History of the Mori'Quessir

The Mori'Quessir, or Drow were once normal elves who dwelled on the surface in ancient times, long before even the time of Mondain. When the three groups set forth to explore Sosaria from the great Elven city of Ilcasilme, one group traveled to the mountains of the land. They were lead by Menoron, a powerful mage and druid. Up into the highest parts of Sosaria they climbed learning all they could of the mountainous regions. For years they flourished where the air is thinnest and adapted till it seemed as if they had always lived there. Soon they began to discover great systems of caves high in the mountains and they explored these as well. These natural shelters were obviously an advantage during cold winters and thus the Orod’Quessir or Mountain Elves began to settle in them. They created huge cities deep in the depths of the mountains and, as time passed, soon lost almost all interest in returning to the surface. It was during this time that the Deamoness, Lolth, started to corrupt the Orod’Quessir. She hated the elves for they were the creations of Eru, The One (also known as Iluvatar or Corellon). He had banished her to the depths of the Abyss and for that she hated him. She set out to pervert his perfect creations. With a silver forked tongue she caressed them with bittersweet words. She promised them power and greatness and fooled them into thinking her an agent for the devine powers. They followed her willingly and by the time they realized her for what she truly was they were too dedicated to the Spider Queen to care. The Orod’Quessir performed innumerable ungodly acts to please the Deamoness and after generations of devotion, their skins turned as black as the acts they committed. Their hair lost its pigmentation and their eyes adapted to see well in the Underdark of Sosaria. During this time Mondain had created the Gem of Immortality. Not wanting her devout followers to be harmed, Lolth commanded that all the Mountain elves stay deep within the earth and not venture out for any reason. When The Stranger freed Sosaria, the leaders of the Orod’Quessir sent out scouting parties to see how the freed world had changed with the shattering of the Gem. The dark skinned elves soon came upon elves of other races and told them of what had befallen since their leaving Ilcasilme centuries before. The Elves of the Surface were disgusted with what the Orod’Quessir had become. They renamed them the Mori’Quessir or Drow and shunned them. The surface elves even took up arms to keep the corruption of the Spider Queen and her minions below the ground.

Characteristics of the Mori'Quessir

Drow skin is pitch black and their hair is stark white although it may yellow or gray with age. Their red eyes can keenly see in the lightless depths of the earth, however Drow are sensitive to bright light and generally avoid it. A Drow’s eyes can also be green, brown, or black and even various shades of gray, amber and rose-hued eyes are not unknown. Their traditional society is matriarchal one, meaning that the females hold all positions of power. Although there have been a few exceptions, most Drow are distrustful of everything, including there own kind. This race is evil, forever plotting to gain power, prestige, and wealth. They have no sentiments for killing another being except the consequences that can come from that. Drow are exceptionally gifted in the workings of magic, however, it is usually twisted to evil in some way. Necromancy is especially appealing to Drow and they are the only elven race who approves of its use.