The Eophyrhim is a particularly quiet dark elven tribe inhabiting the Paelelon forest, facing the Seanian Swamps and within travel to Elsreth. They are introverted yet imposing on those that attempt to enter their forest. Stories abound that the Eophyrhim are merciless to those that cross them, and missing caravans of traders have seemed to prove the point.

The Eophyrhim are rarely seen by foreign travellers, they like the darkness of their forest and the privacy their reputation gives them. Friends of these drow paint a picture of genteel affluence; respectable and courteous nobles who wish only for their way in their home and nothing more. But those that have been at the wrong end of an Eophyrhim bow claim that they are bloodthirsty creatures of the woods that should be erradicated from the Paelelon at any cost. Either way, the Eophyrhim are mysterious, and though much is claimed to be known of them, not many can prove it.

Image description: A member of the Eophyrhim sect Hounds of Paelelon. Pic drawn by Faugar.

Appearance. The Eophyrhim are usually around two peds in height, with thin figures full of bony edges. But their look of fragility hides a strength unrivaled by a human their size. Sinuous muscles ripple like snakes under a thin layer of skin when they move, as if a smaller, stronger creature lives inside the Eophyrhim Elf; a demon waiting for its time to escape, some say. Their skin is pallid and smooth, rarely do the Eophyrhim see the unfiltered sun under their own will. The Eophyrhim hair color varies from a deep rust-brown to a jet black, and the styling of the hair is long and unbound, with some braids hidden within their tressses. Some of the younger drow have gotten a bit more extreme, shaving parts of their hair for more unique styles, perhaps to further frighten travellers who see them.

Aesthetic scaring is not uncommon among the Eophyrhim, who usually perform it on their arms and chests. No one can completely prove if it is a scare tactic or a ritual. Piercing on the ears and other fleshy parts (rarely on the face, a facial piercing is the sign of an outcast) and tattooing on the arms, legs and torso is not uncommon among the Eophyrhim either, though it is in less abundance. The higher nobility of Eophyrhim carry little or no scars, tattoos or piercings.

Coat of Arms/Sign. The Eophyrhim shield is an old design. It is the basic shield shape, covered with a field of black. A simple thick silver border surrounds it, silver studs at each corner. There is a thin circle of silver surrounding a tree with wide outstretched branches. The leafed part of the tree contains a pair of eyes.
 
This shield is a symbol of the Eophyrhim way of life. The forest is protected, and the Trees are always there. And though the tree is alone, the Drow sees everything inside his Paelelon.

Territory. The Eophyrhim inhabit the Paelelon, a small forest facing the Seanian Swamps to the east, the Ancythrian Sea and Elsreth to the north, the KairIian Teeth to the east, and the Heath of Cijur to the south.

The Eophyrhim are very protective of their forest. Small drowish establishments are set up at the borders of the Paelelon, where it is guarded fiercely. Those not without an Eophyrhim escort are not permitted to enter. Those that are not drow of the Paelelon and damage the forest in any way are roughly reprimanded by the Eophyrhim. Those that attempt to pass through the forest without permission are promptly executed.

People. The Eophyrhim are quiet and introverted. They prefer the solitude and peace of their own forest. Passing travellers and those disrespectful to the woods and the drow are not tolerated. Friendship between the Eophyrhim and anyone else not of the Eophyrhim is usually considered a useless and fruitless endeavor, as few understand these dark elves. But once a friend to the Eophyrhim, forever a friend. The Eophyrhim are dedicated to what they have worked upon; rarely do they abandon things. To the friends of the Eophyrhim, the elves are polite, calm and respectful. They know that they are not liked, and living in the middle of a continent that frowns upon their practices is difficult for them. To avoid persecution they hide from prying eyes and cover their tracks, even if it means that they must kill without mercy to keep their way of life. They rarely try and help people understand them, most decide that rather than explaining, killing would be easier for the drow. The Eophyrhim are cold, aloof and calculating to most, their emotions are not exhibited to other races.

Image description: Illustration of the Eophyrhim Hunting Hound. Picture drawn by Faugar.

The Eophyrhim live in trees, like most elves. The higher the rank of an elf, the closer to the earth they live. Mages and clerics live lowest, and have removed dirt from the roots of the largest trees, making small homes under them. The Eophyrhim are nocturnal, living at night and resting during the day. They are adept at the relaxation meditation most elves practice, considering they rest during the day.
 
