I'd like to open a discussion about the new "Drow" lore that's being introduced. For those not aware, on the D&D page for The Legend of Drizzt, and in more details in that Dragon+ article, two new societies of "Drow" have been introduced: the Aevendrow — or Starlight Elves, and the Lorendrow — or Greenshadow Elves.
Those "Drow", unlike your typical Drow don't live in the Underdark but on the surface, respectively in the far North and South. Not only that but — at least as far as I understood it — they never went underground in the first place. Those "Drow" also don't worship Lolth either, and possibly never did.
According to the Dragon+ article, there are now — and always were — at least three Drow societies ("There are whole societies of drow that did not follow Lolth into the Underdark. Two such groups are the ‘aevendrow’ and the ‘lorendrow’, or the starlight elves and the greenshadow elves respectively." ) and the one with are familiar with, the Lolth worshipping Drow from Menzoberrazan (and seemingly only Menzoberrazan) — now named Udadrow — are but a splinter group, cut off from the rest of the "Drow" ("The spider-inspired ‘udadrow’ expression of the drow elves that D&D fans currently know is based on Lolth’s influence over a pocket of elves who became isolationist, cutting themselves off from the rest of drow culture" ).
As far as I'm concerned, and I freely admit that information are so fare sparse so we can't yet say of well though out these new ideas are, I see that change as a lazy excuse to justify having more "good" Drow in D&D. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the idea of a "good" Drow. In my opinion Drow aren't "evil" by nature, it's their society that breeds the typical "evil" Drow we know, suppressing or down right killing the "good" ones that grow up in this society. But having the "evil" Drow being only an isolationistsplinter group from the rest of the Drow... No.
From what I've seen and understood, the Lore was already opening up to having more "good" Drow, especially with the cult of Eilistraee, a Drow Goddess who seeks to liberate the Drow from Lolth embrace and redeem them. If WotC wants to had new factions of "good" Drow, I think the Eilistraee route is a far superior one, having an actual splinter group breaking apart from main Drow society and perhaps having a Civil War storyline. But simply adding new "Drow" societies that have always been there but so hidden no one knew they even existed to easily get more "good" Drow... it just feel lazy.
But what are your thoughts on those changes and those new "Drow" societies they're introducing?
I totally agree. Besides, what is the culture and feel of Drow if they’re not influenced by (and, for player characters, rebelling against) a spider-loving, slave-taking, cruel underground society? What even makes them Drow? Is it just an excuse to have a cool black-and-white elf look? Because I think understanding a character’s culture and how they conform to or rebel against it is the most interesting part of fantasy races. Otherwise, everyone is just a fancy looking human.
I imagine this is to be part of the plotline for the video game (by the way, is its story even by the same author as the Drizzt books?). Regardless, it’s pretty dumb.
I imagine this is to be part of the plotline for the video game (by the way, is its story even by the same author as the Drizzt books?). Regardless, it’s pretty dumb.
From what I gathered from this Interview with Bob Salvatore, he was collaborate with the team that made the game but he doesn't seems to be behind the story. As for the new "Drow" it seems the probably won't be in the game but will definitively feature in his new book that releases this august.
If they can supply a compelling reason for this “isolationist” culture, I could get behind the concept.
After all, the bulk of the mortal races still view the Drow in a negative light, specifically because Menzobarrenzen are so active in their surface raids...the absence of two, less violent sub-cultures of Drow does nothing to lessen the grim reputation of the dark elves.
Having said that, the reasons for these two sub-cultures would need to provide a decent lore-context for their absence all this time.
This is a tall order...but it is also a fun, creative opportunity.
Greenshadow Elves seems self-explanatory enough...they must protect nature, and are so deeply attuned to protecting their territory, they do not wander from it, thus most races have not seen them. Perhaps they are so effective at remaining hidden / fighting from ambush, no one has managed to connect the dots that they are Drow, and not simply a faction of wood Elves.
I could find it interesting if instead of their racial “Faerie Fire”, they get “Pass Without Trace”. I could see that.
The Starlight Drow pique my curiosity, particularly in their northern setting...it implies they have a spiritual connection to heavenly bodies, perhaps interpreting constellations for divination or prophecy.
