The exact origins of the Dark Elves are not known to most people. What is known for sure is that their society reveres one of the Hierarchs, Arachnia. These descendants of the Ancient Elves at one time lived above ground with the other Elves until something drove them underground and there they dwelt for millennia until this day, adapting to their new environment.

Dark Elven society is lead by matriarchs and men are second class citizens. It is the women in their society that are the rulers and administrators. The men are soldiers at best and in some cases slaves to the whims of the females.

The Underdark where they dwell is said to be vast and covering below ground what above ground is most of the eastern known world. The Underdark is a dangerous place and few who venture there return. What information is available about the Dark Elven world is learned mostly through turncoats and renegades from their society.

The Dark Elven political structure is as complicated as any other, more so perhaps due to the constant political maneuvering and backstabbing that pervades not only the nobles but down to the lowliest commoner. There is one queen who shares her power with no one, even though she may have many consorts. There are many noble houses, some great some small, some powerful some weak and all Dark Elves belong to one of these houses. The leaders of these houses have, depending on the influence of the house, great power and the greatest of these collectively have enough influence to influence the decisions of the queen. Life in the Underdark is a constant struggle for position and survival.

The Underdark is not a lifeless wasteland as some may imagine and natural resources abound, enough to make these people self sufficient. When the need for goods that are found in short supply arises, they quickly turn to stealing from the surface races. They take what they need, including slaves, and disappear under ground where they believe themselves safe from reprisals. Dark Elves live long lives but generally do not have the luxury of time to pursue the finer arts. However, some do and their artwork would rival their Gray Elf cousins’ beauty and skill, if their works were not tainted by their dark hearts and thoughts. Few find their works pleasing to the eye and there is little market for their goods.

Given all this, Dark Elves still have free will and some do not abide by their societies’ moral choices and find themselves hiding their true nature from their own family, friends and people. This makes life particularly hard on Dark Elves who chose not to follow along with the dark wishes of their leaders. Many choose the surface world as a means of escape where they are only marginally more accepted by the people on the surface. Lands such as Avalon, with its laws that protect rather than punish the populace give these outcasts a place to try and live in peace. Even though the overwhelming number of Dark Elves are evil and to some extent follow the Dark Lord, free will has allowed some to be Followers of the Light and others Druids.

Advantages
+1 Damage Bonus for all weapons during the night (7pm to 7am) or while completely underground
Can purchase the Elven Resist skill
Can purchase Poison Immunity: Sleep Poison as a racial ability for 3 Build Points. May start the game with this skill.
Can purchase the Blind Fighting skill as a racial ability for 3 Build Points. May start the game with this skill.
Disadvantages
-2 Body Points at first Level
Double cost for the Stamina skill (8 Build Points)
-1 Damage Bonus during the day (7am to 7pm)
Cannot learn the Charm School
Costume and Roleplaying Requirements
The player must wear dark grey pointed ears and dark grey makeup on their face and exposed skin with white or black markings around the eyes. Most Dark Elves have white hair, but this is not required.
Native Literacy
Dark Elven