Study: Evolution, Adaptation, and Natural Selection in Drow

Hah! That reminds me of a question I've had since 1E!!

If Drow have all lived underground for millennia, why the hell is their skin BLACK? Especially when you consider that every other elf ever pictured has lily-white skin?

One would think that, as with other completely subterranean creatures, they would become albino with the reduced need for melanin in their skin.

oke:

 

Re: Another new player question

According to most legends and lore, and I am sure in DnD, all elves are not an evolved species or "race" but rather created by magic, and following the rules set by the gods that created (and corrupted, i.e. Lolth) them instead of normal scientific principals.

You can suspend belief to accept that a big lizard can fly, spout flames (and other things) from its mouth and even create magical effects, and also believe that chainmail has pants (it never did in our world) then you should be able to take in that elves can have white and black skin where they shouldn't scientifically.

My two coppers worth.

 

Re: Another new player question

Evolution COULD be having an effect. But they basically can say / do what they want.

I believe the skin color issue IS addressed in the literature somewhere.

As for the fire-breathing: Most digestive tracts produce methane, so all we need is a flame. Maybe some chemical excreted through the nostrils to produce a hypergolic effect. Well within the realm of possibility, if not credibility.

The main issue with flying would be generating enough power to lift such a heavy load. Magic?

 

Re: Another new player question

IIRC, the chief elven god Corellon Larethian cursed Drow to be dark to reflect their hearts/souls, is the official wording at least in FR, not sure about other DnD gameworlds.

i.e. It's not science.

 

Re: Another new player question

Chainmail has no pants my man, zippers haven't been invented yet!

 

Re: Another new player question

Suspenders

 

Re: Another new player question

Drow -- not sure which world, but the black skin and darkvision comes from being exposed to radiation while living underground for millenia.

Chainmail -- maybe they are buttonflies.

 

Re: Another new player question

Chain mail might not have pants, this is true. However, by the early 13th century it DID have LEGGINGS, which have much the same appearance as pants when one can't see what's holding them up under the long "skirt" of the hauberk. So it's understandable that people might become confused.

 

Re: Another new player question

its just
-4 ac penalty for lack of armor coverage
+4 ac bonus due to distraction

idk how it works for golems and undead etc but im sure the calculation works as if the DM is a guy

 

Re: Another new player question

Lol !!

 

Re: Another new player question

I've been in karate for 20 years. The distraction thing works. Karate uniforms themselves aren't sufficient to keep all the "parts" completely covered. Several people have learned to take advantage of of the"stunning" effect.

 

Re: Another new player question

This reminds me of a story I heard once.
A "well endowed" young lady was asked what kept her strapless gown up. "Gravity" she said. "How does physical gravity hold a strapless gone up, shouldn't it pull the gown down ?" the man asked. "Not physical gravity, but the gravity of the situation should it fall down" she replied.
The Royal Canadian

 

Re: Another new player question

Yeah but it is a wholly different TYPE of distraction when my homely, fat, GUY character wears it.

I just feal sorry for those average, love handled, in-between characters, that would not get a distraction bonus. Perhaps a pity bonus? Nah, the opponent is out to kill them, pity would not be a factor...

Warning! Don't wear the Chainmail Bikini unless you are HOT, or really, really ugly (and perhaps male).