The
Creation
-From the primordial turmoil at the
center of the universe sprang the gods full-fledged, full-formed. Each claimed
jurisdiction over certain effects, all being equally endowed with the power
and force of the cosmos. They cooperated for the first and last time to create
the worlds. Some gods used their powers more wisely than others.
An early alliance formed among these wiser gods. They knew how to
manipulate their power. The gathering gods, who called themselves the
Seldarine (brothers and sisters of the wood), imparted their very essence into
creating certain aspects of the worlds.
While other gods squabbled over jurisdictions and possession of
attributes, the Seldarine created vessels that would one day hold the spirit
of the first sentiment of life to set foot upon these worlds – the race of
being known as Elves. They crafted these vessels with care, and gave them
extraordinary beauty. The other gods grew black with jealousy, and they
thirsted to imitate the Seldarine.
These gods hastily fashioned their own vessels, vying against those
created by the Seldarine. Yet they would not invest the time vital to creating
a race, so their results were flawed, yet they did not care. Of all the crude
creations, only the vessel reserved for man held a glimmer of potential, for
they would one day have the ability to change things as would the Elves.
The gods of the new races tried to hastily to reproduce a feat that had
taken the wiser gods eons. Yet neither group’s constructs would come to life
until the historic meeting between Corellon Larethian and Da’Nogra, leader
of the Anti-Seldarine.
-priest of Corellon Larethian
"When Da’Nogra saw the creation of the Seldarine, and the Elves, he regarded it as an abomination and became enraged. Desire for blood ran through a gods’ veins for the first time. Da’Nogra prepared to crush the Seldarine, and some gods flocked to his standard while some stood aside and even more to the Seldarine.
Da’Nogra attacked Corellon and a mighty battle began, known as the Godswar. How long it raged over the pristine fields of the planets, no one knows. Each drew great wounds to spirit and body of the other, while other contenders fell by the wayside, badly hurt yet not mortally wounded. Corellon and Da’Nogra would not break off. They traversed the planes and splashed the other’s blood across the lands. As night grew near Da’Nogra’s power grew while those of Corellon’s waned. All seemed lost for the Seldarine. Tears from the moon landed on Corellon’s upturned, stricken face, and mingled freely with his blood. Corellon then looked to his companions – and it was there he found fortitude. He drew back his sword and with one fearful blow, clove a wound deep enough that Da’ Nogra felt it and rendered his mace arm useless. Da’Nogra howled in pain, black ichor spewing from the wound. Da’Nogra turned and fled to the netherworld, where he nursed his hate, seeking forever ways to shape the enemies of the Elves. The greatest of his creations, made in the heat of his burning rage with the blackness of his blood, was the Orcs. That is why, to this day, Orcs and Elves are such bitter enemies. Even before their creation, the very essences of their gods strove against one another.
With Da’Nogra’s “defeat”, the Seldarine continued their work.
They gathered the moons tears and the blood Corellon shed in the battle, and
placed these into the vessels they had created, infusing them with their own
spirit. Each god imparted virtue into his or her creation, nurturing the newly
formed race. Thus were the Elves born from the blood of Corellon Larethian,
mixed with the soil of the world, blessed with the tears of the moon, and
given their nearness to divinity.
-Larian
Songshine
priest of Corellon Larethian
Translated by Kian Duer
priest of Corellon Larethian
The
Fractioning
The Elves were, at this time, all one people. There were variations, but not a social rift. Differences were personal and the Elves lived in harmony with one another. There were those who lusted for power, and those who could not stand to live within the confining walls of a city. Many wanting to bar outsiders, as humans, from the lands of the Elves, fearing they may taint Elves and seeing them as “unfavored by the gods”. Still, others more moderate were scorned by their brethren. Each elf thought he knew best, and each strived to impose his views on others. Through this atmosphere of distrust, evil flourished. It was then the Dread Spider Queen Lolth gained her foothold in the hearts of many an elf.
Many an elf used the Spider Queen to gain power and influence, with her evil leading them further astray. These Elves practiced dark magic and forbidden lore in attempts to make themselves mighty, thus turning from the light, which they had loved. With this tension rising, those who had accepted Lolth in their hearts marched into cities, slaughtering their brethren. The first attack came under darkness of night and the other Elves could nary mount a defense. However they had seen the dark time to come and their preparations were not in vain. They did then defend themselves.
The Elfwar raged for decades, with neither side gaining victory. Many Elves perished in battle, and many more were wounded. Elves following the Spider Queen Lolth took the name Drow to signify their new alliance and they took the homes of their fallen brothers as their homes. Before the final battle, Lolth covered the land in black clouds to strike fear in the hearts of the other Elves. With the Drow prepared to win, the gods intervened. Corellon and his companions struck deep in the heart of Drow territory, seeking out the evil in that land. Long last, Corellon came upon the Spider Queen, and attacked. Magic flew and blood poured upon the land. Then Corellon struck Lolth with a magnificent blow, driving her deep underground, and with her defeat the clouds lifted and the bright light of the sun healed the land with its rays.
The Drow hid their faces from this purifying light and returned to
their fallen goddess. They then chose the shadows over the light and Corellon
decreed such treachery would forever show upon their faces. For this reason
the skin of the Drow remains darkened.
Translated by Kian Duer,
Priest of Corellon Larethian
From ancient text of Sarathos
Telanith
It is here we Elves “fractioned” separating into different
societies and factions. Thus with the division of the Drow, other groups so
decided to follow. The following is a vague account taken from the words of
Eronion Marathias, Elven Seer.
There are almost as many types of elves as there is of humans. Though humans are different mainly in appearance, we elves have differences in philosophy. Yet there are no petty racial quarrels between us. One must ask then, what is wrong with humans that they cannot live in peace with each other?
Certainly we have had interracial conflict, yet that is many years past and our disagreement are now settle as the civilized folk we are. Eronion believed elves to be the only civilized race left. Thus we should hold ourselves to that standard. We do continue warring with the Drow, though the cause for such war is more than of appearance or belief, but of the fact the existence of the Drow is an affront to our existence. Judge we not by the color of skin or belief, though sometimes tempting in the case of the Drow, but by one’s merit and actions.
Elves are generally not shaped by their heritage so much as by the way they are taught to live. Tales of High Elves with treachery and deceit exist as do tales of Dark or Drow elves with qualities of honesty and honor, some of which we may know. We, as always, attribute this to the way the elf was raised, for that sometimes, is more important than blood itself. These differences only appear when grand conglomerations make their individual traits societal.
Thus we live today with the views we have adapted and hold from those
who strove to pass these on to us. We act as such from whence we came and will
do so until the end of time. Whether it be frowned up, or held in the utmost
light of respect. We do this not because it is found fashionable or even
because some one says we must. We do so because we are the Elves, the Gods’
chosen race.
-Kian Duer
priest of Corellon
Larethian