A Drow (also known in plural as either "Drows" or "the Drow") is a type of Dark Elf found in the Dungeons & Dragons universe and are one of the more popular and recognised of the game's many monster types - unlike most depictions of elves, Drows are dark-skinned and are usually of an evil alignment.
History
Lolth is the chief goddess of the Drow and it is unsurprising that she would favor them as they tend to share her evil personality; though Drows tend more towards Neutral Evil than Lolth's usual Chaotic Evil.
Their primary city is Menzoberranzan in the underground realm of the Underdark.
Drow society was matriarchal, militaristic, and heavily influenced by Lolth religion. Their city-states were formed in huge underground caverns, frequently at war with one another. These cities were ruled by the most powerful of families (or houses) and, although the power of the many families changed often, the top few usually remained stable. Males who hoped to find any place of power in society often resorted to ends as treacherous as the women that ruled the drow, hoping to perhaps win a coveted place as the mate of a powerful matron mother.
Trivia
- In fact, not every Drows are evil. Drizzt Do'Urden is one of the few heroic Drows who do not worship Lolth or being slavers.
- The Drow, like the Dark Elves from the Warhammer universe, are partially inspired by the Melniboneans from Michael Moorcock's Elric Saga.