Dark Elves
Beneath Caligran, among the deep tunnels of the dwarves and many other mysteries, lie the labyrinthine cities of the dark elves.1
The campaign against the dark elves
Imperial histories tell of drow raiders who for generations came up from tunnels deep underground to strike at the surface. They were few, but far more skilled and coordinated than ordinary human warriors, and could ambush larger groups using darkness, experience and expertise. In 151 AVD Emperor Conrad II led his legions into the underdark against them in The Underdark Campaign: the noble houses behind the raids, House De’nafrin among them, were eradicated and three drow cities were destroyed.2
An account of the Sun Monks describes Conrad II's campaign as one against "the infamous dark elves", in which the monks appeared as an unexpected ally harnessing the power of the sun. Whether they came out of enmity towards the dark elves or for some other reason remains unclear.3
Drow in the Empire
The prisoners of war brought to the surface after the campaign were sold as slaves. Imperial law forbade slavery only for imperial citizens, and since the allied races had some diplomatic protection, slavery became most common among the drow. A drow without a document proving their freedom became a target for bounty hunters.2
Since the campaign, a pale gold drow wine called Last Kiss can be found in the Empire. Legend says it was made by elves who long ago betrayed the dawn for eternal night.4
Notes
Sources
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