Monster Monday: Dark Elves

[@gamingknight94]

Loved it I'll see what my friend thinks of it sad that I didn't see the female drow samurai but whatever

[@ArcaneForge]

Hey, Gaming Knight! I'm so glad you liked it. Sorry I forgot about the samurai thing! It totally slipped my mind. Either way, thanks for watching and for suggesting this one!

[@wangkinkwok9780]

Arcane Forge c

[@taigerus4418]

This level of harshness towards dunmer has only been seen in grey quarters of Windhelm

[@ArcaneForge]

Do you get to the cloud district very often? What am I saying...of course you don't.

[@fiercemushroom4840]

Ah Dark Elves, edge lords of the forest. I'd love to see a playable race series. And for the first episode you should do Dwarves because Dwarves are the best D&D race.

[@InquisitorThomas]

Fierce Mushroom You misspelt Gnomes

[@fiercemushroom4840]

Inquisitor Thomas - Gnomes suck and you know it. Dwarves are better in every way.

[@akamegacrack5444]

I'm sorry you appear to have placed a few letters that don't belong in the word Tiefling.

[@InquisitorThomas]

Akame Ga Crack No because there are a grand total of 5 types of Tieflings: Type 1: the Broody Murder Hobo Type 2: The Broody Anti-Hero Type 3: The Broody Regular Hero Type 4: The one that sees type 1 through 3 and decides to play a quirky cinnamon roll Type 5: The one that’s only a Tiefling because the player wanted access to the free use of hellish rebuke, fiendish ancestry, and the +2 charisma.

[@theDMLair]

Fierce Mushroom Curious, what is it about dwarves that appeals to you?

[@andrewgunderson8975]

This is fast becoming one of my favorite channels! I would love to see your rendition of a flail snail!

[@ArcaneForge]

Bless you Andrew! This was so lovely to read! Thank you so much for your kind words and for watching!

[@missellaneous5142]

Absolutely yes for a series on playable characters! I really enjoy your videos

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, Miss Ellaneous! I really enjoyed this comment! Cheers for watching!

[@idksomething8484]

I would definitely be interested in a series that covers playable races

[@ThetrueDrnastyflaps]

Great video as always josh. Love your take on the drow. Playable race series would be cracking. Surely the natural follow up to this is the duergar.

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, Drnastyflaps! I'm glad someone suggested the Duergar! I've been hoping to talk about them for ages. I'll add them to the list! Cheers for watching.

[@zuzumarc]

Fascinating stuff about the shared origin with dwarves! I for one would LOVE a series on playable races. Also, love that glowing orb/weapon effect.

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, zuzumarc! I'm glad you like the glowing parts. I was concerned that I'd overdone it a little, but I feel reasured! Cheers for watching!

[@TUdi320]

Love your art and hearing you talk about lore! And yes, I would adore a series focused on playable races, maybe starting with the dwarves, my favorites!

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, Pedro! That's really kind of you to say! Cheers for watching!

[@andiebrown7792]

Brilliant work as always, not much esle to say that hasn't already been said. Would love to see a series about the playable races, and my suggestion for that series, Goliaths

[@ArcaneForge]

Great one, Andrew! Thanks so much for your suggestion, and for watching this one as well!

[@ImThe1stCoolest]

Definitely interested in a series on all playable races! I know a lot about the basics, but would love to know more about all of them in general.

[@kirakishou1030]

Wow! The drow! Another fascinating video, Arcane Forge. Perhaps one time, we'll see you draw the Demon Queen of Spiders herself, huh? It'd be interesting to see how you drawn Lolth and discuss her history.

[@ArcaneForge]

Hey, Asphodel. Thanks so much for your kind words! Don't worry; Lolth has been requested a while back and is on "to do list" 1 of 4, so she's not too many weeks away! I'm so excited to get to her though! Getting to draw some gods should be fun! Cheers for your support and for watching!

[@miles6283]

My first Skyrim character was a Dark Elf. When I started D&D I was going to make my character a Drow, but thought that they where a bit to edgy for me, so I was a halfling for a bit.... My current (and favorite) character is a half-elf, which are my favorite PHB race.

[@ArcaneForge]

Nice one, Miles! You can't go wrong with half-elves! You get the best of all worlds...including facial hair, haha! Thanks for watching!

[@kyubii972]

As always your videos are great, I enjoy your videos because you don't simply just read the monster manual entries like other channels. You give us a bit of History maybe even the person who originally created it. Keep up the good work and thanks !

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, kyubii972! I like to have my own spin on the lore and history. It's fun to do a bit of research, and I'm terrible at reading aloud, so I'd just fall all over my words! I'm really glad that you enjoy my approach too! Cheers for watching.

