Many high ranking drow died, went crazy or were turned to stone for the secrets of the adamantine forge. Turns out my mate dave, a backwater druid that sells random crap knocks out better armor for the cost of a cantrip and the sneak button. A bit like the bark you need to get from the underdark to make a generic +1 weapon, the alternate method being just rob it from a generic vendor.
The quest can be amazing but if the reward is recieved by "wth is this?" Why bother? Drow make insane magic weapons by lore (min +2h+1d), the drow are not going to make an effort for anything less than a +3h+3d weapon that fires lightning bolts every swing or amror that is resistant to all damage types. Not suggesting the "best armor and weapons in EVER!" should be.....good or anything I mean that would be OP right?
In 5e non-enchanted adamantine armor makes you immune to critical hits, while adamantine weapons, bolts or arrows always do critical hits. Also Adamantine weapons can damage ANY monster, penetrate any armor or construct unless it is etherial in which case needs to be enchanted. Yes these weapons without enchantments are better than most very rare magic weapons. Slap a few enchants on them and they are up there with D&D legendaries like the sun blade.
