Menzoberranzan was a video game released in 1994 for the PC, developed by DreamForge Intertainment for Strategic Simulations, Inc. Set in the Forgotten Realms world of Dungeons & Dragons.
In the player's village located within Icewind Dale, the players are enjoying a lovely evening at the inn, when shouts and alarm go through the village, as drow elves attack the village and burn the storehouses. While the fires are put out, most of the villagers are taken captive by the drow and brought down into the Underdark, to the city of Menzoberranzan. Meanwhile, scheming politics between drow houses bring fighting with mighty House Banere, upstart house Fey Branche, and powerful House Do'Urden all rival each other. particularly when a long-lost artifact might be making its way back into drow hands. And in the middle the rebel Drizzt, who forsook the dark ways of his brethren, must now fight.
Tropes:
- Affably Evil: Drow, for the most part, are mostly evil. But many of them can be overly charming, including the seer Saar Terell, Maznafein, the spider mage Jalynfein, and the trader Galentha.Galentha: Seek not a single slave in a place that enslaves thousands! Come, let's talk not of slaves, but of trade!
- Beneath the Earth: There is a massive ecosystem and world beneath the earth, including large underground water sources.
- Broken Bridge: There are a few keys that require their use (or a capable thieves lockpicks) to overcome. The galeb duhr's necklace is also one of these, as he will open the walls once his possession is returned.
- Creepy Cathedral: The three-tiered Temple of Dumathoin, the Keeper of Secrets Under the Mountain, which is crawling with traps and evil derro dwarves.
- Deadpan Snarker: The priestess of House Oblodra is notably sarcastic.Priestess: Of this fountain, I know nothing. For this fountain, I care not. Unless you wish it awash in derro blood.
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: Two of the party members: Vlakverdling the deep gnome and Borenorak the dwarf, are regular underdark residents and should be immune (or at least resistant) to the emanations of the Underdark. However, they are not and require the gems like everyone else.
- Ghost Town: Menzoberranzan's bazaar is unusually quiet for such a large city. Because war between the houses stirs, most people stay home so as not to get caught in the crossfire.
- Healing Potion: In addition to the common potions that can be found around the levels, the Chalice of Healing Waters allows for full magical healing not just of injuries, but of powerful disease and enchantments. It does not, however, provide proof against specific dwarven poisons. That requires a fungus that is held by the myconids.
- It May Help You on Your Quest: The innkeeper gives the party a bronze helmet with magical protections as a thank you for saving the village (and will force the player to take the helm should they leave without speaking to him). He is a servant of House Baenre, hoping to use the party to smuggle the helm to his mistress, Yvonnel Baenre, in a way that wouldn't arise the suspicions of another house.
- Kill It with Fire: Oils of Fiery Burning are plentiful. Drider who combat the party tend to use fireballs as well.
- Macguffin: The Helm of Spiders, a powerful artifact sacred to Lolth, is the focal point of the drow house war. It consists of three pieces: A bronze helmet given by the innkeeper of the village, a servant of House Baenre, a jade spider crest, and a red gem bearing the visage of the Spider Queen Lolth. All combined, the helm is a powerful defensive artifact that also allows for both bolts of lightning and powerful gusts of wind to be shot from it.
- Mage Tower: Tower Sorcere, which holds Jalynfein the Spider Mage.
- Nuclear Candle: The yellow candles are so powerful that everything around them shines as bright as daylight, despite being small enough to hold in the hand.
- Obvious Trap: There are many holes in the walls, particularly in the Temple of Dumathoin, that look like traps, and will spit out fireballs or lightning bolts at regular intervals.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: Vermulean pretends to be a doddering old fool, who is in truth a powerful druid.
- Omniglot: The purpose of the spell Comprehend Languages, which can explain the power hidden within the Temple of Dumathoin.
- Plot Coupon: Quite a few. The Gems of Infravision required to reach the Underdark, The Holy Symbol of Dumathoin and Chalice of Healing Waters, as well as a diamond resolve an (optional) quest; two sky-blue gems are required to get to Menzoberranzan; the scroll of Spider Shape allows for the party to cross a bridge made of webs; the Music Box of Healing for Jalynfein; and the scroll of Drider Wish restores Maznafein to human form.
- The Power of Love: Ssar Terell claims to be motivated by her love of Maznafein. However, Jalynfein cautions that love doesn't mean the same thing in Menzoberranzan, and she views Maznafein more as property that was stolen from her rather than having love for him.
