Races - Part Two

Dark Creepers

Dark creepers, and the closely related governing sub-race known as dark stalkers, are chaotic neutral humanoids. They live in small villages throughout the upper and middle Underdark, south of the Sea of Fallen Stars and east of the Shining Sea. Dark creepers are believed to subsist, by consuming magic, and may draw their nourishment in part from the pockets of radiation found throughout the Underdark. Given that the Drow and other powerful races compete for control of such sites, it is no wonder that dark creepers are more a nuisance than a threat. However, their penchant for acquiring small magical items is the bane of many inveterate explorers.

Derro

The derro are a degenerate chaotic evil race, least like the other dwarven races and sub-races. They are short and stocky, with skin the colour of an iced-over lake. Their sickly, pale yellow hair hangs straight over staring, pupilless eyes. Derro facial features have both human and dwarven characteristics, and their rough skin is spotted with short, coarse tufts of hair. Derro never willingly expose themselves to direct sunlight. It nauseates them and can kill them in a matter of days. The primary deities of the derro are the twins Diinkarazan and Diirinka.

Derro dwell primarily in the middle and lower reaches of the Underdark, although small war bands sometimes climb to the upper reaches or even raid surface communities. Although most of the Stout Folk are inherently non-magical, Savants, powerful spellcasters, rule the derro with sage-life knowledge in many areas. Every twenty years or so, the derro mount an all-out war against other creatures of the Underdark. Each Uniting War winnows out the weakest members of the race, creates a focal point for racial identity, and includes general terror.

Dire Corbies

Dire corbies are huge, black, bipedal birds common in the southern reaches of the upper Underdark. Believed to have descended from the avian creator race that also spawned the aarakocra, these neutral evil subterranean birdmen were driven nearly to extinction in a centuries-long war with giant bats.

Dopplegangers

Although most commonly found in the Lands of Light, small groups of these neutral shapeshifters are found throughout the Realms Below, acting as parasites on more powerful Underdark races.

Greater dopplegangers, neutral evil kin of their lesser brethren, live primarily in the north-western Underdark in the vicinity of Waterdeep, although it is not known if there is a link between the subspecies and the City of Splendors.

Dragons

The magnificent wyrms who soar through the skies of Faerun are also found in the tunnels beneath, particularly in the upper Underdark. Deep dragons, sapphire dragons, and shadow dragons are the most commonly encountered breeds, but black dragons, bronze dragons, gold dragons, mist dragons, white dragons, and rarer breeds also turn up. Deep dragons are most commonly encountered in the upper and middle Underdark near Drow cities. Sapphire dragons are most often encountered in the middle Underdark, far from the enclaves of other dragons, aboleth, Drow, dwarves and illithids, all of whom they fiercely fight for territory. Shadow dragons are most often encountered in the deepest reaches of the lower Underdark, where ties to the Demiplane of Shadow are strongest.

More then one dracolich created by the Cult of the Dragon has retreated into the Underdark to escape it’s masters, and the followers of the Scaly Way have begun to approach deep-dwelling wyrms with word of Sammaster’s teachings.

Duergar

The lawful evil duergar, also know as ‘grey dwarves’ appear to be emaciated, nasty-looking dwarves with complexions and hair ranging from medium to dark dray. In addition to the normal abilities of the Stout Folk, the duergar are skilled psionisists and posses magical abilities of enlargement and invisibility. Duergar are adversely affected by sunlight. The primary deities of the duergar are Laduguer the Exile and Deep Duerra.

Duergar dwell primarily in the upper and middle reaches of the Underdark, although some believe scattered clans have ventured into the Underdarks’s deepest tunnels. The duergar are the bitter exiles of the dwarven race, sharing much of the shield and gold dwarf cultures, overlaid with harshness and cruelty. They hate most other races, but grudgingly trade with them. While the gray dwarves and dark elves often fight, the two races are regular, if reluctant, trading partners. Likewise, duergar skill in psionics enables the gray dwarves to hold their own, and thus trade, with both aboleth and illithids.

Dwarves

Dwarves, also known as Stout Folk, are found both above and below the surface. Dwarves are relatively short compared to humans, but very stocky and muscular. They have ruddy cheeks, bright eyes, and deep tan or light brown skin. Their hair is usually black, grey or brown, and worn long, and all dwarves, both male and female, prize their long and carefully groomed beards and moustaches. Dwarves are a highly non-magical race, resistant to toxic substances and magical dweomers. The stout folk are gifted with infravision and natural instincts regarding construction. Most dwarves are skilled warriors, versed in combat against common foes, including goblinoids, orcs, ogres, trolls, giants, and giant-kin. The dwarf race is fragmented into half a dozen races and sub-races.