You have been trained since childhood in the service of The Dark Maiden, Eilistraee. 

As an acolyte, you have earned the respect and trust of those who share your faith. You are able to lead the Songs, Dances and Rituals used to honor and celebrate the Teachings of the Dark Maiden, but you are not yet among the clergy.

Work with your DM to detail the nature of your heritage and past service to the goddess. Is one or both of your parents a Drow or a Dark Elf? Is your ancestry Ilythiiri or Miyeritari, or something else entirely? Which shrine or temple has guided your training? For assistance with these questions, you may consult the table below listing ten of the known temples or shrines of Eilistraee. 

What aspect or aspects of Eilistraee's Teachings most guide your decisions and actions? You will soon need to decide if you will join the ranks of the priests and priestesses of Eilistraee. Or will you pursue a life dedicated to one of The Dark Maiden's holy Orders? Or is it time to admit that something else is singing your name...? 

A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow.

— The Message of Eilistraee to the Underdark

 

Skill Proficiencies:
All followers of Eilistraee - known as the Eilistraeens - are taught the true history of the dark elves, the Crown Wars, and the origin of the drow from the long-lost elven kingdoms. Armed with this knowledge, Eilistraeens are able to fully devote themselves to the worship of The Dark Maiden, and the imperative to spread Her Teachings to all in Faerûn.

As an Eilistraeen, you have proficiency in Religion, and History.

An acolyte training to join the Eilistraeen clergy or one of the holy Orders of Eilistraee, receives additional instruction in the Arts used in ceremonies and rituals for The Dancing Goddess, including lessons in song, dance, and a musical instrument. As an acolyte, you have proficiency in Performance.

Tool Proficiencies:
Your choice of one from the Dark Maiden's favorite instruments: Horn, Flute, Pan Flute, Lyre

Languages: Undercommon

Equipment:
A holy symbol worn as a pin or hung around the neck as a pendant - this item doubles as a secret sign for access to Eilistraeen communities in hiding as well as a key to unlock safe houses and secret supply caches; one set of traveler’s clothes, an Explorer's Pack, your musical instrument, and a pouch containing 5 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Eilistraeen Acolytes are shaped by their experiences training as well as assisting their communities. Their study of the true Dark Elf history and Teachings of Eilistraee, and their work on behalf of surface dwelling drow affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.

d10	Personality Trait
1	I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that person’s deeds and example.
2	I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen.
3	Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude.
4	I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation.
5	I am dedicated to the eradication of all forms of slavery - any mention of the vile practice makes me preach passionately against it for hours!
6	I’m haunted by what I've seen in the Underdark. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind.
7	If someone is in trouble, I’m always ready to lend help.
8	I’ve been isolated for so long that I rarely speak, preferring gestures and the occasional grunt.
9	I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets.
10	I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.

d10	Ideal
1	Community. Aid and protect all folks in need, of any race, weak and strong, kind or rude, promoting harmony and acceptance among all races. (Good)
2	Change. Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it. (Chaotic)
3	Faith. I trust that Eilistraee will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful)
4	Generosity. Hungry travelers are to be fed and the homeless are to be given shelter, as a prayer and offering to the goddess (Any)
5	Respect. All people - including dark elves and drow - deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good)
6	Beauty. Bring happiness and merriment everywhere you go, lifting people's hearts with kindness, gaiety, songs, jests, and revelry. (Neutral)
7	Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic)
8	Redemption. Work to promote peace with other races, helping the drow to forge their own place in the world and become part of its rightful inhabitants (Good)
9	Greater Good. Repay violence with swift violence, quickly removing dangers and threats, so that the fewest may be hurt.
10	Responsibility. Try to feed yourself by your own gardening and hunting skills and assist other hunters when possible. (Any)

d10	Bond
1	I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
2	I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who helped me.
3	I will do anything to protect someone who is vulnerable right now
4	I have an ancient text that holds secret history that must not fall into the wrong hands.
5	Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again.
6	I suffer awful visions of a coming disaster and will do anything to prevent it.
7	I entered seclusion to hide from the ones who might still be hunting me. I must someday confront them.
8	My freedom is my most precious possession. I’ll never let anyone take it from me again.
9	I’m fascinated by the beauty and wonder of this new land.
10	I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that was lost long ago.

d10	Flaw
1	I made a terrible mistake, and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret.
2	I'm never satisfied with what I have― I always want more.
3	I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s.
4	If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it.
5	My zeal sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that also profess faith in Eilistraee
6	I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure.
7	I have trouble trusting in my allies.
8	I harbor dark, bloodthirsty thoughts that my prayers and meditation fail to quell.
9	There’s no room for caution in a life lived to the fullest.
10	I’d rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair.