Dark Elves

Dark Elves are the long lived ancestors of the original race who had first made their way to this continent during the Era of Creation a people only mentioned few times in early Varonian history being a people called The Drow. Little is known about the ancient dark elves other than how they were one of the few, other than the ancient vampires, to worship Lonaris. In recent years though the people have had a cultural shift towards different gods, that being Kifo the God of Death and Haset Goddess of Nature, do to harsh association being put on the people for their worship of Lonaris.

Dark Elves are very recognizable when you see them having a skin tone of a ashy gray that varies from a very light gray to a obsidian color, their eyes are a recognizable red hue ranging from ruby red to blood red, and their hair is mostly a stark white or black with streaks of opposite colors in the hair of the people. Their people tend to build semi like their ancestors did but instead of fully subterranean cities they have half cities as they are called. These half cities are usually half above ground, this area holds the commercial and entertainment districts of the cities, while the lower half contains more residential districts with a military area as a in-between between the two areas to help keep the peace in case of emergencies. The architecture of these areas is tight and formal made of material made from the cavern areas of these towns. Tall tightly packed buildings of blackstone line the streets of these upper cities while colorful crystals and gemstones light up the city in dazzling muti-color light.

Dark Elves celebrate many festivals for their gods but two main festivals reign supreme in their culture. The first that happens near the beginning of the year is The Festival of Vitanova, this celebration is a somber day of remembrance for a hero of the peoples past by the name of Balak Anke, who had stood against The Order of Blind Justice during the crusades of The Great Break. He stood for his people fighting to defend them and doing all he could to gain the Empire's aid but when that was deemed impossible he decided to take the fight to the crusaders. He fought until he was captured, tortured and executed for what he had done. After his death Kifo granted him new life as he felt that the life of Balak had been snuffed out to soon making him a minor god of bravery and protection. This event is celebrated in a festival were dark elves honor those who have sacrificed to preserve their people and home in the face of adversity. This is celebrated through drinking of a hard cider which was a favorite drink of Balak in life as well as seeing dramatic retellings of his life's story on stages around dark elven cities. The second festival is that of the Celebration of the Earth Mother, a harvest festival that happens around harvest season to celebrate the bounty which the earth mother has put upon them. They celebrate this with lavish feasts and dinner parties were friends and family come together to celebrate this wonderful gift of plenty that has been placed upon them.

In the political world dark elves have recently broken into the scene after a majority who lived in the north joined up with the Flock who unlike the harsh south truly gave them a voice as while the powers backing the Flock, The Primordials. wish to enslave or kill all gods of this world most elves are for that as they have seen the destruction most of the fallowers of the other gods have come to pass upon this world. With their help and with skilled diplomats from the people the Flock and dark elves have been trying to convince some provinces of the Neutral Alliance to end neutrality and join their side of the conflict.