Derro

Derro were a species of monstrous humanoids that inhabited the Underdark.

Description
Derro appeared to resemble small dwarves. They had blue-gray skin, and their hair was often white or yellow in color. They lacked both irises and pupils, showing uniformly pale eyes. Most derro looked haggard and wore shabby clothing, appearing pitiable to unsuspecting victims.

Society
Derro were widespread and were likely to be found in small bands throughout the Underdark. Derro warrens existed in many drow and duergar cities, but they were almost always treated as a disrespected underclass.

The derro were a strange and sadistic race. While clever and stealthy they were also murderously insane. It was very common for derro to devote themselves to some strange quest, such as collecting only certain types of gemstones or slaying as many members of a particular race as possible. Some derro were assigned specific missions by powerful derro savants, with the possibility that they might even join a company of comrades to fulfill some irrational goal. It should be noted that derro, despite their insanity, still retain the natural knack for inventiveness shown in dwarves. An example of this is the repeater crossbow, which the derro may have invented.

Derro bands survive the challenges of the Underdark only due to their intense paranoia and the sorcerous powers of their leaders.

Religion
Most derro revered the god Diirinka, but very few became actual clerics. Instead Diirinka's blessing is considered manifest in the sorcery of their many savants.

Origins
Legend has it that the derro originally lived on the surface of Faerûn. They opened portals to the Far Realm which offended the World Serpent who cast the derro into the Underdark.

There are other conflicting legends of how the derro came to be. The duergar believe that the derro are another dwarf clan that was held long by mind flayers, which resulted in the madness that afflicts them. The derro themselves all tell oft-changing variations of the myth of Diirinka; all versions share a common focus on Diirinka's stealing magic from a great evil to help the derro survive through their ideals of deceit and cruelty.

Notable derro

 * Buppido, a cunning and insane killer who believed to be the incarnation of the derro god Diinkarazan.

Appearances

 * Adventures:
 * Out of the Abyss
 * The Ship Of Night


 * Novels:
 * Realms of the Underdark: "The Fires of Narbondel"
 * Condemnation (Mentioned only)
 * Storm of the Dead
 * Venom in Her Veins


 * Video games:
 * Sword Coast Legends
 * Menzoberranzan

Connections
Derro