Difference between revisions of "Lore of Darkspawn - Part 1"

Latest revision as of 15:03, 1 August 2012

Title: Lore of Darkspawn - Part 1

Author: GRAYwolf

Foreword

This book adresses many creatures lost to legend, mainly the darker ones, such as vampires, drow, and re'il'tar (if the last one is unfamiliar, don't worry, that's what this book is for!). It also focusses on the lesser denizens of evil, such as goblins, and gnolls. Now, on with the lore.

Chapter 1: Vampires

These are one of the better known creatures of the darkness, but are also the one upon which the most rumors circulate. Let me begin by dispelling these. Crosses have no effect upon vampires. In fact, some are quite religeous. Also, sunlight (from this sun) does minimal damage, if any, and usually causes no more than mild discomfort for the creature. Also, the vampire's consuming of one's blood does not cause the Turning, as I call it. Instead, it is the presence of the vampire's blood. A modern scientific solution to the entire idea is support in some books, but I will not cover it in these pages.

A steak through the heart will cause a comatose state, allowing for the burning or muttilation of such a creature, but if removed, the creature will return in force. Silver is known to have harmful effects on most vampires (sparing the terrifying Daywalkers, which are also not adressed herein), and light reflected from a silver object is often the cause of injury. Garlic has no effect, but most vampires develop excessive compulsive disorder, however, this is not as common as the allergy to silver. Rather, I believe it is an effect of the infected blood upon the brain. Most vampires posses superhuman characteristics, such as speed and strength being greatly augmented, for unkown reasons. At one time, a vampire once hurled a sizable chunk of rubble while being cornered by a Hunter in Shar'Teeslam (see the Dead City). Vampires are interesting creatures, and a full book could be spent on them, and perhaps I will spend such a time writing such a book, but now is not the time.

Chapter Two: Drow

I know little about these people, in spite of the battles I have fought. They are dark skinned elves, with a rigid social structure and white hair. Eyes are unusual in color, usually small and slanted, range from red to purple, while green is the rarest.

They are incredible foes, faster and stronger than they look. They are rather short (a 6 foot tall drow is tall for a drow) and very slim.

Most drow prefer edged items, some are skilled in maces, but blades are more common. As with all elves, they seem to have a natural skill with bows. Underestimating drow is fatal, at best. It is suggest that one avoids contact with Drow, as they are most unkind to strangers. When cornered, a drow once killed three Ancient Hunters. Take note, it was an Elite, the feat is yet to be equaled.

Chapter 3: Re'il'tar

These creatures are unknown on this world, but if one ever reached it, there would be hell to pay. Known as Doom Warriors, Re'il'tar are so dangerous that no one of any artistic talent has ever seen one and lived to draw a picture. Re'il'tar run around alone, but some packs are known to exist in extreme times. One Re'il'tar once killed a full battalion of elven elites, all fully armed, all hunting the creature. By most accounts, Re'il'tar are twelve feet tall. They have four arms, lizard heads, scales varying in color from green to greyish, to red. They have feet, much like a birds, with incredibly sharp talons. They have leathery wings, and are capable of spitting a highly acidic substance that eats through a quarter inch of steel in under a second up to 50 meters. When encountered, immediate flight is suggested in order to avoid death. A mere hundred have been killed since the creatures were seen in the Fourth Great War. Most of these kills were caused by Ancient Elite groupings which suffered heavy casualties. At times, Re'il'tar are known to stray from evil. In fact, most packs are regarded as neutral, and these remarkable creatures have made standing treaties with a number of worlds. Still, their hospitality is not known to be extended to any but the hardiest warriors, who can defeat a Re'il'tar in single combat. (Of course, this means that only a few have ever been offered hospitatily, amongst them the gods Aaragun and Wulfen, who both slaughtered over a score alone). It is said a daywalker once fell to a Re'il'tar in one on one combat. To hunt for Re'il'tar is to die, painfully usually.

Part 4: Goblins

Yes, that's right. Everyone's favorite annoying little bastards. Well, there's little to say. About three feet tall, fat, in most cases, some are not that fat. Most are poor combatants. Spears appear to be their favored weapon, likely because of the inexpensive nature of such items. However, once a goblin did kill a human (hardly a notable act, I know, but it was alone and he was armed) alone, cornered. It is said this goblin was known as manslayer for several years, until his untimely demise.

Part 5: The Gnolls

By far one of my favored creatures of the Dark, gnolls are infact, quite amiable, and do not attack unless provoked. They are merely noted as Darkspawn due to their origins, which was as a slave race to the infamous Hyena-god, Keh'Remen, and his followers, which are often mistaken for gnolls, called Remen by most. Gnolls are a range, from 5 to 8 feet tall, wieghing anywhere from 120 to 300 pounds on average. They are held in a trade society, which consists of clans, such as the Lightfang clan, the most famous of the Light Aligned clans.

This clan is known for its holdings on Terra, mostly, and for its long standing treaty with the Ancient people. However, most Tribes grew with their roots, and serve the Dark Gods. It is advised to be cautious when fighting gnolls, some are masters of certain weapons, and a gnoll was once known to best an ancient in single combat, but it was also said that this was a gnollish hero. Overall, gnolls favor no weapons, they are a well rounded bunch, using anything from bows and arrows to short hunting knives. Most are resourceful as most creatures, and should be treated as such.

More will be stated in the second edition.

Thank you for reading this guide.