Andunor Races and Surface Interaction/Light Sensitivity

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Irongron
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Andunor Races and Surface Interaction/Light Sensitivity

Post by Irongron » Wed Aug 24, 2016 2:14 am

I've been meaning to post this for a while, to clarify current policy on the current 'Underdark' races. They has been an ongoing misconception about how many of them treat the surface, in particular daylight.

First of all, Andunor itself is in the Upperdark, the Map Room there should help illustrate the difference between the levels, but the simple version is that many Upperdark cities have a foot in both worlds, and native populations can include outcasts and traders from the surface. That isn't to say they can expect a warm welcome, but it is not the alien world of the Lowerdark.

Non-Underdark races resident in Andunor.

Goblins, Gnolls

Neither of these races 'belong' in the Underdark more than they do the surface, and have no reason to fear the sun.

Goblins, As creatures that are often considered hostile by almost all traditional surface races they may fear being exposed, and certainly wouldn't approach a town, but nevertheless have no reason to fear sunlight, or to avoid claiming territory on the surface.

Gnolls are largely the same, though may be marginally more welcome on the fringes of society.

Subterranean Races that are known to trade and travel on the surface.

Duergar, Kobolds

Kobolds are just as often found occupying shallow caverns on the surface, and are not considered a race of the Underdark. They are entirely comfortable in daylight, though may shy away from colder temperatures, and, like goblins, are considered hostile by the civilsed races.

Duergar, while truly an Underdark race are physically extremely similar to their surface dwelling relatives, save for the darker complexion. To many non-dwarven races they are a mistrusted race, but not ones that provoke an immediate violent response.

Generally uncomfortable, or at least ill-tempered, above ground, and in daylight, their averice can lead them to trade upon the surface world. While very few would ever be inclined to settle anywhere other than the Underdark, they do not expect those of the surface to treat them as monsters. With Shield Dwarves they are entirely hostile however, and the latter would likely vocally object to any formal dealings with their enemies.

Duergar are scheduled to be removed from the existing kill-scripts, as svirfneblin were in the past.

Underdark, Light-Sensitive Races.

Orogs, Drow, Svirfneblin.

Orogs are the least light-sensitive of the three, but would almost always avoid direct sunlight where possible, not least because as an exclusively martial society they favour attacks under cover of darkness, or in the hours of dawn and dusk.

They are frequently known to subjugate the less intelligent, and considerably less powerful surface breeds, with a view to using them to expand their borders above. As such may often be found attacking orc-lairs on the surface.

Svirfneblin, while not an Andunor race do belong, and start in the Underdark. They are the oldest of the Underdark dwelling races, and as such have evolved to dwell exclusively in that world. While they may travel on the surface they are expected to role-play extreme trepidation about such an unfamilar environment.

The only race they are truly friendly with is the shield dwarves, though will be willing to work with other gnomes, though the more cosmopolitan rock gnomes may be distrusted. In bright daylight they suffer extreme physical discomfort, and will find their senses impaired by the experience.

Drow, are most unaccustomed to daylight, and while they may not always share the fear of the surface felt by many svirfneblin, they're physical transformation at the hand of the Elven Patheon, has left them almost entirely unable to operate in daylight. This race, more than any other should expect DMs to take a dim view of daylight activity.

Furthermore, traditionally their power is greatly diminished when on the surface, as the presence of their deity is not so strong. and because separated from the Faerzress (The magic field in the Underdark) many of their mages are unable to operate. Neither of these things are currently enforced, and nor are there any plans to. It is something I currently believe I better reflected in role-play than subject to mechanical restriction.

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