That makes me think that their subculture is more influenced by magic...which I like. I like magic.
Inside the game of D&D, Drizzt would have been hunted down by other Drow and assassinated as a heretic. The end.
There is only one kind of Drow. They are xenophobic, and worship an evil goddess. That is how it has been for 45 years of D&D, and no revisionist history is changing that now.
I do agree that two hidden "Drow" societies could be pulled off. But beside them staying out of everyone's sight for thousands of year, you'd also have to explain how can they be "Drow" when Drow are specifically the elves that followed Lolth and went into the Underdark. Other kind of Dark Elves sure, but Drow :/
Also by "staying out of everyone's sight" I mean everyone, Lolth included. Because I don't see her taking kindly to large bunch of Drow leaving their own life outside her influence. At the very least you'd think she'd notice her Priestesses and put them on top of the To Kill Elf list.
I honestly don't mind that their could be two hidden Drow Societies.
My biggest gripe that they emphasize that there are always good drow. It's like, of course there have always been good drow. Eilistraee exists.
But if there a drow who wants to be good, there are also drow who want to stay evil. Which, with how lolth's society works, and the power they get because of the rules of lolth; the most devoted followers, will not want to keep that power.
The vast majority of drow, are evil! Good Drow are the minority, and that's the point of the drow.
I think the two new Drow enclaves allows an "I am Spartacus" moment for all Drizzt wannabes. Now there's more of lore reason for there to be so many good Drow. Otherwise Menzo would just be a dysfunctional city of subversives given the number of good guy Drow in the Drizzt mold. I jest, but for more serious insight.
I imagine this is to be part of the plotline for the video game (by the way, is its story even by the same author as the Drizzt books?). Regardless, it’s pretty dumb.
From what I gathered from this Interview with Bob Salvatore, he was collaborate with the team that made the game but he doesn't seems to be behind the story. As for the new "Drow" it seems the probably won't be in the game but will definitively feature in his new book that releases this august.
Yes the book is called Starlight Enclave which is Common translation of one of the two "good Drow" communities.
I think maybe see if Salvatore is able to thread the needle on this. I mean if Forgotten Realms canon has the Drow leader of a Drow mercenary band also running while disguised as a human one of the major power brokers of Luskan (his ship being the biggest of the five), I don't see this beyond the pale for typical forgotten realms expansive antics, the Drow were never any more sacred than any other aspect.
I honestly don't mind that their could be two hidden Drow Societies.
My biggest gripe that they emphasize that there are always good drow. It's like, of course there have always been good drow. Eilistraee exists.
But if there a drow who wants to be good, there are also drow who want to stay evil. Which, with how lolth's society works, and the power they get because of the rules of lolth; the most devoted followers, will not want to keep that power.
The vast majority of drow, are evil! Good Drow are the minority, and that's the point of the drow.
Sorry I didnt mean going on an incoherent rant.
So it's unclear whether two new Drow societies who are 'good guys' will mean two out of three Drow are "good guys" going forward. Maybe these enclaves are dwarfed by Menzo. Or maybe what the Menzo Drow have been conditioned to believe through the dominion of Lloth isn't exactly true; but since it's the perspective most other mortals have had of the Drow, it had been presumed to be universal? Maybe they actually do work with continuity and Ellistrae has some fit into this new structure?
I think it's probably better to actually see what the products ultimate say and relate to prior precedent before we judge.
I totally agree. Besides, what is the culture and feel of Drow if they’re not influenced by (and, for player characters, rebelling against) a spider-loving, slave-taking, cruel underground society? What even makes them Drow? Is it just an excuse to have a cool black-and-white elf look? Because I think understanding a character’s culture and how they conform to or rebel against it is the most interesting part of fantasy races. Otherwise, everyone is just a fancy looking human.
I imagine this is to be part of the plotline for the video game (by the way, is its story even by the same author as the Drizzt books?). Regardless, it’s pretty dumb.
You can take a concept and extend it. The new draw are still kind of dark and edgy, even though they're not evil. They're associated with night and dark shadowy woods.
You can still play "classic drow". No one's taking that away from you.
