after 12 year more or less on surface Drizzt didn't lose any of his innate abilities besides levitation (and levitation ability is direct linked to underdark, as soon he leave underdark in the novels that skill started to fail).
after 12 year more or less on surface Drizzt didn't lose any of his innate abilities besides levitation (and levitation ability is direct linked to underdark, as soon he leave underdark in the novels that skill started to fail).
Well in AD&D first edition drows are loosing all their powers over time. And it is certainly still true in the AD&D rules used by baldur's gate.
His weapons and armor didn't instantly crumble into dust either... they just slowly lost their magical abilities.
Sun can burn out not only drow magical abilities but even magic itself. Drow magicians are MUCH more powerful then mages other races but on sun they rapidly losing their magic power and eventually become MUCH weaker then common mages.
It is because drow have inborn magic talent ( initially even Drizzt should be mage ) and when sun destroy that talent, casting spell become much harder for them because they aren´t unaccustomed to this. They can partially adapt but it takes a long time and they never reach their former power.
In the drizzt novels there's a reference to drows wizards being somehow unstables in the surface in reason of an old war party raiding the surface that died when a wizard casted a fireball that killed the entire party for mistake (overpowered spell). Of course most of the drows see that fact as an excuse for the mage to eliminate some of his competitors, cos in that raid some of his house enemies where along.
Baeloth lose power because the djinn tricked him, he made a wish of ressurection with his slave djinn and he has only 12 in wisdom, a serious wish with 12 wisdom... a pretty obvious recipe for disaster.
Baeloth lose power because the djinn tricked him, he made a wish of ressurection with his slave djinn and he has only 12 in wisdom, a serious wish with 12 wisdom... a pretty obvious recipe for disaster.
Baeloth was 'level drained' by that djinn spell, but he still should be MUCH stronger ( same as Viconia ) then comon "mortals". Drow + sun = nothing good...
Don't know dude, i will have to read this novel to evaluate, but this doesn't sound coherent, the lose of the inherent abilities is reasonable, but drow aren't a underdark original race, they where a surface race and have been pusheed to underdark after a war with their elven cousins.
@kamuizin In underdark is something like magic "radiation". This "radiation" made mages and magic items MUCH stronger. After hundreds years are drow sodden by this "radiation" and also little mutated ( natural magic talent, magic resist, levitation, ilusion fire and dark ). On surface this "radiation" drain out after 1-2 weeks ( even faster on direct sunlight ) and they losing their powers.
@Edvin Actually Drow are no better at magic than the Gold/Sun Elves. In fact it is mentioned on many an occasion that Sun Elves are one of the best if not the best races for magic using classes. They have access to powerful high magics... Just saying
I am not sure about the whole 'radiation' idea but from a bit of research I did a few years ago for a 'persistent world' project of mine, I discovered that Drow lose their abilities in sunlight due to the curse in which Corellon bestowed upon them.
Drow armor and weapons are enchanted by Drow magic. The metal Adamantine/Adamantium is an extremely hard and dense metal that is not only rare (comes from meteorites) but is very difficult to work with. When Adamantine/Adamantium is heat treated and enchanted with Drow Magic, it becomes 'Adamantite'. Adamantite is a secretly constructed alloy comprised of Adamantine and various other metals (rumoured to be mithril) and due to the fact that is is practically 'infused' with Drow magic, it becomes corrupted on the surface. Think of it like leaving a beautiful steel sword sitting in water for 2 weeks.
Drow magic is required in the creation of Adamantite itself, as Adamantine is simply not a workable metal with the use of a forge alone. As mentioned above, this is a very secret process and no other races know of how this is done. Surely the Drow would protect such knowledge vigilantly. It is believed that this 'Drow Magic' is divine rather than arcane and the enchantment process itself is regarded as more of a 'blessing' than anything else. Considering Lolth is banished from the surface it would make sense that her magic is also 'diminished'.