For the most part, the Eophyrhim are hunters. They have elaborate festivals for Arvins, that include some special "animals" for the hunt, and their weapons are adapted for silence and swiftness for the most efficient kill possible. They may also capture creatures and poison them, so they may eat the animal when the poison has worked effectively. This process has made them well-defended against most poisons. Even more interesting, the Eophyrhim have bred a slender and strong (much like themselves) domesticated wolf to assist them in hunting, the Eophyrhim Hunting Hound.

Housing. The Eophyrhim are a backwards tribe compared to most elves in this respect. The highest-set home is the poorest family, and the dark clerics and magi live between the roots of the tallest trees. Homes are not elaborate. The average home has a dydactic drapery covering most of one wall, and small stools for sitting scattered around the room, and a small, low table.
 
On the opposite wall from the drapery, the wall is covered in an odd, moss-like lichen called Tree-rot. The Eophyrhim lean against this wall while they rest, gazing at the Drapery. Poorer homes are incapable of growing Tree-rot, it is too far from the earth and too much air and sun for proper, healthy growth. In Magi and Clerics' homes, the walls are covered in it. Though magi and clerics do not have draperies, (their homes tend to be on the small side) they have a similar, stimulating setup. Candles made from the fat of the animals they hunt flank a deer skull, the horns still attached. Other skulls and bones surround the deer skull. No one is entirely sure why this is, but it can be assumed that the deer represents Arvins, and the deadness of it representing Queprur.

Clothing. The Eophyrhim, despite living in a forest, are impeccably dressed. They always look like a well-dressed noble, their clothing dominated by the colours grey, black and red. Cloaks are usually worn, fringed with the finest fur. Buttons, clasps and chains are always silver, for silver resembles moonlight more than gold. Fine leathers, soft cottons and pure wools are used extensively, and the craftsmanship is beyond compare. Some materials that are rare seem to be in great abundance for the Eophyrhim, like silks and an odd, transparent fabric called Ether-flake seen in great abundance among younger Eophyrhim.

Hunters are the workhorses of the tribe, so they tend to dress down. Hunters are also most seen of the Eophyrhim, travelling to near towns to sell goods. They try their hardest to distance people from them, but it is a difficult effort. Hunters are usually clad in long hooded cloaks, thin cotton (or Ether-flake) tunics and leather jerkins or vests, and fine leather boots. The material and cut of their breeches varies from one to another, but it is always of sturdy craftsmanship. More dedicated hunters dress less elaborate. Silver and chains can alert a kill of change, as can fur and leather. There are women hunters, though other women look down upon them. Their clothes also look similar to hunter clothes, though they are made to flatter the feminine form (which still makes them particularly impractical).

Image description. A carpet of silken moss covering the ground of the Paelelon, home of the dark elves. Picture drawn by Isilhir.

Nobles are known to dress far more elaborately. Matching gowns for male and female are donned for public occasions, especially at parties, festivals and social gatherings. Most men prefer to wear outfits similar to Guide clothes, although more flamboyant in cut, pattern and design. Women are also more flamboyant with personal selection; gowns of obscene length, revealing cuts and unique design. Women's clothing is essentially impractical for forest living, which is a reason they do not have a occupational position.

Diet. The Eophyrhim drow comsume a large portion of meat; deer, bird, rabbit. They also consume wine, and some of the poorer Eophyrhim eat grains and plants. In lean times they will kill horses for food, and even dogs. In the days of hunger, human flesh was found to be palatable, but it is now only consumed on special occasions.

Weapons. The weapons the Eophyrhim employ are similar to most other weapons elves have: scimtars, knives, and bows, though the Eophyrhim have taken their love of the hunt and death to a new level. Even though they only hunt animals (and enslaved humans purchased for the Arvins festival) they poison the tips and blades of their weapons. Wooden shafts are nocked, hollowed out and blades curved for better aerodynamics and weight. The quicker a kill, the quicker you can kill again.

Eophyrhim weapons are usually silver or black. Even wooden bows and arrows are painted black, simply because to many creatures, these weapons are the essence of death. The poison that the Eophyrhim drow use on the steel swords and daggers turns the silver blades to a charred black color, that eats away at the metal. Eophyrhim swords only last about 15 years, and are purchased from travellers and nearby towns. Even though swords are expendable, the Eophyrhim are picky about their blades and take a long time in selecting the best one.

Although not a weapon, the Eophyrhim Hunting Hound is an effective killer, much like the drow that have bred it. The dog is bred to be slender and fast, with a long snout, thin musculature and lots of power and energy. These creatures live about 15 years, parents of Eophyrhim hunters give their child their first sword and hound at the same time. When the sword wears out, it means it's time to replace the dog as well.

