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

Known by many names such as the Dark Elves, Night Elves and Cursed Elves; these are elves who are descendants of ones who bound their souls and will to that of the Shadow Sorceress as an exchange for greater power and secrets that she claimed would enable them to maintain their tie to faery. She lied, in part, of course, but to this day the descendants of those originally deceived continue to honor and venerate the Goddess of Lies and they, as a collective whole, exist as one of the staunchest foes of The Light among all enlightened races. Despite this, history has, on occasion, marked out some members of the species who attempt to throw off the grip the Shadow Sorceress holds over their souls and to carve their own path in the world. Furthermore, the recent ascension of the dark goddess has not set well with all members of the race, and has created unforeseen division. Of late, a growing tricke of Shadow Elves 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, elven kindred will accept them among their ranks despite past transgressions, pacts, and cultural biases.

The most ancient legends that relate the rise of the Shadow Elves, speak of a conflict between the twin princes of ancient Sandriel, in the aftermath of the death of the greatest of the elven 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 Shadow Elves became a bane to the Dwarves of the world. They allied with cursed and outcast dwarves and engaged in near ongoing warfare while unleashing untold abominations that had long been imprisoned by the gods beneath the world. Some remained on the surface and founded realms in the ruined elven kingdoms and continued to menace all Gaea while making allies and slaves of other depraved and evil monstrous races.

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

Shadow-Elves 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

Shadow Elven 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 shadow elf 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 Shadow Elves and Dawn Elves is as ancient as their name. 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 Shadow Elves 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 Shadow Elves' role in the sundering of their kingdom. Priests and wizardly scholars recall their ancient, and current, treachery.

The Shadow Elves are not loved, though some persevere.

Now and then, efforts are made by small groups of Shadow Elves 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 Shadow Elves with Taara the Shadow Sorceress being their chief patron. Her priesthood, matriarchal in nature, holds a tight grasp on Shadow Elven 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. As a race, Shadow Elves tend towards the evil alignments but neutral Shadow Elves, particularly among exiles or those striking out away from their traditional mindsets, are not unknown. Good Shadow Elves are very rare but not impossible. Such individuals must be strong-willed and strong-minded to survive such a transformation.

Adventurers

Shadow Elves 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 Shadow Elf society are not unheard of though, reasonably are rarely believed and trusted in other lands.

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

Mul'niessa Racial Traits

Elves 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.

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: Shadow Elves are nimble and darkly manipulative.
• Medium: Shadow Elves are Medium creatures, and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Normal Speed: Shadow Elves have a base speed of 30 feet.
• Darkvision: A Shadow Elf 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: Shadow Elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.
• Spell-Like Abilities: A Shadow Elf can cast dancing lights, darkness, and faerie fire each once per day, using his total character level as his caster level.
• Fae Insight: Shadow Elves 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 Shadow Elf 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 shadow elf uses this ability it counts as at least 10 feet, no matter if he jumps less then that. A shadow elf can only shadow jump in locations with dim light.
• Languages: Shadow Elves begin play speaking Sildanyari and Common. Shadow Elves with high Intelligence can choose bonus languages from the following: Low Common, Khazdul, Undercommon, Yrch-Speak.