Enemies from the Past

"Matron Arielana," said Starrbolt, "how kind of you to greet me."

The drow female, leader of house Dur'Eben, stood less than 10 paces away, her pose effortlessly radiating regal splendor. A step behind, at her side, stood the house wizard and patron, Zacnefear, alert and ready to take action if need be.

Since the fall of old Neverwinter, Elenlanta had encountered dark elves in his travels. In Britannia, the Grey Company had fought against Kitayne of the Bregan d'Aerth as well as the drider-like Terathans. In Norrath, there were dark elves based in the city of Neriak who worshipped Innoruuk, the prince of hate. In Dereth and other realms, Elen occasionally crossed paths with drow rogues. Even amongst the elven fellowship of Tel'Mithrim, there were dark elf members, namely Riklaun Saambria and Khalin Wael, whom Elen counted as trusted friends.

However, the dark elves facing him now were different, for they were worshippers of Lloth, the spider queen. Elen had forgotten how disturbing it felt to be in their presence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legends told of how the drow came to be. Starrbolt had heard many variations, which differed with the teller of the tale, the intended audience, and the intended purpose.

Common among the tellings was that, in the ancient past, some elves forsook worship of the traditional elven pantheon, the Seldarine, in favor of Lloth, queen of the spiders. Her followers made themselves mighty by nurturing Lloth's evil ways of deceit, treachery, and ruthless aggression. Conflict between the rival elven factions escalated into a decades-long war. Finally defeated, the drow retreated to underground warrens, where they have existed ever since.

One version of the tale claimed that Corellon Larethian, patriarch of the elven gods, intervened on the battlefield and struck Lloth a telling blow, driving her deep into the earth. Then, Corellon forced the evil elves into the rift where he had banished Lloth. Corellon decreed that the treachery of the drow would forever show upon their faces, which is why their skin is dark.

A conflicting version contended that, before their descent underground, the Ilythiiri, or "elves of the south", dwelt in jungles and hot forests and were known as "dark elves" for the hue of their skin. The proud, warlike, decadent Ilythiiri attacked all neighbors, including other elven tribes, as ordered by their two cruel deities, Ghaunadaur and Lloth. Elves, humans, dwarves and other races allied to defeat the drow in a series of titanic magical battles, after which the dark elves fled to the Underdark, a domain they had discovered earlier.

Did the drow hate the surface elves for banishing them underground and covet the sunlit forests? Did surface elves loathe the drow as the embodiment of a blasphemous perversion of the elven way? Was Lloth originally a member of the Seldarine who once loved Corellon, but fell from grace when she betrayed him out of spite, jealousy, and lust for power, and, in punishment, was transformed into a hideous monstrosity with the body of a spider?

The truth of these events was lost in antiquity. Now, what each elf believed to be true depended on one's view.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To Starrbolt, looking at the Lloth-worshipping drow was like gazing into a dusky, warped mirror and seeing a dark, twisted reflection. "Tuer lothnil," he thought. The accursed.

Arielana nodded and asked, "Dos have just arrived in this land?"

Starr hated how she and other dark elves mixed pronouns and other snippets of drow language in with the common trade tongue. It was a frequent reminder of how the drow insisted upon being different. "Yes," he replied, "it is my first visit to this realm."

Zacnefear chuckled but did not speak. How odd, thought Elenlanta, that dark elf males typically played subservient roles in the female-dominated drow society -- often bowing, kneeling, keeping silent unless spoken to, and fearing the lash of a snake-headed whip or some worse punishment for the slightest disobedience ... or for no reason other than the indulgence of a drow female's chaotic, vicious temperament.

Typical of drow females, Arielana was bigger and stronger than most dark elf males, yet still lithe, slim, and graceful in build, features, and movements. However, Elen knew that Arielana relied upon Zacnefear as her personal protector and most valued assassin. The drow wizard appeared at ease, but, in an instant, he could strike with a poison dart, globe of darkness, web spell, or numerous other melee or magical attacks.

Starrbolt was thankful that here in Bastille, as in Neverwinter, the customary observance of a neutral zone inside the city walls seemed to be in effect. For, if the dark elves would attack now, he was ill-prepared. The tarna'ista im palurinea magic that brought him here was such that Starr could not bring enchanted items or even much common equipment. Furthermore, the faerie elf was weakened by the journey and in need of learning the ways of this forgotten world. It would be some time before Elenlanta could be at full strength.

In contrast, Arielana and Zacnefear appeared even more formidable than he remembered. Starrbolt was sure that, if he would cast a detect magic spell, the dark elves would glow blue from head to feet with amulets, cloaks, weapons, belts, bracers, rings, boots, and other powerfully enchanted items.

Arielana smiled and said, "Of course usstan would greet dos, Starrbolt. Are udos naut abbilen?"