Some Drow magics are Drow specific - such as levitation. It is most likely lost once again due to the nature of the curse. Simpler cantrips such as faerie fire and darkness would not be lost on the surface. These spells would have been necessities in the Underdark and Drow were most likely 'taught' these spells (learned) rather than being born with them (innate).
To put it simply, Drow lose all their nifty cool magic and +5 longswords on the surface because the 'Elven God King' Corellon does not like them :P
EDIT: I think I got most of my information from 'Volo's Guide to All Things Magical' and then I refined my research with a few questions in the CK forums. Can't be sure though, but I consider myself unusually knowledgeable about this subject.
Thx for the lore @EntropyXII, i had no idea about Corellon curse on the drows, but by another side drow darkness and faerie fire are abilities, not spells, in drizzts novels this is repeated many times, but then, i know that Corellon has a deep paternal love for her children Elistraee, a good drow deity, so he overlook a bit his curse to good drows maybe.
@kamuizin Agreed by abilities not spells. I used the wrong words probably. What I meant was that the Drow learned the abilities of faerie fire and darkness over time as utility abilities. They need to use them, and so they learned to use them. They do not come under 'spells' as they are something which they have practiced since child birth. Levitation is a different matter and appears to be more of a gift from Lolth - as an innate ability anyway.
That is purely speculation on my part, but it's the only way it makes sense to me. There are many evil Drow on the surface (Jarlaxle) who can still use faerie fire and darkness which leads me to believe the abilities themselves were not gifts of a sort, but more of an innate trait learned by living in complete darkness.
I also remember reading somewhere that Drow who worship other gods, such as Vhaeraun have a different set of skills to those that worship Lolth. I can't be sure about that though, but i'll have a look and see what I can find.
@Edvin Actually Drow are no better at magic than the Gold/Sun Elves. In fact it is mentioned on many an occasion that Sun Elves are one of the best if not the best races for magic using classes. They have access to powerful high magics... Just saying.
Yes that is true, Sun Elves are better mages but drow are stroger. In this case is pure power more then skills. Because of that radiation is their magic power improved and drow magic rule supreme.
Drow armor and weapons are enchanted by Drow magic. The metal Adamantine/Adamantium is an extremely hard and dense metal that is not only rare (comes from meteorites) but is very difficult to work with. When Adamantine/Adamantium is heat treated and enchanted with Drow Magic, it becomes 'Adamantite'. Adamantite is a secretly constructed alloy comprised of Adamantine and various other metals (rumoured to be mithril) and due to the fact that is is practically 'infused' with Drow magic, it becomes corrupted on the surface.
Not completely true, this is also radiation work. You can left sword on place with strong radiation, wait two weeks and you have sword +2 ( or something similar, that magic is unpredictable ).
P.S.
Seriously guys, read Starlight and Shadows trilogy. That books are full of informations about drow magic.
@Edvin I don't know dude, I always place emphasis on source books over novels. Novels tend to be dramatisations and expressed through characters view points. 'Volo's Guide to All things Magical' was like my bible for a few months. I'd try and find the information from it for you but it's buried somewhere in my parents attic.
Here's a little bit of information for you. It's a watered down version of what is in the source book but it's enough:
I am almost positive that it is not the Underdark that strengthens Drow Magic, but it is sunlight which renders it useless.
Direct quote: "The most distinctive feature of drow, however, is the touch of Lolth upon them. Just as Corellon cursed them and made them vulnerable to light, the Spider Queen gave the drow a blessing to counteract this, giving the drow a power over darkness that other races lack. This power can manifest in several ways. The most common being the ability to shroud enemies in magical, impenetrable darkness, usually called Globe of Darkness, or a debilitating charm called faerie fire that makes a creature an easier target[1], encasing them in something that looks like purple fire, though causing no harm."
@EntropyXII That is arguable... How can be Globe of Darkness and faerie fire Lolth blessing if even Drizzt can use that and all drow was able use it in 1372-1373 DR ( Silence of Lolth ) ?
