Dorellereth

Dorellereth is the name for the great schism of the elves that occured between El-Danweith and El-Isilfuine during the Years Long Past. The exact details of this schism are shrouded in mystery and hotly debated by the Light and Dark elves of continental Malatoria. On most basic level it is believed that a faction of elves attempted to ascend to a state of godhood, an event taken as a severe insult and affront to the elven deity Corellon Laurethian.
Two important events resulted from this schism. Firstly, the elves of El-Isilfuine were forced to flee from the Great Forest, eventually finding a new home in the Fangwood Forest. Secondly, and more importantly, all elven souls were cut off from the grace of the afterlife.
Elves in Malatoria cannot be resurrected. Before the schism, elves of incredibly old age would leave the material plane via a magical silver ship, born from the light of the full moon and leaving for an uncharted part of the Feywild. Since the events of Dorellereth, this ship has not returned, and elves have been cut off from this final destination. As a result, elves who manage to live to ancient years grow more and more frantic. Some commit suicide. Others become increasingly thanatophobic (afraid of death) and fear, paranoia, and mistrust eventually break their minds. This is a constant source of lamenting for the elves.

Variations & Mutation

Every major group of elf in Malatoria has a different version of the events of Dorellereth. Not surprisingly, the Elves of The Great Forest and the Elves of the Fangwood Forest have the most disparate account. The events and the furious debate over the actual truth of Dorellereth is what fuels the intense animosity between the light and dark elves to this day.

Date of Setting

1875 BCR