From the cover of Drow of Porphyra by Patricia Cavalieri
Q: Where can I buy Drow of Porphyra and in which format(s)?
A: You'll have to sign into Drivethru to access all of the chapters, since three of them are labeled as adult content. You can get them as PDFs. Each chapter covers a unique tribe, so if one doesn't appeal to you at all, you can skip it. Use these links to find the Karza, Nalbrezu, Xelusine, and Strivog.
Q: Are there reviews I can read?
A: Endzeitgeist has thoroughly examined the first four chapters on his site: Karza, Nalbrezu, Xelusine, and Strivog.
Q: What roleplaying game rules does this supplement use, and can it be used with other game systems?
A: It's designed for d20, with 1st edition Pathfinder power levels in mind, but it can easily be adapted to other systems.
Q: Are the new feats, spells etc. suitable for characters of all levels, or is it targeted at low, mid or high level characters?
A: There are often new feats and features given in the various chapters. Most of them are aimed at low and mid level characters. Once you get to know each tribe, it won't be difficult to match them with features from other books or of your own making.
Q: Is it in the format of an adventure module or a source book?
A: It is not an adventure module; it's a supplement that gives you enough information to use these drow in whichever adventures you have in mind.
Q: Does it require a working knowledge of the drow from a different publisher (i.e. forgotten realms or eberon)?
A: Since the drow tribes of Porphyra have their own histories and powers, no prior knowledge of other drow is required. They can be used to spice up drow of older settings, however.
Q: How do the drow in Porphyra differ from more traditional (D&D/Pathfinder) incarnations of the dark elves?
A: The Drow of Porphyra are meant to be played, and not just portrayed by the DM. Drow are often approached from an outside and accustory point of view. They're usually framed as antagonists who are glimpsed in brief encounters by those who disapprove of how they live. Many rich details and experiences are missed through that long-standing approach. Shifting the perspective to look at them from the inside makes it easier for players to portray them.
The Drow of Porphyra are rooted in the setting of Porphyra but have a modular approach. It shouldn't be difficult for readers to envision how they can use some or all of the tribes, whether they're playing in Porphyra or not. These drow can be dropped in alongside other versions without too much difficulty. Take what serves your needs and leave the rest, as the Strivog would do. Either way, the book should be easy to use.
Members of these tribes encompass various levels and types of evil but aren't restricted to that alignment. Nuances help take the Drow a step further and refresh their image. Having different flavors of evil will also help DMs start evil campaigns for various groups. Not all groups want to deal with matriarchal sadists, and they don't have to. The drow can indeed do it all, with style and grace.
Speaking of which - Lolthian-flavored drow exist in Porphyra, as well, for those who just can't give them up. They're just one tribe, however, and their ravenous goddess isn't popular with others. The other tribes are considerably different. They don't share a common root and likely won't share a common destiny, and most of them are just fine with that.
Appearance and alignment don't mean that the Drow are going to be color-coded for convenience, per se. Evil doesn't mean ugly. Good doesn't mean weak. Neutral doesn't mean careless.
I could go on, but hopefully you'll see for yourself.
Q: What is Porphyra like? Where can I find more information about it as a setting?
A: Have a look at the wiki.
Q: What would be suggested rather than required reading?
A: Start with whatever you might have read about the drow in previous years. Yes, really. Go back and really pay attention to how the details fit, or don't, what works for you about the drow, or doesn't - or what used to appeal to you but no longer does. It can be remarkably eye-opening.
Q: What artists capture the feel of the setting best?
A: Setting is not the focus of the book and is left deliberately fuzzy to give DMs more options. Readers can better answer this question than I can, based on where they imagine the various tribes in their games. There are some details about key locations in different chapters, like the terraced city of Chasgoroth that is set up on the sides of giant yawning chasm (a stronghold of the Karza). Some details about major regional effects pop up, as well.
Q: Would you imagine any particular characteristics or even specific performer as narrative voice(s)?
