DARK ELF
The story of the dark elves, also known sometimes as shadow elves, is one of intrigue, deception, anarchy, and betrayal. Supposedly, their tale in Hyboria starts fairly recently as far as elven reckoning goes, back to when the wood elves had long since spread out across the world. Rumor says that by this point, a number of wood elves had taken to the darker parts of the natural world - to shadowy crevices, impenetrable forests, rocky caves, and so forth. With this darkness came a slow but steady change in the behavior of these elves, making them more reclusive, stealthy, and wary, until they became their own subrace, deemed dark elves. More so than other elves, these early dark elves became fiercely independent and increasingly paranoid that others would seek to work against them or control them. A generation after the Obliteration, the dark elves rose up against their high elf lords. Rather than risking a civil war, the high elves agreed to meet with the proud commoners. Shortly before the gathering, disaster struck when a magical series of traps was triggered in the vestibule of the high elf chamber, slaying many elves of all sub-races. The dark elves blamed this on the high elves and swore vengeance, though some whisper that the catastrophe was the work of dark elves seeking to gain a better deal than their brethren.
Despite their best effort, a civil war ensued. Although short in duration, it carried with it a lasting cost. The combined might of high elf forces was more than capable of beating back the disorganized, fragmented dark elves, who were forced to flee deeper underground where their opponents would be unable to safely follow. The dark elves were forced to split into multiple groups during their retreat. Due to the focused attention of the surface elves, many of these groups were forced to remain in separate areas. For many years the dark elves remained separated underground, waiting to gather once more and unite their numbers. After what seemed to be an adequate amount of time, the dark elves called an enclave to decide upon their next course of action. During this meeting the surface elves attacked the location, wreaking high casualties among the dark elves. Once again the dark elves scattered to their different locations. They were unable to gather in large groups without the surface elves discovering their whereabouts. The leaders of the sub-groups met in secrecy and agreed to remain in smaller cells, spread around Hyboria. The ability to move undetected underground and in smaller numbers helped them to slowly begin to rebuild their numbers and reestablish their society. Their subsequent surface raids enjoyed far greater success, although the dark elves were never able to have any kind of meaningful impact on their light skinned enemies. They continue to engage in their guerilla style warfare, with each failed engagement adding to their hatred of all things above ground.
STATISTICS
AGE
Dark elves age similarly to most elves, reaching maturity at 110, middle age at 175, and venerable status at 350.
APPEARANCE
Dark elves as a whole tend to be smaller than other elves, with a height range of 0.8 - 1 IQoL. Their appearance is svelte and lacking in curves compared to other races and even most other subraces of elves, with males being only slightly larger than females. Dark elf complexion is usually solid ebony or charcoal with some individuals more rarely having deep purple or blue tinting at the edges. The vast majority of dark elves have bright red eyes, although shades of pale pink, grey, or purple are not unknown. The most common hair color among dark elves is white with silver or flat yellow.
DEMEANOR
Dark elves are arrogant, paranoid, and secretive. They tend strongly towards evil and moderately towards chaos. They approach everything in life as if it were a potentially lethal competition. For some dark elves, wearing a mask of civility and amiability is easy while for others it is a great struggle. Distrust is deeply ingrained in their culture. They tend to view everyone as an enemy, or, at best, a threat. Dark elves do not easily forgive and sentiments like love and trust are foreign to them.
SOCIETY
Dark elves are a matriarchal society. They are also highly competitive with one another, although they tend to hold back and avoid rapid advancement within their ranks, as that tends to put a target on their back from their other ambitious members. The males in society will generally never obtain a position of leadership in the overall organization, although there are lower positions of power that can be gained by the males in society. Regardless of gender, if one is unable to hold onto their position or they show weakness, they will quickly find themselves on the wrong end of a poisoned dagger. They are xenophobic and reclusive, holding themselves as the only true elves. They are not so full of hatred that they refuse to deal in beneficial trade with outsiders - usually. Slavery is not only common, but expected. Those who cannot defend themselves often seek out the protection of a master who is better able to defend them as property.
Most dark elves are by far and large devout worshippers of the spider-god Zath. Most of the clergy are made up of female dark elves, although there are males among the devout. Zath demands living sacrifices and is unforgiving of any who fall short of their duties to him.
FAVORED PROFESSION
The most common professions for Dark Elves are Outlaw, Warrior, and Mystic (Sorcerer or Faith.) Less common are Artisans and Entertertainers, with Fecunds and Nomads being very rare.
ENEMIES
Everyone, but especially surface elves and grey dwarves. There is a natural hatred between good and evil aligned dark elves. If dark elves discover the presence of a good or neutral dark elf, they will hunt them down. All those who worship Zath are also enemies of Set and all those who worship Set.
RESTRICTIONS
Dark elves cannot consume any kind of meat, fish, or fowl. They can eat nuts and berries, although they rarely do so unless they are on the verge of starvation. Their preferred meal is fungi, algae, and the like.