The Island Elves

Eons ago there were only Elves. While there are some differences between the High Elf, Wood Elf, and Wild Elf, they are essentially Elves at heart and spirit. However millennia ago something happened; some Elves of the various tribes became drawn to evil unlike ever before. Why or how this happened no one remembers, but Drow did not come into existence overnight. Those Elves who became evil of heart were chased from their villages by the other Elves, and banded together into their own communities. Eventually they retreated underground, and forever separated themselves from their cousins who live on the surface. For centuries, no one on the surface heard of the dark hearted Elves until they made their presence known again. Raids by beings who resembled Elves but with ebony skin and red eyes proved the dark hearts had not perished in the Underdark, but had actually flourished. Over centuries in the dark, the Drow became even more evil, and had developed resistances the surface Elves largely did not possess, though developed different weaknesses as well.

Certain groups of Elves and other surface races began to seek out the entrances the Drow used to emerge once again to the surface. Some of these entrances were sealed or otherwise destroyed while others that were too large were watched. One such entrance to the Underdark was discovered by a party of High Elves on an island called Taikiki Island. It was decided that the entrance would be watched and guarded, and the leaders of the party called for volunteers to stay on the island.  Some remained behind while others left. Word spread of the valiant guardians, and other Elves from various settlements volunteered to join in the guarding of this important Underdark portal. Time passed, and the Island Elves as they'd begun to be known were almost forgotten, though some Bards and other Lore keepers have kept some bits of lore about the brave volunteers.

Life proved difficult on the island. Those who remained to defend Fangea from the Drow soon learned of other enemies awaiting below the surface, and Island Elves found themselves often battling dark and mysterious creatures such as Mind Flayers and other denizens of the Underdark in addition to the hated Drow. Separated from the other Elves on this tropical island for generations, the defenders' skin bronzed and darkened under the hot sun, and the tribe became distinct in other ways. Some gradually began manifesting powers and abilities that others did not; powers similar in nature to those of the Mind Flayers. The skin of those who were born with mental powers gradually darkened even further until they could almost pass for Drow themselves. The eyes remained light colored in these psionic Elves though. Gradually, the Island Elves became a unique subtribe of the Elf. Never large in numbers because of the dangerous task set before them, the Ereb as they came to call themselves, suffer many casualties annually. The psions and clerics have become the dominant members of Ereb society.

In recent years, some younger Ereb have been sent from their home on Taikiki Island to once again learn about the rest of Fangea who all but has forgotten them. These Elves are to return home after a few years, if they are able, to report what the scouts experienced and to once again join the ancestral guardianship. One such Ereb is named Illith'rielle Naillo, whose story follows:

Illith'rielle came to be on Taikiki Island, the daughter of the tribal magistrate and a priestess of Stellari. The infant's dark skin clearly marked her as a budding psion, and marked her for her eventual place at the forefront of the guardians at some point in the future. Still Elf, Illith'rielle matured slowly, and did not reach adulthood until after her fiftieth year.

While still adolescent, Illith'rielle learned of her psionic ability during an attack by a pair of Mind Flayers who found their way to the island exit; even the children need to aid the village during times such as this. She formed a barrier of psychokinetic force about her body and found a blade in her hand which she did not collect from the armory. It simply materialized. The young elf joined in the battle, and helped slay one of the Flayers. Thus began Illith'rielle's instruction on how to use her mind to protect herself and others; several more years of training and teaching followed.

Word reached the island of a particular location in the Falcon Mountains of a powerful storyteller. The elders debated and decided to send one of their own to investigate; after all, ally or foe needed to be determined. Illith'rielle was chosen to make the long voyage. After farewells, the child was given a few items, and was taken to the island dock where a team of sailors would take the Elf to the mainland under cover of darkness. From that point, she would journey on her own to the Inn the village elders directed of her.

Not as attractive in form as most mainland elves, the trip proved difficult at times. Many peasants who saw her on the road mistook the psion for a Drow, though there were many who were willing to aid the woman. Mostly, she would camp alone or spend time resting at the King's Watch keeps since many inns refused service to the "Drow." Often she was regarded with suspicion even by those stationed at the Watch, though she did not do anything that would provoke the guards to take action. As the days passed to weeks, Illith'rielle began to doubt whether these mainlanders would accept her if she told of herself, and grew ever more secretive concerning her appearance; though she vehemently denied belonging to the Drow race. Eventually, she reached her intended destination: Caer Falken Inn.