[@blackleight]

I'd love to see a series on playable species! Learning about lore helps players better understand their race and DM's shape their stories around the lore.

[@andromeda7147]

Big yes to the playable race series! And for the monsters, I would be interested in sea creatures one can encounter :)

[@Gliscorsbounty]

I know youve done a frost giant, and a lich. But can you imagine a Cloud Giant Lich?

[@InquisitorThomas]

eric kern there’s actually a creature known as a Storm Giant Quintessence which basically a Storm Giant that decided to merge its soul with nature to become an immortal sentient storm.

[@ArcaneForge]

That would be terrifying! Lets just hope that such a thing never finds its way to your adventuring party! Cheers for watching!

[@HappyHazelDreams]

I absolutely adore your art style. 😍 Every Monday I watch the video and find myself eager to draw. Gonna sit here for the next few hours to work on my own stuff. Thanks for being awesome!

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, Sarah! Make sure to share some of your artwork! I'd love to see what you come up with! Cheers for the support and for watching!

[@HappyHazelDreams]

Of course! I'd love to share with you. Let me know where I should send it. I should be finished tonight.

[@tp_nomad6627]

Would love to see playable races, great idea! Also,would be very interested if you could do a video about traps and/or puzzles! I think they could really be awesome in game but I have difficulty indluding them and making them interesting. Cheers mate!

[@ArcaneForge]

Great suggestion tp_nomad! I'd love to make a video about that! Putting it in my notebook as we speak! Cheers for watching!

[@tristansuarez-perez2346]

I’ve been binging your videos and I haven’t seen any dragon videos; I mean it’s the namesake of the game. I’d really love like to see a video of whatever type of dragon you like best or maybe of the god of dragons.

[@ArcaneForge]

That's a really good point Tristan! I'll definitely make sure to draw some dragons soon! Cheers for watching my videos and for your awesome suggestion!

[@alexburn4014]

id love to see something about kenkus. i think there a cool monster race to play even though they have their limitations.

[@ArcaneForge]

Hey, Alex! I'm with you. I think this sounds like a great idea! If they've not already been suggested before, I'll add them to the "to draw" list for you! Cheers for watching!

[@baichibee]

Would love a playable race series. You have an amazing way of going over the lore of the creatures from their base in the real world and in the dnd worlds. Also, I was wondering if I could suggest a coatl for monster mondays

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, W. Batchiryuu! I'm really glad that you're enjoying the series. It's so much fun to work on! Great suggestion with the Coatl by the way. I'll make sure to add it to the "to draw" list! Cheers for watching!

[@baichibee]

Its always a monster that I'd love to see, but never gets any love in games. At least the ones I play

[@jacquescelliers1491]

I'd love to see a series on the playable species, and even maybe classes if you'd be interested in that! I think it would be a great resource for DM's and players alike.

[@apocalypticmoth6040]

I found a way around having an evil drow by having my character born to two woodelf parents who were cursed by an evil wizard. He was born as a drow and then thrown to the streets as an abomination. He was taken in by a gnome scholar who raised him and cultivated the magical ability unlocked by his curse. He was named Valkiir. Valkiir was tutored by the gnome for a few hundred years(gnomes and elves live way too long) which he spent reading and honing his magical abilities. He also befriended one of the gnomes pet lizards whom he named Bartholomew. One day the gnome that raised Valkiir left on a trip and never returned. Valkiir fled to the streets. He learned something here that the gnome hadn't taught him; how to lie. he took on the guise and personality of a half-elf musician. He wore a white ceramic mask, which he claimed was hiding a horrendous burn from a cooking accident. Valkiir lived as this person until he was discovered. He fled on a ship to a new continent looking for another chance.

[@Davefacestation]

Would love to see your take on the classic mimic.

[@ArcaneForge]

Great suggestion, David! I really can't wait to draw one of those either! Cheers for your suggestion and for watching!

[@virus6765]

Yes! This will help my new characters roleplay better.

[@ArcaneForge]

I'm so glad, Fargrim! Let me know if there's anything else you'd like me to cover that might help the roleplaying and I'll get on it! Cheers for watching!

[@jasondowd4685]

Great vid, Josh, as always. Sorry I haven't been around. I would also love to see a playable race series. I think you'd do wonders for dwarves! Keep it up, my friend!

[@ArcaneForge]

Hey, Jason! Don't worry about it. I'm not going any where, so there's plenty of opportunities to catch up ;) . Thanks again for watching!

[@maxhuftalin8529]

Please do a series on playable series! I've been really interested in how you'd draw all the races!

