Drow Language

Drow are as eloquent and musical in their speech as other elves, and are capable of readily reproducing the sounds of other languages. Most drow an good mimics: a drow overhearing speech who imitates the words and tone is 45% likely (+I% per exposure to the language) to be audibly mistaken for the being they are imitating.
Most drow have little exposure to surface tongues (outcast, slave-traders, and adventurers being the principal exceptions). A citizen of an underground city who seldom ventures far afield will know two tongues: the everyday spoken language of the drow, or "Deep Drow" (which varies slightly from community to community, in the same way that spoken Common has regional accents, phrases, and words) and the soundless language of gestures and expressions developed by drow long ago.
This "silent language" of drow, sometimes called the "hand code," is a language as detailed as the spoken word. Its specifics are not given in this book for two reasons: First, Elminster believes that some secrets should be kept, and I agree. Second, development of gestures and expressions. is an ideal area for DM creativity, to encourage PC roleplaying and uncertainty. Moreover, showing and describing the nuances and combinations of the unspoken tongue requires months of concentrated tutoring. A rudimentary vocabu1w, of spoken Drow appears in the "Selected Glossary" chapter.
"Deep Drow" (also known as "Low Drow" or "Drowic") is the everyday tongue of the drow, corrupted by passing fashions, trade?tongue jargon, and even words from other languages (notably gnomish, dwarven, surface elven and human wizardly terms). It has a similar structure to the Common Tongue, used by humans and in most interspecies trade In the Realms (specifically to the dialect known as "Undercommon," used In The Realms Below). When written, Its flowing letters resemble old elven and freehand Thorass scripts, but a being familiar with both elvish and Common writing can puzzle out only 14% of the general nature of a drow Inscription.
Deep Drow is a living, changing tongue, and varies from place to place In the Underdark, as well over time (although drow speech, due to isolation and technology slowed by tradition and a rigid class-based society does not change with the rapidity of surface languages). The DM is free to Introduce new words and phrases at will?and may encounter words and phrases in other sources that are not found here.
Visitors to drow settlements may also sometimes hear "High Drow," an archaic, rarely?used dialect known and heard chiefly by the clergy of Lolth (used in spell Incantations, or between priestesses when they don't want lesser drow within hearing to understand their speech). High Drow Incorporates some specialized gestures (pad of the Silent Language), which drow not familiar with it sometimes call "The Secret Signs."
Adventurers are advised that drow are usually silent in battle. If startled or in pain, they may call out to Lolth, or utter an oath.
Common drow curses are "Ssussun pholor dos!" = "light upon you!" to another drow, or merely, "Ssussan" = "light!" `1b a non?drow, a drow usually reverses this: Vloth ~ dos!" = "darkness take you!"
To rally comrades In battle or call for aid, drow my cry their House name?a drow of House I?Raund might cry, 1?fiaund ulu ussM" = "Hlaund to me!" or "Hlaund ultrin!" = "Raund supreme!"
This chapter lists many drow names, useful in themselves and as a "style" guide for creating new names.
Humans are warned that drow names do not necessarily denote beings of the same sex as similar names (and name endings) in human societies. No noble drow has a first name too close to a common word (e.g. those in the "Selected Glossary" chapter). No drow, of any faith, take names closely resembling the names of any drow deity?it is blasphemous to use the name of one's own deity, and unlucky to have a name too akin to that of mother deity.
Certain drow names are found on (or under) Toril and other worlds. Lolth has encouraged the spread of drow from world to world, to strengthen herself and to safeguard the survival of the race. Interplanetary colonization has spread names with the drow that bore them.

 

Female names:

Akordia Alaunita Alystin Angaste Ardulace Aunrae Belarbreena Briza Burryna Chalithra Charinida Chessintra Dhaunae Dtlynrae Drisinti Eclavdra Elvanshalee Iymril Warmiss J haelryna Jhulae Jyslin

Laele Larynda LiNeerlay Lirdnolu Ltialyrr Malice Maya Micarlin Minolin Molvayas Myrymma Nathrae Nedylene NuIllira Olorae Pellanistra Phaere Phyrra Quarra Quave Quilue Rauva

Elvraema Erelda Faeryl Felyndiira Filfaere Gaussra G'eldrlia Ginafae Greyanna Meta Halavin Halisstra Ilivarra Ilmra Imrae Inidil Irae Irruit Rilrae Sabal Sabrae Shi'nayne

ShriNeerune Shurdriira Shyntlara StNafay Ssapriina Talabrina. Talice Triel T'risstree Ulviirala Umrae Viconia Werna Vlondril Waerva Wuyondra Xullrae Xune Asraena Zarra Zebey'ma Zesstra Zilvra

 