What is wrong with expanding lore to include new things and ideas? A more complex world with less things taken as certainties can only make it more believable. The fear of change that some people seem to live with is kinda weird.
What is wrong with expanding lore to include new things and ideas? A more complex world with less things taken as certainties can only make it more believable. The fear of change that some people seem to live with is kinda weird.
It's not so much about "fear of change" but changes that seemingly (true, we don't yet know how all of this will unfold) retcons Drow culture. Adding two new Drow cities with different societies that the main one we know is one thing, but what's been revealed so far strongly implies that their societies have existed, hidden from everyone since basically the Descent of the Drow to the Underdark - and that's a tough pill to swallow.
To echo what I've seen on other forums, "good" Drow are a thing for a long time (and not just Drizzt). Chief among them are the Drow following Eilistraee. And with R.A. Salvatore track record, I seems unlikely she's gonna fit into those new societies (though, once again, we don't know yet).
One other thing is that, from what the Dragon+ article seem to say, Menzoberrazan seems to be the only "evil" Drow city in the Underdark, while in Lore there are many others (once again, from his track record RAS doesn't seem to expend much the Drow outside Menzo).
I'm not saying change is bad, and regardless it's always subjective, but though I appreciate having more "good" Drow, seemingly more the "evil" ones but a splinter group amongst their people goes against what Drow always were. How can they be that big threat that everyone feared for so long when they only were a splinter group of Drow?
I honestly don't mind that their could be two hidden Drow Societies.
My biggest gripe that they emphasize that there are always good drow. It's like, of course there have always been good drow. Eilistraee exists.
But if there a drow who wants to be good, there are also drow who want to stay evil. Which, with how lolth's society works, and the power they get because of the rules of lolth; the most devoted followers, will not want to keep that power.
The vast majority of drow, are evil! Good Drow are the minority, and that's the point of the drow.
Sorry I didnt mean going on an incoherent rant.
So it's unclear whether two new Drow societies who are 'good guys' will mean two out of three Drow are "good guys" going forward. Maybe these enclaves are dwarfed by Menzo. Or maybe what the Menzo Drow have been conditioned to believe through the dominion of Lloth isn't exactly true; but since it's the perspective most other mortals have had of the Drow, it had been presumed to be universal? Maybe they actually do work with continuity and Ellistrae has some fit into this new structure?
I think it's probably better to actually see what the products ultimate say and relate to prior precedent before we judge.
I will agree with your argument there. It is possible to theorize that Eilistraee has some part to play in these new Drow Enclaves appearing, because we do not fully know what the plan is.
And again I dont mind about the new drow Enclaves, but if these new drow are primarily good, it kinda ruins th appeal of the underdog that a good aligned drow brings.
Now if they turn out to be more chaotic neutral, that might sell it for me. Like they don't anything to do with any of the drow deities, and just want to live in peace. That would be interesting.
Well the fact that the Realms has centuries if not millennia of lore about Menzo and not these enclaves, I imagine they probably hold a fairly isolationist stance, or at least have held to date. Since one seems to be based "at the top of the world" and the other in deep Forrests. As far as "primarily good" Drow, again that can't be known until we learn about the scope of these "enclaves", enclave usually implies a sort of space carved out for a minority or set apart group or interest.
I don't have a big stake in the nature of the Drow. Menzo isn't really discussed in my game, and I pretty much ignore the Brenda'tarth or whatever it's called presence Luskan and I guess the rest of the Sword Coast. That said, if anyone watches Seth Skorkowsky, coincidentally his last week vid on "the untold origin of the beholder" has a funny riff on the Old School look of AD&D Drow. Aggressive widow's peaks and power 'staches were mentioned.
Ultimately? It's a harmless change that people are free to ignore if they wish and it isn't worth getting upset over. Not having a dark-skinned race of elves classified as being entirely evil can make a huge difference in somebody's willingness to play D&D.
I've always looked at Drow as the Underdark elves. Having some new secret undiscovered Elven societies frankly seems a bit random/shoe-horned in - but mostly - I don't see how they are specifically Drow? Unless they are simply also Dawn Age Descendants of the Ilythiir before the descend.... But then they are just sort of also descendants from the dark elves?
