Drow

The Drow, also known as Dark Elves, are descendants of High Elves transformed by exile, subterranean life, and the corruption of Melodias. They follow the dark Blood-Stained faith and are feared across the surface world.

Origins¶

In 325 BLC, High Elves were chased into the Drow Caves. There they ate food cursed by Melodias and were transformed into the Drow. They remained in the caves for centuries, changing in body, culture, and religion.

The Great Collapse later empowered the Drow when Melodias was released. In 670 LC, the Incident damaged cave systems and helped drive overpopulated Drow communities back toward the surface, beginning the Drow Invasions of the North.

Biology¶

Drow remain elven in descent, but thousands of years underground changed them in irreversible ways. Their bodies, habits, and society adapted to darkness, caves, and hostile subterranean environments.

Society and Conquest¶

Over the last few decades of the current setting, Drow have emerged from beneath the Wild Northlands of eastern Luxterra to conquer new kingdoms. Surface tribes near the Norrfalian Sea were caught unprepared, never imagining armies could appear from mountain caves.

Their influence and Blood-Stained beliefs spread beyond their borders. The Drow reached their greatest extent around 789 LC, with the Saguine Confederacy, Drow city-states, tributaries, tribes, and adventuring parties. The Svardenni later drove them back, culminating in defeats such as the Battle of Engwad in 814 LC.

Legacy¶

Drow history is a cycle of curse, confinement, emergence, conquest, and revenge. Their desire to reclaim lost lands, including Iolsim, now the human Kingdom of Herue, remains one of the great threats of the northern world.

See also: Blood-Stained, High Elf, Melodias, Kingdom of Herue, Great Collapse, and Timeline.