@Edvin I don't think it is arguable if it is in a number of source books. it is generally considered canon and exact if WotC wrote them as FR fact.
The gift of Lolth is inherent in all those born as Drow. Just because Drizzt does not worship Lolth does not mean that his abilities are fully removed. Drizzt is still under the surse of Lolth to put it lightly. At the death of Eilistraee, when Corellon saved all the Drow who worshipped her, effectively removing the curse and making them 'Dark Elves' once more, Drizzt was not effected because he worshiped Mielikki and not Eilistraee.
Lolth loves chaos and on many an occasion in Drizzt's youth, she actually praised Drizzt due to the chaos and destruction he caused in Menzoberranzan.
What you must remember is that in the Forgotten Realms, when Elves are concerned: Corellon is the man.. and Corellon hates Dark Elves and Lolth. Corellon cursed the Drow to their appearance and to live in darkness forever. He also cursed Lolth, kicking her out of the Selderine. When a Drow leaves the underdark he/she is effectively removed from the Lolth bearing powers as Lolth does not have power on the surface - which is Corellon's domain. Simply cantrips such as Faerie Fire and globe of darkness may not be removed on the surface due to the weakness of the spells themselves.
I actually have that book: "The Underdark" which includes a short topic on Faerzress and it is a minor factor in regards to Drow magic. It is credited with increasing their magical strength and aids in ward spells - but nothing more. Drow gain their power through a boon given by Lolth.
I always thought the topic on Faerzress was unusual. I'm guessing a novelist wrote it into one of their books and then WotC were forced to make it canon. It simply does not make sense to me. Everything I have ever read on the subject tells me that the Drow gain their abilities from Lolth who gave them this boon when they were cursed by the Selderine after the Crown Wars.
Let's just agree that we're both right to a certain extent.
kamuizin Posts: 1,638 April 30 Don't know dude, i will have to read this novel to evaluate, but this doesn't sound coherent, the lose of the inherent abilities is reasonable, but drow aren't a underdark original race, they where a surface race and have been pusheed to underdark after a war with their elven cousins.
I think that doesn´t really matter, that drows aren´t original underdark race. they´ve been in underdark for severeal thousand years, which means they had to mutate at some point (and mutation in long term becomes evolution). And itś not just about the magic ... in a fact they surely didn´t had even infravision when they were living on the surface and now they do so therefore I belive that this is not really the issue.
I'm going to bump this because I'm still interested in Drow as a playable race (if this mess ever gets settled).
Also wanted to throw in my 2 cents:
Even if the Drow are the most brute powerful magic users due to their curse/gifts, and even if sunlight did indeed take those away, in sunlight they would still be as powerful as all other elven races with magic because that's due to their elven heritage *not* their Drow heritage. So while they might not be as powerful as they were in the underdark, they'd still be decent casters. Furthermore, this would even be better for game balance because you could cite this very weakness to sunlight to balance their stats to normal races without doing a level adjustment.
I'm all for adding as many subraces as possible- it adds variation, replayability, and fun. And even if you're not interested in/don't want to play a subrace, you can still play a normal race while other people have fun their way. So in the end it's a decision that makes sense (if I can play an 'elf' why can't I play a Sun Elf? They're just as likely to be found adventuring) and doesn't hurt anyone who wouldn't want/use it.
Well I have no problem with it as a mod. But if this is something done officially by a company then everything associated with being a drow should be implemented. A level of professionalism should be expected.
The same why I believe you can't ask them to bring Dynaheir back to life without them altering all the content associated with that character.
If this is something you just want to tack on with not further alteration, then mod it.
@kamuizin In underdark is something like magic "radiation". This "radiation" made mages and magic items MUCH stronger. After hundreds years are drow sodden by this "radiation" and also little mutated ( natural magic talent, magic resist, levitation, ilusion fire and dark ). On surface this "radiation" drain out after 1-2 weeks ( even faster on direct sunlight ) and they losing their powers.
This underdark radiation is called Faerzress to the Drow.