There's lots of space if Faerun, so no specific issue with it from that perspective - but kinda wish some of the existing lore would be better fleshed out before adding new (6e?) content.
I've always looked at Drow as the Underdark elves. Having some new secret undiscovered Elven societies frankly seems a bit random/shoe-horned in - but mostly - I don't see how they are specifically Drow? Unless they are simply also Dawn Age Descendants of the Ilythiir before the descend.... But then they are just sort of also descendants from the dark elves?
I agree. Having new types of elves is fine (although there's still the issue of being here thousands of years without anyone knowing) but why Drow? At best they could be Dark Elves, as in the original kind (or a least related) and not the Dark Elves that were cast down and followed Lolth.
Ultimately? It's a harmless change that people are free to ignore if they wish and it isn't worth getting upset over. Not having a dark-skinned race of elves classified as being entirely evil can make a huge difference in somebody's willingness to play D&D.
Honestly if people don't wanna play D&D just because there's a "dark-skinned" race of elves that widely regarded as evil, I'm sorry but that dumb.
As for being harmless change, maybe (since we don't yet fully known what's going on) but also it depends on how much you care about Drow. There's decade of Drow lore and also it's not always the most consistent (like anything D&D and Forgotten Realm related) justify a large amount of "good" Drow by spawning entire hidden societies out of the aether is lazy and disrespectful for the work of authors that have paved the for a greater Drow diversity before that.
Ultimately? It's a harmless change that people are free to ignore if they wish and it isn't worth getting upset over. Not having a dark-skinned race of elves classified as being entirely evil can make a huge difference in somebody's willingness to play D&D.
Honestly if people don't wanna play D&D just because there's a "dark-skinned" race of elves that widely regarded as evil, I'm sorry but that dumb.
It's very easy to have that viewpoint when you're not the one the negative stereotype is affecting.
I've always looked at Drow as the Underdark elves. Having some new secret undiscovered Elven societies frankly seems a bit random/shoe-horned in - but mostly - I don't see how they are specifically Drow? Unless they are simply also Dawn Age Descendants of the Ilythiir before the descend.... But then they are just sort of also descendants from the dark elves?
I agree. Having new types of elves is fine (although there's still the issue of being here thousands of years without anyone knowing) but why Drow? At best they could be Dark Elves, as in the original kind (or a least related) and not the Dark Elves that were cast down and followed Lolth.
Because it's the summer of Drizzt, not the summer of Elves. Honestly, when I heard the description of the tree drow or whatever they're called, my initial response was "So Wood Elves, but Drow." The star enclave Drow have me thinking "ice elves, which aren't in 5e, but Drow." But the video game brings attention to Drizzt, and by extension the Drow, so to tie into the game they've opted to expand and/or revise their Drow, possibly as a way to contend with some criticism of locking the Drow as largely "essentially evil" so creating two new Drow enclaves into FR lore, one, you get possible player options and at least two new possibly nifty places to explore and two, maybe the Drizzt drama can finally develop in a new direction with him having found "his people" or at least kin who are sympathetic with his rejection of his culture of origin. I don't believe R.A. Salvatore did this on his own, though he did kill Chewbacca, I'm guessing this was a sort of "writers room" decision to expand the Drow and again hopefully he threads the needle for those invested in present Drow precedent. I don't think it's a huge stretch, as I've indicated in this thread, that maybe the account of the Drow loyal to Lloth and the Seldarine confirmation of that account from their point of view isn't necessarily entirely true. One's imagination could make space for an element of elves who didn't follow Lloth, but also didn't remain with Corellon, and instead went in two different directions, remaining quiet at least to the FR as we've known them so far. Maybe Ellistrae has been the patron of these enclaves for quite some time (I mean starlight and moonlight, as well as the perspective of the forrest seem to make these enclaves very Ellistrae appropriate). So rather than outright rejecting precedent, it makes the Drow something more than the photographic negatives of elves (with aggressive widows peaks and power 'staches) they grew out of from original lore and art direction. Change and expansion sometimes enriches. What I'm saying is, maybe they'll get it right.
