Bo'Lein
Structure
Clan Leaders
The Clan Leaders of the Bo'Lein are decided through trial by combat, with no rules. The victor can (and usually does) choose to kill the loser, and is either crowned or remains Clan Leader. Nearly all other positions in Bo'Lein society can also attained this way, even commercial ones, but ritual combat is most common in "politics" (a word that does not exist in the Bo'Lein language). The Clan Leader is the last word for disputes and is also the military leader of the Clan.The Councils of Matriarchs
Dark Elven society is heavily matriarchal and female Dark Elves tend to be the holders and managers of property and head of household. Those women Dark Elves who have the cunning and skill to live long, successful lives can become Matriarchs. The Matriarchs advise the Clan leader and can remove him at any time by any means they see fit. Normally they encourage a challenger but sometimes they will resort to more nefarious plans such as poison or curses. The Matriarchs are the oldest female Dark Elves in the clans. Mixed elves or clan adoptees are not allowed on the council. The council serves as the courts of Dark Elf society and also takes care of many day to day items of business on the Leader's behalf. The Bo'Lein also have a Greater Circle of Matriarchs consisting of each clan's eldest females. Unlike Clan circles, interclan conflict can manifest within the Greater Circle as Matriarchs attempt to bring their rival clans' Matriarchs to untimely ends.Hierarchy Within Clans
All clan members are expected to fight, giving the Bo'Lein the largest standing army among the Elven nations. Many remark that, if the Dark Elves ever stop killing one another, their tendency to have larger families would rapidly mature them into the most dangerous fighting force on the continent and rivaled only by the Sergal. Military and civil station in Dark Elven society are basically synonymous. Bo'Lein clans also have Circles of Commerce, Art, Magic, and War. Each of these functions similarly to the Council of Matriarchs and members can serve in multiple circles. These tend to be less dangerous to their members, but some members are not above intimidation, extortion, and murder to achieve their ends. Social hierarchy is considered by Military and ritual combat victories, amount of wealth and accrued property, skill and merit (within Circles). Rather curiously but also very sensibly, Dark Elves tend to measure social standing by the number of enemies one has made.Chattel Slaves
Lowest on the totem pole are Chattel. The Bo'Lein do take slaves from their conquest, sometimes drawn from prisoners of war, sometimes from conquered populations. Chattel are, as their name implies, slaves that have no rights or status of any kind and can be traded at will. If the Chattel's owner wills it, their children can be born Chattel as well or can be taken into the clan via adoption. When the owner of Chattel dies, the Chattel pass to their next of kin unless the owner was killed in ritual combat, in which case the Chattel become the property of the victor. This includes Chattel themselves, and it is customary for the Chattel who kill their owner to be adopted into the Clan by a Clan member of high standing. For this reason, Chattel are not very common and holding on to them is considered to be a sign of incredible strength and wit.Hierarchy Among Clans
The Bo'Lein clans themselves are organized further into a hierarchy, also combat-based, although combat to determine clan status is fought by champions are chosen by the Clan Leader and the Clan Matriarchs. The Bo'Lein also have a Greater Circle of Matriarchs consisting of each clan's eldest females. Unlike Clan circles, interclan conflict can manifest within the Greater Circle as Matriarchs attempt to bring their rival clans' Matriarchs to untimely ends.Public Agenda
Each individual clan's prerogative is to expand in area, number, and influence. They favor the mountains and, like Dwarves, dig deep networks of tunnels connecting their homes and settlements. They share this geographic area with their sworn historic enemies, the Fennein, and their main goal is to preserve their territory against the Empire as well as the Fennein.
Assets
A historical wealth of magical artifacts and plunder of all kinds.
History
Like all other Elves, the Dark Elves predate Human society by tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of years. In the distant past, Elven legend says the the Dark Elves came from other kinds of Elves who were exiled for evil acts, but the Dark Elves dispute this, saying that they were always only their own race of Elves and nothing more.
The Bo'Lein were once believed to have had dominion over nearly the entire south, but myth tells of disasters and bad luck causing them to lose most of their territory around the time Humans appeared, and Humans moved into the foothills surrounding their burrows. Adventurers and the Magocracy have found numerous artifacts suggesting a large Dark Elven civilization that encompassed the current Elven Holdings in the east as well as nearly all of the Verdon Regency and the Broken Horn approximately 12,000 years ago.
The eternal series of conflicts with Xethess and Fennein reduced the Dark Elves greatly in number and territory. They currently hold very little surface land area, although not much is known about how far their underground holdings actually go. From observations of their combat with Fennein, though, it appears they have slowly been driven further and further underground as well as further southward over the centuries. Even so, it appears that their civilization may be at a height, as they have been raiding in large numbers almost to the Southern end of the Iron Mountains.
The Bo'Lein were once believed to have had dominion over nearly the entire south, but myth tells of disasters and bad luck causing them to lose most of their territory around the time Humans appeared, and Humans moved into the foothills surrounding their burrows. Adventurers and the Magocracy have found numerous artifacts suggesting a large Dark Elven civilization that encompassed the current Elven Holdings in the east as well as nearly all of the Verdon Regency and the Broken Horn approximately 12,000 years ago.
