Dark Elves

The Dark Elves are a species of Elf native to Novrayth. Elves are humanoid Fey creatures. Dark Elves are also known as 'Cave Elves', 'Cavern Elves', and 'Under-Cavern Elves' by those that live above ground.

### Traditional Names

Dark Elven names are practically the same as Light Elf names, as well as Fairy names by extension. Traditional Dark Elven names are gender-neutral and are generally melodic and graceful. In Dark Elven society, individuals are typically called by their surname unless with close friends and family.

Like with Light Elves, Dark Elves are one of the few races on Novrayth to use true middle names, which usually consist of the first names of one's relatives, though this tradition isn't practiced as often. An additional change from the Light Elven version of the tradition, middle names are added as an individual pleases rather than being given at birth. Many Dark Elves use the preposition 'von' in their names, though its use differs from how it is used in Human names.

When written out, names follow the order: Surname, Middle Name 2, Middle Name 1, First Name

#### First Names

Saval, Istorzen, Rylyrd, Kyorsar, Luaste, Sallrene, Yllaina, Kolenthrae, Rhanmyr, Kazvra

#### Surnames

Hylal, Hunzryr, Quellyx, Rhunnavyre, Aeleynth, Xultin, Vallein, Yryl'thavyr, Kron'rael, Arhel'viir

### Lifespan

Dark Elves can live \*\*indefinitely\*\* as long as they are not killed off by another being.

### Physical Description

The Dark Elves, like Light Elves, are extraordinarily beautiful. However, some may consider them much more intimidating due to some of their abilities, as well as their eyes, which will be explained later. Dark Elves are bipedal humanoids that are tall, slim and lithe, though they tend to be a bit more muscular than Light Elves, and their ears are pointed. Their skin is smooth, nearly hairless, and rarely forms irregularities (such as birthmarks). However, unlike Light Elves, their skin scars easier. Skin tones are usually darker shades of grey, sometimes with undertones of blue or purple, and rarely green. Rarely, an individual may have a skin tone of dark blue or purple.

Dark Elves have soft and silky hair that they tend to keep long no matter what. Their hair colours include white, light shades of grey and silver. Their hair may include streaks of any unsaturated colour other than brown, or their hair may fade into such a colour around halfway or near-ish to the ends.

Their eyes are white, light shades of grey, or silver, though they can have a nearly invisible sheen of any colour other than brown. Their pupils and the border of the iris are just barely off-white. Paired with their typical eye colours, Dark Elves often appear as if they have no eye colouring at all, which those unaccustomed to Under-Caverns life find intimidating.

### Abilities

* The patron magic of Dark Elves is Dark and Abyss magic
* Dark Elves remain well attuned to nature, though the strength of this power has waned in regards to surface-dwelling plants and animals. However, the strength of their connection to Under-Caverns flora and fauna, as well as other subterranean creatures has increased
* Dark Elves are completely immune to toxins and disease
	+ If a Dark Elf happens to ingest or is injected with a toxin, the individual may become inebriated if the dosage and potency is high enough. Most are capable of shrugging off what would be lethal to other races without much ill effect. The worst case scenario for a Dark Elf is that they fall unconscious for a few hours and wake up in a hungover-like state. In theory, one could be rendered comatose for days or weeks, but the chances of one ever intaking such a massive amount of a toxic substance are highly unlikely
* Dark Elves can produce silk from their wrists. This silk is only sticky around the ends, but it is an incredibly strong adhesive. The adhesive is produced in glands by the opening of their wrists and is only naturally excreted in small amounts as it takes some time to produce more. This silk can be launched for several metres and is strong enough to hold several hundreds of pounds.
	+ Its main purpose is for traversing terrain, though it is sometimes used for disarming opponents by pulling their weapons from their hands.
	+ Dark Elves also commonly use their silk for making fabrics. When the sticky portion of the threads are cut away, the remaining portion is fairly soft and can be woven into a comfortable and durable fabric.
	+ The adhesive substance can be manually squeezed out by an individual and then spread across their hands or used to coat more silk. This allows Dark Elves to climb virtually any surface no matter how otherwise difficult
* Dark Elves are still privy to some Fae abilities
	+ On top of being able to commune with plants, Dark Elves are able to make them grow faster. The larger and/or rarer the plant is, the more effort is needed to grow them. Some plants require multiple people working together to speed up their growth
		- Unlike Light Elves, Dark Elves are able to grow all sorts of fungi, even those above ground. On average, mushrooms are easier to grow than most plants
	+ Dark Elves are able to incorporate spells into food. Spell-touched food bypasses conditions that would make a spell less effective, and generally amplifies its power
		- Spells that are used in this fashion are usually for calming, such as helping someone to sleep or reducing their anxiety
* Dark Elves are able to see perfectly in low-light conditions, including near-total darkness
* Dark Elves don't need nearly as much sleep as other races, being able to stay up for days if they wish. They are able to enter a kind of meditative state known as Sthyrryle, which is nearly as restful as sleeping. They are able to easily pull themself out of the state if the need arises
	+ Unlike Light Elves, Dark Elves are usually comfortable staying awake for days on end, instead preferring to sleep (or Sthyrryle) every two or three days instead
* Dark Elves are quick to learn, particularly linguistic skills, combat skills, and magic
* Dark Elves, though beautiful, also strike terror in those that dwell above ground. With such an aura, they can force non-Elven opponents to stand down through sheer natural intimidation alone. Such an ability may even affect some other Elves, so long as they are not Dark Elves
* Dark Elves have a greater talent for empowering one's body. Traditional medicines, rather than directly being used for healing, are used to grant heightened abilities for a time. Spells that provide such effects come more naturally and are more powerful on average
	+ Some popular effects of a blend include enhancing one's natural wound healing, enhancing one's physical strength, and enhancing one's agility