Qaltiar

A majority of the drow in Xen’drik pay homage to Vulkoor, believed by some scholars to be an aspect of the Mockery. Pictured as a massive scorpion or as a handsome, well-toned male scorrow (see page 81), Vulkoor is often shown hunting, fighting against giants, or bearing an entire drow village on his back as a scorpion carries its young. The faith of Vulkoor takes on many forms, varying from tribe to tribe. Three common types of worship exist in Xen’drik, although others are certainly practiced.

Regard less of how Vulkoor is viewed or worshiped, clerics of the scorpion god have access to the same domains as those granted by the Mockery. Unlike clerics of the Mockery, drow who worship Vulkoor treat the drow scorpion chain as their favored weapon.

Vulkoor the Hunter: The most common form of worship presents Vulkoor as the drow ideal—a skilled and crafty hunter, fearless in the face of any challenge, and protective of the drow people. Like their deity, tribes who revere the hunter are self-suffi cient. They are often nomadic, relying on their hunting skills to keep them fed. These drow pay homage to Vulkoor by their actions, as well as through lengthy recitations of the deeds of the god and the heroes who follow him.

Vulkoor the Wrathful: Although their numbers are fewer than those who worship Vulkoor the hunter, those who revere the deity’s wrath are far more dangerous to any explorers who cross their path. These drow are fearful of their god and seek constantly to appease him. They attribute the fall of the giants to his actions and wish to avoid similar retribution. Their prayers to Vulkoor are often accompanied by living sacrifice—ideally of those explorers who dare trespass in the god’s holy lands. Thankfully, these drow are less nomadic than most, and their territories can be avoided.

Vulkoor the Cunning: Some drow view the entire continent of Xen’drik as their inheritance, believing that Vulkoor guides their endeavors to reclaim its glory. These drow are universally xenophobic, since Vulkoor’s worship teaches that all foreigners enter Xen’drik to rob the drow of their destiny. Unlike other tribes, these drow do not shy away from the wonders of the past but uncover and learn to use ancient magic and relics.

Drow typically have only two names, a personal name and a family name. Drow are very careful about sharing their family names, and it is considered an insult in drow society to ask about a family name. Among drow, sharing a family name is sometimes a sign of trust and friendship, but more often it is a sign of submission to a more powerful individual. Drow guard their family names so carefully not because of any personal danger or need, but because family is the ultimate source of loyalty for any drow; a drow never wants to give away any information that might weaken the family. Drow proper and family names feature multiple syllables, glottal stops (represented by apostrophes), and hard consonants.

Male Names: Ek’ann, Kaxxar, Xen’kar.

Female Names: Curra, Kas’asar, Kirris, Xen’va.

Family Names: Gen’thac, Torkak, Xar’cha

The Qaltiar, meaning "broken oath" in Elvish, are one of the drow cultures that emerged on Xen’drik after the fall of the giant civilisations. The ancestors of the Qaltiar drow rebelled alongside the elves against the giants. It's even possible that some of these drow fled Xen'drik in the exodus lead by Aeren.

The Qaltiar are a nomadic tribal society inhabiting the jungles of Xen'drik. They worship a host of animal spirits which they believe guide them in their lives. The greatest of these spirits is the scorpion, Vulkoor. They also believe that souls are tested by these spirits when they die. If a soul is found worthy, they are reborn into the world.

There are many of these spirits, far more than those listed here, and not all Qaltiar are united in their views of the spirits or the roles these spirits play. Some of these tribes venerate a rainbow-winged serpent, which is almost certainly a couatl.

Vulkoor is the greatest of the spirits worshipped by the Qaltiar and takes the form of a great scorpion. He is seen as both a deadly hunter and a wise provider, who teaches the Qaltiar to live sustainably. He is usually depicted as a ghost scorpion, and drow warriors will often wear Armor made from the pale chitin of ghost scorpions, which they consider to be one of Vulkoor's many gifts. Others will tattoo themselves with scorpion venom, a ritual that they believe will imbue them with the power and wisdom of Vulkoor.

Hul'drac is the spirit of the shifting panther (displacer beast) and is second only to Vulkoor in the stories of the Qaltiar. He is a cunning hunter who relies on guile and trickery to avoid enemies’ blows. He is often revered by hunters and warriors of the Qaltiar, who hope that he will guide them in battle.

Ko'molaq is a spirit that takes the form of an immense two-headed serpent. Ko'molaq translates to "keeper of secrets", and he is said to possess knowledge of many hidden and secret things. Drow will often beseech Ko'molaq for guidance, but the advice given should always be taken with a grain of salt, as you can never know if Ko'molaq is telling the truth.

Kura'tra is the spirit of the tilxin bird, a clever spirit that relies on speed and keen senses to outwit and outrun predators. While many other spirits the Qaltiar revere are predators, Kura'tra is seen as a wise and cunning spirit worthy of respect. The Qaltiar may call on Kura'tra to provide them with inspiration, or to speed them along their way.

Ton’amil is a spirit that takes the form of a rainbowfeathered winged serpent. They are said to command the light, the sun and the stars, and Ton’amil illuminates the darkest nights and helps lost Qaltiar find their way home. Rarely, there are stories of Ton’amil appearing to Qaltiar and empowering them to fight particularly fearsome foes.

The Wanderer is an enigmatic spirit that takes on many forms. They are seen as a bringer of change that is neither good nor bad. If you encounter them, the only thing you can be sure of is that your future is uncertain.