Starr regretted that he knew enough of the drow language to understand her sardonic taunting.

The Dur'Eben matron continued, "Dos missed ussta altar when last we met ... Lloth still waits for dos." Zacnefear's teeth flashed in a predatory, vulpine grin, enjoying her sadistic threat.

Elenlanta shook his head. Despite the intervening years, these two dark elves were instantly ready to resume the old vendetta from Neverwinter with their same evil aim. Such relentless focus and persistence were characteristic of drow society, where grudges often raged for decades and even centuries, making dark elves among the most implacable and deadly of enemies.

As for surface elves, there was a saying: "Elven memories are long ones, choose your actions wisely around them. Friends, and enemies, are not forgotten."

In contrast to the rigid, fiercely enforced structure of drow society, the Grey Company elf guild functioned as a loose-knit fellowship of strong-willed, independent individuals who shared the common goal of upholding and protecting the elven way. Unlike Lloth-worshipping dark elves, male and female members of Tel'Mithrim were equals who often took turns exchanging leadership roles. In addition to their love of nature, perhaps their strongest shared value was for each member to be free to do as he or she willed. So strong was this belief that often the Company had difficulty agreeing on a course of action or even assembling. Typically, a great cause was required to gather members in force.

Observing Zacnefear standing guard at Arielana's shoulder, Starr thought wryly, "Perhaps there are advantages to flailing one's companions. It seems to keep them in line."

Elen smiled and said, "Your beauty, grace, and sophistication have only grown with the years, Matron Arielana."

The dark elf female arched her brow and said, "And dossta gallantry as well, Starrbolt."

She was undeniably beautiful, as Zacnefear was handsome. They looked like obsidian-carved statues, their features strong, sharp, and angular. In comparison, the features of fey elves were finer, softer, and more child-like. For example, the tip of the nose tended to slightly tilt downward for a drow and upward for an edhel.

The fairene leaned forward and said, "Yet, your eyes show the evil of your devotion to the spider queen."

Arielana laughed and said, "Of course they do. Usstan have naut changed ussta ways. Dos shall see ussta altar yet, abbil. The tale of the battle between the Grey Company and Dur'Eben is well remembered."

Elenlanta nodded. The ancient conflict of Lloth-worshipping dark elves versus Seldarine-worshipping surface elves had been re-enacted in Neverwinter as Dur'Eben versus Tel'Mithrim. Now, here in Bastille, once more, these elves were poised to renew the eternal battle.

While appraising Arielana and Zacnefear, Elen remembered a rumor he had heard in Neverwinter. It was said that these two dark elves had bonded in the traditional elven way. Such a union, common among surface elves, was unheard of among drow.

In a true elven marriage of love, vows tied the spirits of the loved ones together in a communion that enabled wedded elves to become fully aware of their partner's needs and emotions. Establishing this bond required complete trust between the partners because, during the ritual, the male and female must each cast aside all defenses and lay open their inner selves to one another.

There was a drow saying: "Jal khaless zhah waela." All trust is foolish. Starrbolt wondered, could Arielana and Zacnefear have truly created a bond based on love, openness, and trust?

Starr compared the dark elf couple to his friends, Lywnis and Ilustriel, whose union evinced the traditional elven bond. Clearly, the relationship between these drow was different ... unless, there was more between them than he could perceive.

When Elenlanta had first met Arielana, she was a girl, a priestess of Lloth. They had formed a friendship, he had believed, based on mutual curiosity about their different backgrounds. Elen had shared with her his love of nature on the surface world and Arielana had described for him life in the Underdark and had promised to take him there someday.

Once, he had believed there was potential for good in Arielana. However, since then, she had earned the favor of Lloth and had become matron of a drow house, proving beyond question that her heart was evil.

Yet, she and Zacnefear had bonded ... to Starrbolt, it was a bewildering paradox, one that challenged his beliefs.

The surface elf's brow creased and his eyes narrowed. Staring at the dark elves, he felt a profoundly disturbing melange of emotions including sadness, pity, revulsion, and outrage. Starr thought, "I journeyed here in search of yaa'kano Tizer only to find this abominable evil from the past."

What of Tizer, he wondered? "Did you learn that our old enemies were here?" he asked silently. "Is that why you came to Bastille, to oppose them?"

Did the drow know that Tizer had come to Bastille? Had they found the former captain of Tel'Mithrim outside the neutral zone and harmed him?

Elen wanted to question the drow about Tizer, but, no, that would only play into their devious, scheming ways. Looking at their wicked, leering expressions, he decided, 'twas better to hold his tongue for now.

