Mul'niessa

Mul'niessa
Common Alignments	Tendency towards neutral and evil alignments
Common Classes	Wizard, Ranger, Sorcerer (abyssal), Rogue
Influencial Faiths	Taara, Illotha, Deimos, Thul
Most Frequently Found In	Charn

When Taara called, a number of sildanyari answered. Trading their souls for the possibility of power, the mul'niessa were severed in ties from their kindred, and so were born. Known by many names around the world, such as Dark Elves, Night Elves, or Taara's Curse, these sildanyari are the descendants of those who bound their souls to the Goddess of Lies long ago.

As a whole, they remain one of the saunchest enemies of the Light, as well as to institutions such as Rune, who would limit the practice of the darker necromatic arts. Arcanists, wizards who study the history of the world know their history of long trechery, and few will have dealings with them.

Despite this, history has, on occasion, marked out some members of the species who attempt to throw off the grip the Lady of Murder holds over their souls and to carve their own path in the world. Furthermore, the recent ascension of the dark goddess and her Wrecking of the World has not set well with all members of the race, and has created unforeseen division.

Of late, a trickle of the mul'niessa attempt to exist independently of the actions and deeds of the greater portion of their race. Time will tell if such individuals are successful in their efforts and if the other, sildanyari kindred will accept them among their ranks despite past transgressions, pacts, and cultural biases.

The most ancient legends that relate the rise of the mul'niessa, speak of a conflict between the twin princes of ancient Sandriel, in the aftermath of the death of the greatest of the sildanyari High Kings. Both princes offered differing paths for the elven people to take in the wake of the grief of the lost of their most beloved.

Civil war resulted, ending in the death of both princes and the cursing of an entire section of the elven people who had given their very souls into the hands of the Shadow Sorceress in search of mastery for the highest forms of arcane sorcery. Retreating underground, the newly formed race of sildanyari became a bane to the world. They allied with cursed and outcast khazad and engaged in near ongoing warfare while unleashing untold abominations that had long been imprisoned by the gods and the heroes of Ea beneath the world. A number remained on the surface and founded realms in the ruined sildanyari kingdoms and continued to spread the Dark, even as their brothers and sisters among the llyranesi and sylvanori worked to spread the Light.

Two ages have passed since this era and it is mythology even for the long lived elven people, but the passions of racial bias and rivalry continue to run strong.

Note that due to their reputations, playing a mul'niessa in the world of Tenebrae is somewhat risky. This is not to say impossible, only that the world is far from a utopian ideal, and it would be much less interesting if it were so.

Physical Description

Mul'niessa are not as tall as other elves, and possess skin tones that range from deep brown to shades of grey. They possess a nearly unearthly aura about them. Their hair color tends towards shades of alabaster with some cases producing very light blond hair. They have a natural charismatic aura that makes them seem alien and otherworldly yet also grants them the ability to influence other individuals easily, a trait necessary because so few trust them and more outright despise them.

Society and Lands

Mul'niessa society is dominated by their most powerful members, the most powerful of whom is the Shal'hazar, a being often shrouded in mist and held among the greatest of secrets. The Queen of Murders guides Her children along the path of power and revenge, and though She holds their souls in thrall, many of the elves view this with a sort of fierce pride. After all, so the rites say, they are different than all other elves, and alone bear the mark of the Shadow Goddess.

While scholars debate the truth to the common saying, 'truth sears their tongue and the Sun burns their eyes', it is true that their highest nobility are few times seen within the daylight, even though many of their enclaves are in darkened forests as often as they are underground.

The powers of the highest nobles, priest and sorcerers alike, are both granted and hereditary within a culture seeped in murder, revenge, and intrigue. Though they have traditionally held power in Charn, it was of a more subtle nature--holding work as assassins or of a political nature.

Thull has great sway within their society as well, and with all the above it is not surprising that no other race particularly cares for them. Even in Charn they're often viewed (at least behind closed doors) as little more than brothel chattel, though this is not a trait within their society, and many a Charnese noble or commoner has died for it, or earned generations-long revenge.

A mul'niessa typically sees friendship as a tool to be used to gain a means to an end and revenge as a tool that hones their powers to razor sharpness. By their traits and their history, it is no wonder most races do not care for them and they often find themselves questioned at city gates as a matter of principle.

Even Alexandria holds no relief. Their reputation is well-earned, and few if any bear love for Taara, especially in modern times.

As a whole, their society embraces much of what The Dark has to offer, and individuals who leave it are only those of the strongest heart and mind--though perhaps bitter, angry, or sometimes unhinged beneath a pleasant smile.

