Drow Newcomer

This background is for drow elves only!

Most drow do not leave the comfort of the Underdark unless it is to raid and pillage their enemies.  You are not one of these, through a set of circumstances you now find yourself wandering above ground, probably for the first time!   You know your people's reputation on the surface but you brave it anyways!  

Recent heroes from the underdark make being a drow on the surface more acceptable, however most surface dwellers who know of your kind will hate or fear you.  If you are lucky they will know nothing of the drow.  However other types of elves will still distrust you at best, try to kill you at worst.

The sun and the moon both are brighter than any lights you have seen previously.  The discomfort these strange orbs bring onto you feel like oppression or freedom or somewhere in between. 

Did you leave drow society because you are running from the oppressive matriarchy,  a ruling house, spurned lover, Lolth's fanatics, or none of the above?  perhaps the surface world can offer you riches, a new love, a fresh start, fun or something you didn't know you were looking for!  

(note: update now fixed the equipment issues, might rework to just underdark specific)

(still 2014 Version)

Skill Proficiencies: Stealth, plus the one of the following Intimidation, Deception, Persuasion, Acrobatics

Tool Proficiencies: Thieves' tools,  Poisoners kit,  disguise kit, lute, lyre, pan flute or viol.

Languages: Any one of your choice including common sign language

Equipment: One set of traveler’s clothes, Tool or instrument you are proficient in, poorly wrought maps to the surface from your drow city, a small piece of jewelry worth 10 gp in the style of your homeland’s craftsmanship,  house insignia worth 1gp, and a pouch containing 5 gp

Suggested Characteristics

These are the suggested characteristics of a drow who is new to the surface world.

d6	Personality Trait
1	The food on the surface world is strange and I often long for the food of my homeland
2	Even if the beliefs run contrary to my own I still hold faith in Lolth. (or other dark drow god)
3	I prefer the option not mentioned over the ones presented to me.
4	Trust and honor are foolish things, and sometimes I can be foolish.
5	I express affection or contempt in ways that are unfamiliar to others.
6	Flattery is my preferred method to obtaining what I want.

d6	Ideal
1	Open. I have much to learn from the kindly folk I meet along my way. (Good)
2	Reserved. As someone new to these strange lands, I am cautious and respectful in my dealings. (Lawful)
3	Adventure. I’m far from home, and everything is strange and wonderful! (Chaotic)
4	Cunning. Though I may not know their ways, neither do they know mine, which can be to my advantage. (Evil)
5	Inquisitive. Everything is new, but I have a thirst to learn. (Neutral)
6	Suspicious. I must be careful, for I have no way of telling friend from foe here. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	So long as I have this token from my homeland, I can face any adversity in this strange land.
2	I have found faith in a new god and want to learn everything I can about it.
3	I seek to stand out as an example of the drow on the surface.
4	My freedom is my most precious possession. I’ll never let anyone take it from me again.
5	I’m fascinated by the beauty and wonder of this new land.
6	Though I had no choice, I lament having to leave my loved one(s) behind. I hope to see them again one day.

d6	Flaw
1	I tend to ignore those I consider inferior.
2	I am secretly (or not so secretly) convinced of the superiority of the drow over that of this foreign land.
3	I have a weakness for the new intoxicants and other pleasures of this land.
4	I don’t take kindly to some of the actions and motivations of the people of this land, because these folk are different from me.
5	I have a weakness for the exotic beauty of the people of these lands.
6	I cannot trance or sleep unless I am in total darkness.