@Edvin I don't think it is arguable if it is in a number of source books. it is generally considered canon and exact if WotC wrote them as FR fact.
The gift of Lolth is inherent in all those born as Drow. Just because Drizzt does not worship Lolth does not mean that his abilities are fully removed. Drizzt is still under the surse of Lolth to put it lightly. At the death of Eilistraee, when Corellon saved all the Drow who worshipped her, effectively removing the curse and making them 'Dark Elves' once more, Drizzt was not effected because he worshiped Mielikki and not Eilistraee.
Lolth loves chaos and on many an occasion in Drizzt's youth, she actually praised Drizzt due to the chaos and destruction he caused in Menzoberranzan.
What you must remember is that in the Forgotten Realms, when Elves are concerned: Corellon is the man.. and Corellon hates Dark Elves and Lolth. Corellon cursed the Drow to their appearance and to live in darkness forever. He also cursed Lolth, kicking her out of the Selderine. When a Drow leaves the underdark he/she is effectively removed from the Lolth bearing powers as Lolth does not have power on the surface - which is Corellon's domain. Simply cantrips such as Faerie Fire and globe of darkness may not be removed on the surface due to the weakness of the spells themselves.
I actually have that book: "The Underdark" which includes a short topic on Faerzress and it is a minor factor in regards to Drow magic. It is credited with increasing their magical strength and aids in ward spells - but nothing more. Drow gain their power through a boon given by Lolth.
I always thought the topic on Faerzress was unusual. I'm guessing a novelist wrote it into one of their books and then WotC were forced to make it canon. It simply does not make sense to me. Everything I have ever read on the subject tells me that the Drow gain their abilities from Lolth who gave them this boon when they were cursed by the Selderine after the Crown Wars.
Let's just agree that we're both right to a certain extent.
Actually, Lolth was once Corellon Larethian's Consort and Queen Araushnee. She rebelled against him, which is one reason why he hates her so, and betrayed him to Grummsh One-eye, God of the Orcs. She was once the Goddess of Elven destiny, Patroness of Elven Artisans and, by Corellon's decree, Keeper of those elves who shared her darkly beautiful features. She bore Corellon twin children- Eilistraee and Vhaeraun. Vhaeraun supported his mother and tried to assassinate his father, but failed, and the rest of the Seldarine transformed Araushnee into a spider-shaped Tanar'ri and cast her into the Abyss when her rebellion and attack failed. It was only later, at the time of the "Crown Wars" that the Illythiiri, the proto-drow, left the surface after being corrupted by being now calling herself Lolth. Not all of them were corrupted, but presumably those who didn't leave for the Underdark were so few that they essentially died off or vanished as a natural color from the elven race.
All of this is from the book "Demihuman Deities". Other elven deities include Selvetarm, Kiaransalee, V,haeraun, Ghaunadaur (a being of many tentacles and not a Drow or even elven). There are a number of Elven subraces on Toril, including Moon Elves (Pale skinned and light haired- what most people think when they think "elf"), Sun Elves (Dark haired and coppery-skinned, very reclusive, tend to live in the Southern areas of Toril), Aquatic Elves (blue or greenish skinned, live underwater and cannot rest properly unless they are in a body of water), Avariel (Winged Elves), and Lythari, which are extremely reclusive shapeshifters that can take on the form of wolves. I don't know if there are any left on Toril proper- most of them are now living on the isle of Evermeet. And Drow, of course. There is also a country in the Shining South that is full of half-Drow crossbreeds- Dambrath. (Demihumans of the Realms). 3e added other races, like the Star Elves, who were elves who had retreated to a different plane. And the Maztica book series had a female elf who was an Albino who turned out to be a Drow- and who got turned into a Drider at the end of the second book. I suppose you could play an albino Drow, but realistically, what would that add to the game? Any Drow not raised in the Underdark loses all that Magic Resistance and innate spells and powers. If you want to pretend you are playing a Drow, play an elf and change their paper doll skin to black. That's all you really need to do.
