Menzoberranzan - The Famed City of the Drow - D&D Lore

[@Ambuhsofly]

Larian already gave us so much in BG3 so I don't want to be greedy but I so wish they had this city in the game.

[@AstarionWifey]

Maybe DLC? 😉

[@Larunart]

God, that would be awesome. I think I’d spend ages simply walking around without even dealing with any major quest. Just admiring the city

[@Tazazak]

@@Larunartthat’s how I feel about the under dark right now. I’m done with act one, but have just been walking around for like 2 days because I don’t want to leave 😂 it’s so beautiful down there

[@mdanderssonupurs]

its in balders gate 2

[@TrueMortalGaming]

@@mdanderssonupurs no it's actually Ust Natha

[@michaeldpa1333]

Im glad Baulders Gate 3 is introducing new fans to the Forgotten Realms lore. The Drow History and Culture is fascinating.

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

It started in the Greyhawk setting first, then when they got rid of Gygax, Greyhawk went with it.

[@Local_commentor]

In Raphael's house of hope has a mirror of teleportation to Menzobarranzan I love it

[@ninety1nethagawd]

i havent even played yet, but i decided to randomly roll my first character, bc all ik about d&d is it bein a ttrpg & dice bein involved, & i rolled a lolth-sworn female drow. so i decided that my education into the d&d world for BG3 would revolve around the drow. im so happy that larian seems to have done justice by D&D fans. im so excited to finally play the game 😭😭😭

[@blu_otaku7063]

I've always liked drow just for being darker more mysterious elves, 24 years later i finally found a non book source of lore for them ❤

[@apb38]

When the book Homeland came out I started reading it around 8:30pm and finished it around 4am. Never had I read a book so fast in my life. That's how good it was.

[@kevinj1855]

That and Siege of Darkness were my favorite Drizzt novels, for the sole reason that the drow are awesome. Favorite villain to use in D&D

[@apb38]

@@kevinj1855 Agreed. There is no better villain that you love to hate to love.

[@godlessandlovingit]

I think the Drow would have conquered all of the underdark by now if it weren't for all of the Infighting that goes on between them.

[@sofaking1627]

Agreed. But I think that infighting is what keeps them so dangerous at the same time.

[@sephikong8323]

I don't think they would conquer all of it, they would definitely extend their influence in the short term (because their infighting is what keeps them to be the strongest they can possibly be over time so over a few centuries their culture would decay and lose it's edge over the others) but I also don't think they could take over the Ilithid colonies. These two races are the top dogs of the Underdark and I don't think they could take out each other (or even want to try to because of how dangerous the prospect is). So imo, if that scenario were to happen, the Drow would conquer most of the Underdark with some small pockets of Ilithid that stay out of their range, but as they start to become complacent and decadent over the centuries, said Ilithid will finally see an opportunity and you will have the different colonies start to make their moves as the Drow become weaker and expand their own territories in the process, forcing the Drow to retreat as they got spread too thin. TL;DR : If the status quo of the Underdark is broken in that way, I think it will ultimately benefit the Mind Flayers, and it feels extremely in character for them to just wait it out and entrench themselves waiting for when the Drow become weaker and an opportunity arises

[@joshuakim5240]

And the Duergar. The Duergar have clapped the Drow much more than the Drow have done so to them. Not for lack of trying either.

[@KS-PNW]

That's true of a weirdly high number of DND races that have that issue ¯\_(ツ)_/

[@KS-PNW]

​@@sephikong8323don't forget the aboleths in the deep underdark! I see them being a issue for the drow much like the mindflayers

[@Blakobness]

Long time fan of Drow, but didn't actually know about the no building and no occupying abandoned structures laws. Given their penchant for killing each other and the possibility of rival houses eventually being sentenced to death, seems like it puts the city at a perpetual downard trend in power. I know that houses will often absorb a lot of the common blood, the nobles mainly being those put to death in a house war or destruction; but having nowhere for a new house to take residence is tough unless you're specifically pushing for an expansionist strategy. But, given it's a culture worshipping a chaotic evil goddess, somehow I doubt the law will be upheld should it come to a great detriment.

