The Tome Of Drow Lore.pdf - RoseRed

Though the Sulzthul constantly conspire to keep the
locations of their cities secret, they know it is impossible
to ensure no one ever discovers them. Indeed, there have
been several wars with the aboleth in the centuries since
the aquatic drow won their freedom, wars which have
sometimes spilled into the homes of the Sulzthul. For
protection against the aboleth, and against any other aquatic
attacker, the Sulzthul vigorously guard the borders of their
territories, employing both their well-trained soldiers and
the deadly bloodridge eels, which they have domesticated to
serve as guard animals of the deep. Additionally, all means
of entry into a Sulzthul community of any appreciable size
will surely be laid with dozens or hundreds of magical
traps, ranging from mere alarms to cascading series of
symbols programmed to activate at the approach of any
non-Sulzthul.
In the event of a large-scale attack on a Sulzthul city by an
air-breathing enemy, the aquatic drow will, naturally, first
attempt to drive the invaders out. Should the enemy be
determined, however, the Sulzthul have the option of merely
retreating to the depths of their city to wait the invaders out.
The Sulzthul can withstand the pressure of up to almost
1,000 feet of water, the crushing weight of which will kill
most landbound enemies. For those who continue to press
the attack, which usually requires magical assistance for
any land-dwelling assailants, a few volleys of dispel magic
spells from the aquatic drow sorcerers should be enough to
make them break off their assault.
Culture
The Sulzthul’s long enslavement by the aboleth has informed
every aspect of their society today. It is a memory that still
burns in the minds of every one of the aquatic drow, though
none are alive today who actually endured it. The Sulzthul
fear a return to such an existence above all other things.
They trust no one outside their own race, and even have a
difficult enough time trusting other Sulzthul.
The Sulzthul culture is built around strength and
independence, of both the individual and of the race. Traits
and skills that work for the benefit of the people are highly
prized, be it strength of arms, sorcerous power or talent
at some particular craft. Each Sulzthul is expected to be
able to fend for himself, to have some degree of ability in
everything from finding food to fighting a battle. Weakness
and sloth are not tolerated in Sulzthul society, as such traits
weaken the race as a whole.
Though the Sulzthul have struggled to rid themselves
of everything thrust upon them by the aboleth, there are
some things which have not changed. One is the altered,
mutated form they inhabit. They are not grateful to the
aboleth for the changes worked upon them, but neither are
they ashamed of what they are. It is simply a fact of their
life and something they accept.
Another remnant of the aboleth control is not a physical
thing, but social. The aboleth divided the Sulzthul into
three groups, castes which are still strongly demarcated
in their society today. These castes are the warrior caste,
the craftsman caste and the gathering caste. Among the
Sulzthul, it is the warrior caste which guards the borders
and ventures forth to war, the craftsman caste which does
everything from create thryssal to performing the intricate
dances of the Sulzthul and the gathering caste which tends
to the fields of underwater vegetation, nets fish for food
and collects the oyster pearls commonly used for currency
among the aquatic drow. The caste to which an individual
belongs indicates that individual’s primary function within
society, but in no way indicates an ignorance of all the ways
of the other castes. As mentioned earlier, every Sulzthul
is expected to be able to make his own way in the world,
alone if need be. A member of the gathering caste will
certainly have some knowledge of battle, just as a member
of the warrior caste will be able to find his own food.
Additionally, the lawful evil mindset of the aboleth rubbed
off somewhat on the Sulzthul, muting but not replacing
their chaotic nature, making neutral evil the most common
alignment of their culture.
Economy
The economy of most of the Sulzthul is rudimentary at
best. Their needs are few and their contact with other races
is sparse. Most communities of Sulzthul are fairly small,
and tend to exist using a simple barter system. Some very
small groups dispense with even that, merely sharing all
things equally among the community, but the suspicious
nature of the Sulzthul makes such an arrangement difficult
and when more than a few dozen are gathered together, it
becomes impossible.
There are several cities of the Sulzthul scattered in large
lakes or small seas in isolated areas of the Underdeep. The
size of these settlements precludes the Sulzthul from being
as insular as they would normally wish to be, forcing them
to engage in trade with other races.
Trade with the Sulzthul is a difficult process. As they will
not allow any other race to enter the areas of their cities
and settlements, it is impossible to directly approach them
about opening trade without triggering an armed conflict.
Anyone wishing to open relations with the Sulzthul on a
more peaceful note is limited to making such aspirations
well known, and hoping the Sulzthul in turn contact them
about beginning trade.
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