Incidentally, the reason Eilistraee allowed herself to be banished with the evil Elven Deities is because she accidentally fired an arrow at Corellon Larethian during the battle and wanted to be punished for it (she, herself, doesn't allow herself to use ranged weapons as a result, but her worshippers are allowed to), and because she knew that she would one day be needed to be a foil to the evil of her mother and brother. She did/does have a major temple, which is under the city of Waterdeep, in a place called the Promenade, which is part of the complex known as Undermountain. (Which could be an interesting place to add to the game, considering it is just one huge sprawling Dungeon that goes on for miles and miles, constructed by a mad Archmage named Halaster Blackcloak.)
Just to state cos i'm a bit advanced in Salvatore Novels:
Drizzt Do'Urden is a favored of Lolth. The Spider Queen is an Evil AND Chaotic deity, while Drizzt hate Lolth and loath her for being evil, she doesn't care much for that cos Drizzt's own existance bring everything around him to a level of chaos never expressed before, not only to drow society but to any society he is as well. Nothing is common or calm around Drizzt. Lolth has many evil represetatives, but Drizzt; in his attempt to deny Lolth and Drow society, brought chaos to a completly new level, a sweet irony result (as Jarlaxle would say)
So as it is put, the divine relation isn't a factor to keep/lose levitation, but i don't know about the other skills (darkness and faerie fire).
@LadyRhian - Isn't that what I said? - Not in as much detail though I forgot I wrote that... did this topic get necro'd, or has it actually been going on this long?
Comments
My whole party must rule supreme !
Well in AD&D first edition drows are loosing all their powers over time.
And it is certainly still true in the AD&D rules used by baldur's gate.
It is because drow have inborn magic talent ( initially even Drizzt should be mage ) and when sun destroy that talent, casting spell become much harder for them because they aren´t unaccustomed to this. They can partially adapt but it takes a long time and they never reach their former power.
( That's why Baeloth have only lvl 6 )
In the drizzt novels there's a reference to drows wizards being somehow unstables in the surface in reason of an old war party raiding the surface that died when a wizard casted a fireball that killed the entire party for mistake (overpowered spell). Of course most of the drows see that fact as an excuse for the mage to eliminate some of his competitors, cos in that raid some of his house enemies where along.
Baeloth lose power because the djinn tricked him, he made a wish of ressurection with his slave djinn and he has only 12 in wisdom, a serious wish with 12 wisdom... a pretty obvious recipe for disaster.
( http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Starlight_and_Shadows ) Baeloth was 'level drained' by that djinn spell, but he still should be MUCH stronger ( same as Viconia ) then comon "mortals".
Drow + sun = nothing good...
In underdark is something like magic "radiation". This "radiation" made mages and magic items MUCH stronger. After hundreds years are drow sodden by this "radiation" and also little mutated ( natural magic talent, magic resist, levitation, ilusion fire and dark ). On surface this "radiation" drain out after 1-2 weeks ( even faster on direct sunlight ) and they losing their powers.
I am not sure about the whole 'radiation' idea but from a bit of research I did a few years ago for a 'persistent world' project of mine, I discovered that Drow lose their abilities in sunlight due to the curse in which Corellon bestowed upon them.
@kamuizin
Drow armor and weapons are enchanted by Drow magic. The metal Adamantine/Adamantium is an extremely hard and dense metal that is not only rare (comes from meteorites) but is very difficult to work with. When Adamantine/Adamantium is heat treated and enchanted with Drow Magic, it becomes 'Adamantite'. Adamantite is a secretly constructed alloy comprised of Adamantine and various other metals (rumoured to be mithril) and due to the fact that is is practically 'infused' with Drow magic, it becomes corrupted on the surface. Think of it like leaving a beautiful steel sword sitting in water for 2 weeks.