[@VonThallis]

In the books house du'urden and others are reoccupied and sometimes just retake the name of fallen houses

[@joshuakim5240]

If i recall, noble houses cannot be reoccupied only if they were destroyed as the result of a House War conflict, as the empty ruins serve as a tombstone for the destruction of all of the losing house's members. However, noble houses not destroyed by a House War can be occupied by a new family of designated nobles or absorbed into a surviving noble house. Destroyed noble houses from House Wars can also, interestingly, be reclaimed as long as any member of the fallen house turned out to have survived, meaning that the victor house ultimately lost the war due to the rule that a House War must have everyone of the opposing house wiped out to the last member. So if one random member of the house just so happened to be on vacation somewhere and returned to find the rest of their family dead, that final member has the right to reoccupy the house as the new head and the house who destroyed everyone else would be designated the loser of the House War for failure to wipe out every member. This also, funnily enough, means that House Du'urden is impossible to destroy in a House War due to Drizzt wandering around the surface and refusing to go back home. As long as he's not confirmed dead, it's extremely difficult to officially declare a House War against House Du'Urden since Drizzt not dying during it would be an automatic loss for whichever opposing house attempts it.

[@aRustyBattleDroid]

the fact that even Lolth was like "okay you all need to stop fighting and go sit in a corner" is crazy to me lol

[@de_mo_ti_va_ta3092]

Since he was mentioned, and he is by far the coolest character in Menzoberranzan, I feel the need to mention that Jarlaxle is in fact Yvonne Baenre's 3rd born son!

[@aidkik580]

Just because I saw this comment I feel the need to wave my 🌭 at traffic...but im not gonna

[@swordmonkey6635]

My favorite drow is Malice Do'Urden. She was a beautiful bundle of rage and is quite the misandrist. A perfect poster girl for drow females. lol

[@whosasking.p]

Either I wasn't paying attention or I haven't gotten there yet but fuuuuck lol this was the biggest spoiler 😂

[@one_for_one]

​@@whosasking.pthe drizzt books are like 50 years old, i hardly think they can be spoiled at this point lol

[@whosasking.p]

@@one_for_one this, is also news to me lol I just remember reading part of homecoming as a kid in the early 2000s n later my dad had got a graphic novel for my mom

[@NC-ij9rb]

Coming here from BG3 and learning how much of a big shot Minthara's house Banre is ❤😮

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

Did not know house Baenre was featured in BG3, havent done a full playthrough yet. Very cool.

[@UgandanWarriorofHell]

“If i was given drow warriors instead of goblin traaash!” “oy! what?” “you scrag!” anyone, anyone? eh, eh?

[@piiikachuuu]

Minthara ❤

[@allenfox7186]

Minthy

[@kiaeshraghian8468]

I literally bought baldur’s gate with the hope the menzo was a location in the game 😢 I DID get to explore the underdark and it was so pleasant. Drizzt was my first introduction to forgotten realms, DnD, and the lore of the world. Great video 👍👍

[@gygolos4700]

"Homeland" was my introduction to the amazing world of Forgotten Realms and the trilogy remains one of my favorites to this day. Thank you so much for bringing this fabled city to life!

[@triplehate6759]

My eye is on Menzoberranzan's future... if, at this point, it even has one. As of the most recent book (at the time of this writing), Lolth has been slain on the prime material plane and will require at least a century or two to return, so among other repercussions, no magic for her clerics. A good sized chunk of the drow population has left for the surface after denouncing the Spider Queen, including the leadership of house Baenre, so the political leadership has been kneecapped as bad as the priesthood, and all of the city's enemies (and slaves) will no doubt be eager to capitalize on Menzoberranzan's current vulnerability, to the point that I would argue that chances are good by the time Lolth is able to manifest in Faerun again, the city and its inhabitants might well be GONE.

[@sibit1]

ive heard menzoberranzan said in 6 different way and every time its always jarring

[@Kida317]

To be honest, I was sold on the name alone - Menzoberranzan🎉🎉🎉 it sounds just so fun to say ✨MEN-ZO-BERRAN-ZAN✨

[@Local_commentor]

Menzobarranzan is my favorite name for a city sorry solitude and novigrad but that name sounds so cool the double rr as a Spanish speaker sounds so cool

[@nelsinki5177]

I love the dystopic female drow city, Salvatore's novels did an amazing job to depict a fantastic setting wich a particular twist and taste, great vídeo, thank you!

[@BrotherHood-xh9sg]

Exactly, the scheming, but also the digust you feel while reading some things. Like the f'ed up orgy scene.