Elenlanta Ranar ~ Starrbolt Wanderer
o'Tel'Iantdor ~ One of the Old Land
Tel'Mithrim ~ The Grey Company
>>>==========>

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> "Matron Arielana," said Starrbolt, "how kind of you to greet me." > The drow female, leader of house Dur'Eben, stood less than 10 paces away, her pose effortlessly radiating regal splendor. A step behind, at her side, stood the house wizard and patron, Zacnefear, alert and ready to take action if need be. > Since the fall of old Neverwinter, Elenlanta had encountered dark elves in his travels. In Britannia, the Grey Company had fought against Kitayne of the Bregan d'Aerth as well as the drider-like Terathans. In Norrath, there were dark elves based in the city of Neriak who worshipped Innoruuk, the prince of hate. In Dereth and other realms, Elen occasionally crossed paths with drow rogues. Even amongst the elven fellowship of Tel'Mithrim, there were dark elf members, namely Riklaun Saambria and Khalin Wael, whom Elen counted as trusted friends. > However, the dark elves facing him now were different, for they were worshippers of Lloth, the spider queen. Elen had forgotten how disturbing it felt to be in their presence. > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Legends told of how the drow came to be. Starrbolt had heard many variations, which differed with the teller of the tale, the intended audience, and the intended purpose. > Common among the tellings was that, in the ancient past, some elves forsook worship of the traditional elven pantheon, the Seldarine, in favor of Lloth, queen of the spiders. Her followers made themselves mighty by nurturing Lloth's evil ways of deceit, treachery, and ruthless aggression. Conflict between the rival elven factions escalated into a decades-long war. Finally defeated, the drow retreated to underground warrens, where they have existed ever since. > One version of the tale claimed that Corellon Larethian, patriarch of the elven gods, intervened on the battlefield and struck Lloth a telling blow, driving her deep into the earth. Then, Corellon forced the evil elves into the rift where he had banished Lloth. Corellon decreed that the treachery of the drow would forever show upon their faces, which is why their skin is dark. > A conflicting version contended that, before their descent underground, the Ilythiiri, or "elves of the south", dwelt in jungles and hot forests and were known as "dark elves" for the hue of their skin. The proud, warlike, decadent Ilythiiri attacked all neighbors, including other elven tribes, as ordered by their two cruel deities, Ghaunadaur and Lloth. Elves, humans, dwarves and other races allied to defeat the drow in a series of titanic magical battles, after which the dark elves fled to the Underdark, a domain they had discovered earlier. > Did the drow hate the surface elves for banishing them underground and covet the sunlit forests? Did surface elves loathe the drow as the embodiment of a blasphemous perversion of the elven way? Was Lloth originally a member of the Seldarine who once loved Corellon, but fell from grace when she betrayed him out of spite, jealousy, and lust for power, and, in punishment, was transformed into a hideous monstrosity with the body of a spider? > The truth of these events was lost in antiquity. Now, what each elf believed to be true depended on one's view. > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > To Starrbolt, looking at the Lloth-worshipping drow was like gazing into a dusky, warped mirror and seeing a dark, twisted reflection. "Tuer lothnil," he thought. <i>The accursed.</i> > Arielana nodded and asked, "Dos have just arrived in this land?" > Starr hated how she and other dark elves mixed pronouns and other snippets of drow language in with the common trade tongue. It was a frequent reminder of how the drow insisted upon being different. "Yes," he replied, "it is my first visit to this realm." > Zacnefear chuckled but did not speak. How odd, thought Elenlanta, that dark elf males typically played subservient roles in the female-dominated drow society -- often bowing, kneeling, keeping silent unless spoken to, and fearing the lash of a snake-headed whip or some worse punishment for the slightest disobedience ... or for no reason other than the indulgence of a drow female's chaotic, vicious temperament. > Typical of drow females, Arielana was bigger and stronger than most dark elf males, yet still lithe, slim, and graceful in build, features, and movements. However, Elen knew that Arielana relied upon Zacnefear as her personal protector and most valued assassin. The drow wizard appeared at ease, but, in an instant, he could strike with a poison dart, globe of darkness, web spell, or numerous other melee or magical attacks. > Starrbolt was thankful that here in Bastille, as in Neverwinter, the customary observance of a neutral zone inside the city walls seemed to be in effect. For, if the dark elves would attack now, he was ill-prepared. The tarna'ista im palurinea magic that brought him here was such that Starr could not bring enchanted items or even much common equipment. Furthermore, the faerie elf was weakened by the journey and in need of learning the ways of this forgotten world. It would be some time before Elenlanta could be at full strength. > In contrast, Arielana and Zacnefear appeared even more formidable than he remembered. Starrbolt was sure that, if he would cast a detect magic spell, the dark elves would glow blue from head to feet with amulets, cloaks, weapons, belts, bracers, rings, boots, and other powerfully enchanted items. > Arielana smiled and said, "Of course usstan would greet dos, Starrbolt. Are