Newbie Guide

Hello and welcome! This is a collection of short, general entries about all the most important parts of the setting of Tears of the Moon. There's nothing here that isn't found in our more in-depth articles, though, so feel free to skip this and start with those if you're ready to really delve into the setting.

The Drow:

Drow are elves that usually have black skin, white hair, and red eyes (Like Kestali over there), but exceptions are known, such as green eyes, or white hair that is streaked with pale blue. They live underground, and can see in the dark (using something called infravision, or heat vision.) In most settings that make use of them, they are wicked creatures given over to depravity, but some settings, like ours, present a more nuanced view. Here at Tears of the Moon, some drow are evil, and some drow are not. This is largely influenced by the sort of culture they grew up in, so choose where your drow is from carefully.

Most drow in Tears of the Moon dwell in matriarchal nomadic tribes that eke out a hardscrabble existence in the wild tunnels. They are set upon from all sides by monsters and the other races that called the darkness home long before the drow got here. It's a tough life, but most can't find a safe enough place to settle for long enough to build a more permanent home.

Some, though, are lucky, or find favor with a god- or goddess. Enough to buy them the security they need to settle down. These drow build great cities that dominate the deep reaches for miles around.

The Oura’thir:

Oura’thir are large, energetic felines. They stand more than five feet tall at the shoulder and weigh more than 600 pounds, and most of that is muscle.

The presence of an oura’thir is highly valued regardless of what culture they appear among, and are seen as a sign of the gods’ favor. In the Underhollow, they constitute a rare chance to rise above one’s station. In Cissilith, they are seen as just another form of power. In the wandering tribes, an oura’thiris a deeply valued rarity. Even one can mean the difference between starvation and survival for a tribe of nomadic drow.

Wherever they appear, oura’thir bring with them whispers and rumors. Some speculate that their sudden reappearance means that Kestali means to retake her place on the surface soon. Others that their differences from the beasts of legend, together with their random and disorganized dispersal is a sign that Kestali has succumbed to madness.


The Deep Reaches:

Outside the safe regions held by drow cities is a wilderness of tunnels full of hideous danger, referred to collectively as the deep reaches. The mundane dangers of spelunking are bad enough, with the threat of falls and things falling on you, and that's if you don't get lost or drown. But in the world of Underhollow, it gets worse- tribes of hostile goblins, wild animals (always either hungry or territorial), venomous fungi, etc. are rampant. But there are wonders too- relics of ruined civilizations, badly needed resources, rare alchemical components and the like are found out here, though for most the risks far outweigh the rewards.

The Surface:

The surface world is largely a mystery to those who dwell in the deep reaches. No safe route to find it is known, and legends speak of hideous monsters, evil spirits, and wicked peoples that inhabit it. Legend has it that the drow were driven from the surface long ago, finding refuge and safety in the dark. Down here, they have found (and created) a life for themselves.

There are many prophecies about what is called The Return, or the day the drow will return to their rightful place under the moon and stars. But these prophecies number in their thousands, and often contradict each other, so the truth is impossible to discern.

The Underhollow:

The Underhollow itself is a vast cavern claimed by a population of dark elves, or drow, which are ruled by a Council and High Luminary from the City of Embers. The river that runs through the region is the lifeblood of the Underhollow, nourishing the Silverweald and the City of Embers alike.

The Silverweald:

Nobody is quite sure whether the Silverweald is a natural occurrance, or was the result of ancient sorcery. Legend says it is a gift from their goddess Kestali. They know what it is, though: A forest of (mostly) harmless carnivorous trees that fills most of the Underhollow (all of it, except for what's been cleared by the drow for settlements). Most of the forest is deciduous, made up of white-barked trees with luminous leaves that glow various pale shades of blue. These lights attract small insects and midges which are drawn into pockets at the base of the leaves which trap the insects by various methods. These insects, in turn, attract larger things which feed on them, and still larger things that feed on those and so on. There are also small herbivores which subsist on the strange, luminous plants that make up the Silverweald.

City of Embers:

This is the only major city in the Underhollow. It's named for the many braziers and bonfires that keep the city lit and warmed. It is the seat of the highest authority in the Underhollow, the Parliament and the High Luminary.

People and Culture:

The inhabitants of Underhollow are drow elves. Their culture is not evil, but rather deeply pragmatic due to the unforgiving nature of the environment and their dire history. As such, they can come off as very harsh to the point of being cruel. Skin tone varies from dark gray to deep black, occasionally tinted with purple or blue. Hair color is usually very pale but can be any hue, most commonly it is white. Eyes can be any color, but tend to be rich, saturated colors, most commonly some shade of red.

