The Dim Ones

The Dim Ones are a network of outcast Deepfolk across the Deep. Banished by their fellows, they are cast into the unforgiving caverns of the Deep world, left to die. But these outcasts have banded together to stay alive and, in some cases, to punish those who banished them.

Banishment

A common sentiment among Deepfolk is that one must contribute to one's community in order to survive. Because the Deep is a dangerous place for individuals, it is vital to a community's survival that all members are contributing and do not put one another at risk. This also means that Deepfolk who do not contribute or who make decisions that jeopardize the rest of their community are cast out with little mercy. By Deep logic, a community is better off with one less member available than to have that same member drain its resources without anything in return.

Deepfolk are generally cast out for a few common reasons. The most common is questioning the authority of community leaders. In a place where every decision is vital to survival, it is dangerous to have anyone undermine or doubt the decisions of a leader, who is given such a position because they are better able to help their community survive. Deepfolk are also cast out for breaking the tenets of a deity or otherwise ricking a deity's wrath, or for sheer laziness, although this is rarer.

On most occasions, the individual being banished has little to no notice, and does not have time to prepare for life outside the community. Outcasts are usually given a small pack containing enough supplies to last them for several days, but not forever. After their supplies run out, the outcast must fend for themselves. Some banishment is temporary, with the hopes that sending the offender to live on their own for an extended amount of time will instill in them some appreciation for the ease of living in a community, motivating them to work harder upon their return. Grave offenses, however, will result in permanent banishment.

The Dim Ones

Centuries ago, several outcasts from different communities happened to enter the same cavern at the same time. Although they fought one another at first, desperate for any supplies they could steal from one another, they soon realized that, like their home communities, it was easier living alone. The small group stuck together, collecting other outcasts along the way, until their numbers were too large to safely travel and live together without detection. As such, the group split into smaller bands, each with a leader elected by the band's other members. The bands made a pact to join one another again in a year's time, and to help one another if any were in need. As a way of uniting themselves, they began to call themselves the Dim Ones, because they no longer used the lantern light of established communities and instead relied on the natural phosphorescence threading through the tunnels of the Deep.

Over time, news of the Dim Ones spread in whispers, through back alleys and alongside travelling traders. Soon Deepfolk all across the Deep were aware that banishment was not necessarily a death sentence if one could simply find the right folk. And so the numbers of the Dim Ones grew, new bands budding off from others to create a Deep-wide network of banished Deepfolk. Inn some places, the Dim Ones began raiding merchants' caravans and supply wagons for equipment. Most Dim Ones could catch their own food and find their own drinking water, but they lacked the knowledge and materials needed to create weapons, tools, and containers which would help them thrive. Other bands struck deals in black markets, trading rare materials found deep in cave systems for medicine, tools, and weaponry.

Despite the perceived threat to the communities of the Deep, the Dim Ones were impossible to find, laying false trails and disappearing into hidden passageways until all but the most determined hunters persevered. To this day they are a phantom in the tunnels, appearing to strike only to disappear into the shadows once more.

The Dim Conference

Once each year, bands of the Dim Ones convene together for what they call the Dim Conference. Many are held throughout the Deep, wherever several bands can meet up. At this Conference, bands exchange news and greet one another. This is an important way for the Dim Ones to stay united, as some bands can go the entire year without seeing another band.

This Conference usually lasts three days, and is often held by a hosting band in their main hideouts. This role rotates each year. During the Conference, a feast is held to showcase the best of each band's skills and finds, ranging from fine wines and spirits to handmade stews and breads. This is also a time to share news and introduce new members that joined during the year. Bands coordinate raids on supply trains and give warnings about hunters in the area.

At the end of the Conference, each band presents its colors, which are a woven bracelet made from scavenged fibers. The weave of the bracelet or its colors is of little importance; only the story which the bracelet tells matters. Band leaders exchange colors, and display the bracelets as they so choose. Some leaders wear the bracelets along their wrist, while others wrap them on the handle of a favorite weapon or incorporate them in their clothing. To choose not to display a bracelet is a high affront and can lead to a band being shunned or escorted away from the Conference. These colors are displayed for the rest of the year until the next Conference, at which time they can be stowed away if the leader so chooses. Some leaders choose to keep all their colors from each year as a marker of how long they have been a leader. If a bracelet goes missing between Conferences, the band will be asked to explain how those colors were lost, and the other bands at the Conference decide whether it is a reasonable explanation. If it is not, the band is removed from the Conference.