Hi All,

Recently, I have gotten a lot of questions about the new Species covered in the Player’s Campaign Companion. Below is some more detailed info about those new species. Beware, I can be a bit long winded. 

Although this is set up as more of a blog-ish post, please feel free to chime in with any questions or comments. I’ll monitor this discussion post frequently, and I am happy to answer any questions folks might have about the species covered. 

When I started this project, I found that a lot of the beloved classic adventures involve only heroes from the surface exploring the subterranean world for the first time and encountering the evil Drow as strictly antagonists. I found a few really great innovative adventures out there that that are centered around players playing heroes who come from down below, but I wasn’t finding too many options for players who select that sort of background. 

So, for the Dark Beneath I wanted to create five Drow adjacent species that could give players more options if they choose to create characters who come from an underground setting. I wanted Species that could walk Drow cities without being immediately killed or enslaved, but who were a bit more diverse than was available prior and with abilities specific to the realm they come from. 

The Five species created are: 

Spawned from the Drow, the Belbol’ri carry the manifested curse of demon-kind within their bloodlines. Belbol’ri are born believing they are Drow, with their Drow curse dominant and their demonic curse latent and unseen. 

When exposed to dark energies (either as part of an adventure plot or as part of their background), their latent demonic curses can be catalyzed and they become something between Drow and demon. This change is not all at once, it progresses by feeding on any evil acts perpetrated by the cursed. 

With each choice to commit evil, demonic traits begin to manifest in them, revealing their true lineage and transforming them to match their darkest natures. Some Belbol’ri struggle to resist their evil lineages, while others embrace them. They straddle the line between Fiend and Dark Elf. They are the Belbol’ri; they have the Demon Gift. 

The Lataurii are the keepers of the deepest reaches of a corrupted forest called Wisperholt. These half-Devils, who were once Drow, have left behind all that they once were for a chance to live on the surface. They live in enclaves ruled by Druids and dedicate themselves to halting all incursions into their shadowy home.

The Lataurii are taught to see themselves as a force of destruction inflicted upon the mortal plane to counteract the spread of civilization. The collection of souls is the strength of their enclaves. Each collected soul strengthens their enclave’s most potent weapon, an infernal spirit of death called the Biez’zu. Young Lataurii with much to prove often range far and wide in pursuit of souls to contribute to their enclave's soul vault, called a Tes'Yasga.

Often, Lataurii range back into the depths of the Dark Beneath in pursuit of this goal, undertaking great feats and adventures while trudging through the underground depths of their past. They are the Lataurii, the Dancers of Extinction.

Half-Devil and half-Drow, the Azil’sorne bear the gifts and curses of Hel’s region of Frozen Wastes. Ruled by evil wizards, the Azil’sorne either embrace the dictates of their arcane rulers or chafe against their unflinching grip.

Unlike their Lataurii siblings, the Azil’sorne seek to advance their infernal society. They prize knowledge as power and do not shy away from the trappings of urbanization.

The Azil’sorne are soul hunters of the wicked. They trade evil souls to the Devils of Hel in return for secrets of the arcane. This fuels their dominance over whole regions of the Wisperholt. Only the souls of evil mortals are traded, however, as it is only they who belong in Hel.

Beneath the shadowy shield of the forest canopy, the Azil’sorne grow strong. Their young warriors hunt far and wide beyond the borders of the Wisperholt, seeking fresh souls to fuel the infernal power of their growing society.

The children of Drow and Dwarven unions, the Harllith are a new breed of creature that stalks the shadows of the Dark Beneath. Stronger than their Drow parents and more magical than their Dwarven progenitors, Harllith struggle to find their place in an unforgiving world.

Frequently unwanted by their parents and often mistreated, many Harllith have bonded together for safety and comfort. As their numbers have grown in recent years, they have become numerous enough to break away and be considered their own species.

Within the wilds of the Dark Beneath, they have begun to create a culture of their own, throwing off the shackles of their oppressive parentage and creating something new.

The Nephili are giant shape-shifting spiders that hide among the Drow. Most present-day Nephili were born from Drow parents and grew up appearing to be Drow children. As they age, they begin to remember what they truly are: the last of a secret, ancient, and dying race.

Each of them is gifted with hereditary knowledge of their true nature. The Nephili can transform into their true form and back at will. Beneath their Drow exteriors, they are giant magical spiders of tremendous power; their true forms are rarely seen by anyone except their enemies before they die.