each of which acted as an Empire unto itself. Half Dark Elf Constantly they would maneuver to gain power and influence over their rivals. Nary a day would Playing Difficulty: Extremely High pass where there was not a battle between houses, Relation to other Races: Hated either Political or Martial. Nothing was off limits and assassinations were common. Overview Occasionally, one house would eliminate another. Half dark elves are true outcasts, descended from Rarely would there be any survivors, but those two races but wanted by neither. Full Dark Elves there were would be forced into hiding or taken scorn you as a half-breed or abomination, while as slaves. Mercy and forgiveness are not words in surface races do not see the difference between the Dark Elven language. you and your full-blooded cousins, whom they Dark Elves had a near fanatical dedication to fear and despise. Loved by none and hated by their House, only topped by their desire for almost everyone, Half Dark Elves truly have their purity of their race. While they would readily work cut out for them. wage war on other Dark Elves for power, profit Dark Elf History or revenge none would ever abide the existence of Dark Elves are arrogant, violent, and intolerant. a Half Dark Elf. One of the strongest curses in Half-Dark Elves may emulate Dark Elf behavior, the Dark Elf language is “Slagath” which loosely or they may try to reject it, but arrogance and translated means “Half-Breed.” Often, when violence are in their blood, and all Half Dark called this, an otherwise completely calm Dark Elves find the traits difficult to shake. Denied Elf would fly into an uncontrolled rage. This was access to both of their heritages, Half Dark Elves truly the worst thing you could call a Dark Elf. must scrape by as best they can. Most turn to Their race was pure, their dedication to their sorcery, nethermancy, or lives of crime because cause absolute and their ferocity and efficiency as legitimate paths are barred to them. Only the warriors legendary. But that was a long time ago fringes and evil elements in society are willing to and all things change. tolerate the presence of the likes of these. This Once large raiding parties were fairly common, has reinforced the stereotypes and prejudices of now generations will go by without an area both surface and Dark Elf races alike. having any sign of a single Dark Elf, much less a Dark Elves once had a great and mighty nation. full raiding party. Those few who are seen are a They ruled the underground with an iron fist mere shadow of their former glory, rag-tag and would strike the surface where and when remnants of a once mighty and fearsome race. they pleased. Their raiding parties worked with Additionally, Dark Elves have begun doing the terrifying efficiency and results; few, if any, formerly unthinkable—they have been allowing would survive their vicious attacks. Appearing Half-Breeds to live. Still, even though they allow out of nowhere they would attack and kill to the Half-Breeds’ numbers to increase, they their hearts content then melt back into the continue to scorn and avoid them. Most races shadows from which they came. Raiding parties believe that the Half Dark Elves are spies and of ten, twenty or more Dark Elves were not agents of their full-blooded kin. uncommon. The mere mention of their name Scholars and those who have dedicated would strike terror into the hearts of people the themselves to hunting Dark Elves attribute their world over. decline to years of infighting and wars with the Their society was based upon mighty Houses, surface. Over the years, several major raids have been led under the surface to strike the Dark understanding of Radiants. Some have turned to Elves where they live. Shamanism; a few have found homes in Fortune but the majority have followed the path of Fiend Now the Dark Elf race is on the decline. They worship in one form or another. scrape by as best they can and their Half-Breed offspring are beginning to be seen on the surface Culture more and more. There is very little in the way of formal culture Racial Specifics for Half Dark Elves. Since most have spent their entire lives just a few steps ahead of their Dark Elves are a race born into darkness and enemies, survival is all they know. strife. Their day-to-day life is one of competition and battle. They live in a world that Half Dark Elves grow up ignorant of life below has never known the touch of the sun, where the surface, either because their Full Dark Elf light is a rare and dim thing. They only go to the parent abandons them or because it is too surface under the cover of darkness and always painful for them to recall what they have lost. shun bright places. Their skill and resilience in One thing that is handed down to all Half Dark both Magic and Martial pursuits are legendary. Elves is the knowledge of the two groups that These are heritages that have been bequeathed hate them the most. These are the Blade Dancers upon their half-breed children. and the Imperial House Shadowlight. Most Half Dark Elves excel in either