What is the shadow, and just what hides beneath its blanket? Who would live in a world that is surrounded by this shadow, and all the evil that is involved? with it? How could a race of living beings survive in a land so evil, that nothing good dares to enter?

A race does live there, and these who survive learn to control the evil that surrounds them. This race, known as Dark Elves, have survived centuries, learning just how to master and wield the power given to them by the shadows and by the evil that controls the shadows. These dark elves lived as one, but then separated into their own forces, or more commonly known as classes. There are the Warriors, a fierce group of both males and females that take pride in killing. They are the ones that make sure their land is safe from the good that tires to enter.

Then there are the Wizards, the Magicians, and the Enchanters. They are the ones that learn the art of controlling elements, enchantment and wizardry, that help the warriors in their tasks. The Wizards, as they grow powerful, learn the art of transporting between lands, with just the words of a spell. The more powerful they become, the more they can take with them, or even sends others to their destination with out them going along. The Magicians learn the art of controlling the elements to help them in their fights. They become the masters of the fire, earth, air, and water. They are the summoner of critters, and mystical things. The Enchanters, learn the fine arts of enchantment. They learn how to cast spells to have another do their bidding for them. The take what ever is needed, and have it help in their cause to kill.

The dark race even has one that has always fought on the side of good under their control, the Cleric. The Clerics were known for helping the good ride the lands of the evil. But even the most virtuous one can be swayed to the dark. The Clerics have joined with the Dark Elves in their fight to rid the land of good, but they, some believe, are just hiding, and learning secrets, that they will one day use agents those that have raised them.

The Rogues, the thieves of the night. What better place to learn the art of thievery then in the most evil city? What better place to learn to sneak, and hide, then with others who have it mastered? They have learn their craft with wondrous hopes, and praises.

Then last there is the most evil of classes, working side by side with each other to master not only the evil but the dead. The Shadow Knight, the true warrior of the evil that has shaped their lives. With armor foraged from the very evil that created them, with weapons blessed by the dead. They stand tall with their dark pride. They learn as they become stronger with every battle. They are the half-breeds, but one of the most dangerous of classes. They have the strength of the Warriors, but the intelligence of the Necromancer. Ah, the Necromancer. The one who calls forth the dead, the one who has it rise from its eternal sleep, to have it again aid in their eternal fight. The Necromancer, that trains with the Shadow Knights, and teaches them how to work the magic given to them. The Necromancer, with spells, that can last the length of a battle, ones that slowly take the life from the enemy and give it to them. Spells that boil others blood, and spell that take lives suddenly.

All these elves live in a city surrounded by evil, surrounded by the shadow, surrounded by the very fear that grips at others hearts. Their beautiful city hidden from the world under a mountain, hidden in a forest of evil critters. The entrance of the city, guarded by guards, opens out into the forest, a forest so dense with trees and mountains, and vallies, that the sun is never seen. The sun has never looked down upon these elves, as they travel the forest. And at night, the trees hide them well from the moon, which is the sun's watcher while it sleeps. So hidden are these Elves, that for centuries some never knew they existed, some thought them only to be tells told to them to keep them good. Those who have tried to find the city, or even dared to enter the forest, were never heard from. The forest so over run with evil, that the wolves and bears, attack. So filled with evil, skeletons run lose.

But not all can keep from trying to find the city, and the elves that rule it. Some try to enter, but are stopped by the guards that watch the entrance. If those who are able, and ready, and are forced to meet the match of strength, can some times win a battle or two, giving them more time to live, and wander and explore the forest. There are those who have to enter the forest, which goes by the name of Nektulos. There are those, that need what is on the other side.

Even some of the Dark Elves, as they grow stronger, will one day venture out into the other lands. They are the strong ones, the ones that have trained, and worked with their gifts, and have mastered what they are to do. They are the ones that go out, and search for the good, and try to conquer it. They are the ones that thought they had learned it all, and they are the ones that are learning all over again. Some are the ones that enjoy killing, and have ran out of things to kill in the forest, or have grown bored with them. They are the ones that kept a secret in their hearts, and are out looking for the good, not to rule or destroy, but to embrace and ask forgiveness.

Some are the ones that want to remind the good that it had not won the fight, and that they are still there, growing stronger. Those are the ones that turn into nighttime stories, and are seen in the shadows, as they watch and wait. But what ever their reason, the Dark Elves, are beginning to venture out of the forest that once kept them safe. They have grown and have learned, and do not remember. They seek knowledge, or adventure. After centuries of not seeing the sun or moon, they are preparing themselves to feel the warmth, and the chill. They are beginning their adventure into the wide open space and various lands that make up Norrath.