Hello there,
I'd like to open a discussion about the new "Drow" lore that's being introduced. For those not aware, on the D&D page for The Legend of Drizzt, and in more details in that Dragon+ article, two new societies of "Drow" have been introduced: the Aevendrow — or Starlight Elves, and the Lorendrow — or Greenshadow Elves.
Those "Drow", unlike your typical Drow don't live in the Underdark but on the surface, respectively in the far North and South. Not only that but — at least as far as I understood it — they never went underground in the first place. Those "Drow" also don't worship Lolth either, and possibly never did.
According to the Dragon+ article, there are now — and always were — at least three Drow societies ("There are whole societies of drow that did not follow Lolth into the Underdark. Two such groups are the ‘aevendrow’ and the ‘lorendrow’, or the starlight elves and the greenshadow elves respectively." ) and the one with are familiar with, the Lolth worshipping Drow from Menzoberrazan (and seemingly only Menzoberrazan) — now named Udadrow — are but a splinter group, cut off from the rest of the "Drow" ("The spider-inspired ‘udadrow’ expression of the drow elves that D&D fans currently know is based on Lolth’s influence over a pocket of elves who became isolationist, cutting themselves off from the rest of drow culture" ).
As far as I'm concerned, and I freely admit that information are so fare sparse so we can't yet say of well though out these new ideas are, I see that change as a lazy excuse to justify having more "good" Drow in D&D. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the idea of a "good" Drow. In my opinion Drow aren't "evil" by nature, it's their society that breeds the typical "evil" Drow we know, suppressing or down right killing the "good" ones that grow up in this society. But having the "evil" Drow being only an isolationist splinter group from the rest of the Drow... No.
From what I've seen and understood, the Lore was already opening up to having more "good" Drow, especially with the cult of Eilistraee, a Drow Goddess who seeks to liberate the Drow from Lolth embrace and redeem them. If WotC wants to had new factions of "good" Drow, I think the Eilistraee route is a far superior one, having an actual splinter group breaking apart from main Drow society and perhaps having a Civil War storyline. But simply adding new "Drow" societies that have always been there but so hidden no one knew they even existed to easily get more "good" Drow... it just feel lazy.
But what are your thoughts on those changes and those new "Drow" societies they're introducing?
I totally agree. Besides, what is the culture and feel of Drow if they’re not influenced by (and, for player characters, rebelling against) a spider-loving, slave-taking, cruel underground society? What even makes them Drow? Is it just an excuse to have a cool black-and-white elf look? Because I think understanding a character’s culture and how they conform to or rebel against it is the most interesting part of fantasy races. Otherwise, everyone is just a fancy looking human.
I imagine this is to be part of the plotline for the video game (by the way, is its story even by the same author as the Drizzt books?). Regardless, it’s pretty dumb.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
From what I gathered from this Interview with Bob Salvatore, he was collaborate with the team that made the game but he doesn't seems to be behind the story. As for the new "Drow" it seems the probably won't be in the game but will definitively feature in his new book that releases this august.
Lolth’s Advocate:
If they can supply a compelling reason for this “isolationist” culture, I could get behind the concept.
After all, the bulk of the mortal races still view the Drow in a negative light, specifically because Menzobarrenzen are so active in their surface raids...the absence of two, less violent sub-cultures of Drow does nothing to lessen the grim reputation of the dark elves.
Having said that, the reasons for these two sub-cultures would need to provide a decent lore-context for their absence all this time.
This is a tall order...but it is also a fun, creative opportunity.
Greenshadow Elves seems self-explanatory enough...they must protect nature, and are so deeply attuned to protecting their territory, they do not wander from it, thus most races have not seen them. Perhaps they are so effective at remaining hidden / fighting from ambush, no one has managed to connect the dots that they are Drow, and not simply a faction of wood Elves.
I could find it interesting if instead of their racial “Faerie Fire”, they get “Pass Without Trace”. I could see that.
The Starlight Drow pique my curiosity, particularly in their northern setting...it implies they have a spiritual connection to heavenly bodies, perhaps interpreting constellations for divination or prophecy.
That makes me think that their subculture is more influenced by magic...which I like. I like magic.
So...I’m curious to see where this leads.
Inside the game of D&D, Drizzt would have been hunted down by other Drow and assassinated as a heretic. The end.