A: Oh, yes. I tend to hear narrative voices while I'm writing, but they aren't usually tied to particular performers. For the Karza, I imagined the strong, zealous drow priestess many of us know by now. For the Nalbrezu, I heard a wise guy like those in the mob movies I watched while growing up. That particular chapter was very fun to write because I had such a distinct and amusing character in my head, telling me all about his people as though we were having a conversation. For the Xelusine, I imagined the sexiest voices I've ever heard, the ones that are almost hypnotic. The Strivog were inspired by the ornate bone art of Sedlec Ossuary and the bejewelled skeletons of Waldsassen Basilica; there wasn't a voice for them as much as images, some of them quite horrifying.
Q: Is it adult oriented (excessive gore/violence, sexual themes)?
A: I come from a tradition in which the worst - or most titillating - details only need to be hinted at. The audience fills in the rest with their own imaginations. Each chapter varies in its themes and adult overtones, as follows:
Karza: Rated GE for General Evil, with brief mentions of things you've probably seen in other books, like slave bodies being fed to vermin hordes
Nalbrezu: Rated FE for Fun Evil, with drow who know they do bad things and enjoy it, especially when paid to do it by others
Xelusine: Rated NE for Naughty Evil, with more references to sexuality and forbidden pleasures because they're shameless tempters and hedonists
Strivog: Rated SE for Spooky Evil, with drow that regularly use body parts for clothes, buildings, and more
Keep in mind that each chapter provides an inside view of the culture so that you can better understand the drow who live that way. That may or may not be disturbing at times, since people can believe some truly awful things, but it should help produce more realistic characters (either as PCs or NPCs). If you want solid reasons to love or explore or hate the drow, you'll find them, if not in the current chapter then in the next.
Q: Is it for newbies, intermediate or advanced players (i dont mean level wise)?
A: The systems aren't too difficult for newer players, and novice gamers should be able to interface with the stories without trouble. The ideas should offer grist for more seasoned gamers, either as a whole or as pieces to be added to ongoing games.
Q: How much time will an average reader need to spend in order to get well acquainted with the content?
A: The first chapter is 17 pages, the second is 24 pages, the third is 27 pages, and the fourth is 31 pages. Each chapter is divided in half between mechanics and an overview of the tribe (history, society, etc.)' I haven't heard that they take very long to get through.
Q: Will I be able to incorporate the contents of the book to my own fantasy world?
A: I very much hope so!
Q: Is there a Drizzt? (sorry for this one but i found it funny...and please say no:P)
A: There can be no apology for this question, since Drizzt is the most known drow of all time. The short answer is that I don't linger on individual drow characters. I want to give you what you need to make your own legendary dark elves, according to your own needs and tastes.
The long answer is much more complicated. First, each tribe has a predominant alignment but also room for a range of others. The Karza are Chaotic Evil primarily, but also include many successful Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil drow. It's very difficult to be Lawful in their midst, but Neutral drow aren't out of the question. The Nalbrezu have an even greater range. And each tribe can produce Good drow, with their own temperament and destiny. They might not last long among their own kind, but they'll exist. Some will hate and fear their tribe and will be hated and feared by other races. And some players really want the opportunity to play out such things. Instead of being ridiculed, deeper experiences of the outcast should be the focus. I like to think that the drow of Porphyra offer fun new possibilities to that end.
Q: Who does the artwork for the book?
A: The cover art is by Patricia Cavalieri and the interior art is by Gary Dupuis and Tomi Baranya.
Q: Why should I buy the book chapter by chapter? Why can't I just get the whole thing when it's finished?
A: The first answer to this question is that you might favor certain tribes over others; buying them one a time means investing in what you think you'll like best. The second answer is that Real LifeTM took me away from the project, and I might never get back to it. I hate to admit that, but it's true. I have ideas I'd love to bring to fruition but time and energy just haven't been in the works. Still, I'm proud of the chapters I completed, and I think they have a lot to offer those who enjoy dark elves in tabletop RPGs.
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