[@wanderdragon1075]

A playable race series would be pretty great

[@annebird9195]

I'd love to see a race series

[@malkaz446]

I think it would be awesome if you made another series explaining playable sub races. But, would you also explain species that are not very common like aaracroka and tabaxi? Or home brew or possible ideas? Like for example. I made a character who is the daughter of a Dryad and a druid tabaxi. I based it on the lore that those who worship Sylvanus do a mating ritual with Dryads, and Dryads also charm nature loving humanoids. My character is a half Dryad half tabaxi, nature cleric.

[@ArcaneForge]

That's a great idea, Malkaz! I'll definitely make videos on some of the more obscure species! Thanks again for watching!

[@Kara_and_her_cat]

Ahh dark elves are the best!! Definitely need to play one at some point~ I would love you to do a series on playable species!! You should do one on Shadar Kai!! I’m suuuper excited for them to be an official playable species!! My friend is also playing a fire gnasi (I think is what they’re called) in a new campaign, and it would be cool to know more about them too!

[@ArcaneForge]

Oooo! I had no idea the Shadar Kai were going to be in 5E! Great suggestion, Lullaby! Thanks for watching!

[@halelloyd]

I know it's a core part of D&D but I always find the concept of a naturally evil race as a problematic. We don't get anything like that in the real world. We get evil individuals and creatures which have selfish interests which can end up hurting us. But as for an entirely evil race, what possible benefit could it offer them to endeavour the detriment of others. Anyway, cool video and artwork as always :) Keep it up!

[@Permafunk_VODs]

Landan Lloyd the lore says their often evil alignment its more culture based rather than birth based, due to being exiled to the Underdark most of the drow are brought up to think "fuck the others" the race itself isnt itself inherit to evil. You can always numph the "i am drow so i have to be evil" by simply saying the character had been brought up to be nice or found the world isn't that bad

[@Permafunk_VODs]

Like you said, you don't get evil races, but you do get societies that are considered evil (at least by everyone else) but yea, a race that's entirely evil is just a problem, luckily drow arent born evil so you can easily create a back story that can negate the drow stereotypes if you want to play a good drow (which is what im doing rn!)

[@halelloyd]

Yeah, that's a good point. I think it's a good realistic way to frame it that it's more like they are considered evil by a lot of the surface races because of racial tensions (as we have a lot of irl unfortunately). Maybe in the same way, drow might think all the surface dwellers are evil due to lack of exposure but might begin to realise otherwise through the progression of a campaign. Hope your good drow planning is going well!

[@Permafunk_VODs]

Landan Lloyd everything you just said is pretty much my character, C-Nutral is evil tendencies who i plan on slowly developing into good, pretty easy character arc too

[@theDMLair]

Landan Lloyd Permafunk Yes, it seems it's their societies that make drow evil for sure, not necessarily being born that way. D&D is a fantasy world, though, so even if they were born that way, I don't see a problem with that. Since it's a fantasy world -- there are no elves period in the real world -- I feel it's fair game to create creatures that diverge from what exists in our world.

[@superdougman1984]

i would like to hear about your opinions on playable characters.i love watching the monster Mondays so a character versions would be awesome.

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, Bundle! I really appreciate your feedback. It's making me excited about filming today! Cheers for watching!

[@failNade2617]

Suggesting a Purple Worm. Amazing work by the way!

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks so much, flailNade2617. With your screen name, I was sure you were going to suggest the flail-snail! The purple worm is a great choice though, so thank you! Cheers for watching as well!

[@distodusty815]

I would like to see a Nothic for Monster Monday pls

[@ArcaneForge]

Great suggestion, Disto! I'm terrible at remembering what's already on the list, but if that's not on there already then I'll definitely add it! Cheers for watching!

[@RykerDavis123]

I'd love to see a succubus. Favorite monster to throw at players

[@ArcaneForge]

That is an increasingly highly requested creature! I'll definitely make sure to do that one so thanks very much for the suggestion! Cheers for watching as well!

[@RykerDavis123]

Arcane Forge hoorah! Big fan of the channel

[@Pumpky_the_kobold]

I'm so interested!

[@hellfrozenphoenix13]

I say start the playable character series as soon as you are ready and merely avoid the characters that are most likely to change with the new book. One race I'd love to learn more about is the Raptorian.

[@theDMLair]

Great drawing, as always! Your recounting of other settings that have dark elves reminds me of when WotC thought they could copyright "dark elf" as if NO ONE had ever used that term before. #facepalm

[@ArcaneForge]

Really?? They tried to do that? I had no idea!

