Dark Elves

Once belonging to the race of Elves, Dark Elves are twisted versions of their kin. With the typical Elven build, and growing to heights of between 5.5 and 6.5 foot, they still resemble Elves with their slender frames and pointed ears. Unlike other Elves though, Dark Elves are easily identifiable by their skin-tones. Whites and light greys, all looking unnatural and starved of sunlight, mark the biggest difference that a Dark Elf has from other Elves. Their hair often also matches this monochromatic palette, with whites, greys and blacks being common. Other colours are less common, such as blondes and browns, but these are all muted and appear devoid of life. Very rarely, a Dark Elf will be born with hair of a different colour - Silver, Gold or even a bright red. In such instances, it is always thought the Elf is destined for greatness.

Eye colours also seem to be muted, but can vary greatly. Standard colours are found, but also more exotic colours such as purple and red. Facial hair, and indeed body hair, is unheard of for Dark Elves, much like their other kin. Dark Elves mature much the same as other Elves and Humans, but after reaching their adult form all ageing stops. They live for an unnaturally long time, with the eldest recorded being over 2000 years old.

More so than other Elves, Dark Elves move silently and with an unnatural grace. Shadows seem to welcome them gladly, and most of their kind are sullen and calculating. Combining this with their Elven vision and capability to see in the dark, a lot of Dark Elves rank amongst the best thieves and assassins of the world. Each Dark Elf also has an innate magical ability, with each member of the race being able to cast at least the simplest of spells. Like other Elves, they also require no sleep, but still must rest their bodies by entering a trance-like state for a number of hours a day.

Origins of the Dark Elves

Dark Elves keep their origins to themselves, not wishing to deepen the mistrust that other Races already hold against them. It is said that a great Elven Empire once ruled in Astiria, and this is where all Elves originate from. In this ancient time, the Elves diversified to their different climates: some went to the Sea, others to the ways of Magic and the Stars, and some remained in the Forests. Yet there were others that found a darker path, in realms beyond what mortals should know. This root of darkness corrupted the Empire, and the The Sundering of Auraiddmir came about. Those that followed this dark path, who caused the tragic events, were forever banished, sent north to the cold snows to forever pay for their mistakes.

Despite all that was against them, these Elves survived and flourished. Using the shadowy powers they had unlocked, they created a place to live, the Ibrezar Dynasty. These Elves would become known as the Dark Elves, and they still dwell in their northern ice-realm to this day.

Finding Dark Elves in the World of Varda

Dark Elves rarely leave their home in the Ibrezar Dynasty, a dark and decrepit domain that shuns all outsiders. On rare occasions, a Dark Elf may leave the Dynasty and find other lands to live, but this is the exception to the norm, and is usually due to the Dark Elf being banished themself. For those Dark Elves that do venture to other lands, finding a place to settle is hard, for the constant distrust towards their race can be found everywhere.