[@Shimmerin]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you and I hope you make more.

[@minkalampinen9519]

I didn't expect any pictures from DrowTales! Snadhya'rune Vel'Sharen would feel right at home in Mezoberranzan or more likely she would try to paint the city in her colors. Now that would make one epic and hilarious crossover storyline! Good old Snads is insane enough to give even Lolth a pause XD On the other hand they might enjoy working together....

[@CraigNorman-ov9os]

Dude you need to do more videos like this! Absolutely fantastic, you captivated right to the end! Great narrative voice 10 out of 10!

[@blackheartgame450]

Great video! As a DM who's running Out of the Abyss for my players, this was a great summary of the Drow and this iconic location!

[@boldbearings]

Nicely. Been wondering about this place since playing as Vhaidra in Dark Alliance II: Baldurs Gate.

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

Thanks! Researching this was really fun.

[@LightStreak567]

Ah, the drow monk. I'm playing as Alessia in that game.

[@yourseatatthetable]

Love the setting so much I bought the original box set back in the day.

[@user-ip6wq7vr7m]

I could listen to this stuff for days and days, absolutely love DnD lore, thank you for this!.

[@SquiddlyInk]

You have such a great voice! Very easy to listen and absorb. Thank you!

[@rachelsammis2946]

Menzoberranzan is a lovely city.l have a wonderful winter home there.😊❤

[@nzratel]

Can't wait for Drizzt, loved those novels.

[@jamesburke9125]

Excellent and informative video!!!

[@doomzy8510]

nice video, i always like explanations of a region with an actual map so you can kinda get an idea of whats going on

[@ilmari8389]

Great video! Loved the tour and explanation of all the city districts. Hoping for more videos like this one of other citys :D

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

Thinking about doing Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep

[@PrincessQuinnevere]

Loved this video! Hungry for more content like this!!!!

[@damonr4136]

Really cool animations and pictures with this video, outstanding

[@xt3kn1x]

Been a while since I was brushed up on my Menzo lore. Thanks for putting this together.

[@ElvenEpic]

Your music videos are a visual treat! The combination of mesmerizing music and stunning visuals is simply breathtaking."

[@antoniosalgado3315]

This was awesome!! I hope you make more, thank you!

[@JCinLapel]

I was just a little shocked you did not tell everyone why Jarlaxle has such a strong tie to the House Baenre and what a hipocrit they are.

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

Thought about it, but I really enjoyed finding out that fact in the books and would hate to spoil it for others. Yes I know the whole video has tons of other book spoilers lol

[@JCinLapel]

@@StraightOutTheDungeon In casual conversation with a potential new player to the AL I help run. I mentioned my character Dareous of house Oblodra he is one of the changed as a price of the deal with the elder brain. His father forced Dareous to kill him so both his soul would be caught in thrull within his house ring of mind sheilding and so Dareous will use it to hide from the monster within him. His responce was I must have been caught up and played BG3 which the last book i listened to is starless nights and Darous predates the BG3 playtest and I am freinds with the brother of BG3 devs. This dates back to Out of the abyss

[@86redfield]

Enjoyed the video brada 🤘. Are there plans for more lore videos? And if so would you do lore from other settings such as Greyhawk, Dark Sun, or Eberron?

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

Yeah. I do plan on doing more lore videos. I am thinking of focusing on cities, kingdoms, and locations of interest. Definatley will branch out from Forgotten Realms but currently thinking of doing the city of Baldur's Gate since the game is doing so well and interest may be high for that.

[@86redfield]

@@StraightOutTheDungeon Honestly that sounds awesome considering BG3 was spectacular. And I enjoyed your usage of maps while explaining the various places in Menzobarranzan. Glad to hear you will be branching out. 🙌

[@filledandfreeme]

Great video!! Short, but very informative. If there was more lore, more independent videos on individual houses would be great.

[@YALDABOATHJr]

Well theres house oblodra. Wait. I forgot nevermind

[@sygmarvexarion7891]

How come Lolth came into Toril herself? I thought Ao forbids the gods from interfering directly into the realms, precisely to avoid the situations where the balance goes off the rails with multiple gods doing whatever the hell they please in the realms, and to prevent wars between gods.

