Fiction:The Firmament/Dark Elf

"The world is ours for the taking. All shall suffer for our enjoyment."

- Madiiraxen Sunbane, Dread-Queen of Mirseleth

The dark elves (Elven: Mirsan) are one the cultures of elves of Telamon. They rule over the kingdom of Mirseleth in the western continent of Eusheth and are among the most notorious slavers, pirates and raiders of the world.

Biology
Dark elves share the same characteristics of their brethren, for they all belong to the same species; they are tall, slender humanoids, elegant in both appearance and movement and possessing of an almost supernatural grace. Compared to others Elves, the Mirsan have pale skin, raven black hair and unusual eye colours.

History
See Elven History

The dark elves are the descendants of the elves who followed the traitorous princess Madiiraxen Sunray when she murdered her father, Adsirduhann the Unifier, in an attempt to take over his throne during the Great Eondrassana War. They were eventually defeated by her brother, Bel-Vadhin, who exiled them to the distant land of Eusheth for he did not have the hear to have them all executed. Madiiraxen took the exile as a challenge to her abilities as a ruler and ordered her followers to create an empire of their own, which would eventually eclipse the old elven nation, leading to the birth of the dreaded land of Mirseleth.

Culture
The dark elves are famed for their utter cruelty; they revel in causing pain and agony to those who slight them or just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and hold the dubious honour of being the greatest slavers of the known world. Bloodshed, torture, debauchery and promiscuity are rampant in their lands; they thrive in excess, and smugly see themselves as superior to races who feel the need to suppress such urges. Dark elven culture is notoriously violent, with deception, backstabbing and blackmailing being commonplace; most who partake in it are extremely paranoid, and truly loyal servants are rare and exceptionally valuable to those with power.

Religion
The dark elves worship the shadow side of the Elven Pantheon, having forsaken its lighter deities for seeing them as a handicap.

Relations with other races
The dark elves are feared and hated across all of Telamon. The high elves have vowed to end their existence, and the two cultures fight on a regular basis. Mirsan raiding fleets are a semi-regular sight in the shores of Dryadala and Gromkazul, where they eagerly attack and enslave human populations. The dark elves have contacts with other malign races such as the rakash and the duergars, making use of them for as long as it seems profitable while keeping a close eye on their activities.