Occupations. The Eophyrhim do little. Some are guards that live at outposts at the edge of the Paelelon, guarding its bordes so no unwelcome visitors slip inside without warning. Most are hunters, hunting animals for food. The poorest of the Eophyrhim harvest grains, mosses and berries in small gardens on the forest floor. Women do little in the way of working, though some do hunt, and even less are guides. Poor Eophyrhim women work as much as the males in harvesting foods. If the season is right, a poor family can quickly become rich by creating a good harvest of corpse-berry wine, which sells for a great price.

There is also a mercenary guild consisting of only seven Eophyrhim drow called "The Hounds of Paelelon". They are hired again and again for their speed, precision, and willingness to kill. These mercenaries are simply flamboyant hunters, whose pay only goes for room, board and armory. The rest is sent back to the tribe.

Government. The Eophyrhim have little in the way of government. It is based upon respect. Clerics and mages are the most respected. After that, it is based on skill in hunting. There is no surpreme overlord or ruler, each Eophyrhim colony is closely linked with its neighbors. As each Eophyrhim seems to think in much the same way, there are not many rules:

• Travellers pass through, they do not stay.
• All drow are responsible for their guests.
• Participate or be exiled.
• Death is the only way out of the Dream.
• Killing lesser things than yourself should be viewed as giving a gift, the lifeless corpse considered a gift unto you.

These rules are followed without much debate. Those that do not follow the rules are exiled.

Production/Trade. The Eophyrhim can glean items and pay from frightened travellers asking for their lives to be spared. In rare occasions, they will approach an entire caravan and attack it, taking the items. They are selective however, usually only taking textiles. They will sell leftover material for money in nearby towns and buy swords, knives, bows and jewelery. In lean times, they will sell live animals and meat in nearby towns.

Corpse-berry wine can be traded in nearby towns for a great sum of money, and greedy travellers come to the forest edge and request it by name. Eophyrhim hunting hounds are sought after by nobles all over Caelereth, and can be sold for a great price.

Natural Resources. Meat and wood are the Eophyrhim's natural resources, as well as a small market for agriculture.

Festivals. The Eophyrhim are normally rather somber. However they have a few festivals that allow them let their emotions go, even if they are odd emotions...

• The Arvins Festival
  This festival happens in each colony in early fall every 25 years, in the middle of the day (oddly). It can last anywhere from 2 to 8 days, depending on the skill and intelligence of the quarry. The first day of the festival, the quarry is fed a great feast, and the whole of the colony feasts with them. When night comes, the quarry is awakened and released. The quarry is allowed to run and hide in the Paelelon, and the next night the hunters (dressed in grey cloaks for better visibility by their quarry) hunt the prey. The festival ends when the last human body is counted.
  
  The Arvins Festival is a gruesome festival by human standards. Each colony selects a human from a passing caravan to take in shortly before the festival is to take place. The night of release, the human is stripped of both clothes and belongings. Alltogether there are roughly 25-40 humans released. A game-like hunt ensues, the hunter to bring in the most humans wins the respect of all Eophyrhim and is considered a Master Hunter. The flesh of the humans is then cooked and eaten.
  As long as the Arvins Festival has been practiced, there has been no human escapes. Few humans even know of the festival, and the Eophyrhim prefer it that way.

• Queprur's Day
  This is a simple festival, taking place in the spring every 10 years. In the morning, a Eophyrhim hound of full age is poisoned with black corpse-berry wine. The Eophyrhim then watch the hound die, thinking thoughts of life and death. The more noble of drow have elaborate parties, and for those poorer families that cannot or do not own a hound, the Head Cleric of the colony poisons a horse in front of his home and preaches so that the less fortunate Eophyrhim may still participate in the celebration.

