I hope the below will enrich everyone's RPing and be an interesting read. It's all from the Elven Netbook, link to it is
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=732165
CHeers.
From a drow historian's own perspective:
Well met and welcome; I believe that is the correct greeting on your surface world. I write the following manuscript as per your request, Daerian Sunstar, and that of your most high and noble Queen Amlauril. I can still remember the day when the Admiral of the Elvish Imperial Navy first told me of your need; although we have retained cordial relations with the EIN for several centuries never before have they requested any assistance from us. The opportunity to leave Kule and travel to the fabled world of Abeir-Toril has been a dream of mine and my fellow sages for many years. We have always felt that assembling the lost and broken pieces of Elven past was our ultimate goal, and what better way then to walk the very lands upon which we Dark Elves were first cursed. Much has transpired in the 10 years since I left your company, and I beg forgiveness for not having kept you informed all that time. I realize our original plan was to have my people and I journey to the surface periodically to re-supply and send word; this however proved to be much harder to accomplish then any of us originally counted on. Certain events took place in 1361 DR that have caused quite a stir amongst my subterranean brethren. The passages to the surface are all well guarded now by the various Drow Noble Houses, but it appears they are there to keep people in rather then out. Although I pressed the nobles I have befriended over time, they are wary of giving away too much concerning the current political climate. As far as I can tell, many of the city’s rulers fear a mass exodus of Dark Elves to the surface. Why this is I cannot say for sure, but rumor has it that the Drow no longer lose their special abilities on the surface! I have also come to understand that during my long absence many of you thought me dead, and have since gotten much of the information from another source. The work which you received from Lady Alustriel written by a certain Drow scoundrel may give various insights, but my treatise (which I have modestly entitled “ Underdark”) on the numerous races and political organizations is far more comprehensive. Also, the young man’s information was quite a bit out of date, and was written a full two years ago. I assure you that you will find I have provided all that you have requested, and quite a bit more.
---Your humble servant, Lazarus Ty’miiri, Sage Supreme of the Kulian Tower of High Knowledge
Foreword: The following is an excerpt from the work that I have put together for the good people of Evermeet concerning the group of Elves known as the Ilythiiri. Before I began my treatise I feel some definitions are perhaps in order. ‘Dark Elf’ was originally a term that denoted a particular racial group of Elves known as the Dockalfen who lived in F?erie along with many other racial groups. This group had very dark skin, ranging in hues from a deep chestnut to a rich golden brown, with some tribes having complexion nearly ashen or mahogany. The ‘Ilythiiri’ were a clan of these Dark Elves, and were one of the twelve great clans that made up the council in ancient Tintageer. Each of the great clans had it’s own king, and all other lesser clans and tribes answered to these twelve. Some clans consisted of Elves from different racial groups, as in the case of the Nesti, while others were completely of one race, as in the case of the Ilythiiri. Most of the Ilythiiri Elves, along with many other clans and tribes, left Tintageer hundreds of years prior to the great disaster that befell that ancient and glorious city. Some, like the Ilythiiri, migrated to Abeir-Toril, whilst others, like the Nesti and Raanai settled on different worlds. It is important to note that not all Dark Elves who went to Toril were of the Ilythiiri, especially those in the north who formed the kingdom of Miyeritar. The name ‘Drow’ comes from the term Dhaeroaw, meaning traitor, and is used to describe ALL Dark Elves who were inflicted with the Descent curse by the surface Elves of Abeir-Toril. The curse was so powerful that it affected every single dark Elf that inhabited a world where the Seldarine were known. It is the fervent wish of many Dark Elves, myself included, that somehow, somewhere, there exist tribes that may have somehow been shielded from this terrible fate.
