The Secret History of the Drow

As related by Artemoff

In the Beginning

        "In the beginning, the world was made new. The world and sky were dark, as the sun and moon were not yet made. Before the Makers closed the doors of Heaven, they allowed the Fey to descend into the sleeping fields and forests."

        "The Fey were like the Makers, bright of spirit. Their eyes lit up the darkness, and plants sprang to life beneath their step. The Fey were not shapers, the Titans had long since returned to their forges and workshops in Heaven and deep beneath the earth. The Fey were guides and helpers. They awoke the animals and plants and named them. They taught the lords of fang and flower the secret language of the Makers. The world bloomed in the dark, and the Fey spread far and wide wandering where they willed, the animal lords gamboling behind them."
 

The Awakening of the Elves

        "The Makers saw the work of the Fey, and were pleased. In secret, they had fashioned their children, the elves, in Heaven. They placed the sleeping lords and ladies where the Fey would find them."

        "The Fey did find the sleeping elves. They were amazed at these beautiful children of the Makers. They woke them and taught them their secrets. They treated the elves as if they were their own children. Like children they were, the world was new to them. Unlike the Fey, the elves were clad in bodies made of mortal flesh. They aged and died, only to be reborn without the memory of their former selves. The elves were the first-born, the world was given to them by the Makers. They spoke the language of the Fey and emulated them in every way. They thought of the Fey as their parents, and revered them. The elves spread far and wide, forming clans and kingdoms now long-forgotten. They acted as lords of the earth, subject only to the Fey, who claimed ownership of nothing. The first seeds of pride began to sprout."

The Coming of the Stars, the Moon and Belaiden

        "The Makers saw the elves acting like lords of the earth, and were troubled. With all the world as their garden, they saw the elves squabbling over territory and imagined slights. They decided to send the elves a sign. The stars were placed in the sky, illuminating the dark world for the first time."

        "The elves were awed at the sudden change in the sky. They marveled at the cold serene beauty of the stars. But their pride remained in them. They saw constellations in the sky, and named them after themselves and events in their lives. They claimed dominion over the stars."

        "The Makers were troubled. They sought to reveal themselves gently to their first children. One of the Makers, Meness, had long watched the elves. A great love for these children grew in her heart. She offered to reveal herself to the children."

        "Meness appeared in the eastern sky and rose high over the kingdoms of the elves. The elves at first were terrified of the growing light, and of the great white orb hanging in the sky. Many fled, or hid themselves. The splendor of Meness was revealed to the elves, and she came to them, and taught them of the Makers."

        "The elves came to love Meness, above all the other Makers. Some elves, though never overcame their fear of Meness, and never recovered from their loss of pride. The World was not theirs, they discovered, they were but children of the true owners. A bitter chill grew in their hearts that would remain. Some resented the light, and remained in dark places away from the sight of Meness."

        "The elven nations grew to their greatest strength. They became wise, taught by the Fey and by Meness. It was at this time that a traveler first appeared. He came bearing gifts. The elves named him Belaiden, "The Maker of Fair Things." Belaiden was very wise, he taught the elves new crafts and secrets involving metal, stone and gems. He was free with his knowledge and his gifts. The lords and ladies came to love him, and clamored for his patronage."

The Coming of the Dwarves and the Doom of the Silmaril

        "Belaiden brought with him his servants, the Naugrim or "stunted ones." The elves
wondered at these creatures. Like elves they were, in the sense that they had minds and were made of crude mortal flesh. They were short and ugly, always serious and spoke in a rough tongue. Yet they wore gems and jewelry of a kind that exceeded the elve's knowledge. The Naugrim were created by Belaiden, so he said, to aid him in his great works. They, like their master, were wise in crafts. Unlike their master, who laughed and was bright, they were somber and dark."

        "The lords and ladies sought Belaiden's attentions, for he taught them skills and provided baubles of great beauty. He began to request payment for his services, and as the demands grew, so did the price. The lords and ladies began to come into Belaiden's debt, they became greedy for his knowledge. Even the Fey were deceived by Belaiden's wit and cunning. They too, began to covet the treasures of Belaiden and the Naugrim. Some elves, those who secretly shunned Meness, sought knowledge of another kind, one not known by anyone in the World. They sought to learn weaponcrafting, which Belaiden and his servants taught, at a price."

