This is the Rules and Out of Character Thread for the Menzoberranzan Drow Academy (D&D 3.5) game.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Character List and NPC List</strong></span><br/><br/><strong>Archmage Gromph Baenre (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=714521) (Wizard {Diviner} 18/Archmage 4), Elderboy of House Baenre and Archmage of Menzoberranzan</strong>- played by Sleepingferret<br/><br/><strong>Matron Mistress Triel Baenre (Cleric of Lolth 12/Divine Disciple 4), First Daughter of Matron Baenre and Matron Mistress of the Academy - NPC</strong><br/><strong>Mistress Haelra Kenafin (Cleric of Lolth 8/Fighter 2/Drow Judicator 6), Clerical Faith and Devotion Tester at Arach-Tinilith - NPC</strong><br/><strong>Mistress Iraeuitna Dyrr (Cleric of Lolth 11/Divine Disciple 2), Divine Prayer Studies at Arach-Tinilith - NPC</strong><br/><strong>Master Sergeant Relonor Mizzrym (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=851849) (Fighter 13/Tempest 3), Senior Arms-Master/Academy Guard Chief - NPC</strong><br/><strong>Master Jevan Shobalar (Wizard {Evoker} 11/Warlock 5), Evocation/Conjuration instructor at Sorcere - NPC</strong><br/><br/><strong>Master Taleeryn Symryvvin (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=848207) (Fighter 6/Weapon Master 6), instructor at Melee-Magthere</strong>- played by Zaer Darkwail<br/><strong>Master ? , instructor at Sorcere</strong>- played by ? (Slot Open)<br/><strong>Mistress ?  , Priestess of Lolth and instructor at Arach-Tinilith</strong>- played by ? (Slot Open)<br/><br/><strong> Haelen Del'Armgo (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=843209) (Wizard {Conjurer} 3) </strong>- played by Countdown0<br/><strong>  Jalynfein Freth (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=846696) (Barbarian 1/Secondary Racial Template +2) </strong>- played by Snake<br/><strong>  Ameesril Xorlarrin (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=848801) (Cleric 2/Warlock 1) </strong>- played by Zaer Darkwail<br/><strong>  Xullim  (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=846711) (Warlock 3) </strong>- played by Anon315<br/><strong> Alonia Duskryn </strong>- played by Ghostwheel (DM Note: no Myth-Weaver/Plot-Hook Sheet turned in, character reviewed)<br/><br/>*All Myth-Weaver/Plot-Hook character sheets that do not have DM Notes have been reviewed.<br/>*At least one Master/Mistress role is open for each of the schools.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Thread Division</strong></span><br/><br/>Rules and OOC - This Thread<br/>Menzoberranzan (General IC) - For all IC, except school specific IC; will post new threads for each school as needed.  For now, please just designate location of scene.  If we need to separate the schools into threads we can.<br/><br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>General Game Rules, Custom Rules, and Special Notes</strong></span><br/><br/><strong>DM</strong>: Sleepingferret<br/><strong>Co-DM</strong>: Ghostwheel<br/><br/><strong>Game Rules:</strong>Rule interpretations are the Dungeon Master's responsibility.  He and his Co-DM may discuss any disagreements from players but any final rulings from the DM is "law".  This is meant to keep the story going, as I'm more interested in having a good role playing experience than spending everyone's time dusting off rulebooks and reading.<br/><br/><strong>Player versus Player Combat:</strong>Is allowed, but never results in unintentional death. Instead if someone would be killed in the heat of battle, they are reduced to -1 and stable, after which the other combatant can coup-d-grace them.  Intentional death effects such as<em>disintegrate</em>,<em>finger of death</em>, etc. or just plain announced intentional "assassinations" or killings, still result in direct death if an attack would immediately kill an opponent.  This intentional "killing" exception, includes anything from a simple knife in the back,<em>magic missiles</em>and all the way up to the more drastic and directly lethal spells already mentioned.<br/><br/>Hopefully, we don't have any major PvP issues... but drow will be drow.  So settle things "nicely" as players.  8-)<br/><br/><strong>Sexual Content:</strong>As per discussion/Q&A encounters between players are between involved parties (i.e. Only a public person A and person B are "doing it" by the lake, type post is needed in case person A and/or person B would need to be sought out or in case some random monster or person would happen to stumble upon their "encounter" and turn their private encounter into an "escapade").<br/><br/>Any "public" sexual content or story line content will either be played out or can be just be written up as more of novel scene depending on how the players want to handle it.  This includes things such as the graduation ceremonies at the Academy, where part of it is basically a big orgy.<br/><br/>Any non-consensual content, must have the expressed consent of the participants and again may be completely played out or written out as more of a novel scene.