Heralds and Rumours
Dark Elves in Tuera.
Pointesud, Rohd,
8/991.In the past year, instability has driven many people out of the isolated nation of Tuera. Some have made the dangerous trek through the savage-infested ice-wastes to Rohd, while others have made the journey, in ill-equipped boats, up the treacherous eastern coast. Whatever their route, the survivors have formed impromptu villages of tents, huts and suffering. The generosity of Rohd's kind subjects can only do so much for these refugees, and even Royal aid has done precious little to ease their pain.
It has fallen upon the shoulders of religion to care effectively for these impoverished and weary victims of brutal oppression, and it is in one such camp that rumours of things even more disturbing than unchecked tyranny have come to light.
In a camp under the care and protection of the vigilant Heimdallar, strange rumours have been overheard. First and foremost are tales of brutality and oppression by the tyrant Emperor of Tuera. Tales of missing family members, who vanished in the night. Tales of unwarranted detention, interrogation and even execution. And tales of things unknown which travel in the night and, by their mere presence, terrify.
One such tale of terror speaks of an elf seen in the captivity of cruel mercenaries and their black knights. This elf was described to be possessed of dark skin, black hair and bizarre clothing. Further description by the witnesses lead some to believe that this elf was an actual Ilkorrowyn elf, popularly known as a 'dark elf'.
The Ilkorrowyn have long been told of in folk tales and around campfires. They were thought creatures of myth, and the elves of Lothloriien assured us that dark elves never existed. In fact, the Ilkorrowyn (which is loosely translated as 'Forbidden Kin') have been denied as fable, and even as a cruel fable with which to slander the elves. Yet, here it is, spoken as truth from the parched lips of those who have nothing to gain and everything to lose by disturbing the fragile peace between the humans and elves of Forestaine and Rohd. Indeed, it is the very stability of these kingdoms which provides a safe haven for these people, from the unspeakable atrocities in their homeland. Others have also spoken of dark elves walking the land, but little attention was paid to these 'wild stories'. Until now, one would hope.
Reports from the middle Kingdom of Orion, regarding the discovery and defeat of one of their own Lords, a man who did plot much sedition, also speak of a dark elf woman who served as his priestess. In the same reports, a dark elf apprentice of the then-Lord's court wizard is also mentioned. In fact, many reports of dark elves have surfaced over the past few years, only to be dismissed as fraud or mistake. Perhaps it is time to seriously consider the existence of elves who have all the arcane and fey power of their cousins but none of the sanctity for life.
Who can say what lies in the hearts of these so-called dark elves, and why have they begun to reveal themselves? It seems obviously worthy of some serious investigation. The past teaches us that those who ignore the signs of coming danger suffer greatly, only less than the innocent. I, for one, do not wish to suffer any more than I have to, and I am almost certain that the Tueran refugees do not wish to suffer any more than they already have.
Cherne Falroutasche, Rohdian field-scholar.
Second Sanctum has yet to verify this story, and the article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Second Sanctum.