The eternal series of conflicts with Xethess and Fennein reduced the Dark Elves greatly in number and territory. They currently hold very little surface land area, although not much is known about how far their underground holdings actually go. From observations of their combat with Fennein, though, it appears they have slowly been driven further and further underground as well as further southward over the centuries. Even so, it appears that their civilization may be at a height, as they have been raiding in large numbers almost to the Southern end of the Iron Mountains.
Demography and Population
94% Dark Elven
3% Wood Elven
2% High Elven
1% Other
98% Citizen/Militia
2% Chattel Slaves
~1.5 million individuals
These numbers are best guesstimates based on the racial makeup of Dark Elven armies encountered, however it is possible that these numbers are skewed since nearly all conflict with the Bo'Lein has taken place in the northernmost reaches of their territory and since the other races tend to be more common as Chattel.
Territories
The Bo'Lein are dotted among the mountains on the south coast of Granmor, from the edge of the Broken Horn all the way up to the Green Horn. It is believed that Bo'Lein underground holdings are extensive, possibly comprising some kind of underground ecology. Such ecologies are known to exist from cursory explorations beneath Morgranth. If this is true, entire unknown populations of Dark Elves could be living underneath the surface and the Bo'Lein could be a much bigger threat.
Military
The Bo'Lein do not have a military per se. Every able bodied civilian, Male and Female, is expected to fight when called upon by the Clan Leader. Pregnant females are excused as are children under the age of 20 (Dark Elves mature much earlier than other Elves but are theoretically just as long-lived). Clan Matriarchs are not required to fight but often do anyway, otherwise there is no rule excusing the elderly from service because Dark Elves do not have elders who are infirm as those who are unable to defend themselves tend to die very soon in Bo'Lein society.
Bo'Lein military consists of lightly armored infantry who use their incredible agility and magical enhancements to fight with the strength of ten men each. Bo'Lein cavalry have been known to mount Cave Lizards, Giant Bats, and other creatures that can be found in the depths. The Bo'Lein are known to have captured some siege engines from the Dwarves and sometimes use these to attack Fennein and Empire forts.
Religion
The Bo'Lein tend to worship Neutral and Evil gods. Mordo and Taron cults are known to be widespread, but the neutral deities appear to be popular as well. Some even wordship Channa.
Foreign Relations
The Bo'Lein are in a constant state of war with each other and their High Elven enemies, especially Fennein. The exception to this was that Bo'Lein actually had decent relations with Xethess. Although they never even came close to joining their union, Chissa Inassianni had managed to earn their respect. There are rumors that Dark Elves are assisting the Xethess Remnant against the empire and providing military counsel as more and more Dark Elves have been showing up in rebel forces.
Bo'Lein and Sergal societies are quite similar in many ways, so the two often find they have common ground. Some believe this could build a bridge between the Dark Elves and the Empire, although their fierce independence and love of Necromancy make that conjecture seem downright insane.
Bo'Lein and the Empire are at war. Dark elf raids are a constant nuisance in the south, and the only real comfort for the Empire in this is that they are attacking Fennein as well, or at least preventing them from marching over the Iron Mountains.
The Free Cities' Dark Elven population has made some inroads with Bo'Lein, but once the Union was formed, they could no longer maintain unilateral relations. Bo'Lein and the Mountainhomes are also historic enemies but the Dwarves have not warred openly with the Dark Elves for a long time.
The Free Cities' Dark Elven population has made some inroads with Bo'Lein, but once the Union was formed, they could no longer maintain unilateral relations. Bo'Lein and the Mountainhomes are also historic enemies but the Dwarves have not warred openly with the Dark Elves for a long time.
Trade & Transport
The Dark Elves have proven remarkably self sufficient despite their very small surface land holdings. It is believed that there is some kind of underground ecology that is sustaining them, but no one has been able to confirm this. Inter-settlement trade is believed to be conducted via underground tunnels, much like Dwarven civilization. Dark Elves are seldom seen transporting goods above ground.
Free Cities traders have known Bo'Lein to make simple barter agreements swapping luxury goods or weaponry. However it is generally considered unwise to trade with the Bo'Lein as they have a nasty habit of having their trade partners murdered and taking back their own property plus whatever the unfortunate souls were carrying.
Education
Dark Elven society is completely militarized, so all Bo'Lein receive martial training. Like other elves, Magic is a critical part of society and nearly all Dark Elves use it to some degree. Like High Elves, an additional broad general education plan is followed including Math, Trades, Music, and Art. The Bo'Lein also place greater importance on Dance than High Elves, similar to Wood Elves, so Dance is often studied and practiced as well.
Knowledge Below, Power Above
Type
Geopolitical, Clan
Alternative Names
Dark Elf Clans
Demonym
Bo'Lein Elf, Dark Elf
Government System
Tribalism
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Dark Elven Silver Coin
Legislative Body
Clan Leader, Council of Matriarchs
Judicial Body
Clan Leader, Council of Matriarchs
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
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