Introduction
Welcome to the Underdark,
abbilen. Oh, pardon. Here I go using my native tongue again instead of Common. Well, we use both here frequently, since it's the language we share with our half-demon equals and our Duergar .... counterparts. For those of you who do not know my native tongue, I forgot to add, that we do have access to a magical translation device, found
here. Keep in mind that in the Underdark, it isn't necessary to use the Drow tongue at all. However, do keep in mind that our society is a bit... different.
First off, our ... family groupings are known as Houses. Some individuals are not even related by blood, and could be more easily compared to Estates of your dukes or lords, what-have-you above the surface. The rankings of individuals within a House are as follows:
1. A ruling Matron Mother.
2. The Matron’s first daughter.
3. Any daughters in birth order that are in training to become priestesses, or are priestesses.
4. Any daughters in birth order not in training.
5. Any priestesses not of the same family.
6. The Elderboy, first son of the Matron.
7. The Secondboy, the Matron’s second son. The third son born is sacrificed to Lloth at birth, unless one of the first two sons die before he is born.
8. The Patron, the Matron’s current lover.
9. The House Mage, if none of the sons has taken the position.
10. The Weapons Master or Trainer. Also a position that can be taken by a son.
11. Any warriors and mages.
12. Any slaves or workers.
Currently, to the city I am taking you to, there are naught eleven Houses total. They can be ranked in number as well, though this is not an official way, nor do Drow actually think of their House in a numeric sense. The power of a House is measured not only by the monetary wealth it has amassed, but also by the number of slaves, warriors, and mages as well as the size of the family itself. House ranking can also be improved by an eradication. This kind of task is dangerous, however, as it can make as many 'friends' as it can enemies.
Oh, I forgot to note. The ruling Matron Mother over the highest House is known as the Grand Matron, the head of the ruling Council of Matrons.
Speaking of House annihilation, it happens quite frequently, though in this city, it has become somewhat... stagnant. Let me describe to you, perhaps, that which occurs when a new House is created and how the lust for power is sated...
"A strong female priestess with no hope of gaining status in her own mother’s house will sometimes strike out on her own and form a family.
Thus begins the creation of a new House. She will struggle and gather to herself a patron, warriors, mages and slaves. As her family grows, she will fight to maintain her good graces with Lloth. This includes sacrificing her third son to the Goddess and sending her female children into Lloth’s service. The growth and wealth of her house are a direct reflection of her own standing and power within the society.
The new Matron rules with an iron hand; in her house she is judge, jury, and the executioner. All members in the house are expected to further the house’s position. Those that do not follow her wishes are quickly eliminated. She will do everything in her power to turn that elimination into an action seen favorably by her Goddess.
In time, if she is strong and cruel enough, her house will grow. The mages will set about creating a house of beauty for her. Using spells and mage lights as art, they will visually show the rest of the underdark the power and wealth the house carries. The more powerful the house, the larger and grander the visual looks of the house becomes.
The Nobility lives separately from the rest of the house. Often an area only accessible by those with the ability to levitate, or available by the use of rune spells will be created. This effectively distinguishes and separates the Nobility from the lesser house members.
Coveting the position of the houses above her, the Matron will pray, plan, and scheme to further her house. Covertly she will investigate all opposing houses, looking for weaknesses to exploit. When a weakness is found, she may spend years gathering resources and information, covering every base she can think of before finally making her move. Failure in an attempt to take another house’s position means she herself and everything she has worked for will be eliminated with no trace of their existence left.
The attack will happen swiftly with no warning. The first order of such business would be to drop darkness spells around the area. The rest of the underdark may “know” who is making the attack, but it is never spoken. It is considered barbaric if drow battles drow openly in the city, and with “hard proof” of such an attack, the city council’s forces will destroy the violators. Although everyone may know that an attack is occurring and who the attacker is, it is understood that as long as battle is not visible, it isn't occurring, for there is no visible proof. Eliminating every member of the nobility relates to this--only if there are no surviving nobles is there the removal of hard proof of the attacker's identity.
Quickly, the fighters will overcome the walls, while the Matron and her priestesses launch a “psychic magical attack” upon the Matron and priestesses of the targeted house. All nobility of the assaulted house is exterminated down to the last child hiding in a corner. There are no witnesses of the nobility left alive to point fingers at them. Leaving any behind would result in the annihilation of the attacking house. Lastly, slaves and rothe are rounded up and brought back, thus adding to the wealth and power of the House.
When successful, such an attack will move her House up the ladder one position, thus moving the Matron closer to her Goddess."
(http://www.grey-company.org/Maerdyn/resources/houses.html)
