I hope I don't scare off anybody with the verbosity of this post. This is about a kingdom of Dark elves in my story.

This group of dark elves is the largest and most powerful group of them in the world. Other groups are scattered and disorganized, maybe living as nomads in the north, or as small clans in select forests, but the Elves of Endulor have an organized society. The Elves of Endulor began as a small group of mountain elves in Arador with antisocial personality disorder, giving them no conscience and no emotion. They saw the leaders of Arador as corrupt and mistaken in the middle of a war when their leadership was being driven with emotions. They revolted, but with much bloodshed were defeated, leaving only a few left. This created a bottleneck effect, the few survivors intermarried passing on the hereditary disorder to their children and only certain mountain elf variations such as dark hair and pale skin. The gene pool becoming shallow and the elves were banished from Arador to live somewhere else. The small groups eventually grew into the many thousands that there are today.

Endulor itself is a series of mountain peaks, valleys and precipices with the capital city resting in the largest valley with its back to Miriath Orgul. The city is adorned with beautiful architecture and twisted scenes of death, war and betrayal in its walls and various arches. The city is known for its white stone in gothic architecture complimented with dark stained glass windows and gruesome statues. All reminiscent of classical European cathedrals and Roman buildings. Although it is a big city it is almost always quiet with maybe two or three elves roaming the streets or market. Visitors say it is an eerie quiet and that the lack of noise there is worse than any frightening noise you could hear traveling at night.

The lack of emotion and conscience was passed on to the Aradorian elves descendants, making them heartless and cruel. They can be recognized by their pale skin, black or dark hair and black cloaks and clothing. Also their red or yellow eyes are said to be used in some of their black magic spells. The genetic variation of the dark elves is enough to that some of them are able to have dark brown hair, but it is a rare occurrence and is often even thought to be black because of the stark contrast with their skin.

The Endulorian government is based upon a single leader with six counselors. Although the rulers are changed frequently due to a reoccurring succession of coups and revolts the government system remains the same.

The Dark elves see their lack of emotion and conscience a gift which does not give unnecessary attachment and overcomplicated decisions to them. This makes them ruthless in battle. Endulorian assassins are wanted everywhere and are able to catch a high price for a job to be done. They have made breakthroughs in questionable fields and such things as torturing devices and poison wielding weapons. There is no law code in Endulor, allowing theft and murder to run rampant. However, there is one unspoken law that every dark elf knows, it is not to marry anyone who is not a dark elf, which is not hard because dark elves cannot love or feel affection. If the occasional elf goes against the councils wishes or shows any affection, emotion, or regret, they shall be immediately executed. If he escapes he will be hunted down by Endulorian assassins, which no one has ever survived. Marriage is a loose and light matter and are only used to bridge families and are almost always arranged, there is no love, affection or commitment. They just live under the same roof and happen to be called husband and wife.

Tell me what you think; remember I LOVE questions. Suggestions? Comments? Complaints?

-Aeleknight

This is very interesting and well thought-out, Aeleknight! I particularly liked how you tied the development of the group into real-world science. You developed their culture so well that I find I don't even have any questions. They sound like they would make very interesting villains.

Thanks so much!
Really an encouragement.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!

-Aeleknight

I certainly would not like to get on their bad side...



I'm agreeing with Raven here. But if I think of anything, then I will most assuredly be back.

I find them simultaneously frightening and fascinating. Good job!

Thanks Kali, I came up with a short story idea while writing about these guys. They are not the primary antagonists on my main series and are only shown shortly in it. However, they will be in some short works of mine about my world such as my Novellas.

Thank you for reading that monster.
-Aeleknight

It wasn't a "monster". It was interesting and left me wanting to read more about them.

That is good. I only meant it was too much to read for some people.

*chuckles * That wasn't a monster post, sir. Feel free to post much longer ones, if need be.

I also like that you used science to try and explain things. I do that myself in my worlds. While it is fantasy, I want it to make sense to the reader. I don't just want to tell them "It's fantasy, accept it as is".



Very interesting. Is there a reason why you chose six councilors? My reason being is because an even number of councilors is not necessarily the best option. You need a tie breaker. Unless the leader is the tie breaker, in which case that would make sense.

Thank you for your question!
The leader is the tiebreaker and the ultimate decision for the government, however, if all of the councilors are against it, it will not go through. This government is based on Dynasties led by families that come into power. So all the councilors would be family members. The dynasty that is constant in my Novella about them, and my main series based on the world, is the Senza family. They are a powerful group that uses Endulorian assassins to do their bidding. They have almost been overthrown several times, but have evaded defeat.

Cool. So basically, the pressure of the six other family members would cause the "Leader" to follow their desires, against his own. Does he know, or is it true, that the other six members sort of keep him in power? I mean, were he to go against them, would they kill him and put another family figure in power? And if so, does this knowledge play into his compliance?

You are exactly right! And this is why the power is in the family and in the council rather than the single leader. It is dangerous to go against anybody's wishes in a nation where no one has a conscience or emotion and they know that.

I like that concept, Aeleknight. Where does this race fall, in your story?

Well in my main series they play a small part and are one of the places my characters visit. They end up overthrowing the Senza family and going to war with them as the Endulorians have an alliance with the main antagonists. But I have recently (frankly, because of writing about this got me thinking) came up with a novella idea which is all about a character who is a dark elf.

Cool.