Dark Elf
| Type | |
|---|---|
| "High" Race | |
| Region(s) | The Forgotten Lands |
| Average Height |
6'0" / 1.90m (Male) 5'5" / 1.88m (Female) |
| Average Weight |
175lbs / 79.4kg (Male) 130lbs / 59.0kg (Female) |
| Dietary Type | Omnivorous |
| Lifespan | ~700 years |
| Languages |
Elvish Drow |
General Information
The Dark Elves are a mystical and diverse group of peoples. Also known as Drows, Dark Elves stand at about the same height as the average Human, roughly six foot. They are a proud, mysterious people, who may be the youngest race of Elf in existence. They have charming, angled features, which lend well to their dark, ashen skin tones, which range from pitch black, to dark, faded greys. Their irises have been known to be in shades of reds, black, pinks and violets. The hair of a Dark Elf is usually a white or silver color, but has been known to be a bright, whiteish-blue, or jet black. Some have been seen with deep violet colored hair. Dark Elves have a very rich culture, all of them proud and noble. They refuse to be belittled, and courage is a highly values trait among their kind. Warriors are revered in Dark Elven culture, being considered the most honorable individuals. They are a race of dedicated workers, honorable peoples, and skilled philosophers.
As opposed to most Human kingdoms, which are ruled by a lord or king, the Dark Elves rule by 'Houses.' Each 'House' is run by a family of nobles and trusted individuals, headed by either a Patriarch or Matriarch. A House is designed to rule, though kept in balance by the populace. A House typically will not act without first obtaining advice from military commanders, scholars, wise-men, or community elders. A House is only in power so long as it protects and respects those under it. It is considered political normalcy for a House to be removed from power and replaced by force, should its citizens become displeased. There are no elections, a House simply rules for as long it keeps its citizens happy, or keeps them powerless.
Diet
Interspecies Relations
Many races have little or no dealings with the Dark Elves for many reasons. Some distrust them, while others prefer to not impose on their isolationist tendencies. Reasons for distrust include their origins, and their ultimately reclusive nature. Still, Dark Elves are regarded in some circles as a guardian race, for their protection of The Duskgate and the gates into the Blaze Lands.
Magical Affinities
Dark Elves have natural abilities with magic, strong in some areas, while stunted in others. Many theorize that their latent abilities with destructive magics stems from their origins.
The Houses of Everwind Country
There are three Dark Elven houses in Everwind Country.
- House Duskwrought
The ruling House of Riftwood. This House is the oldest established, and has charged itself with warding and maintaining the Duskgate for centuries. ??? years ago, in ???, House Duskwrought sealed the Duskgate, and it has remained shut ever since. The House is headed by a Patriarch, Lord Soren Duskwrought. The House has a rather good standing among its subjects, and is known to be fair, decisive, and fearless. This House has been combating savage Wood Elves on the northern front, among a small area of Riftwood known as the Wakiun Forest. It has a primarily defensive role in this conflict, and is more than capable of keeping the Wood Elves at bay.
- House Ashtongue
The ruling House of the Blackbarrow Lands. This House has been established almost as long as House Duskwrought, and is in equally good standing among its own subjects. Like its cousin in Riftwood, this House guards a system of gates that lock off access to the Blaze Lands. House Ashtongue is headed by a Matriarch, Lady Syla Ashtongue. This House is rather isolationist, interacting little with the surrounding kingdoms. House Ashtongue is known to be a stalwart ruling class, fearless and strong.
- House Wyrmwood
The ruling House of Bleakhaven. This House is the most recently established, and was put into power only 67 years ago. Though it maintains Bleakhaven's alliance with the Human kingdom of Kragmoc, it does not actively engage in combat alongside said Human kingdom. They do not share news of events, good or bad, from within their own borders, and the knowledge that comes out of their land is all hearsay.
Origins
The Dark Elves originated from a tribe of Desert Elves in the Forgotten Lands. It was before the events of the Dragonspire, when the dragon queen twisted and manipulated this tribe with dark magics, turning them into wretched Elves, tainted with draconic magics. These wretched Elves, called Dragon Elves, were used as slave and minion labor for the dragon queen's brood. After the events of the Dragonspire, many of the Dragon Elves dispersed, fleeing into neighboring badlands, caves, jungles, swamps and forests. Freed from the dragon queen's bond, and distant from the smoldering, still magically-tainted ruins of the Dragonspire, they began to change and grow into the Dark Elves we know today, regaining their minds and forging for themselves a new culture and race.