[@theDMLair]

Arcane Forge I'm told it was in their SDR at on point in the beginning where it lists things, such githyanki, that they have rights to and can't be used in 3rd party material. It's no longer there though.

[@ArcaneForge]

That's so weird. I can get that with Beholders and things like that, but elves?!? Ah well. At least we can be glad that it's over!

[@telenNG]

I'm so glad you covered this one right then my personal take on these things in the world that I've created for my boy Elves and dark elves are two sides of the same coin both have to exist in order for the world to exist regular alms are the literal embodiment of life and hope where the dark elves are the embodiment of violence and decay if you were to eradicate every single member of either the elves or dark elves the balance would be disrupted the world would fall into chaos and the gods would see the world unfit and destroy it

[@theDMLair]

That's a cool bit of lore! I think little extra facts/history/lore like that that DMs add on top of what already exists in D&D make the game more immersive and enjoyable for their players. Good stuff!

[@plascast]

Yessssssss. Yaaaasssssssss. Yaaaasssssssssss!!!!!!!!! Awww hell yes do i want an pc creature series.

[@kingrexy1047]

Another good monster Monday love the art just not the creature.. I know it's crazy but I don't really like any type of elf but I also won't let that get in the way of this amazing piece of work. PS my first session of my brand new homebrew is today and I can't wait to dm again especially with how much this channel has helped

[@ArcaneForge]

Hey, Zach! Thanks so much! I'm insanely flattered by your comments on the art and that this channel has helped you! Let me know how your session goes! Cheers for your support!

[@kingrexy1047]

Arcane Forge my fist session went vary well minus a wizard that likes his sleep spell a little to much. I love gnolls they are one of my first choices for starting Moblins. Anyways keep up the awesome work and I will keep calling it as I see it

[@crimsondemon6668]

If you do the playable races, can you do orcs or half-orcs.

[@ArcaneForge]

Absolutely, Antonio! I'm really looking forward to those ones in specific! Cheers for watching and for your suggestion!

[@skydog2088]

Of course I'd love a series that focuses on PC races!!

[@wuerfelschmied6906]

Absolutly we need to talk about playable races. Like the Races Wenesday ^^

[@entropy742]

A series on playable characters would be great.

[@croydd]

Yes! PC lore would be very helpful for players and DM’s alike. For the next Monster Monday, I suggest the Merrow. I find their design fascinating, but they are unfortunately overlooked(

[@ArcaneForge]

Thanks for the great suggestion, "My Wheel Came Off"! If Merrows aren't already on the suggestion list, I'll definitely pop them on there for you! Thanks again for watching!

[@croydd]

And I thank you for the great content)

[@emmanuel8679]

How about a video on hydras

[@ArcaneForge]

Nice suggestion, Moses! Hydras will be a great one with lots of mythology behind them! I'll look forward to that one! Cheers for watching!

[@theDMLair]

Wait! A hydra with each of the playable races trapped in the jaws of one of its heads! Now that would be EPIC! 😃👍

[@Tkdean]

Oh man I love the drow. Oh my God you should draw lolth that would be amazing

[@ArcaneForge]

Great idea, Tkdean! I'm certain that soooomeone has suggested Lolth before??? So you may not have too many weeks to wait for that one! So excited! Thanks again for watching!

[@theDMLair]

Yes, but would he be drawing Lolth or Lloth? I've always wondered if R.A. Salvatore did that on purpose, or if it was a typo that slipped by all the editors, got to press, was pointed out by fans, and then TSR (owners of D&D at the time) where like "Quick, Bob, come up with a justification for the typo!" LOL 😃

[@smokytheredhawk]

Yes to playable species videos please

[@RenzorTheRed]

How are you applying your layers of color and shading? Just a paintbrush tool?

[@ArcaneForge]

Hey, Renzor! Yeah! So basically I just do an opaque layer of shading with various brushes, and then I'll make a multiplied layer of colour over the top. Afterwards, I'll fiddle with some sliders to see when looks best all together and we end up with my finished drawing! Hope that helps!

[@greatgypsyking104]

Do any kind of Dragon!!!

[@marcusprice8129]

FOR THE HORDE!!!!

[@ArcaneForge]

Lok'tar Ogar!

[@tankyaiben6652]

DRAGONS

[@ArcaneForge]

Dragooooooonnnnnssss! Great suggestion, Assassin! Suggestions of dragons of various different flavours are starting to trickle in now, and I'm very excited about that! Is there a particular colour that you'd like to see? Cheers for watching!

[@tankyaiben6652]

Arcane Forge sulver those are my favorite

[@theDMLair]

Dragons? Come on, are you serious? The game is called Dungeons & -- Yes, DRAGONS! 😍👍