Shadowfane
Shadowfane is the direct translation of the name that Dark Elves call themselves. Their societies abound in the World Below, and are one of the most powerful cultures of that realm, along with their rivals: The Duergar, the Mind Flayers, and the Deep Ones (whose influence through other species rather than being openly displayed). There are many Shadowfane who live in the Mundane World, but they are often mistrusted because of their heritage and provenance.
Also known to their above ground brethren as "Deep Elves," the Shadowfane are those that followed the Elven god Varya's sister Sirona into the World Below.
Naming Traditions
Other names
Known noble houses include:
Do'Luvellen
Sincatara
Vilaestra
Aelis
Sil'Vadar
Rhea'havan
Culture
Common Myths and Legends
The primary deity of the Shadowfane, Sirona (or Tsirona), is often identified by snakes and eggs, and has some interplay with the idea of stars and the eternal night sky of the world below. Sacrifices to her used to use great snakes to hang three individuals at once, which is celebrated by her worshippers in the form of baked goods shaped in the classic "pretzel" shape. The Deep Elves that followed her became her consorts, and essentially the stars of the undersky.
There is a faction of Shadowfane, considered heretical to the majority culture, which worships a different deity, whose name at this point is a closely guarded secret by their followers. They simply refer to the worship of the deity as "The Lost Fane," and those who practice this faith are considered to be "outside of the fane" by the majority Shadowfane culture.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Most Shadowfane have developed a hierarchical and predatory matriarchal society, driven by the worship of their deities, who wish to subvert the gender ideals of their light-walking cousins. Male Shadowfane who rise through the ranks find themselves capped within two distinct roles in their society: Consort and Magi. Consorts service the nobles houses, and are often gifted to the houses by the queen, known as a Valsharess, who controls the consort training and placement "guild." The Magi have a certain level of autonomy, as much as they are allowed, but still directly serve the Valsharess.
Female Shadowfane are not limited in this way, but are often preyed upon by those in power, or those who wish to gain power. The machinations of the great houses, along with the priest(ess)hood often come into conflict with each other and that of the Valsharess herself, who weaves her own webs between the two. They however, are assumed to wield power over any male in their society, and both wield power above the actual slave classes which exist below the regard of either gender.
Encompassed species