"Hide, listen, watch, learn... And when the time is right, strike from the shadow."
AKA: The Dark Elves
Associated colors: Black and purple
Worship: Malassa, the Dragon of Darkness, keeper of deadly secrets.
Core philosophy: "We rule the shadows, and someday the shadows will rule everything."
Country / Kingdom: Ygg-Chal, the Dark Below.
Home terrain: Dungeon
Capital city: Konos, the Maze of Shadows.
Key symbols: Snake, featureless mask.
Description:
The Dark Elves are renegades from the Sylvan factions who long ago made a pact with the mysterious Faceless. As a result, the whole nation embraced the darkness and chose to live in the underground world of Ashan, building their cities in the huge caves there.
The Dark Elves worship the Dragon of Darkness, and because their deeds in her name are their worship, the Dungeon society is built around secrecy, plots, betrayal, and occultism. Each town is ruled by a clan with a High Priestess at its head. Women are almighty in the Dungeon society, for they lead the religious, political, and military powers. They do not raise their children themselves, but send them to the temple instead, where they will learn all the arts a young Dark Elf must know to survive.
In peace time, the Dark Elves use their very particular skills against other Dark Elf cities, to strengthen their own clans. But in war time, all these skills dedicated to murder and plots are turned on the common enemy. On the battlefield, Dungeon troops are renowned for their superior agility and power, even amongst their basic units. Fortunately for their enemies, this superiority is scarce and comes at a higher cost, for the Dark Elves are few in numbers and each loss is a severe blow to their military might.
Brief history
Origins
528 YSD: Tuidhana's Secession
Tuidhana, legendary founder of the Dark Elves, declares independence from the Elven Kingdom.
540 YSD: War of the Bitter Ashes - Birth of the Dark Elves
The Elves of Irollan and the Human Knights of the Holy Falcon Empire are at war, with Tuidhana's kingdom as the main battlefield. Her territory under attack from both sides, Tuidhana makes a pact with the Faceless for the power to protect her people. Those who follow her are changed by the blessing of Malassa, Dragon of Darkness. From this day on, they will be known as the Dark Elves. With the support of their new allies, they will expel both the Elves and the Humans from their land. 548 YSD: The Peace of New Spring
The Holy Falcon Empire forfeits any claim to elven lands and makes extensive reparations. The Dark Elf kingdom's independence is recognized - at sword point - by Elves and Humans, but intermittent hostilities persist across the borders. 566 YSD: Day of the Tears of Fire - Death of Tuidhana
A massive fire burns down the Elven capital. The High King dies in the flames with most of his court. Brythigga, the Mother of Trees, sacred to the Elves, is also consumed by the fire. The loss is devastating.
The Dark Elves are blamed and offered exile or death. Most choose exile; the rest are hunted down and destroyed without mercy. Tuidhana remains with her lands and is killed.
585 YSD: Discovery of Demon Implication in the Day of the Tears of Fire
The Dragon Knights bring evidence to the Elves that Brythigga's criminal fire was set by a Demon spy.
Emissaries are sent from the forest to the wandering Dark Elves, offering amnesty and inviting them to return home. The offer is refused.
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