks, +1 to spell DCs. And +1 Temporary HP at the start of every round. This bonus increases by +1 every 2 character levels up to level 20.
- Infusion: Infuse your focus gem with all your might, draining its passive bonus for 24 hours and granting one of the following features:
Dragon Sight: Grants the mystic their sight, removing skill check penalties and bestows the effects of the true-sight spell for 2d4 rounds
Resplendence: The caster's body shimmers with lightning. Enemies who hit the caster in melee combat take 1d4 electric damage, +1d4 every 3 character levels. (Lasts for 1d4 rounds per 3 character levels up to level 9)
Overload: The focus gem explodes in a bout of raw magic, dealing 2d8 damage per level to all creatures within 20 meters (Deals half damage to the caster)
- Tattoos of Illykur: These tattoos grant the mystic a permanent energy-sheath shield, providing innate defense via damage soak of 2 damage per player level.
- Automatic Languages: Undercommon, Elvish, and Draconic.
- Favored Class: Monk or Sorcerer/Blue Dragon Disciple
- Level Adjustment: +4
Art by Mikael Wells
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