How Many Kinds of “Dark Folk” Are There?

[Palanan]

I keep running across mentions of the “Dark Folk,” but it’s not always clear if this is one race or several, and whether it’s a tightly bound group or more of a general outcast term, which extends to drow and the like.

Is there a single definition for Dark Folk, and a single race or set of races? Or does the term tend to wobble across editions?

[MintyThe1st]

I'm no expert, but I do know that "Dark Creature" is a template that can be added to any creature.

http://www.realmshelps.net/monsters/templates/dark.shtml

[theasl]

I don't think there's a set definition between editions.

From only reading your question, my first thought would be that the term would apply to all of the underground variant races - drow (dark elves), duergar (gray dwarves), svirfneblin (deep gnomes), and so on. However, I can't actually find the term "dark folk" used to reference any of these in any edition, at least online. Tolkien, though, created the Moriquendi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moriquendi), translated from his elven language to "dark folk", which refers to dark elves.

There's an AD&D book called Dark Folk, with flavor on "Orcs, Kobolds, Goblins, Gnolls and Trolls".

In Golarion (Pathfinder), there's a specific "Dark folk (http://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Dark_folk)" race which are the descendants of the ancient human Azlanti empire, and are associated with the drow/duergar/svirfneblin; they're the PF version of the D&D "dark ones", which are a separate humanoid race entirely.

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by theasi
In Golarion (Pathfinder), there's a specific "Dark folk" race…they're the PF version of the D&D "dark ones", which are a separate humanoid race entirely.

This may be what I’m thinking of, since there seem to be several varieties, all named “dark this” or “dark that.”

The “Dark Ones” from earlier editions were apparently summarized in Dragon #322, which sadly I don’t have. Is the Pathfinder version the most comprehensive and up-to-date?

[The Viscount]

There are Dark Ones in Fiend Folio, though only 2: Dark Creeper and Dark Stalker.

[theasl]

This may be what I’m thinking of, since there seem to be several varieties, all named “dark this” or “dark that.”

The “Dark Ones” from earlier editions were apparently summarized in Dragon #322, which sadly I don’t have. Is the Pathfinder version the most comprehensive and up-to-date?

Well, D&D and Pathfinder fluff are pretty different, but mechanically I'd say that it probably is if it's converted back (I don't have access to the D&D versions either).

[Sayt]

Pathfinder's Dark Folk are split between a few hardcover bestiaries and splat bestiaries, but you should be able to find a decent list on the paizo PRD (I can't really reccomend the pfsrd atml the moment, it's a bit screwy since the server migration :/)

[theasl]

The old version of the PFSRD is still at http://sites.google.com/site/pathfinderogc, if you need it.

[Psyren]

Dark Folk is a subtype (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary/creatureTypes.html#dark-folk-subtype); as mentioned, they are spread across multiple Bestiaries. They are a specific sort of creature; it does not refer to just any creature that lives in the dark (e.g. Drow and Duergar are not included.)

Examples include Caligni (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary5/darkFolk.html#), Dark Stalker (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary/darkStalker.html#dark-stalker), Dark Caller (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary4/darkCaller.html#dark-caller) etc.