[@cathulionetharn5139]

she isn't a deity "technically" She was an elven deity, then was banished into hell, became an archdemon/devil, came back and tempted a bunch of elves into becoming what is now drow who worship her as if she was a deity

[@arhambliss8606]

He forbids it but he does not nothing to enforce his edict so nobody listens

[@backseatsamurai]

@@cathulionetharn5139 actually she is now. She conquered the 66th layer of Hell for herself. Then, During the Waro f the Spider Queen, she became a Greater Deity, ie: A God. and turned the Demonweb Pits into her own independent Plane of Existence.

[@tobathetura7482]

Very odd section of the video. Lolth absolutely did not apear personally on toril. She technically interfered indirectly by empowering Yvonnel Baenres magic to pull house oblodra into the clawrift. This is her right as a diety to grant clerical magic to her followers. The degree to which the spell was empowered was taken as undeniable proof of lolths favor towards Yvonnel. At no point during that conflict did she actually descend, or even manifest an avatar.

[@dunngyllite7883]

"Menzoberranzan !" "Bless you"

[@TheBFN]

👿🔱😈.. thank you for making this video I learned a lot about this city from watching it.. now I'm going to have to bust out my menzo box set and reread it all and go through it again 😂.. I remember when drows first entered the Dungeons & Dragons scene.. all my friends thought they were the coolest things ever and I would dare to say that all of us still do think that

[@drewgoin8849]

I recently watched a review/abbreviated playthrough of the 1990s DnD "Menzoberranzan" computer game. I didn't realize that the game's title was the same as that of the city-state.

[@The-white-wizard]

I love how the symbol of house baenre is tattooed on mintharas neck it is a nice detail

[@cernunnos_lives]

Love this. More about the Underdark? I appreciate the difference between the depths involved. The ecology alone is interesting.

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

Thanks! Yeah that's a great ìdea actually. I myself am fascinated with the idea of the Faedark and the Shadowdark in the Faewild and Shadowfell. Hmmm...may research this lol

[@blockmasterscott]

The Underdark always fascinated me, and I agree about the ecology being fascinating.

[@StuartHollingsead]

4:03 is a picture or painting of Son Doong cave. A place you can visit IRL. It should be noted that Narbondel is not a stalagmite, nor a stalagtite, but a pillar from floor to ceiling.

[@Tarfyen2]

I upped the population of Menzoberranzan in my campaign because I think it's way too small to be a capital of any kind considering Waterdeep has around 1.3 Million inhabitants (used to be 2 Million). Since that is the case and considering how many powerful mages live in Waterdeep, there is no way the Drow wouldn't be extinct by now with their aggressive behaviour. One war like those described would throw Menzoberranzan back to the population of a village.

[@user-gk9lg5sp4y]

Still have the 2ed boxed set. Love the setting.

[@angelalewis3645]

Awesome! Good video!

[@joshs64]

You nailed how I feel when I read the dark elf trilogy lmao "how did I do" 😂

[@TimTeboner]

"No new construction, no moving into unoccupied buildings" Menzoberranzan is the ultimate NIMBY city lol

[@sofaking1627]

Very well done, thank you for this.

[@karenritter2574]

Wyckedly awesome!!!! Love it. Anyone else found a possible origin story for Guenhwyvar?? How about some info on Driders??

[@ronnieoo1341]

Great video, thanks!

[@marcuspearson87]

Great video

[@mpmaster83]

Drizzt learned to fight from Zak, he learned drow culture from Melee Mag i.e. trust no one

[@coreypacillo8204]

Had no idea about the tomb in the pillar!

[@paulpoumet773]

Sooo, isn't the best here would be the 8th noble house seat? Prestigious, proeminent and illustrous enough to command tremendous respect and enjoy a lot wealth, power and influence while low enough to not be seen as a threat? Or maybe simply being among the most lowest noble houses, you have all the aristocratic privileges without the eavy duties of the highest nobility. But even there, is it better to be THE most lowest noble house or at the top of the most lowest nobility ?

[@Local_commentor]

I was so weirded out when I found out that lore wise drow are 5,4 ft tall as a 6,2 guy I thought they be bigger given how good a legend that drizzt became

[@travishunt8999]

Jarlaxle is the greatest drow to ever live 😎

[@damonr4136]

Do we consider Drizzt a drow? I don't so I can agree with you, but Drizzt is the best character in all the Forgotten Realms to me

[@roundhousetodaface]

places i wish i could visit for 200 Alex.

