The Lands of Babylon

The Shade Elves

written by Jon Catron

ShadYlldyr also gain a specific type of Strength Drain based on level. Along with this drain ability comes a type of hunger for this stolen vitality that is distinctive to their race. Each Shade elf must "consume" a certain amount of Str per week based on Level. As a Shade Elf gains in level it also becomes easier for it to gather this vital energy.

When a ShadYlldyr first experiences the hunger, it is unable to sate this terrible need in any sort of efficient manner. At 14th level, they are only able to slake this by attacking a living creature and literally feeding on it's blood and viscera thru a bite attack. At 17th level, the ShadYlldyr can str drain by making a successful grapple attack upon their victim. At 25th level, this becomes similar to a gaze attack. At 30th lvl it is a radius effect which the creature can use at will as a standard action. At 35th level, the Shade Elf can literally drain the strength of any creature within the borders of Sidhe Thyl.

that followed. Banished and forgotten by the Elves of Light, it is now pitted and scarred by the countless atrocities that have befallen there. Barren crags of cooled lava and desolate fields of blasted earth greet any who travel there. Among the wastelands and ruined husks of ancient halls squat the vile N'Azhmhagna (Darkholds) of the ShadYlldyr. Centering this nightmarish hellscape is the diabolical Tower of N'Azhbahrad, or The DarkOath.

Each Darkhold contains the seat of power for the Ancient Houses of the ShadYlldyr. Once, these great houses (House Moiryr, Fhyllyin, Hetarae, & Criaan) were counted among the Noble Houses of the Synaad. But now, banished and branded for their crimes, they rule only in this blackened hell of their own making. Besides the Grand Hall of the House which rules a N'Azhmhagna, all Darkholds contain several common structures which are necessary for the continued existence of Sidhe Thyl. The most prominent structures in a Darkhold, next to a House Hall, are the Chambers of the Claiming Stones. These are foul abattoirs, where slaves are drained of their vitality, to feed the ravening hunger of the Shade Elves. Also of great import are the Birthing Creche's. In these foul laboratories of corruption slaves are ravaged and robbed of their reproductive capabilities for the continued glory of Sidhe Thyl. Each House also contains at least one Portal which leads directly to another Darkhold (usually at least one to each), and possibly one to the day lit world as well.

Power here works much the way it does in any Evil society. The powerful enforce their will upon those weaker than they, and can expect a measure of obeisance equal to the difference in their power and status. Overt insubordination is met with swift and terrible punishment. Assassination, however, is a far cry from disobedience. In fact it is commonly assumed that if an aspiring ShadYlldyr has not taken advantage of the tool of assassination, whether personally through "hired help", they are not worthy of advancement. Officially, the ShadYlldyr society is broken down into several tiers that mostly run in family positions. When a ShadYlldyr is made a Warder, they are usually assigned a post within the N'Azhmhagna of another house for several years. This is a tradition which is supposed to help cement relations between the houses, but typically is honored to isolate upstart Shade Elves that "threaten" their superiors.

Specifically, power mostly flows along House lines. Though a Warder must always submit to the will of any Archon, that Warder is only responsible to the Archon of her House. All power in Sidhe Thyl, of course, flows eventually from their Nameless Gods, and thus, through their chosen one, the N'Azhravag or ShadowLord. When this foul creature is roused, he gives his edicts unto the Patriarchs (or Matriarchs) of the Houses, who then disseminates them to the Archons to be carried out. Effectively, the chain of command works as such:

In addition to (or in place of) the typical elven statistics given in the D&D PHB all Fallen Elves possess the following Characteristics

The Houses of the Fallen Typically Breed as such:

These sullen, sickly elves are disturbing to look at even fresh from the Creche. They sneer with a contempt bred from a deeper knowledge of the Void and the Shadow than even most infernalists can boast. From a very young age, they are taught the subtleties of the Weave and the Shadow Weave, as such most are powerful Magi even at a young Age. The Fallen birthed to House Moiryr are the most likely to be accepted into the ranks of the ShadYlldyr. Typically, only their disturbing tendencies toward dementia as they advance in years disqualify them from that honor. Many say this results from the relentless pulse of the nearby Negative Material Plane, while others claim it is Moiryr's own Obsession with the Visions of the Void. Fallen wizards of House Moiryr may multiclass with the Alienist or ShadowAdept prestige classes with out possessing all of the prerequisites. House Moiryr reveres the Nameless demi-power of the Devourer and such typically take position of Warder of the Claiming Stones

Assassin, Wench, Whore. Being the Mothers of Assassins has earned the House Hetarae no great love from the other Fallen. But being a Bloodline steeped in lies, deceit, and seduction, they would have it no other way. Compared to their fouler brethren, the Matriarcal Hetarae are elegant devils wrapped in silken shadow and supple leather. This erotic facade, however hides the foulest of monsters, these hedonistic Fallen excel at torture, assassination, and the seduction of all that is good. As the House that once acted as Bodyguards and Spies for the Elven Synaad, they now perform a similar task for Sidhe Thyl, steeping it in shadow and illusion. Though fewer Fallen from this Bloodline are accepted into the ShadYlldyr than some, those that do are fearsome creatures. Those that fail, however, face a much less glorious future. Their constant layers of lies, deceit, and false personas slowly erode at their true selves deep within their psyches. Most Fallen from Hetarae House slip into a deep catatonia in their later years, making them prime candidates for certain cannibalistic rites. The Fallen of this house may multiclass with the Assassin or Shadow Dancer prestige classes without meeting all of the prerequisites. House Hetarae are bound to the Nameless Power that is the Deceiver, and thus Ward Sidhe Thyl and are responsible for it's protection.

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