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">Source books</span><br/><br/><strong>Ruling about 3.0/3.5 sources:</strong>If a book was either completely republished for 3.5 (or has an update), you use the 3.5 update.  If no 3.5 update exists or say for example the prestige class was not republished in any other 3.5 source book, please present to me, just so I can take a quick glance.  More than likely I'll have no problem with it.<br/><br/><strong>Rule regarding Core Source book material versus Forgotten Realms Source book material (primarily regarding prestige classes):</strong>This will be addressed on a case by case basis, although if one person asks about a particular prestige class and I rule one way, said ruling stands for all.  Prestige class material seems to be the only majorly point where conflicting information seems to arise, however if any other issue can be pointed out, again it will be addressed on a case by case basis, and once a ruling has been made, it stands.<br/><br/><strong>Source books Dis-allowed:</strong>Unearthed Arcana (except for traits/flaws AND Variant Classes approved on a case by case basis with provided character concept; all other material in the Unearthed Arcana remains excluded including Paragon Classes, Spell Points, Weapon Group Feats, etc.), Tome of Magic, Dragon Magic, Frostburn, Heroes of Battle, Heroes of Horror, ANY other Campaign Setting material (Oriental Adventures, Ravenloft, etc.)<br/><br/><strong>Other Source Material Dis-allowed:</strong>Homebrew items, feats, etc. (some limited exception for regional feats and/or traits/flaws were made).  However, items, feats, PrCs, ACFs, etc. are a strict no.<br/><br/><strong>Source books Allowed</strong>: ANY Forgotten Realms material (again if there is a 3.5 update please use it) and any other D&D 3.5 book NOT listed under the dis-allowed section (i.e. Complete Warrior, Complete Adventurer, Spell Compendium, Expanded Psionics, Complete Psionics, Magic Item Compendium, are all OK).<br/><br/>Again if there wasn't a 3.5 update or if for example a prestige class was never republished in a 3.5 book, please ask me for approval; approval will be for the prestige class itself or for the feat, item, etc. in question not the book itself...unless you have reason to ask for the entire book.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">Custom Rules</span><br/><br/><strong>Reminder</strong>: Note your ECL for being drow; but for advancement, encounter purposes and such it will not be a factor.  I know and you know, you are all drow.  Worse case, there is an extra "bad" guy or something for you to deal with, because I felt the last encounter was too easy, and so I up the difficulty a bit.  Level adjustments for any racial templates added, such as half-dragon, half-fiend, etc. do count and will affect your character's advancement.<br/><br/><strong>Character Religion</strong>: Your character's religion must be role-played.  It doesn't have to be a primary focus, but it has to be clear enough so that it is a characteristic of your character.<br/><br/>Remember your character lives in a female clergy of Lolth controlled world, and the Spider Queen does not tolerate competition.  If you do so happen to worship another deity, you'll have to pay "lip service" to Lolth or just be extremely good in hiding your true faith.<br/><br/><strong>Drow Clothing</strong>: Drow tend to see clothing as more of a "necessity" protectorate from natural elements, rather than a social necessity.  The only "social" side of it, is when they have something to hide like scars or something they feel is a physical flaw.  Especially females, and while they know it tends to be "seductive" or "sexual" in nature and they may not want that sort of attention all the time, especially since it can tend to lead to having males paying more attention to their looks and less attention on their work.  However, considering Menzoberranzan is a female controlled society, instances of any such "slacking off" or unwanted attention tend to met by rather unpleasant results for the offender(s).<br/><br/>However, clothing is also a status symbol in drow society as well... and surprisingly, "skimpier" outfits tend to show greater status.  Unless of course, again the drow is wishing to hide some physical flaw.  Or again, it does go back to drow seeing things as "necessity", so for combat warriors and clerics don heavier outfits and their armor.<br/><br/>** Reduce the weight of an outfit by 40% for a more "revealing or skimpier" outfit and increase the cost by 20%.  However for some social stations, etc; wearing such may not be appropriate. **<br/><br/>These weight reductions only apply for characters wishing to don more revealing clothing.  Any character wishing to perhaps hide physical flaws will still have to use the original weight listed in the Player's Handbook or just wanting to wear "normal" everyday clothes.<br/><br/>Cost increase is to reflect, custom tailoring.  You may also if preferred, use the 3.0 Arms and Equipment book which contained an equipment table for all sorts of useful things, including clothing in "non-outfit" form.  