Bye Bye Pathfinder Drow

In recent news, Paizo, the publisher of the popular tabletop RPG Pathfinder, has announced significant changes to the lore of one of its iconic races, the Drow. The Drow, also known as dark elves, have been a staple in Dungeons and Dragons since its early days, but their portrayal has faced criticism for perpetuating racial stereotypes. In an effort to address these concerns and create a more inclusive gaming environment, Paizo has decided to retcon the Drow in their Pathfinder setting.

According to the Pathfinder creative team, the Drow will no longer be part of Golarion's canon. Instead, the city of Zirnakaynin, once inhabited by Drow, is now depicted as a ruin of mysterious origin. The primary antagonists in the Darklands, where the Drow were previously found, will be replaced by Serpent Folk. Other races from the Darklands, such as Deep Gnomes, will remain in the game but with significant changes to their backstories, removing ties to slavery and offering a fresh perspective.

Paizo recognizes that the Drow carry significant baggage and associations with Dungeons and Dragons, and thus have decided to move away from them in order to shape new and more inclusive content. Pathfinder and D&D share many similarities, but Paizo is actively working to differentiate its game and create a unique experience for players. These changes are part of their ongoing efforts to evolve and address concerns within the tabletop RPG community.