Drow magic is required in the creation of Adamantite itself, as Adamantine is simply not a workable metal with the use of a forge alone. As mentioned above, this is a very secret process and no other races know of how this is done. Surely the Drow would protect such knowledge vigilantly. It is believed that this 'Drow Magic' is divine rather than arcane and the enchantment process itself is regarded as more of a 'blessing' than anything else. Considering Lolth is banished from the surface it would make sense that her magic is also 'diminished'.
Some Drow magics are Drow specific - such as levitation. It is most likely lost once again due to the nature of the curse. Simpler cantrips such as faerie fire and darkness would not be lost on the surface. These spells would have been necessities in the Underdark and Drow were most likely 'taught' these spells (learned) rather than being born with them (innate).
To put it simply, Drow lose all their nifty cool magic and +5 longswords on the surface because the 'Elven God King' Corellon does not like them :P
EDIT: I think I got most of my information from 'Volo's Guide to All Things Magical' and then I refined my research with a few questions in the CK forums. Can't be sure though, but I consider myself unusually knowledgeable about this subject.
That is purely speculation on my part, but it's the only way it makes sense to me. There are many evil Drow on the surface (Jarlaxle) who can still use faerie fire and darkness which leads me to believe the abilities themselves were not gifts of a sort, but more of an innate trait learned by living in complete darkness.
I also remember reading somewhere that Drow who worship other gods, such as Vhaeraun have a different set of skills to those that worship Lolth. I can't be sure about that though, but i'll have a look and see what I can find.
P.S.
Seriously guys, read Starlight and Shadows trilogy. That books are full of informations about drow magic.
Here's a little bit of information for you. It's a watered down version of what is in the source book but it's enough:
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Adamantine
I am almost positive that it is not the Underdark that strengthens Drow Magic, but it is sunlight which renders it useless.
Direct quote: "The most distinctive feature of drow, however, is the touch of Lolth upon them. Just as Corellon cursed them and made them vulnerable to light, the Spider Queen gave the drow a blessing to counteract this, giving the drow a power over darkness that other races lack. This power can manifest in several ways. The most common being the ability to shroud enemies in magical, impenetrable darkness, usually called Globe of Darkness, or a debilitating charm called faerie fire that makes a creature an easier target[1], encasing them in something that looks like purple fire, though causing no harm."
Taken from: http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Drow
As I said: Lolth gives the Drow their powers, Corellon takes them away.
Sorry @kamuizin I was wrong about faerie fire and darkness. You were right. My bad.
That is arguable...
How can be Globe of Darkness and faerie fire Lolth blessing if even Drizzt can use that and all drow was able use it in 1372-1373 DR
( Silence of Lolth ) ?
BTW i finaly found it !!!
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Faerzress
( But in Starlight and Shadows trilogy is much detailed description )
The gift of Lolth is inherent in all those born as Drow. Just because Drizzt does not worship Lolth does not mean that his abilities are fully removed. Drizzt is still under the surse of Lolth to put it lightly. At the death of Eilistraee, when Corellon saved all the Drow who worshipped her, effectively removing the curse and making them 'Dark Elves' once more, Drizzt was not effected because he worshiped Mielikki and not Eilistraee.
Lolth loves chaos and on many an occasion in Drizzt's youth, she actually praised Drizzt due to the chaos and destruction he caused in Menzoberranzan.
What you must remember is that in the Forgotten Realms, when Elves are concerned: Corellon is the man.. and Corellon hates Dark Elves and Lolth. Corellon cursed the Drow to their appearance and to live in darkness forever. He also cursed Lolth, kicking her out of the Selderine. When a Drow leaves the underdark he/she is effectively removed from the Lolth bearing powers as Lolth does not have power on the surface - which is Corellon's domain. Simply cantrips such as Faerie Fire and globe of darkness may not be removed on the surface due to the weakness of the spells themselves.
I actually have that book: "The Underdark" which includes a short topic on Faerzress and it is a minor factor in regards to Drow magic. It is credited with increasing their magical strength and aids in ward spells - but nothing more. Drow gain their power through a boon given by Lolth.