udos naut abbilen?" > Starr regretted that he knew enough of the drow language to understand her sardonic taunting. > The Dur'Eben matron continued, "Dos missed ussta altar when last we met ... Lloth still waits for dos." Zacnefear's teeth flashed in a predatory, vulpine grin, enjoying her sadistic threat. > Elenlanta shook his head. Despite the intervening years, these two dark elves were instantly ready to resume the old vendetta from Neverwinter with their same evil aim. Such relentless focus and persistence were characteristic of drow society, where grudges often raged for decades and even centuries, making dark elves among the most implacable and deadly of enemies. > As for surface elves, there was a saying: "Elven memories are long ones, choose your actions wisely around them. Friends, and enemies, are not forgotten." > In contrast to the rigid, fiercely enforced structure of drow society, the Grey Company elf guild functioned as a loose-knit fellowship of strong-willed, independent individuals who shared the common goal of upholding and protecting the elven way. Unlike Lloth-worshipping dark elves, male and female members of Tel'Mithrim were equals who often took turns exchanging leadership roles. In addition to their love of nature, perhaps their strongest shared value was for each member to be free to do as he or she willed. So strong was this belief that often the Company had difficulty agreeing on a course of action or even assembling. Typically, a great cause was required to gather members in force. > Observing Zacnefear standing guard at Arielana's shoulder, Starr thought wryly, "Perhaps there are advantages to flailing one's companions. It seems to keep them in line." > Elen smiled and said, "Your beauty, grace, and sophistication have only grown with the years, Matron Arielana." > The dark elf female arched her brow and said, "And dossta gallantry as well, Starrbolt." > She was undeniably beautiful, as Zacnefear was handsome. They looked like obsidian-carved statues, their features strong, sharp, and angular. In comparison, the features of fey elves were finer, softer, and more child-like. For example, the tip of the nose tended to slightly tilt downward for a drow and upward for an edhel. > The fairene leaned forward and said, "Yet, your eyes show the evil of your devotion to the spider queen." > Arielana laughed and said, "Of course they do. Usstan have naut changed ussta ways. Dos shall see ussta altar yet, abbil. The tale of the battle between the Grey Company and Dur'Eben is well remembered." > Elenlanta nodded. The ancient conflict of Lloth-worshipping dark elves versus Seldarine-worshipping surface elves had been re-enacted in Neverwinter as Dur'Eben versus Tel'Mithrim. Now, here in Bastille, once more, these elves were poised to renew the eternal battle. > While appraising Arielana and Zacnefear, Elen remembered a rumor he had heard in Neverwinter. It was said that <a href="http://www.forgottenworld.com/index.asp?page=boards/message.asp&f=875&p=2&m=32504">these two dark elves had bonded in the traditional elven way</a>. Such a union, common among surface elves, was unheard of among drow. > In a true elven marriage of love, vows tied the spirits of the loved ones together in a communion that enabled wedded elves to become fully aware of their partner's needs and emotions. Establishing this bond required complete trust between the partners because, during the ritual, the male and female must each cast aside all defenses and lay open their inner selves to one another. > There was a drow saying: "Jal khaless zhah waela." <i>All trust is foolish.</i> Starrbolt wondered, could Arielana and Zacnefear have truly created a bond based on love, openness, and trust? > Starr compared the dark elf couple to his friends, Lywnis and Ilustriel, whose union evinced the traditional elven bond. Clearly, the relationship between these drow was different ... unless, there was more between them than he could perceive. > When Elenlanta had first met Arielana, she was a girl, a priestess of Lloth. They had formed a friendship, he had believed, based on mutual curiosity about their different backgrounds. Elen had shared with her his love of nature on the surface world and Arielana had described for him life in the Underdark and had promised to take him there someday. > Once, he had believed there was potential for good in Arielana. However, since then, she had earned the favor of Lloth and had become matron of a drow house, proving beyond question that her heart was evil. > Yet, she and Zacnefear had bonded ... to Starrbolt, it was a bewildering paradox, one that challenged his beliefs. > The surface elf's brow creased and his eyes narrowed. Staring at the dark elves, he felt a profoundly disturbing melange of emotions including sadness, pity, revulsion, and outrage. Starr thought, "I journeyed here in search of yaa'kano Tizer only to find this abominable evil from the past." > What of Tizer, he wondered? "Did you learn that our old enemies were here?" he asked silently. "Is that why you came to Bastille, to oppose them?" > Did the drow know that Tizer had come to Bastille? Had they found the former captain of Tel'Mithrim outside the neutral zone and harmed him? > Elen wanted to question the drow about Tizer, but, no, that would only play into their devious, scheming ways. Looking at their wicked, leering expressions, he decided, 'twas better to hold his tongue for now. > <font color="green"> > Elenlanta Ranar ~ Starrbolt Wanderer > o'Tel'Iantdor ~ One of the Old Land > Tel'Mithrim ~ The Grey Company</font> > <font color="gray">>>>==========></font>
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