[ceridwen]

theoria dryadales

historia

One must start at the beginning to know of the end. The elves of the Ethir did not always behave as the dark, twisted creatures you and I know of, friend. They were once polite and nature-loving beings. Then came the handful of elves who realized there was more to them than what was expected. These original founders unlocked within themselves the immorality and depravity, long since forgotten. From them, sprung a rebellion spanning far and wide, with one goal: total domination.

gildam

Those who join the ranks of the Ethir are often ruthless, occasionally cunning and always elves. The Ethir refuse to acknowledge any race besides pure-blood elves as worthy of respect. They treat humans, dwarves and half-elves as property and livestock, a force for free labor - rather than sentient beings. To join these ranks, one must simply shed the chains of their lighter cousins and step forward. Loyalty is rewarded, betrayal and failure are fatal.

speciem

Despite the common term of dark elves, the Ethir are actually pale skinned. Their denial of nature warps not only their minds, but their physical appearance. They are similar in height and build to their nature-worshiping cousins. The Ethir have the same facial features as well, but many have sunken or drastic features.

architectura

The basic architecture of the Ethir cities is that of an ancient civilization that had long since disappeared. Using their sizable slave-driven work force, the dark elves have repaired and expanded extensively. The buildings have been remade using obsidian stone quarried by the humans and others under the fist of the dark elves. The capital, Dra'Ira, sits atop massive, subterranean forges that keep the entire complex warm during the frigid desert nights. Rising from the center of the sprawling black city is the tower of the Arallani. It pierces the sky and draws attention for leagues. From the twin garrison cities, Dra'Ira is clearly visible, despite the distances between them. Within the two smaller fortresses, are slave markets that are filled to the brim with humans, dwarves, half-elves and everything in between. Dra'Ira is also known for having its own menagerie of beasts unique to the desert, as well as foreign species brought in by the Arallani. The other two cities have smaller collections of creatures, but they are no less impressive or deadly. These beasts are housed better than most slaves, and are prized by the Ethir warriors.