TIME TABLE OF THE EOPHYRHIM ELVES ("HUNTING TRIBE") THE ERA OF THE ANVIL (YEARS 14.000 B.S. - 13.000 B.S.) ca. 14000 b.S. to 11900 b.S. Rise and Fall of Fá'áv'cál'âr The great elven empire in Fá'áv'cál'âr is established and thrives. THE ERA OF SUNDERING (YEARS 11.900 B.S. - 10.000 B.S.) ca. 11850 b.S. Dark Elves move South Saban and Avásh'aelía, the notorious Bone Queen, take the dark elves south, in an attempt to find a new place to live.    ca. 11750 b.S. Saban and Avásh'aelía split Avásh'aelía and Saban have an argument on unknown matters. Avásh'aelía leaves Saban to return to Fá'áv'cá'lâr, while Saban continues south.    ca. 11700 b.S. Saban settles in the Paelelon Saban and his followers, who call themselves the Eophyrhim ("Hunting Tribe"), settle in the Paelelon.    ca. 11040 b.S. to 10875 b.S. Gaia's Journey to King's Hollow The Sophronian leader Gaia leads the tribe to the Plains of Truoor. Her tribe fights with Saban II and his dark elves as they pass the Paelelon forest. Gaia is wounded mortally during one of those battles and her daughter Aiclia, the "Ethereal One", takes the rest of the tribe to the valley that now bears the name "King's Hollow". Here at last the Sophronians think that they find a place for them, but after decades of living there alas they are again despised and rejected by the human tribes who settle there and so the Sophronians move again. THE ERA OF SORCERY (YEARS 10.000 B.S. - 9.500 B.S.) 9758 b.S. The First Eophyrhim Arvins Festival The first Arvins Festival happens on accident. A particularly spiteful caravan of traders wanting to travel through the forest rather than around are robbed of their belongings by the Eophyrhim. They escape before the hunters can dispose of them properly, and are hunted down. A hunter named Gaulivan claims Arvins gave them this present to show that they have the skills to be hunters.    9675 b.S. Founding of the Eophyrhim High Clerics Tempers flare at a colony worship, and a band of Eophyrhim hunters murder the dark clerics. They take the mantles and claim themselves the High Clerics of the Eophyrhim, and then slaughter the remaining clerics. Hunter-Cleric Gaulivan declares that killing a creature is a gift unto it, and that killing is the way to worship Coór. THE ERA OF CONSOLIDATION (YEARS 8.500 B.S. - 3.400 B.S.) 6288 b.S. First Eophyrhim Queprur's Day The first Queprur's Day occurs, again on accident. A batch of black berries gathered by a low-rank Eophyrhim prove to be poisonous after they feed the berries to the family pet. The Eophyrhim dark elf tells the elves of the occurance to neighbors and the feelings felt as the Hound died. Clerics declare it a sign from Queprur and cultivate the black berries, and bless the family. THE AGE OF AWAKENING (YEARS 1.655 B.S. - 822 B.S.) 928 b.S. Birth of Beringstin Beringstin Dimeye, future hunter and warrior of the Eophyrhim is born to a low-rank family.    850 b.S. Beringstin Master Hunter Beringstin Dimeye wins the title of Master Hunter in the Arvins Festival. THE AGE OF THE BLOOD (YEARS 822 B.S. - 50 B.S.) 806 b.S. THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST SARVONIAN WAR (SW I): THE WAR OF THE BLOOD Battle of Annihilation at the Zeiphyrian Forests Five years after the murdering of Gorm a ruthless assault on the elven fortresses at Elving, south of the Zeiphyrian Forests, is initiated by Viginold Dereswungen. Although not all human tribes approve to the declared war on the elves, the strength of the human forces is gigantic. Some human tribes, mainly those which felt oppressed by the Erpheronian tribe, even join the elves and on the other side also dark elves support the elven cause, fighting especially the dwarves, who are promised to receive valueable mines for their help at the Rimmerins-Ring by the human leaders. The battle lasts for many months and thousands of soldiers of all races die at the brutal slaughtering, but no army can decide the enormous battle, which causes terrific destruction among both sides. Elving is destroyed completely and most parts of the Zeiphyrian Forests as well as the adjacent Auturian Woods are burnt. The first major Sarvonian battle at the Zeiphyrian Forests indeed is a cruel slaughtering which is unique in Sarvonian history so far, but it is only be a glimpse of even fiercer battles to come: It is the beginning of the so-called War of the Blood which will last nearly 80 years and which will result in lots of bloodshed but will bring no victory to any of the fighting races. The Rise of the Dark Elf Beringstin Dimeye The Eophyrhim captain Beringstin Dimeye becomes notorious for his cunning strategies combined with uncompared brutality in battle. He is thus feared by the humans from now on and would become one of the major players in the battles of SW I.    789 b.S. Ambush at the Xythrian Ridge In the year 789 b.S. an outrageous heroic deed is reported in the human annals: The young Diraton of Caelum, the captain of the cavalry of a small division belonging to the human tribe of the Centoraurians, is captured by the Eophyrhim elves after they destroyed his army at the Xythrian Ridge north of the Rimmerins Ring. The Eophyrhim are led by the ferocious captain Beringstin Dimeye. The elves know through one of their spies that Diraton's cavalry only is meant to distract the main forces of