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, yellow, or pale tan 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.

Biology
The eyes of these creatures were capable of seeing in total darkness as well as the ultraviolet spectrum out to a range of. They often suffered nausea while in sunlight.

Their bodies were typically quite dexterous.

Combat
Derro were typically known to wield repeating light crossbows with poison-laced arrows, hooked fauchards, daggers, spears, and aklys.

Rumors & Legends
Legend had it that the derro originally lived on the surface of Faerûn. But they opened portals to the Far Realm, which offended the World Serpent, who cast the derro into the Underdark.

There were other conflicting legends of how the derro came to be. The duergar believed that the derro were another dwarf clan that was long held by mind flayers, which resulted in the madness that afflicted them. The derro themselves all told oft-changing variations of the myth of their god; all versions shared a common focus on his stealing of magic from a great evil to help the derro survive through their ideals of deceit and cruelty.

Outside of their origins, there were a few rumors that claimed they ate human flesh.

Society
Derro were widespread and were likely to be found in small bands throughout the Underdark. Derro warrens existed in duergar cities like Gracklstugh, but they were 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.

Derro bands survived the challenges of the Underdark only thanks 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 was considered manifest in the sorcery of their many savants.

Notable Derro

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

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Dungeon #20: "The Ship of Night" • Out of the Abyss • Dragon+ #21, "Six Faces of Death"
 * Novels
 * Realms of the Underdark: "Sea of Ghosts" • Storm of the Dead • Venom in Her Veins
 * Condemnation
 * Gamebooks
 * Escape the Underdark
 * Video Games
 * Menzoberranzan • Sword Coast Legends
 * Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford
 * Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford
 * Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford

Connections
Derro