Meaning that it let you buy clothing by each individual piece; your shoes, your pants, your shirt, your hat...etc., and thus your outfit weighed accordingly.<br/><br/><strong>Bows and Crossbows</strong>: Tactically speaking, due to the nature of the cavern environment the use of bows doesn't make sense.  Therefore, regardless whether of not, it is possible to "forge" a functional bow out of steel, the drow use crossbows as their ranged weapons.  Actual short bows and long bows are not available in Menzoberranzan or would have to be imported on special request by a merchant at the Bazaar that had ties to the surface.  Or make a special request and deal with a skilled weapon maker.<br/><br/>Actually, isn't so much the material/construction factor, as it is the space for properly using a bow in some areas of the Underdark.  While many caverns and such are large open areas, many areas where drow engage in battle can be narrow tunnels or even narrowly shaped caverns where crossbows have proven to be more effective as first strike ranged weapons, before closing into melee.<br/><br/>Players may not begin play with short bows or long bows and any attempts to make a special request to a merchant for one must be role-played out with either myself or Ghostwheel.<br/><br/><strong>Highborn Drow (Feat)</strong>: Given as bonus feat if your character is the son or daughter of a Matron mother (or son or daughter of one of the Matron's daughters, making you an indirect "family" member; no players playing commoner characters may take this feat).  I am changing the level at which you gain the Levitate ability to 8th level.  However, I am also giving an additional use of the basic drow spell abilities for every 6 character levels (so at 6th, 12th, 18th, etc.) for possessors of this feat.<br/><br/><strong>Poisons</strong>: After talking Ghostwheel and I felt that poisons in D&D just felt "wrong".  Both in pricing and "power", so we are going to use a different system to help this.  Please see here (http://grimstonestudios.com/files/Wrecan%27s%20Poison%20Variant.pdf) for more details.  Questions should be directed to Ghostwheel or myself.  The types of poisons themselves are still the same listed in the books (please see page 297 in the Dungeon Master's Guide for the "basic" list of poisons, others can be found in such sources like the<em>Drow of the Underdark</em>), we are just using a new system to determine costs and using a system that allows players a way to create stronger poisons if they desire.<br/><br/>Reminder: Crafting costs are 1/3 the "market cost".  So doing a quick calculation using this system DC 13 drow poison's Market Value is 225 gp, but that means you can craft it for the same 75 gp that is listed in the Dungeon Master's Guide.  It would only cost more to craft if you decided to make a stronger version and thus increase the DC your opponent would have to save against.<br/><br/><strong>Special Material - Mithral</strong>: While the availability of the metal itself may not be lacking in the Underdark, due to the metal's silvery color the drow tend to favor adamantine for their weapons and armor.  While they have developed a process for "blackening" mithral armor during its forging, said process is costly and thus has kept adamantine to be the favored metal due to its natural color.  In fact, even finding a blacksmith who has the tools and skills to forge "blackened" mithral is sometimes difficult.<br/><br/>Base Item Cost for "Blackened" Mithral Items:<br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Weapons: +4,500 gp </li><li>Ammunition: +80 gp</li><li>Armor (light): +7,000 gp<br/></li><li>Armor (medium): +14,000 gp<br/></li><li>Armor (heavy): +21,000 gp<br/></li></ul><br/>Note: Mithral found, obtained, or purchased from other sources is still subject to normal rules found in the Dungeon Master's Guide.  Which for the intents and purposes of this game, affects the pricing and color of the metal.  So if you obtain and wish to use mithral from any other source but Menzoberranzan, while cheaper...it will be the usual silvery color, thus not very "good" or "useful" for an Underdark based game.<br/><br/><strong>Weapons and Armor Concealment:</strong>Especially armor concealment, if you are going to try to conceal your armor with your clothing, you need to:<br/><br/><ul class="bbc_list" style="list-style-type: decimal;"><li>Think about the type of armor you're wearing versus the clothing you are wearing.</li><li>Consider the "bulkiness" of the armor you're wearing versus the clothing are wearing.  Concealing a chain shirt, not necessarily a difficult task if you aren't wearing "revealing" clothes.  Concealing breastplates, half-plate, full plate, banded mail, or splint mail... not going to happen.</li><li>Also consider from the armor description how much of your body the armor covers, versus how much your clothing is covering.  Or can your outfit sort of blend in with any pieces of armor that might be "sticking out".</li><li>For things like chain shirts...there is still a small noise factor to consider or for any small things like a low cut shirt collar that might accidentally reveal your armor, any reflective properties of the armor.