the elves so that a huge human army can ambush the supposedly unexpecting elves. In fact it doesn't come thus far and as Diraton's army finally is destroyed cruel dark elves trie to force Diraton to give away the location of the secret human hideout, for he is the only person of the cavalry who got knowledge of it. If he chooses to tell the location to the elves he would be granted freedom. Diraton's Sacrification at the Anaios Gap Diraton, a well known captain among the humans, who already has achieved important victories for the Centoraurian tribe and who is promised to his Lord's daughter, Isella of Vezash, has to decide upon his own fate and the fate of the tribe he belongs to. As he knows Isella to be hiding with the main human army at the southwestern Rimmerins Ring, Diraton decides not only to lead the elves in the wrong direction in order to save the human army and his beloved from an ambush, but also to sacrifice his life in exchange for the deaths of thousands of elves. Diraton knows many geographical details of the vicinity of his hometown at Caelum the elves are not aware of, so due to Diraton's cleverness he manages to guide the elven cavalry to a special place near Naios, a hill's top which ends in the Anois Gap on the other side, a geographical detail which cannot be seen from the arriving and unknowing elven army. Riding on top of the elven army Diraton feigns a flight and gallops straight over the top of the hill into the Anaios Gap. Thousands of elven riders following the Centoraurian eager to capture the human captain fall to their deaths as does Diraton and the notorious elven captain Beringstin Dimeye. The place of this incidence should later on be called the "Elvenfall". Since this time the coat of arms of the Centoraurians represents a human rider droping down the Anaios Gap, but to emphasize the unforgetable heroic deed of Diraton the horse is always drawn with wings as a sign of his heavenly sacrification to save his whole tribe and race.    777 b.S. to 773 b.S. The Siege of Ximax The First Sarvonian War comes to Ximax. From their hold in the Shivering Wood, the dark elves lay siege to the peninsula of Cha'dómm, which is mainly inhabited by human mages and therefore one of the most important magical resources for the human armies. They are aided by the betrayal of the Archmage of Ecuá, Móh'núl, who provides powerful Ximaxian staffs to the sieging forces. The siege lasts four years as the peninsula is surrounded by the massive Zirkumire Mountains and can only be reached from the continent through an easily-guarded passage, protected by the human army of mages residing at the peninsula near Ximax. 777 b.S. Assault on Horth by Dark Elves Buildings at Horth are burnt to the ground by dark elves when they lay siege to the whole area along with the peninsula of Ximax.    773 b.S. The Fall of Ximax Dark elves battle against human battlemages and warriors from Ximax at the passage between the Xaramon Peninsula and the continent. Because of its narrowness, the passage serves as a bottleneck for all attackers, and a prime position for the Ximaxians to defend their city. For four years the dark elves make little progress, both due to the battlemages and warriors blocking their way and because of the Wavewand River, which floods during the rainy season, blocking off access to the peninsula through the flatland. The dark elves, seeing the futility of their strategy, devise a cunning plan. They carefully climb their way through the treacherous Hoa Rusun Mountains to the north, traveling unnoticed around the unsuspecting Ximaxian army. By this method, they successfully circumvent the human guards and, once on the Peninsula, use dark and destructive magics to flood the Wavewand River, cutting off the Ximaxian army's road back to the city. From here, the dark elves lay waste to Ximax, setting aflame the city's buildings and killing a great many of the inhabitants, thereby debilitating the magical resources of the human armies. The dark elves leave Ximax charred and broken, and after they leave, most of the denizens follow, abandoning what is left of their home. Only the Volkek-Oshra, whose catacomb-abodes were left untouched, stay behind.    110 b.S. Dark Elven Attack at the Sharadon The Maeverhim are attacked by the dark elves led by the Móch'rónn. Their friendliness with Seraia makes them an easy target; one way in, one way out. They are barely able to defend themselves, and one third of the tribe is slaughtered.    60 b.S. The Battle at Hegedorn The remnants of the interracial alliance gather for a last desparate strike at the last entrance of the now closed Kersolth mine called "Hegedorn" to defeat Saban. Even the remaining hafling lancers of the Silvershire join into the Battle of Hegedorn, along with many new volunteers who want to protect their families and the shire from the terror of the Móch’rónn. The greatest warriors of Ximax are also sent to Hegedorn to try to defeat the Móch'rónn. The battle ends with a landslide victory of the dark elven armies as there seem to be no way to stop a defending army in the tunnels of Kersolth. From the Ximaxian division, only one magus and two archmagi, survive the devastating counterattack of the Demon Lord Khalkoroth, who is said to have been summoned during the battle by the dark forces.