The Underhollow elves are unusual in that they are not matriarchal. They are ruled by a parliament whose members include several males which advises the High Luminary (who at present happens to be female). They live in a semi-strict caste system. It is possible, but very difficult, to elevate oneself out of the caste in which one was born. It is far easier to screw up and fall back into the squalor of the lower ranks, or find oneself imprisoned or exiled.


The Obsidian Warren:

The Obsidian Warren is a labyrinth of once-volcanic tunnels and vents. Most of the tunnels are lined with the black volcanic glass that gives them their name. It's very nearly impossible not to get lost in the twisting corridors, and requires an expert to navigate safely.

The Duskmere:

The Obsidian Warren is home to a great swamp, called the Duskmere, that is fed by the hot springs and geysers that surround the drow city of Cissilith. Much of the water is toxic to elves, being saturated with minerals and metals. A jungle-like growth of fungi and carnivorous plants grows around the springs, surviving on the geological heat and the creatures that live in and around the springs.

Cissilith:

Set in a cavern distant from the Underhollow, this drow culture has followed a... different path. Home to a number of noble houses which compete viciously amongst one another for standing within the city and the favor of their dark goddess, it is a city awash in blood and venom. Recently, the oura' thir have begun to appear here, as well. The blessing is usually misattributed to Ssa, and assumed to be a sign of her favor.

People and Culture:

Like the Underhollow, the inhabitants of the Obsidian Warren are drow elves. Devout worshippers of a serpentine goddess, they are a cold, cruel and truly evil lot. Their society is founded on the backs of slaves, and clandestine murder in the service of ambition is held as a virtue of the highest order. Skin tone varies from dark gray to deep black, occasionally tinted with red or brown. Hair color is usually very pale but can be any hue, most commonly it is white. Eyes are nearly always some shade of red or orange, but occasionally another color might appear.

Unlike the Underhollow, this city is ruled entirely by females. Males are seen as weak; a barely-tolerated nuisance, useful only for reproduction and as fodder for enemy blades.

The city is divided into many noble houses, the chief among which is held to be the most favored in their goddess' serpentine eyes, and are thus allowed to control the Serpent's Font, the only well of clean water in the city. This gives them great power over their sisters. The vast majority of drow in Cissilith are part of such a house, and unless you are born into a house, it is only through great distinction that one can find a place among their ranks. (A oura’thir, should one be lucky enough to warrant the favor of such a beast, is an excellent way to garner positive attention)

Slavery is an accepted and necessary part of the culture, and everyone is fair game. Disgraced or low-born drow, captured goblins, dvergar, and orcs are all subject to the lash.

The Nomad Tribes:

Most drow still live in nomadic tribes roaming the deep reaches, but these are relatively rare in the region of the Underhollow and Cissilith. Most drow that can settle choose to do so, but some continue to favor the wandering life, as they've known no other.

The Deep Reaches:

The nomadic tribes make their homes throughout the deep reaches. They have home territories that can span tens or hundreds of miles of corridors, chasms, and caverns, and they know their territories better than anyone else. Taking on a tribe of nomads on their home turf is not an undertaking for the faint of heart.

Each tribe knows many secrets about the part of the deep reaches they occupy, but they guard such secrets jealously. Often they are the very resources they use to feed and clothe themselves, or to trade with other tribes or cities.

The Cities:

The nomads are aware of either Cissilith or the City of Embers, but their territories do not range so widely that any one tribe would be aware of both at the present time. Cissilith does not welcome visitors unless they come bearing something of extraordinary value, but the City of Embers is open to trade and often accepts nomads who wish to leave the wandering life behind.

People and Culture:

The nomad tribes are a varied lot, each having formed their own traditions and mores over the centuries spent roaming the deep reaches. Most, however, follow a roughly similar structure. Between three and ten families will band together for mutual protection and safety, usually with one older or particularly skilled member in charge. This leader (the title of which varies widely between tribes) is usually female.

Once formed into a tribe, they roam together throughout their territory, each member expected to do their share of work. Those with a talent for the arts of war serve as hunters and soldiers, while those with more domestic skills serve as crafters, cooks, etc. Each tribe is as self-sufficient as they possibly can be, as opportunities to trade with outsiders for goods they can't find or make is rare. Food and clothing and shelter are all made from what they can find, but everything is portable, and nothing is wasted.

Some tribes may form alliances with other tribes, the networks of which can form quite large nations across the tunnels of the deep reaches.