Other Races

The rivalry between the mul'niessa and llyranesi is as ancient as their names. It simmers from time to time, and though it boils over, it never truly dies. In recent years, emboldened by Taara's acts of terror upon the world, the mul'niessa have become more bold, hacking off a part of Charn's forests for their own use.

Some are rumored to lead the Thulite ceremonies among the Charnese nobility, as well.

Most races do not care for them, and they find their dealings difficult. Aside from the other elven races, the dwarves have a long memory, and remember the mul'niessan role in the sundering of their kingdom. Wizardly scholars recall their ancient, and current, treachery.

The mul'niessa are not loved, though some persevere.

Now and then, efforts are made by small groups of mul'niessa to seek a balance with their brethren and to cut their ties with their Noble rulers and the dark goddess's grasp on their lives, but such efforts of redemption are easier said then done and this is the exception rather than the rule. And yet, it does happen.

As a race, these elves wage more than an uphill battle in terms of being taken at face value. Even in Alexandria, they will face resistance because of current deeds and histories.

Alignment and Religion

The traditional members of the pantheon of darkness are the ones who are most venerated by the mul'niessa with Taara the Shadow Sorceress being their chief patron. Her priesthood, matriarchal in nature, holds a tight grasp on mul'niessan society through ancient pacts, ties, and history.

A heavy bend of necromancy and command of death themed powers also promotes Thul heavily and Illotha is a natural fit as well due to their affinity for intrigue, thievery, murder, and manipulation. Among Charnese elite, mul'niessan wizards, arcanists, and priests have ever been involved in necromantic research.

As a race, mul'niessa tend towards the evil alignments but neutral mul'niessa, particularly among exiles or those striking out away from their traditional mindsets, are not unknown. Good mul'niessa are very rare but not impossible.

Such individuals must be strong-willed and strong-minded to survive such a transformation.

Adventurers

Mul'niessa leave their core societies for any number of reasons. Exiles who are fleeing for their lives for some great crime, or due to being unable to fit into mul'niessa society are not unheard of though, reasonably are rarely believed and trusted in other lands.

Many are superstitious of the mul'niessa, or fear them, and so they often find it difficult to be taken at face value, especially by other elves or by the dwarves. Mul'niessa often find disguising themselves is the best means to be able to move around freely.

Mul'niessa Racial Traits

Mul'niessa normally stand around 4 and a half feet to 5 and a half feet tall, and tend towards uncomfortably thin or slender when compared to other races. They mature at roughly 100 years, and may live to be over 1000. They are somewhat shorter than their other kin, though not overly so.

The below numbers below assume an "average" person. That is, they probably have a strength and constitution within the 9-11 range. Higher physical stats will make these numbers go up. In other words, a character with 18 strength will weigh much more than one with 9.

Mul'niessa Average Height and Weight
Name	Base Height	Base Weight	Modifier	Weight Multiplier
Mul'niessa, male	4ft 2in	100 lbs	+2d8	x3 lbs
Mul'niessa, female	4ft 2in	90 lbs	+2d6	x3 lbs

Mul'niessa Starting Age
Adulthood	Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer	Bard, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger	Cleric, Druid, Monk, Wizard
110 years	+4d6	+6d6	+10d6

• Classification: humanoid (elf)
• +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -2 Constitution: Mul'niessa are nimble and darkly manipulative.
• Medium: Mul'niessa are Medium creatures, and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Normal Speed: Mul'niessa have a base speed of 30 feet.
• Darkvision: A Mul'niessa can see in the dark up to 120 feet.
• Shadow Elf Immunities: Shadow Elves are immune to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial bonus to saves against enchantment spells.
• Keen Senses: Mul'niessa receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.
• Spell-Like Abilities: A Mul'niessa can cast dancing lights, darkness, and faerie fire each once per day, using his total character level as his caster level.
• Fae Insight: Mul'niessa can perceive the truths and intentions of those around them better then most others. They gain a +2 racial bonus on Sense Motive checks.
• Weapon Familiarity: Shadow Elves are proficient with the hand crossbow, rapier, and short sword.
• Taara's Blessing (Su): At 9 HD and as a full-round action, a mul'niessa can literally 'jump' through Shadows, granting him the ability to dimension door up to forty feet per day. He can make multiple jumps as long as the total distance traveled per day does not exceed 40'. Each time the mul'niessa uses this ability it counts as at least 10 feet, no matter if he jumps less then that. A mul'niessa can only shadow jump in locations with dim light.
• Languages: Mul'niessa begin play speaking Sildanyari and Common. Mul'niessa with high Intelligence can choose bonus languages from the following: Low Common, Khazdul, Undercommon, Yrch-Speak.