[@damonr4136]

Gromph Baenre was a baddass

[@GoDamnWeird]

To the Drow of Menzoberranzan I have but one word to say: Erelhei-Cinlu

[@StevenMichaelCunningham]

Upper, Under & lower dark each there is a palace & palisade some have required healing in realizing was so very present at all. The home of The PANGEAN 🌀✨⭐⛈️🌐👣🥷🏻🤡🫅🏻⚜️🌀

[@danielhenry6777]

they gave noble drow a broch that lets them cast levitate now.

[@dach829]

Thankyou

[@tokyo-8661]

Is this all explained throughout the legend of drizzt series or through other series as well

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

For the most part yeah. However, the stuff about the founding of the city and the fight with the beholder is from Volo's Guide to All Things Magical that details the torque "Yuthla the Eye of the Beholder" as a magic item.

[@rroes7319]

Is there years for certain events?

[@qwertywatcher]

great video... ps. BY accident. Not ON accident

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

For all intensive purposes

[@theonlymatthew.l]

​@@StraightOutTheDungeonfor all intents & purposes... 😄

[@TheBFN]

👿🔱😈.. I need that MAP 😮

[@TraciPeteyforlife]

Loth has trust issues and desires choas. She's a bit crazy to say the least.

[@dfi6454]

Considering this video is 6 months old it’s a great video but vastly out of date if you look at the Salvatore books.

[@morecringe89]

The new version of Menzo is really bad compared two the second edition. As bad as the new Dragon Lance

[@bumpyshorts]

I would just move

[@Porkslap83]

I used to love the Drizzt saga by R.A. Salvatore. Until I realized the only character development in over 30 years is each characters sexual proclivities.

[@mimief7969]

My hood 😂

[@mikeg5039]

I love the drizzt saga with all my being but the pronunciation of drizzt not being how i pronounced it for 20 years is such a bugaboo. I call him Drits, saying drisst sounds so wrong

[@StraightOutTheDungeon]

Haha...yep. Even researching these pronunciations, the sources don't agree...even Bob Salvatore says things differently at different times

[@d.sm.4146]

At least you weren't using the goblin pronunciation "drizzit" which was a quasi popular way of saying it that made me want rip my hair out.

[@carlhicksjr8401]

Me, I'm a Greyhawk purist. Drow are bad guys, period. The reason why Drizzt is a hero is because he's unique. Menzo is a kindergarten patty-cake fight compared to Erelhei-Cinlu [especially the version in Dragon 298]. It's like watching 'Kill Bill' with all the debauchery edited out. The whole point of having Evil in your game is that it is **evil** ... it is debauched, morbid, violent, and a society where the most well adjusted member is a sociopath with self-discipline. Drow cities are supposed to a serial killer's carnival and a whole slew of drow PC heroes dilutes that down to Kool-Aid for children.

[@thehelter2559]

Menzoexcuse me?

[@plazmica0323]

i dont get it, what are they doing with spiders and why is it called spider city, does it realy have giant spiders and do those spiders eat those drows ? Where that thing lolth spider resides, inside city, outside, from where it comes ? How do they not overcrowd over 1000 years of abbandoning homes to spiders and why is their big spider god eating them it doesnt make any sense

[@eerreennee]

16:22 ... Not "on" accident ... It Is "by" accident.

[@lordmortos979]

Only 20,0000? Really? That sounds a bit low.

[@vrenfield]

elf benthic zone

[@ethantomblin7506]

I hate that nobody will do a movie about drizzts. Because of the damn political correctness of today. Drizzts is possibly my all time favorite character.

[@Cklix1890]

Read legend of drizzt

[@stephensmith4025]

….wtf is men zoe bur ron zon? 😂😂😂. It’s men-zo-BARON-zen. Hey guys let’s all head down to Flor-eye-dah. Or fly over to Cay-lafor-neeya. Oh I know!! Let’s go skiiing in Co-low-Ray-doe

[@Allycat101010]

Calcite buildings sound beautiful, but it's so unpractical I have to laugh. No acid spells!!!! Or explosives!!! Or! WATER!!!!!

[@Hollowbarista]

Too bad what hapoened to the city. I guess chess nasdad is not that bad alternative lol. Book lore. Go read them.

[@Antilluminati]

The what's up y'all combined with the straight out of Compton channel name is an instant dislike