Magic or The Blade Dancers were a group dedicated to Fighting, with some showing talent in both. All fighting Dark Elves. They spent years in training Half Dark Elves dislike the sun and bright places and study learning everything there was to know and are only at their full power under the cover about Dark Elves. They refuse to believe the of darkness. If forced to go about in the light of Dark Elven race is beaten and see the Half Darks day they will do their best to cover themselves as spies or a precursor to a full-out Dark Elf and stay to the shadows when possible. attack. Unique amongst most intelligent races, many House Shadowlight takes the stance of “kill first Half Dark Elves are inherently resistant to and check if the skin was Black or just Grey magic. Additionally, they take to fighting easier afterwards.” They have no interest in trying to than most others. reclaim Half Dark Elves and see them as The most common places to find a Half Dark abominations. Elf are the areas around Felnar, Harradon, and Sarden and somewhat in Purk. Famous Dark Elves in History Arza Religion Arza is rumored to be the first Elf ever to make a Half Dark Elves live and survive on the fringes pact with a Fiend. The Imperial Blackblades of society, seldom tolerated and less often followed her lead and tried to improve on her welcomed. Wherever they go they are met with example. hatred and suspicion. Hence, their access to Athean traditional religions has been exceedingly limited. Her house was credited with the creation of This treatment has turned most Half Dark Elves Dryders. The first of these was the Dark Elf against any form of accepted religion. There is known as T’saron. She was lead punisher for her no record of a dedicated follower of Radiance house. and even hinting that there may have been one is insulting to the most accepting and D’Skint seen and it is as real as the Evil in a Dark Elf’s heart. D’Skint was the preeminent Dark Elf. He was Nomads, caravan, or tribe, call it what you will. If your the unofficial leader of the race, was the cause skin be not gray do not go for a look, or it’s your head you for their departure from the Fae Ring, was just might have took. idolized by many and feared by all. D’Skint Character Creation Guidelines created and headed the dread Circle of Thirteen, Dark Elves are arrogant, violent, and intolerant. was the Queen’s right hand man, rumored to To put it simply, they are Evil. However, their have corrupted the Golden Vale, and was arrogance comes from ability; they are the best of responsible for the death of the Rebel leader the best. From this, you can expect that just Malic. His word was law and his actions beyond about everyone you meet is going to hate you on reproach. His loss left a hole that would never sight. However, you know that is just because again be fully filled. they are all jealous! This is your heritage, play it Dra’kat. Oneth up! Weapon Master and survivor of his house’s There are only two “hard” requirements for your destruction. He is remembered for being one of character history; first, that you may not know only a few creatures to have escaped the wrath of any more about Dark Elf society than what is D’Skint. Unconfirmed rumors say that he even already in print in our rulebook or packets and had some hand in D’Skint’s final death. second, that you would have known no more Gorvendeg Yi'lak'nos than a few Full Dark Elves throughout the Alchemist and Mage of Deep Umbra, he is noted course of your life. You may explain however you in history for working on the surface at the Black wish why you never learned more about Dark Elf Winds Academy, and after his death other society, something as simple as “I never knew my alchemists made extensive use of his notes. His Dark Elf father” works just fine. inks and powders for dark magics were said to be unrivaled. Costuming All Half-Dark Elves have gray skin and ears, and Syrus Me’shach white hair. Half-Dark Elves who have one Dark Famous Dark Elven hero implanted in the Elf and one other type of Elf as their parents rebellion and later cursed into turning Human by must wear full pointed ears. Examples include the rebels. Large Space Ears, Troll Ears, Vampire Ears, Pro T’saron Artist Ears by Woochie, or Anime Ears (small or Last surviving member of one of the great Dark large) by Aradani Studios. They cannot have Elven houses, which was destroyed by a rival facial hair, except for eyebrows. house. Sadly for him, he is famous not for his Those with one Human parent must wear ear life as a Dark Elf but for being made into the tips. Examples include Small Space Ears by first recorded Dryder. Woochie, or Small Ear Prosthetics or Halfling/Hobbit Ears by Aradani Studios. They A Legend may have facial hair, but it must be white. It is spoken of in quiet whispers, when the lights are low, that there is a place where all the Half Dark Elves may go. ‘Tis a place where they are welcomed and they can call home, where none shall judge them by the Evil ones they do come from. Never in one place, always on the move, this place I have