Male Given Names

Adinlrahc Alak Alton Amalica Antatlab Baragh BeIgos Beanyon Bhintel Bruherd Calimar Chaszmyr Dlnin Dipree Dlvolg Drizzt Duagloth Durdyn Elkantar Filraen

Gelroos Ghaundan Gomph Guldor Hatch'net Houndaer Ilmryn Ilphrin Istolil Ranaghar Istorvir Jaraxle Jeggred Kalannar KeInozz Krenaste Krondorl Lesaonar Lyme

Malaggar Mascj Merinid Mourn Nalfein Nilonim Nyrn Ghaundar Nym. Ryltar Omareth Orgoloth Pharaur Cuevven Quild Monor Riklaunirn Mzzen Ryld Sabrar

Seldszar Shar Nadal Solaulkin Sorn Szordrin Tarlyn Tathlyn Tebryn Tluth Tsabrak Urlryn Valas Vorn Vuzlylyn Welverin Wode Yazston Zaknafein

 

Surnames

Drow last names are many and varied. Only those of noble blood, or commoners holding titled ranks (such as patron, weapons master, or herald) in a noble House, may use the name of their House as a surname. By tradition. no House name begins with the same = sound as Me nan c of the Spider Queen, Lolth, and no drow bears the personal name of "Lolth" or any of its variants (LIoth, Loethe)?except a revealed avatar of the
Goddess.

Drow Surnames

Abadr Abbylan Argith Blacrabban Blundyth Coborel Coloara Cormrael Dalael DhutmY1 Elpragh Filifar

Gellaer Ghaun Glannath Hune Hyluan Illistyn Jhalavar JusztUrn Khalazza Lhalabar Men YbegWl MIezzlir Naerth

Ornrivvin Pharn Phillorn Quavein Rhorndull Rrostarr Seerear Ssambra Werma Tlintarn Torgh Tisarran Uo'e

Veladorn Vrammyr VrInn Waeglossz Wyndyl Xarann Xlityn Yauntyrr Yauthlo Prymmin Zahresz Zolond Nonme

 

Known House Names

Aleanrahel AlevaI Arabani Arkhenneld Auvryndar Eilservs Everhate

Baenrae Barrison'del'arrngo Claddath Despana DeVir Do'Urden 'IlAen'duis Freth

Godeep HelviiM Maund Hun'ett Kenafin Rilynt'tar Fey-Branche

KUsek Maerret Melarn Wyl Noquar Ousstyl Thrmtor Zauviir

Known Drow Cities

Abaethaggar Abburth Baereghel Chatilssin Charrvhel'raugaust Ched Nasad Cheth Rrhinn

Erethei-Cinlu Eryndlyn Faneadar Guallidurth Haundrauth Ithilaughym Llurth Dreier LuihaWenlar

Maerimydra Menzoberranzan Orlydar Rilauven Sshamath Sshanntynlan Szithlin

T'lindhet Tyrybblyn Uluitur Undraeth V'elddrinnsshar Waethe Hlammachar Yuethindrynn

 

A Selected Glossary of Deep Drow

"Deep" or "Low" Drow changes from place to place and time to time, altered by the introduction of words from other languages (due to trade, magical research and training, and the like). Deep Drow is similar in structure to Common. More details of drow communication can be found under "Drow Language," above; this chapter contains words and phrases for DM use in creating NPC drow speech, Inscriptions, and messages.