Regions: The Underdark, Cormanthor, Dambrath, Calimport (secret)
Racial Feats: Arachnid Rider (RoF), Blooded (surface only, FRCS), Daylight Adaptation (surface only FRCS), Deepening Darkness (RoF), Elfhunter (Und), Highborn Drow (Und), Improved Levitation (Und), Lolth’s Blessing (RoF), Lolth’s Meat (Und), stealthy (FRCS), survivor (FRCS), Twin Sword Style (FRCS)
Racial Prestige Classes: Arachnomancer, Drow Judicator, Darkmask, Thrall of Ghaunadaur (Use Thrall of Jubilex from BoVD)
Prehistory
Dark Elves, Ssri'Tel'Quessir, Drow. All of these names we have been called, and rightly so. All modern day Drow can trace their lineage back to the earliest days of F?erie, before the destruction of Tintageer, and even before the Tana’Quesspora (the scattering). The Great Clan of Dockalfen, or Dark Elves, was known among the Shee for having the mightiest warriors and the most powerful wizards. Chief among the tribes that made up this great clan were the Ilythiiri; a prouder and more assertive group of beings would have been hard to find. The Ilythiiri took to every task with a ruthless eagerness that the other Elves found hard to understand. They viewed all things as a competition of sorts, and would often hold contests of every kind to prove their own self worth. Often, they would challenge their fellow Elves to create more beautiful works of art then they, or fashion greater magical devices. They even went so far as to build a huge arena in Tintageer called the Corelleum, in honor of Corellon Larethian. There, their warriors honed their fighting skills facing other armed combatants and fierce beasts. Their mages would have incredible magical duels to the delight of appreciative audiences. The other Elven Great Clans were both amazed and frightened by what the Ilythiiri could accomplish. Finally, after a series of ‘accidental’ deaths of Daoine Sidhe and Liosalfar (Gold and Silver Elves) the other clans closed the arena for good, and forbade any more dangerous contests between Elves. The Ilythiiri, along with many other tribes of Dockalfen, were outraged, and most left the city, never to return. The majority removed themselves from F?erie altogether, settling on countless Prime Material worlds. Most of the Ilythiiri peoples fled to Abeir-Toril, a young and beautiful world that had already been settled by countless Green Elven tribes in centuries past. My own people, the Kulaari, were a minor sept of the Dark Elves, and chose not to follow their brethren. We were scholars, not wizards and warriors; but this is the tale of the Ilythiiri of Toril and the story of my own people is best left for another time.
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=732165
CHeers.
From a drow historian's own perspective:
Well met and welcome; I believe that is the correct greeting on your surface world. I write the following manuscript as per your request, Daerian Sunstar, and that of your most high and noble Queen Amlauril. I can still remember the day when the Admiral of the Elvish Imperial Navy first told me of your need; although we have retained cordial relations with the EIN for several centuries never before have they requested any assistance from us. The opportunity to leave Kule and travel to the fabled world of Abeir-Toril has been a dream of mine and my fellow sages for many years. We have always felt that assembling the lost and broken pieces of Elven past was our ultimate goal, and what better way then to walk the very lands upon which we Dark Elves were first cursed. Much has transpired in the 10 years since I left your company, and I beg forgiveness for not having kept you informed all that time. I realize our original plan was to have my people and I journey to the surface periodically to re-supply and send word; this however proved to be much harder to accomplish then any of us originally counted on. Certain events took place in 1361 DR that have caused quite a stir amongst my subterranean brethren. The passages to the surface are all well guarded now by the various Drow Noble Houses, but it appears they are there to keep people in rather then out. Although I pressed the nobles I have befriended over time, they are wary of giving away too much concerning the current political climate. As far as I can tell, many of the city’s rulers fear a mass exodus of Dark Elves to the surface. Why this is I cannot say for sure, but rumor has it that the Drow no longer lose their special abilities on the surface! I have also come to understand that during my long absence many of you thought me dead, and have since gotten much of the information from another source. The work which you received from Lady Alustriel written by a certain Drow scoundrel may give various insights, but my treatise (which I have modestly entitled “ Underdark”) on the numerous races and political organizations is far more comprehensive. Also, the young man’s information was quite a bit out of date, and was written a full two years ago. I assure you that you will find I have provided all that you have requested, and quite a bit more.
