Dark Elhain

The future is never certain. None can know with certainty what could have been if one path were chosen by an individual over another, but it is possible to imagine an existence where Teleria’s greatest warriors were instead its most terrible despoilers. Elhain is one such hero. An Elven noblewoman of Aravia, she benefited from all the advantages of her station – a complete education in both scholarly and martial arts, and being told in no uncertain terms that she was superior to the many other peoples who inhabited Teleria. Such an attitude is not uncommon among the High Elves, but it is a seed that in some bears dark fruits. While Elhain became a hero of the Light, what would have become of her had she allowed her sense of superiority to lead her down a different path? If she met her match, might it have cut to the very core of her being? It was during the Conclaves of the Elves that Elhain encountered a Dark Elf who seemed every bit as knowledgeable and capable as she was. Named Kael, he matched Elhain during both the negotiations and the competitions that acted as interludes between talks. Elhain became intrigued by Kael, but what would have happened if she had treated her first defeat at the Dark Elf’s hands as a personal affront? Unable to accept that she had come off second-best, Elhain might have convinced herself that her rival had used dark magics to gain an edge. Kael’s supposed evil and duplicity seemed to be confirmed when he was later involved in an attempt to assassinate Queen Eva of Aravia. After he escaped, Elhain seized the opportunity for revenge and swore before her ruler that she would track down and slay the would-be regicide. So began Elhain’s hunt. She sought Kael first in Durham, but after several vicious encounters, was no closer to slaying him. Frustrated beyond reason, Elhain searched for something that would give her the advantage. She dabbled in the same dark magics she believed her rival was using, becoming obsessive. Elhain began to strike dark bargains, communing with Demonspawn and making oaths no true High Elf should ever have countenanced. One particular deal saw her surrender a fragment of her soul in exchange for a rime-coated bow whose arrows could pierce the very spirits of its targets. As her hunt stretched into decades, she finally made the most terrible deal. She realized that she needed power and longevity if she was to finally bring Kael to heel. Seeing little other choice, she embraced Undeath and through it, gave fealty to the Shadow God. In her arrogance, she believed such taint would not corrupt her. It was a tool only. Elhain eventually succeeded in her quest. Without need for sleep or sustenance, she tracked down Kael and ended him with an arrow. Only as he fell did Elhain appreciate the depth of what she had done. Victory had become her sole reason for existence, and now that it had been won, nothing else remained. Filled with dark ennui, Elhain might have ended her own existence over the body of her foe, but her own arrogance stopped her. She had merely done what needed to be done, or so she told herself. Siroth soothed her anguish and fed her convictions. He suggested she show everyone how much she had sacrificed, and the true extent of the superiority she had attained. She turned back for Aravia. It is fortunate indeed for the people of the High Elf nation that these events never occurred.