Words

abban = ally, not?enemy
abbil = comrade, trusted friend
akh = band, group
alur = better, superior
alurl = best, foremost
alust = in front, facing, in the forefront
bauth = around, about
bautha = dodge, to dodge
belaern = wealth, coinage, treasure
belbau = to give
belbol = gift
bol = item, thing (unknown, unidentified, mysterious or important)
brorn = surprise
brorna = surprises
cahallin = food (produce or harvest, including raid?spoils, but not hunted game or cooking)
colbauth = path, known way
dal = from
darthilr = faeries, surface elves, traitors
del = of
doeb = out
dobluth = outcast
dos = you
Asst = yours
dosstan = yourself
draa = two
drada = second
dro = life, alive
elgg = kill, slay, destroy
elghinn = death
elamshin = destiny, the will of Lolth
elend = usual, traditional
elendar = continue, continued, continuing, enduring
faer = magic
faerl = magical
faerbol = magical item
faern = wizard, magic?worker (of either sex, any race)
gol = goblin
golhyrr = trick, ruse, trap
goln = goblins
harl = down, under, below
haszak = illithid (mind flayer)
haszakkin = illithids
honglath = clear thinking, calm, braven pod behavior
iblith = offal, excrement, carrion (oath)
ilharn = patron (of House; title)
11har = mother, to mother (to give birth to young? not to comfort or rear)
ilharess = matron (of House; title)
ilharessen = matrons
ilindith = aim, goal, hoped?for event
inth = plan, stratagem, scheme
inthigg = agreement, treaty
izil = as
jabbuk = master (male in charge of some task or office; rank or title)
jal = all
jivvin = fun, play (amusing cru elty, "animal spirits")
khaless = Trust (especially mis placed or foolish)
kulg = snag, hitch, blockage (to will, or actual?e.g. de bris in a shaft or passage)
kulggen = deliberate rampart, shield, or other barrier
kyone = alert/alertly, waryAvarily, careful/carefully
kyorl = watch, wait, guard
kyorlin = watching, waiting, guarding
fil = the
Ear = three
Ilarnbuss = third
lueth = and
luth = cast, throw, hurl
maglust = apart, alone
malla = honored (term of respect)
mrimm = guide, key, inspiration
mzild = more
nau = no
natha = a
nind = they, them, their, theirs
nindyn = those
noamuth = wanderer, lost, unknown
obsul = opening, doon gap or chink
ogglin = rival, opponent, enemy (active; all creatures are considered potential ogglin)
olist = caution, stealth
cloth = darkness (utter natural darkness or magical darkness)
orbb = spider
orthae = holy, sacred
phalar = grave, battle?marker
phindar = monsten dangerous being (especially a non intelligent creature)
pholor = on, upon
phuul = are
plynn = take, seize
qua'laelay = disagreement, argu? ment, confrontation (not yet open conflict)
quarth = order (exercise of authority)
Quarval? = Goddess (Lolth; other
sharess = goddesses are "cluar'valsharess")
quarthen = ordered, commanded
qu'ellar = House (titled noble family)
ragar = find, discover, uncover
rath = back
ratha = backs
rathrae = behind
rivvil = human
rivvin = humans
sargh = confidence in weapons, battle?might, strength at?arms, valor
sargtlin = (drow) warrior
sam! = beware! warning!
sreen = danger
ssinssrigg = passion, lust, greed, longing, love
streea = suicide, death In the service of Lolth, a House, or a community
streeaka = reckless(ness), fear less(ness)
ssussun = light, brightness
taga = than
talinth = think, consider
thalra = meet, encounter
talthalra = meeting, council, parley
thalack = war, open fighting
Tha = raid, attack from afar
lackz = bind
du = be, to be
tuth = both
ul-Ilindith = destiny
ultrin = supreme, highest, con queror ("ultrine" when applied to Lolth only)
ultrinnan = conquering, victory, to win or prevail
Ulu = to
uss = one
usstan = this one (self, I)
Usstil = one in my place
Ust = first
valsharess = queen
veldrin = shadows, concealment afforded by varying light
velkyn = unseen, hidden, invisible
vel'uss = who
velve = blade
wael = fool
waela = foolish, unaware/unwary
wun = in
wund = mong, within, into
xal = may, might, perhaps
xun = do, to complete or accomplish
xund = striving, effort, work
xundus = doing, achievement, work completed or mani fested in some concrete result
yath = temple, of the temple (propero work, or deuee)
yathrin = (drow) priestess
yathtallar = high priestess
yorn = powerAvill/servant?crea ture of the Goddess (LoIth)
zhah = is
z'har = ride
zhaun = to learn, to know
zhaunil = learning, wisdom, knowledge
Zhin = walk
Zhind = trip, journey, expedition
Zorr = climb
z'ress = power, strength, force, dominance (especially of the will?Le. success in manipulation)

 

Phrases and Proverbs

Jal khatess zhah waela. — All trust is foolish.

Oloth zhah tuth abbil lueth ogglin. — Darkness is both friend and enemy.

Xun izil dos phuul quarthen, lueth dro. — Do as you are ordered, and live.

Lolth tlu mallajal ultrinnan zhah xundus. — Lolth be praised; all victory is her doing.

Rharessen zhaunil alurl. — (Matron) Mothers know best.

Lit alurl velve zhah lit velkyn uss. — The best knife is the unseen one.

Lit waela lueth waela ragar brorna -lueth wund nind, kyorlin elghinn. — The foolish and unwary find surprises?and among them, waiting death.

Khaless nau uss mztld taga dosstan. — Trust no one more than yourself.

Nindyn vel'uss kyorl nind ratha thalTa elghinn dal lit alust. — Those who watch their backs meet death from the front.

Ulu z'hin maglust dal Q'Uellar lueth Valsharess zhah ulu z'hin wund lit phalar. — To walk apart from House and Cueen is to walk into the grave.

Kyorljal bauth, kyone, lueth lit Quarvalshams xal belbau dos lit belbol del elendar dro. — Watch all about, warily, and the Goddess may give you the gift of continued life.

Vel'uss zhaun alur taga lit Quarvalsharess? — Who know better than the Goddess?

From "The Drow of the Underdark"
Copyright ©1991 TSR, Inc, All Rights Reserved, Printed in U.S.A.

 

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