The Hounds of the Paelelon is a secretive sect of Eophyrhim drow; hired for assassinations, murders and bounties. There is only a single group of seven drow, mostly hunters and hunter-clerics. The Hounds of the Paelelon have been in existence since Hunter-Cleric Gaulivan's overthrowing of the clerics in 9675 b.S. But the last record of the group was an artists' rendering of the Seven, sometime between 6225 b.S. and 5502 b.S. They are known to wear grey-black cloaks, styles as unique as each drow, with silver clasps of a wolf's head. Most are skilled in swordplay, some use bows, and some use their hounds. And a rarity is the Hunter-Cleric within their ranks; his weapon is his teeth and his hands.

Image description: A member of the elven sect Hounds of Paelelon with two of his hunting hounds. Pic drawn by Faugar.

Appearance. From what retold tales can account, the Hounds of the Paelelon had few defining characteristics. They rarely wore their hair longer than shoulder-length (though the cut did vary immensely), and all wore a dark grey cloak with a silver clasp in the shape of a wolf's head. Hounds could be male or female, and those that were Hunter-Clerics had a triple-stripe tattoo on their chins. This tattooing mark was only done for a Hunter-Cleric Hound, it has not been seen before or since. Other than these marks, the appearance of a Hound varied, though it rarely wavered from Eophyrhim appearances.

History. The sect began in 9675 b.S. when Gaulivan overthrew the clerics, and handed the mantles of the clerics to his loyal Hunters, calling them Hunter-Clerics. But when the handing out of mantles was finished, there were seven young drow left without titles. The eldest one, named Megguron, demanded that Gaulivan do something about it. Gaulivan did nothing, and Megguron convinced the other titleless drow to leave the Paelelon. They gathered their belongings, and left.

Life was quite difficult for the seven. They were drow in peaceful land, and they were shunned practically everywhere they went. This increased the bond between them; they never left one another's side. It soon reached a point of connection that the seven drow no longer needed words to communicate. This made them much more frigthening.

About 30 years after leaving the forest, the seven were approached by a wealthy merchant, who was willing to pay the malicious drow to kill a rival of his. Megguron spoke for them all and they accepted the job. The job went without a hitch, and soon after the seven were paid a wealthy amount.

Megguron, proud of his achievements, decided not to keep his wealth. He paid for lodgings for the seven for a week, and then rode to the Paelelon, dropping off the rest of his money with an Eophyrhim guard. The other six followed suit, taking only what money they needed and giving the rest to the Eophyrhim.

Soon after that, the seven quickly earned the name "Hounds of the Paelelon", after both the dogs that a few of the drow owned, and their instinctive hunting abilities during a job.

This cycle continued for over 150 years; the seven taking a job, efficiently completing it, and taking what money they didn't need to the Paelelon drow.

In 9495 b.S., Anvar was killed in a fall from house roof in an ambush against a greedy landlord. The hounds did not react to his death until their job was finished. Upon then, they returned to Anvar and burned him on the spot in a funeral pyre.

Anvar was one of the stronger members of the Hounds, and the other five were worried that without Anvar, they would be no good. Megguron became angry claiming that giving up now would allow Gaulivan the pride of winning (they did not know of his death). Megguron collected Anvar's belongings, sold them and led Anvar's horse and the five remaing Hounds to the Paelelon to drop off their earnings.

Upon arrival, Megguron gave the guard his money. "Anvar is dead." He announced to the guards: " We need a replacement." Only a single guard stepped forward, Budron. Megguron nodded and gave Budron the reins to Anvar's horse. "Gather your belongings. We will wait here until daybreak."

And when day finally broke, Budron left with the Hounds.

Budron, who was a Hunter-Cleric, began the ritual of the triple chin-stripe among the Hunter-Clerics of the Hounds. It was a sign among the Hounds that he was trained to kill with his teeth, as all Hunter-Clerics are.

Budron proved to be an efficent member of the hounds. He was better in his craft than Megguron, but he never challenged him.

In 9295 b.S. Megguron died of old age. The six decided that Budron would succeed him, and for the first time, the Hounds looked among the outcasted drow to find a new member. Budron concluded that the outcasted drow were by nature more vicious, as they preferred to torture their quarry rather than worship Coór in the destruction of life. Budron selected a drow named Farmag (whose pleasures included the poking of captured rats with a fork until they died).

Farmag was a loose cannon. Hard to control, he tended to do what he wanted and was never very good at the silent speech the Hounds were used to. But he was efficient and they completed jobs quicker than they ever had. Farmag tended to keep more money than the others, but the Hounds figured it was okay, as long as he gave most to the Paelelon.

The older original Hounds began dying off, and Budron had to contend with Farmag on his own while taming other drow to the way of the Hounds. It became very trying on him.

In 9220 b.S. an event took place that nearly extinguished the Hounds. Farmag got into a fight with Budron, and Budron killed Farmag, bare-handed. The other Hounds became furious and attacked Budron. Budron succeeded in killing 4 of them, the 5th escaping into the night. But Budron was mortally wounded, and with the last of his strength, he gathered the money the Hounds had, and rode to the Paelelon.

He selected 6 new Hounds to take the place of those he had killed. He selected one to succeed him, Tarman. Tarman knelt close to Budron, as Budron instructed him how the Hounds were meant to function. Before he could select a seventh, Budron slipped into the hands of Queprur.

Tarman turned to the 5 others. He asked if they had anyone in mind to be their seventh. A guard named Sirran said he had a wife who was a Hunter-Cleric. Tarman commanded Sirran to fetch her, and Werravon became the first female Hound.

From this point on, history becomes muddled. The Hounds of the Paelelon kept few documents. There is a portrait that exists of the 7 in a group, but the picture is old, and no one is entirely sure of the date (somewhere between 6225 b.S. and 5502 b.S.).

There are also rumors of two Hounds of the Paelelon groups. One is the once created by Megguron, and the other believed to be founded by the escapee of the Budron Massacare. One is precise and efficient, one is sloppy and violent. But they both wear the same attire, so it is hard to tell if this is so.

The triple chin-stripe started by Budron is a sign of all hunter clerics who leave the Paelelon, be it for study or banishment. It is a warning sign to others of their skill.

Importance. The Hounds of the Paelelon have established all drow (regardless of skill or tribe) as dangerous creatures that should not be trifled with. Their selflessness to their tribe have established the Eophyrhim as a race with a large amount of wealth. It is amazing to realize that all of this is due to seven drow nearly two millennia ago, who used their skills to their advantage.