---Your humble servant, Lazarus Ty’miiri, Sage Supreme of the Kulian Tower of High Knowledge
Foreword: The following is an excerpt from the work that I have put together for the good people of Evermeet concerning the group of Elves known as the Ilythiiri. Before I began my treatise I feel some definitions are perhaps in order. ‘Dark Elf’ was originally a term that denoted a particular racial group of Elves known as the Dockalfen who lived in F?erie along with many other racial groups. This group had very dark skin, ranging in hues from a deep chestnut to a rich golden brown, with some tribes having complexion nearly ashen or mahogany. The ‘Ilythiiri’ were a clan of these Dark Elves, and were one of the twelve great clans that made up the council in ancient Tintageer. Each of the great clans had it’s own king, and all other lesser clans and tribes answered to these twelve. Some clans consisted of Elves from different racial groups, as in the case of the Nesti, while others were completely of one race, as in the case of the Ilythiiri. Most of the Ilythiiri Elves, along with many other clans and tribes, left Tintageer hundreds of years prior to the great disaster that befell that ancient and glorious city. Some, like the Ilythiiri, migrated to Abeir-Toril, whilst others, like the Nesti and Raanai settled on different worlds. It is important to note that not all Dark Elves who went to Toril were of the Ilythiiri, especially those in the north who formed the kingdom of Miyeritar. The name ‘Drow’ comes from the term Dhaeroaw, meaning traitor, and is used to describe ALL Dark Elves who were inflicted with the Descent curse by the surface Elves of Abeir-Toril. The curse was so powerful that it affected every single dark Elf that inhabited a world where the Seldarine were known. It is the fervent wish of many Dark Elves, myself included, that somehow, somewhere, there exist tribes that may have somehow been shielded from this terrible fate.
The Ilythiiri
(Dark Elves)
(Dark Elves)
Regions: The Underdark, Cormanthor, Dambrath, Calimport (secret)
Racial Feats: Arachnid Rider (RoF), Blooded (surface only, FRCS), Daylight Adaptation (surface only FRCS), Deepening Darkness (RoF), Elfhunter (Und), Highborn Drow (Und), Improved Levitation (Und), Lolth’s Blessing (RoF), Lolth’s Meat (Und), stealthy (FRCS), survivor (FRCS), Twin Sword Style (FRCS)
Racial Prestige Classes: Arachnomancer, Drow Judicator, Darkmask, Thrall of Ghaunadaur (Use Thrall of Jubilex from BoVD)
Prehistory
Dark Elves, Ssri'Tel'Quessir, Drow. All of these names we have been called, and rightly so. All modern day Drow can trace their lineage back to the earliest days of F?erie, before the destruction of Tintageer, and even before the Tana’Quesspora (the scattering). The Great Clan of Dockalfen, or Dark Elves, was known among the Shee for having the mightiest warriors and the most powerful wizards. Chief among the tribes that made up this great clan were the Ilythiiri; a prouder and more assertive group of beings would have been hard to find. The Ilythiiri took to every task with a ruthless eagerness that the other Elves found hard to understand. They viewed all things as a competition of sorts, and would often hold contests of every kind to prove their own self worth. Often, they would challenge their fellow Elves to create more beautiful works of art then they, or fashion greater magical devices. They even went so far as to build a huge arena in Tintageer called the Corelleum, in honor of Corellon Larethian. There, their warriors honed their fighting skills facing other armed combatants and fierce beasts. Their mages would have incredible magical duels to the delight of appreciative audiences. The other Elven Great Clans were both amazed and frightened by what the Ilythiiri could accomplish. Finally, after a series of ‘accidental’ deaths of Daoine Sidhe and Liosalfar (Gold and Silver Elves) the other clans closed the arena for good, and forbade any more dangerous contests between Elves. The Ilythiiri, along with many other tribes of Dockalfen, were outraged, and most left the city, never to return. The majority removed themselves from F?erie altogether, settling on countless Prime Material worlds. Most of the Ilythiiri peoples fled to Abeir-Toril, a young and beautiful world that had already been settled by countless Green Elven tribes in centuries past. My own people, the Kulaari, were a minor sept of the Dark Elves, and chose not to follow their brethren. We were scholars, not wizards and warriors; but this is the tale of the Ilythiiri of Toril and the story of my own people is best left for another time.
Comment