There is only one kind of Drow. They are xenophobic, and worship an evil goddess. That is how it has been for 45 years of D&D, and no revisionist history is changing that now.
I do agree that two hidden "Drow" societies could be pulled off. But beside them staying out of everyone's sight for thousands of year, you'd also have to explain how can they be "Drow" when Drow are specifically the elves that followed Lolth and went into the Underdark. Other kind of Dark Elves sure, but Drow :/
Also by "staying out of everyone's sight" I mean everyone, Lolth included. Because I don't see her taking kindly to large bunch of Drow leaving their own life outside her influence. At the very least you'd think she'd notice her Priestesses and put them on top of the To Kill Elf list.
I honestly don't mind that their could be two hidden Drow Societies.
My biggest gripe that they emphasize that there are always good drow. It's like, of course there have always been good drow. Eilistraee exists.
But if there a drow who wants to be good, there are also drow who want to stay evil. Which, with how lolth's society works, and the power they get because of the rules of lolth; the most devoted followers, will not want to keep that power.
The vast majority of drow, are evil! Good Drow are the minority, and that's the point of the drow.
Sorry I didnt mean going on an incoherent rant.
I think the two new Drow enclaves allows an "I am Spartacus" moment for all Drizzt wannabes. Now there's more of lore reason for there to be so many good Drow. Otherwise Menzo would just be a dysfunctional city of subversives given the number of good guy Drow in the Drizzt mold. I jest, but for more serious insight.
Yes the book is called Starlight Enclave which is Common translation of one of the two "good Drow" communities.
I think maybe see if Salvatore is able to thread the needle on this. I mean if Forgotten Realms canon has the Drow leader of a Drow mercenary band also running while disguised as a human one of the major power brokers of Luskan (his ship being the biggest of the five), I don't see this beyond the pale for typical forgotten realms expansive antics, the Drow were never any more sacred than any other aspect.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
So it's unclear whether two new Drow societies who are 'good guys' will mean two out of three Drow are "good guys" going forward. Maybe these enclaves are dwarfed by Menzo. Or maybe what the Menzo Drow have been conditioned to believe through the dominion of Lloth isn't exactly true; but since it's the perspective most other mortals have had of the Drow, it had been presumed to be universal? Maybe they actually do work with continuity and Ellistrae has some fit into this new structure?
I think it's probably better to actually see what the products ultimate say and relate to prior precedent before we judge.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
You can take a concept and extend it. The new draw are still kind of dark and edgy, even though they're not evil. They're associated with night and dark shadowy woods.
You can still play "classic drow". No one's taking that away from you.
What is wrong with expanding lore to include new things and ideas? A more complex world with less things taken as certainties can only make it more believable. The fear of change that some people seem to live with is kinda weird.
It's not so much about "fear of change" but changes that seemingly (true, we don't yet know how all of this will unfold) retcons Drow culture. Adding two new Drow cities with different societies that the main one we know is one thing, but what's been revealed so far strongly implies that their societies have existed, hidden from everyone since basically the Descent of the Drow to the Underdark - and that's a tough pill to swallow.
To echo what I've seen on other forums, "good" Drow are a thing for a long time (and not just Drizzt). Chief among them are the Drow following Eilistraee. And with R.A. Salvatore track record, I seems unlikely she's gonna fit into those new societies (though, once again, we don't know yet).
One other thing is that, from what the Dragon+ article seem to say, Menzoberrazan seems to be the only "evil" Drow city in the Underdark, while in Lore there are many others (once again, from his track record RAS doesn't seem to expend much the Drow outside Menzo).
I'm not saying change is bad, and regardless it's always subjective, but though I appreciate having more "good" Drow, seemingly more the "evil" ones but a splinter group amongst their people goes against what Drow always were. How can they be that big threat that everyone feared for so long when they only were a splinter group of Drow?
I will agree with your argument there. It is possible to theorize that Eilistraee has some part to play in these new Drow Enclaves appearing, because we do not fully know what the plan is.
And again I dont mind about the new drow Enclaves, but if these new drow are primarily good, it kinda ruins th appeal of the underdog that a good aligned drow brings.