I always thought the topic on Faerzress was unusual. I'm guessing a novelist wrote it into one of their books and then WotC were forced to make it canon. It simply does not make sense to me. Everything I have ever read on the subject tells me that the Drow gain their abilities from Lolth who gave them this boon when they were cursed by the Selderine after the Crown Wars.
Let's just agree that we're both right to a certain extent.
April 30
Don't know dude, i will have to read this novel to evaluate, but this doesn't sound coherent, the lose of the inherent abilities is reasonable, but drow aren't a underdark original race, they where a surface race and have been pusheed to underdark after a war with their elven cousins.
I think that doesn´t really matter, that drows aren´t original underdark race. they´ve been in underdark for severeal thousand years, which means they had to mutate at some point (and mutation in long term becomes evolution). And itś not just about the magic ... in a fact they surely didn´t had even infravision when they were living on the surface and now they do so therefore I belive that this is not really the issue.
Also wanted to throw in my 2 cents:
Even if the Drow are the most brute powerful magic users due to their curse/gifts, and even if sunlight did indeed take those away, in sunlight they would still be as powerful as all other elven races with magic because that's due to their elven heritage *not* their Drow heritage. So while they might not be as powerful as they were in the underdark, they'd still be decent casters. Furthermore, this would even be better for game balance because you could cite this very weakness to sunlight to balance their stats to normal races without doing a level adjustment.
I'm all for adding as many subraces as possible- it adds variation, replayability, and fun. And even if you're not interested in/don't want to play a subrace, you can still play a normal race while other people have fun their way. So in the end it's a decision that makes sense (if I can play an 'elf' why can't I play a Sun Elf? They're just as likely to be found adventuring) and doesn't hurt anyone who wouldn't want/use it.
The same why I believe you can't ask them to bring Dynaheir back to life without them altering all the content associated with that character.
If this is something you just want to tack on with not further alteration, then mod it.
All of this is from the book "Demihuman Deities". Other elven deities include Selvetarm, Kiaransalee, V,haeraun, Ghaunadaur (a being of many tentacles and not a Drow or even elven). There are a number of Elven subraces on Toril, including Moon Elves (Pale skinned and light haired- what most people think when they think "elf"), Sun Elves (Dark haired and coppery-skinned, very reclusive, tend to live in the Southern areas of Toril), Aquatic Elves (blue or greenish skinned, live underwater and cannot rest properly unless they are in a body of water), Avariel (Winged Elves), and Lythari, which are extremely reclusive shapeshifters that can take on the form of wolves. I don't know if there are any left on Toril proper- most of them are now living on the isle of Evermeet. And Drow, of course. There is also a country in the Shining South that is full of half-Drow crossbreeds- Dambrath. (Demihumans of the Realms). 3e added other races, like the Star Elves, who were elves who had retreated to a different plane. And the Maztica book series had a female elf who was an Albino who turned out to be a Drow- and who got turned into a Drider at the end of the second book. I suppose you could play an albino Drow, but realistically, what would that add to the game? Any Drow not raised in the Underdark loses all that Magic Resistance and innate spells and powers. If you want to pretend you are playing a Drow, play an elf and change their paper doll skin to black. That's all you really need to do.
Incidentally, the reason Eilistraee allowed herself to be banished with the evil Elven Deities is because she accidentally fired an arrow at Corellon Larethian during the battle and wanted to be punished for it (she, herself, doesn't allow herself to use ranged weapons as a result, but her worshippers are allowed to), and because she knew that she would one day be needed to be a foil to the evil of her mother and brother. She did/does have a major temple, which is under the city of Waterdeep, in a place called the Promenade, which is part of the complex known as Undermountain. (Which could be an interesting place to add to the game, considering it is just one huge sprawling Dungeon that goes on for miles and miles, constructed by a mad Archmage named Halaster Blackcloak.)
So as it is put, the divine relation isn't a factor to keep/lose levitation, but i don't know about the other skills (darkness and faerie fire).