Drakkare

Dread Elves

Common Dread Elf footsoldier

**Drakkare**, or **Dread Elves**, as many call them, are descendants of Evwi exiled from Eldarmar.

## **Appearance:**

Drakkare are sinewy people with pale to grey-ish skin and pale hair. They are mostly medium sized and have dark eyes. These factors could be contributed to the fact, that life in the Dreadlands is hard and stressful, and since health of the Elves depends on their emotions, their looks are attributes of that.

## **Culture:**

Dread Elves are generally distrustful and careful around outsiders, fact, that can be seen in extreme in lone villages. When a stranger for example sits in one of their taverns, he generally sits alone, because Drakkare go somewhere away. Their trust is hardly won, but rare cases like Eol prove, that it can be done, race being ignored. Their loyalty afterwards is sincere and true.

Due to living in hell on earth that the Dreadlands are, Drakkare developed into people, who have to trust each other totally, if they want to live. Betrayal is something worthy of death for them, even a lie is something disgusting in their culture. Individuals who did this are generally sitting alone, being ignored and looked down upon, or silently disposed off, since you can´t trust a traitor in your village.

Drakkare are also mentally toughest of all elven kindreds, learning fast, because a slightest mistake in Dreadlands can mean death.

All of them, even children, know how to defend themselves. Most of their race carries at least some sort of a weapon, since roads and forests in Dreadlands are never safe. They are very paranoid, and like to be prepared.

Dread Elves also accept female warriors, since no one can be weak in their society. Everyone must know how to defend themselves.

However, they practice slavery, since there isn´t enough of them to constantly work on farms and buildings. Yes, there is an occasional Drakkare farmer or worker here and there, but that is not usual. Slaves can be found mainly in and around cities, working on fields to produce food, or in mines. However, they are taken fairly good care of, and are released after five years of hard work and service.

## **Social Structure:**

On the top of social pyramid is the King, in this case Eol. Then there are his direct vassals, the dreadlords, who rule their given regions. Then there are Masters, bureucratical officials, who oversee taxes and lead towns. Lone villages are generally led by a village chief. Then there are free citizens, craftsmen and free farmers. Lowest are slaves, called serfs.

## **Background:**

Origins of Drakkare start in Eldarmar, even if they like it or not. Old King Erastor Elvwe decreed, because of the large losses of elven populace, a law called ´Law of Sacred Blood´. This meant that death penalty was forbidden in Eldarmar, and exile was an only option of capital punishment. However, it wasn’t that easy for the exiles, since they were being sent into the Dreadlands, a large wasteland in a place where once the Elverdeem Empire ruled. Some argued that it was illogical sending elves into a place where death was guaranteed, but Erastor had faith that they will survive there.

Several generations later, it appeared that Erastor’s idea wasn’t that bad. Elves really did survive there, but they were mainly bandits, thieves or murderers. However, they learned that if they wanted to survive, they had to trust each other. Besides, there wasn’t much to steal there anyway. Former criminals banded together, building villages, some even making petty kingdoms, but those didn’t last for long.

When Eol arrived, though, things changed. Exiled prince saw that even though the people of Dreadlands could cooperate, their settlements were divided, and realised he had an opportunity before himself. He started rallying people to his side, building his personal army of loyal followers and soldiers with promises of better life and safer homes. Yes, some settlements proved to be more resistant against joining the fold, but with a bit of intimidation and promises, that didn’t last for long. Eventually, the habitable part of the Dreadlands was united.

Eol declared himself a King, named his new kingdom Akhara-ana-Rhuna, Realm of Forsaken, and appointed his eight Dreadlords.

## **Trivia:**

* Even though some people may think it, they are not the traditional Dark Elves with Lawful Evil alignment. They do have some dark things around them, but generally aren’t completely evil.