Dark Elves (Warhammer)
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In the world of Warhammer Fantasy, the Dark Elves are a race of martial, warlike and bitter elves. Unlike many other dark elves in modern fantasy fiction, they do not dwell underground, nor are they dark-skinned instead many of them are pale skinned and have raven black hair. They call themselves the Druchii. The Druchii live in Naggaroth, the geographic equivalent of North America in the Warhammer World, and are cruel raiders with much hatred for all other races, especially their lighter kindred, the High Elves.
Brief History of the Dark Elves
The Dark Elves were once High Elves, and lived in Ulthuan. Malekith was the son of the king and thus was, according to birthright, the rightful successor to the throne. However, Malekith was far more testy and warlike than any of the High Elven court was willing to put up with, and instead a different king was chosen. The ensuing dissent led to a civil war that raged across Ulthuan and eventually brought about the exile of Malekith, his mother Morathi, and his followers from Ulthuan.Naggaroth, Land of the Chill
When the Dark Elves were driven from the Elven homeland of Ulthuan following a cataclismic civil war, they fled northwards to the dark and forbidding lands of Naggaroth, the Land of Chill. The name is an appropriate one, for the unwelcomimg home of the Dark Elves is a harsh wilderness of frozen tundra.After exterminating native barbarian tribes in Naggaroth they construct six heavily fortified cities; Naggarond the Tower of Cold, Ghrond the North Tower, Karond Kar the Tower of Depair, Hag Graef the Dark Crag, Har Ganeth the City of Executioners and Clar Karond the Tower of Doom. The Dark Elves also construct a series of fortified watch towers along their northern border to ensure the forces of Chaos did not trespass the domain of the Witch King.
These cities have innumerable black towers rising like pinnacles of ice from the cold, hard rock of Naggaroth. All these cities are dark and evil places, steeped in death and agony. Their black dungeons are crammed with captives whose wailings fill the air and whose moans seep through the thick walls of the high towers, saturating the place with pain and despair. At the tips of these towers , soaked with evil and doom, the sorcerers of Naggarth cast their malign magic over the world.
The Druchii society is a hierarchical one, with their Witch King, Malekith, at the top. At his right hand is his mother and consort, Queen Morathi. It has been argued, however, that the Dark Elves are in truth a Machiavellian society, with one man at the top and several powerful underlings in competition with each other, all vying for power but simultaneously preventing others from getting it. Malekith allows this to continue because it keeps all sects strong, but also in line.
Dark Elf Economy
Dark Elves have one major source of income: plunder. Dark Elves raid all other lands, particularly Ulthuan, home of their enemies, the High Elves. They take food, money, and slaves. Slaves are a large part of Druchii society, and do most of the menial chores that an enterprising Druchii will not deign to do himself. Slaves also make up the ritual sacrifices so necessary to the workings of Druchii society and worship.One notable vessal used by the Dark Elves when endeavoring a large raid is the Black Ark. During the civil war in Ulthuan the Dark Elves attempted to break the spells that contained the Realm of Chaos, they unleashed a cataclysm which turned the north of Ulthuan into a waste land. So great was the destruction that much of the area sank under a gigantic tidal wave, but the Dark Elves were not daunted. As the mighty flood swept over the land the Witch King and the strongest dark Elf Sorcerers cast powerful spells on their fortress palaces, shielding them from the deluge. The castles tore free from the very bedrock of the land and floated on the rolling waters, held together by titanic binding enchantments . These spells allowed them not only to float but to be navigated. Thus were created the Black Arks of Naggaroth, mightiest of all the sea going vessals in the warhammer world.
The Black Arks travel far and wide to procure slaves. Each black Ark is home to a small army of Dark Elf warriors, which can be landed on the coast of an unsuspecting kingdom, perform a lightning raid, and be away before any of the local defence forces are able to react. In this way countless millions of doomed souls have been taken back to Naggaroth to a fate worse than death.
Religion
The Druchii mostly worship the Elven god Kaela Mensha Khaine, the Bloody-Handed God and Lord of Murder. The Druchii, being a cruel and savage race, are devoted followers of Khaine and while their kindred, the High Elves of Ulthuan, may invoke this god from time to time as needed, the Dark Elves are wholly devoted to him. The most savage sect of Khaine worshippers are known as the Brides of Khaine, more commonly called Witch Elves. A Witch Elf (Maibd) is considered a wife of Khaine. The Witch Elves love battle and are extremely zealous in proving their worth to Khaine.A sizable portion of the population has also secretly carried out worship of the Chaos God of Pleasure, Slaanesh. The Cult of Pleasure played a major role in the sundering of the Elves of Ulthuan, but was quiet for a time; it did play a sizeable role in the Storm of Chaos, when it invaded Lustria, but has since receded back into obscurity. The leader of the Cult is none other than Morathi, mother of the King. For this reason civil war amongst the Dark Elves has not occurred, but with the recent growth in power of the Cult, such a battle may come about. The head of the Temple of Khaine, Hellebron, would certainly like nothing more.
Army Composition
Dark Elf armies, much like the Druchii themselves, are fast and fragile. They are more fleet of foot than humans and favour light armour. Characteristics of Dark Elven armies include armour forged with all manners of wicked barbs, hooks and blades, and their uniforms tend to be dark sombre colours such as purple, indigo or black. Human skin is a highly prized material for durable military garb, and their graceful swords and spearheads tend to be hooked and serrated for skinning and inflicting severe wounds.Druchii infantry consist of spear phalanxes and repeater crossbow regiments which are supported by shock infantry such as Executioners, who wield two meter long beheading blades called Draich, heavily armed Corsairs, or scores of Witch Elves that are drugged into a killing frenzy. The most elite fighters are chosen to join the fanatic bodyguard of the king, the infamous Black Guard.
Cavalry often plays a key role in engagements. The elite Druchii cavalry are the Cold One Knights: Druchii nobility that ride carnivorous reptiles called Cold Ones into battle. These fearsome beasts are also used to pull heavy Cold One Chariots. They are often deployed alongside Dark Riders; fast and highly manuverable warriors swathed in black robes who ride upon swift elven steeds.
Dark Elves also display a talent for taming and training the gigantic monsters that stalk the mountain ranges of their homeland. It is not uncommon for a Druchii Beastmaster to drive a monstrous, dragonlike Hydra or a towering, winged Manticore into battle. Off of the battlefield, these Beastmasters are also responsible for training Cold Ones and elven steeds, and the subjugation of the endless supply of slaves.
Magical power on the battlefield is supplied by the six Convents of Sorceresses, who refine the inherent magical aptitude of Dark Elf women into a deadly force. Though the Sorceresses are vulnerable in close combat, the sinister power that they wield is potent enough to ensure that almost every significant Dark Elf force will have at least one Sorceress as an officer.
Overall, the Druchii are devastating on the offense. Every Dark Elf spends their entire life constantly drilling and training in military maneuvers. Units working together in concert can break or destroy nearly any enemy that dares underestimate them. Yet their fragile constitution means they are not able to absorb much damage in return. This forces Dark Elf commanders to rely on sound tactics rather than brute force. Druchii generals are considered some of the best strategists in the Warhammer world.
References
- Johnson, J., Blanche, J. 1998. Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves. Nottingham: Games Workshop Ltd. ISBN 1869893166
External links
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