Overview
Dark Elves are cold, calculating, and prideful. They were once clan-based, but have turned to a feudal monarchy after a religious schism with Star Elves. Instead of remaining moon-worshippers like their forefathers, Dark Elves have turned to the god of deceit (Vandun) for guidance. They shun the values of honesty, quiet reflection, solitude, and peace. They believe in power, control, and subjugation. Deceit and manipulation are the tactics of their leadership to acquire and keep power.
Ousted from the beautiful, now ruined city of Winterheart and into the Dark Below, many Dark Elves fondly remember their old, ancient paradise. They strive to carve out a new space in the world to belong. Dark Elves are constantly forging a new identity as a tough, hardened, sovereign people who cannot be destroyed.
Appearance
Dark Elves have pale, snow-white skin. Most have dark purple or black hair with a sheen like raven feathers, though other hair colors exist. White hair is uncommon, but not unheard of; children born with white hair are considered blessed.
Due to the low light in their living conditions, many Dark Elves wear colorful makeup, body paint, and jewelry. They shun the furs and warm hides of their Star Elf kin, preferring to don silky blouses and embellished satin ruffles. Gothic vests, tall boots, and all manner of other strange fashions have begun emerging as Dark Elves forge a new identity for themselves.
Dark Elves used to wear black tattoos on their face corresponding to their family clan. Now that the clans have been all but destroyed, tattoos are a personal preference. Dark Elves wear black leather armor or chitin armor made from creatures in the Dark Below.
Personality
Dark Elves can trace isolationism back to their race’s creation. As a result, most Dark Elves like to keep to themselves. They are secretive, untrusting of strangers, and cold to outsiders. After the destruction of their home and banishment from the surface, most Dark Elves have developed a cynical sense of humor. They are snarky, vicious, and generally inhospitable.
Despite their cold exterior, Dark Elves are very hard workers and passionate about their cause. Their dedication to power and ambition is unparalleled. They can be humorous with one another. Dark Elves have a streak of vanity and like to impress one another with feats of strength, beauty, or cunning.
Dark Elves’ patron god is Vandun. They have adopted many of his values, particularly deceit and subterfuge. Operating from the shadows is their preferred style.
Society
For centuries, Dark Elves relied on their natural resources, strong leaders, and innovative tools and skills to adapt to the cold, harsh environment of the Snowfell Mountains. Even after the religious schism, Dark Elves still place high value on resourcefulness and collaboration. While individuals are expected to be self-reliant and fulfill their role in society, each member is also expected to support and respect their liege.
Dark Elves have adopted social castes from their Dark Below neighbors, the Inferni. They have Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, Dukes and Duchesses. The lowest caste are human, dwarven, and elven slaves — also known as livestock which can be slaughtered and eaten. Dark Elves are true cannibals in every sense of the word. After abandoning Winterheart, it was the only way to feed their people.
Dark Elves have come to be brutal, unforgiving, and violent like the climate they live in. Only the strongest can survive in the Dark Below. Their society is no exception.
History
Long ago, a group of Sun Elves adventured into the furthest reaches of the Snowfell Mountains. The ever-present blizzard that howls through the peaks was thick enough to blot out the sun. Deep within the mountains, starving, hypothermic, and on the brink of death, the elves prayed for the sun god to save them, but it was Seluna who answered with a gleaming aurora borealis that the elves followed to a safe haven.
From that point forward, the Dark Elves pledged themselves to Seluna. Centuries away from the sun bleached their skin pale white and they began to build a society in solitude. Believing the sun god abandoned them, the Dark Elves shun their heritage and adopted traditions that set them apart from the Sun Elves.
Eventually, a faction of Dark Elves came to worship Vandun alongside Seluna. They believe that, were Seluna and Vandun to wed, the Dark Elves could bring about an eclipse to shroud the land in shadow and become Avatars of Night. As Avatars with the power of shadow on their side, the Dark Elves could shatter all other factions and become the stewards of the world.
A massive schism occurred between the elves who worshipped Vandun, and the traditionalists who kept worshipping Seluna. It resulted in the destruction of the Dark Elf capital of Winterheart. Dark Elves fled deep into the Dark Below to preserve their society, and it is where they now live. The elves who remained on the surface were granted peace by the other inhabitants of Hellan, and branded themselves Star Elves.
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