</li></ul><br/><ul class="bbc_list" style="list-style-type: decimal;"><li>For weapons, again as with armor there are just somethings you can't hide.  No one is going to hide say a two-handed sword or a polearm.</li><li>But for things like daggers and the like, you have to things to consider.  There is the where, the how, and the how to keep them hidden.</li></ul><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>To Roll or Not to Roll, That is the Question...</strong></span><br/><br/><strong>Online Dice Roller</strong>: No "strict" enforcement of which you use.  So you don't have to use Elliquiy's if you don't "like" it.  Our only rule for fairness, is that Ghostwheel and I have to be able to check reference to the site your roll(s) came from.  If we cannot, then your roll(s) will be considered invalid.<br/><br/><strong>Skill Rolls</strong>: Since we're here to focus more on the RP aspect, I'd like to push skill rolls of to the side a bit.  Unless the task (skill trick, etc.) is difficult say DC 20 or above or it is something your character has never done before (or is trying to learn), we are going to use the Take 10 rule for Skill Checks.  If however, you have any reason you want to NOT Take 10 and to attempt a roll for a skill attempt, you may always do so.  However, this means for opposed skill checks this entitles your opponents to do so as well.<br/><br/><strong>Combat Scenario Skill Checks</strong>: During Combat Scenarios (any time Initiative Rolls are called for by the DM or Co-DM), the Take 10 rule does NOT apply.  All Skill Rolls must be rolled during Combat Scenarios.<br/><br/><strong>Combat Rules</strong>: Any rolls for combat; including Initiative, attack, damage, healing, etc. will be rolled and rolls, along results should be pasted in the thread.<br/><br/><strong>Magic Rolls</strong>: Any random rolls for magic must be rolled, whether made in combat or outside of combat.<br/><br/><br/>Please also post any skill use and/or die rolls, whether or not you are applying the Take 10 rule, at the bottom of your post.  For example:<br/><br/><em>Skills Used: Listen, Spot, Hide</em><br/><br/>Placing that at the bottom of your post would be perfect and would allow myself and/or Ghostwheel to quickly know which skills were being used, in case any opposed rolls would need to be made for NPCs or even for any other players that may be involved in the scene.  Same goes for Combat Scenes, having all your die rolls at the bottom of your post and labeled with the actions that they coordinate with, helps myself and Ghostwheel quickly sort everything out, and make things run smoother.<br/><br/>Please also keep all rolls, skill usage notes and such with the post(s) they are in regard to.  Do not post rolls or skill usage notes here in the OOC thread and then link back to where the scene they are in regards to is taking place.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Menzoberranzan Political Structure - 1300 DR</strong></span><br/><br/>The following are the topmost houses of Menzoberranzan:<br/><ul class="bbc_list" style="list-style-type: decimal;"><li>Baenre</li><li>Barrison Del'Armgo</li><li>Oblodra (destroyed by Lolth in DR1358, described in Siege of Darkness)</li><li>Hun'ett (destroyed by Do'Urden in DR1338, described in Exile)</li><li>Faen Tlabbar</li><li>Xorlarrin</li><li>Agrach Dyrr (became a vassal of House Baenre in DR1372 in the outcome of the War of the Spider Queen)</li><li>Mizzrym</li><li>Do'Urden (destroyed by Baenre in DR1340, described in Exile)</li><li>Fey-Branche</li><li>Tuin'Tarl</li><li>Duskryn</li><li>Srune'Lett</li><li>Horlbar</li><li>Kenafin</li><li>Druu'giir</li><li>Hunzrin</li><li>Shobalar</li><li>Vandree</li><li>Symryvvin</li></ul><br/>The first eight houses comprise what is known as the city's "Ruling Council", even though there was little overall government that controlled the entire city itself.  Even Lolth herself, "promoted" the chaos that went on within the city, the ever continuing power struggle.  The so called Ruling Council and it's rules essentially turned things into somewhat organized chaos, and in times of trouble that threatened the entire city ensured that Menzoberranzan stood as one.<br/><br/>House DeVir, the former fourth House, was destroyed 3 years ago by House Do'Urden during Drizzt Do'Urden's birth and only has one unknown survivor to the rest of the city.<br/><br/>The following Houses are merchant families, houses outside the first 20-30 or so and thus were not an immediate "threat" to the ongoing power struggle within the city.  The families always battling with each other for a place on the ruling council or even just a higher ranking within the city for more respect.<br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Freth [destroyed in 1319 DR] ("Homeland")</li><li>Teken'duis [destroyed in 1319 DR] ("Homeland")</li><li>Hekar ("Starless night")</li><li>Catanzaro ("Dragon228")</li><li>Despana ("Dissolution")</li><li>Pharn ("Realms Personalities")</li><li>Coloara ("Realms Personalities")</li></ul>