Now if they turn out to be more chaotic neutral, that might sell it for me. Like they don't anything to do with any of the drow deities, and just want to live in peace. That would be interesting.
Well the fact that the Realms has centuries if not millennia of lore about Menzo and not these enclaves, I imagine they probably hold a fairly isolationist stance, or at least have held to date. Since one seems to be based "at the top of the world" and the other in deep Forrests. As far as "primarily good" Drow, again that can't be known until we learn about the scope of these "enclaves", enclave usually implies a sort of space carved out for a minority or set apart group or interest.
I don't have a big stake in the nature of the Drow. Menzo isn't really discussed in my game, and I pretty much ignore the Brenda'tarth or whatever it's called presence Luskan and I guess the rest of the Sword Coast. That said, if anyone watches Seth Skorkowsky, coincidentally his last week vid on "the untold origin of the beholder" has a funny riff on the Old School look of AD&D Drow. Aggressive widow's peaks and power 'staches were mentioned.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Ultimately? It's a harmless change that people are free to ignore if they wish and it isn't worth getting upset over. Not having a dark-skinned race of elves classified as being entirely evil can make a huge difference in somebody's willingness to play D&D.
I've always looked at Drow as the Underdark elves. Having some new secret undiscovered Elven societies frankly seems a bit random/shoe-horned in - but mostly - I don't see how they are specifically Drow? Unless they are simply also Dawn Age Descendants of the Ilythiir before the descend.... But then they are just sort of also descendants from the dark elves?
There's lots of space if Faerun, so no specific issue with it from that perspective - but kinda wish some of the existing lore would be better fleshed out before adding new (6e?) content.
I agree. Having new types of elves is fine (although there's still the issue of being here thousands of years without anyone knowing) but why Drow? At best they could be Dark Elves, as in the original kind (or a least related) and not the Dark Elves that were cast down and followed Lolth.
Honestly if people don't wanna play D&D just because there's a "dark-skinned" race of elves that widely regarded as evil, I'm sorry but that dumb.
As for being harmless change, maybe (since we don't yet fully known what's going on) but also it depends on how much you care about Drow. There's decade of Drow lore and also it's not always the most consistent (like anything D&D and Forgotten Realm related) justify a large amount of "good" Drow by spawning entire hidden societies out of the aether is lazy and disrespectful for the work of authors that have paved the for a greater Drow diversity before that.
It's very easy to have that viewpoint when you're not the one the negative stereotype is affecting.
Because it's the summer of Drizzt, not the summer of Elves. Honestly, when I heard the description of the tree drow or whatever they're called, my initial response was "So Wood Elves, but Drow." The star enclave Drow have me thinking "ice elves, which aren't in 5e, but Drow." But the video game brings attention to Drizzt, and by extension the Drow, so to tie into the game they've opted to expand and/or revise their Drow, possibly as a way to contend with some criticism of locking the Drow as largely "essentially evil" so creating two new Drow enclaves into FR lore, one, you get possible player options and at least two new possibly nifty places to explore and two, maybe the Drizzt drama can finally develop in a new direction with him having found "his people" or at least kin who are sympathetic with his rejection of his culture of origin. I don't believe R.A. Salvatore did this on his own, though he did kill Chewbacca, I'm guessing this was a sort of "writers room" decision to expand the Drow and again hopefully he threads the needle for those invested in present Drow precedent. I don't think it's a huge stretch, as I've indicated in this thread, that maybe the account of the Drow loyal to Lloth and the Seldarine confirmation of that account from their point of view isn't necessarily entirely true. One's imagination could make space for an element of elves who didn't follow Lloth, but also didn't remain with Corellon, and instead went in two different directions, remaining quiet at least to the FR as we've known them so far. Maybe Ellistrae has been the patron of these enclaves for quite some time (I mean starlight and moonlight, as well as the perspective of the forrest seem to make these enclaves very Ellistrae appropriate). So rather than outright rejecting precedent, it makes the Drow something more than the photographic negatives of elves (with aggressive widows peaks and power 'staches) they grew out of from original lore and art direction. Change and expansion sometimes enriches. What I'm saying is, maybe they'll get it right.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.