Dark Elves
Hailing from the militaristic northern empire of Daeruin, the Dark Elves are a proud and unflinching race. Their skin is dark and they boast a medium frame, taller than their Wood Elf cousins but shorter than the lofty High Elves, though their most distinctive feature is their red eyes. Dark Elves are not well-liked on Sol among the other races and cultures, they are often perhaps unfairly characterized as slavers and colonizers. While slavery is not a Dark Elven invention or eccentricity, it is such a vital part of their culture that it seems to define them in the view of many. They have a long history of enslaving many races, in particular the Snow Elves of Mistvall. As a culture, Dark Elves are clannish, communal, and suspicious of outsiders and their machinations. While not nearly as fanatical as the Night Elves, the Dark Elves are still quite religious. Their traditional pantheon reveres several of the infernal gods, in particular, Celexei, Demithios, Anathexia, and Strife. They often view these gods as much as adversaries as divine figures, they are seen as a challenge to the elven mind, body, and soul. Dark Elves prefer a balanced approach to their skills, incorporating blades, bows, stealth, and spells.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Talesa, Hlaysa, Brevris, Dervliah, Baleth, Nadali, Bravosa, Athdiri, Arveera, Llauva, Vadoni, Eranea, Theliri, Eransi, Teridrala, Gadalia, Minleth, Urndura, Niryani, Tremdreri, Vulmsa, Eldrva, Darri, Traesa, Sorayna, Llenziah, Dinuthasa, Idrovona, Aphdresa, Nidala, Mirimsa, Aranvera, Dreymona, Narimea, Tenmeni, Mathdrasi, Andaleth, Varodroni, Noramea, Idromea, Drislara, Valas, Vedlia, Setulu, Nedeivah, Athefyn, Nolvyn, Sondmera, Thalra, Llanvon, Dreddera
Masculine names
Morvath, Ildrath, Talvath, Derarose, Kilhen, Viramir, Sadrus, Shalrius, Derayth, Balas, Voroth, Sathev, Hlandran, Malatis, Synhyr, Remath, Gadrys, Athendis, Navis, Druman, Dalaryn, Baledyn, Serheru, Tereth, Drelesu, Sadrelos, Ambryth, Dirathe, Maldrus, Temiar, Turasa, Ravadras, Vuvara, Taradryn, Nardros, Felmir, Sathdel, Reladrose, Ildothyr, Sanmir, Talindras, Sondrayni, Sadevul, Adaran, Marolas, Mirvdras, Vararyn, Dunela, Veroth
Family names
Vamoth, Dellu, Arvahi, Sererith, Bavahis, Daremyn, Falothi, Falsra, Dovethi, Sethules, Lleralas, Dilmthyn, Uvayith, Baluvi, Venovas, Dolorus, Hlaneloth, Drinndel, Ildathari, Nararam, Favhari, Areleth, Llarhandus, Indrel, Gavoth, Aramys, Nilvandas, Hlanus, Nitheloth, Draneth, Vidhari, Morven, Drilothi, Narolvel, Andrhi, Sethralo, Driltella, Drilendas, Indaoril, Nasith, Sadnith, Varalnim, Devarano, Virivion, Radeth, Saduni, Taldras, Melsrith, Mavathyn, Sedari
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Dark Elves speak the Elven language. Their dialect is of the Northern Branch, which includes itself and Snow Elven.
Culture and cultural heritage
Dark Elven culture, while firmly elven, takes pride in being distinctive from that of their elven cousins. It is communal, focusing on extended family units, from parents to extended family to clan ties, a Dark Elf typically knows even distant relatives and takes an interest in them.
Shared customary codes and values
Dark Elves tend to be very religious, traditional, and family-oriented. They value family tradition and follow the tenets of their deities.
Common Etiquette rules
As a traditional culture, Dark Elves pay particular respect to elders, even of other races. When speaking to one of significantly older age, it's customary to remain quiet, reserved, and always willing to help, whether that'd be offering one's seat or grabbing a drink. Though in general, when interacting with those of similar status, Dark Elves are not known for being very boisterous or rowdy, they prefer reserved, shorter interactions.
Art & Architecture
Artistically, the Dark Elves are patrons of many art forms, they are known to widely enjoy shadow puppetry. Other forms of art such as pottery, jewelry, carvings, and devotional statues are popular as well. Though, as of late, the Dark Elves have gained a fascination for Shanraoan weaving, watercolor paintings, and ceramics, even their native tea ceremony has become part of Dark Elven high culture.
Funerary and Memorial customs
When a Dark Elf dies, it is customary to have a funeral within 24 hours, so as not to allow the spirit to run away and become an issue. Dark Elven funerary tradition varies somewhat by the clan and local tradition, but they always include the body being wrapped in a black shawl lined with sweet-smelling plants, being buried or put in the family tomb, and having a ceremony that will include extended periods of silence from the mourning family, sometimes for over a week. It is even customary for the spouse of the deceased to not engage in public life for a month or more, during which a close family member may bring them essentials.
Like most Elven cultures, ancestors are of utmost spiritual importance. Dark Elves who can afford it often have ornate and refined family tombs where the dead are put to rest. During many celestial events, it is not unusual for the family to descend into the tomb and use Angel's Trumpet, a drug common in Elven spiritual traditions, to commune with their ancestors.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Dark Elves value beauty and aesthetic. They will spend lots of money, resources, and time to beautify themselves from things such as braiding their hair, piercing their body, purchasing expensive garments, or gaining a better figure.
Gender Ideals
A matriarchal society, wealth, status, property, and inheritance goes through the female line, from the mother to her daughters, males often inherit nothing. Females are the head of the household, they often take refined occupations while males tend to take physical occupations. Due to these inheritance expectations, males often become adventurers as they have nothing to wait for.
Socially, women are expected to be shrewd, intelligent, and cunning. Men are expected to be more stoic and deferential, especially to the women of their families.
Courtship Ideals
Dating is virtually non-existent in the culture; instead, courtship is done with the supervision or even express manipulation of older relatives. Before marriage, arranged courtship will often take the form of chaperoned dates and meetings. During these, the pair will be expected to discuss their possible compatibility, skills, and plans for the future. It is considered entirely inappropriate for one to give the other a gift. In general, Dark Elves are strait-laced regarding courtship and affection.
Relationship Ideals
Dark Elven relationships are often characterized by a strong sense of security, they value stability over things like passion and love. Polyandry, the practice of a woman marrying multiple husbands, is socially and legally permitted though reasonably uncommon.
Parent ethnicities
Diverged ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Locations