        "Eventually, the elves began to resent Belaiden. Their pride began to blind them. They were the first-born, were they not? The World had been created for them, was it not? Who were these Naugrim, who dared to withhold skills from them? How could they be in debt to inferior beings? They were entitled to the work and skills of Belaiden and his servants. Surely, they must possess treasures and riches beyond even the greatest elf lord. In secret, armories were filled, and dark designs laid."

        "The elves came to learn of the Silmaril, the perfect stone. A treasure of Belaiden's creation surpassing anything ever made, or that could ever be made in the future. The elves were now groaning under the increased debt to Belaiden. Many were now nothing but his servants, and huge realms in the World had been conveyed to him. The pride of the elves grew too great, and they amassed a great host, unveiling armor and weapons long hidden in secret vaults. The host marched on Belaiden's forge."

        "The elves would be shattered forever."

The Silmaril, the Fall, the Scattering of the Drow, the Coming of the Sun

        "The elves marched on the forge in a strength never seen before in the World. Many
Fey, also blinded by greed, joined the host but most sought to turn the elves away. Their counsel was ignored, and the host assailed the gates of the forge."

        "The Naugrim issued in great numbers. Belaiden was no fool, he had not taught all of his skills. The weapons of his slaves cut through the best mail of the elves, the elves' weapons were turned again and again by the mithril shirts of the Naugrim."

        "But the elves had magic, taught to them by the Fey. And they had members of the Fey themselves at their side. Great enchantments were wrought and the World shook with the force of the battle."

        "Belaiden himself emerged. He was terrifying to see. He was dressed in impenetrable armor, bearing a great spear whose blade burned with fire. He hefted a great black shield of adamantium. Upon his brow, the Silmaril burned."

        "Seeing the Silmaril, all of the host, even the dwarves, were awed. Nothing so beautiful had ever been seen before, or would be seen again. With a great shout, the elves and Fey redoubled their efforts. The Naugrim were charged again and again."

        "Suddenly, there was a great rumbling in the earth. A great power entered the field. A Maker left the forge. It was Govannan, the Shaper of Things. Belaiden was but his servant, and a villanous one at that. It was by Govannan's hand that the Silmaril had been forged. It was by Govannan's hand that the Naugrim drew breath. The Silmaril was rightfully his."

        "The Naugrim, the Elves and the Fey all quailed before the Maker. "Give the Silmaril to me," he said, "It is not for this world." For a moment, Belaiden wavered. His love for Govannan and the Naugrim could be seen. But the gleam of the Silmaril and his greed for it, were greater. "Never," he shouted, and assailed his lord. The Naugrim, too, turned against their father, fearing the Silmaril would be taken. Even the elves and the Fey, to their dishonor, laid claim to the Silmaril and charged the Maker."

        "Govannan smote the earth. In a single blow, all parties were stricken and fell before him. He raised his hammer again. With a last, sad glance at his children, he shattered the ground. All were cast down into the World."

        "The host was scattered in the fall. Those who survived found themselves in ruin. Never would they attain the greatness they had known. Some immediately regrouped and sought to find Belaiden, for he and the Silmaril had also fallen."

        "Those among the fallen who still held the marvel of the stars and the beauty of Meness in their hearts, counseled against the search. Already, the search for the Silmaril had created evil and violence in the World. What if it were found, they asked. Would not the ruin continue? Let it be lost forever."

        "But there were those among the elves who saw only the Silmaril. They had forgotten the stars and Meness. They saw only their own greatness as they marched on the forge, the Silmaril a vision in their eyes urging them on. Their belief that the World was theres had never left them. Perhaps they believe that they could undo their ruin by finding the stone."

        "No one knows, for they left in search of the Silmaril, scattered across the World in their desperate search, leaving their brethren behind. They are called the Drow, "the lost," for they were never seen again."

        "The Makers were greatly saddened by their children's action. They set the sun in the sky to cast out the shadows and darkness, and to remind the elves of their pride and folly. Men came west following the Sun, and the elves endure its light as penance for their sin."