The Origins of the Dark Elves
The history of the Dark Elves begins after the catastrophic defeat of Shilen. Cast out and transformed into the Goddess of Darkness and Destruction, Shilen was abandoned by most elves, who turned their worship toward Eva, the new Goddess of Water.
Not all elves accepted this change.
A faction of elves living within the Dark Forest remained loyal to Shilen. Known for their darker skin and unwavering faith, these elves secretly continued worshiping their fallen goddess and dreamed of restoring her glory. They built underground sanctuaries, including the Temple of Shilen and ceremonial altars where rituals and celebrations were held in her honor.
Over time, the true origins of the elven race were erased from official history. Ancient texts known as the Revelations of Kaisha preserved the forgotten truth, but those who attempted to translate or spread these writings were branded heretics and persecuted.
The Forbidden Alliance with Desperion
For centuries, the loyal followers of Shilen sought a way to reclaim justice for their goddess.
Their opportunity arrived through Desperion, a brilliant former disciple of Hardin. Fascinated by forbidden magic and frustrated by the limitations of a human lifespan, Desperion sought the secret of elven longevity.
He proposed a bargain: the elves would reveal their secrets of long life, and in return he would teach them powerful dark magic.
The exiled elves accepted.
To house this knowledge, they constructed the School of Dark Arts, a vast underground academy dedicated to Shilen. There, Desperion taught spells that had long been forbidden, granting his students power that rivaled that of their Light Elf kin.
The Corruption of Dark Magic
The price of this power was steep.
As the elves embraced dark magic, they gradually lost their connection to the ancient elemental powers of water and light. Their minds and souls became increasingly consumed by darkness.
They conducted dangerous experiments on animals and plants, creating stronger and more aggressive creatures. Necromancy, curses, demon summoning, and other forbidden arts became commonplace.
With their newfound strength, the balance of power shifted, and war between the two elven factions erupted once again.
Betrayal and the Birth of the Dark Elves
Desperion ultimately betrayed his allies.
Sharing his knowledge with the opposing elves, he helped spark an even greater conflict. During the war, both sides unleashed terrifying magical forces and resurrected fallen warriors to continue fighting.
The followers of Shilen responded with a devastating spell that nearly annihilated the enemy army. Yet as the Light Elves died, they unleashed a powerful curse upon their rivals.
The curse transformed the exiled elves forever.
Their skin darkened, sunlight became unbearable, and dark magic became both their greatest strength and their eternal burden. From that moment forward, they became a new race: the Dark Elves.
Life in Exile
Driven underground, the Dark Elves established new settlements within vast cave systems.
The Temple of Shilen became their center of learning and worship. During this period, experiments continued, leading to the creation of new creatures and servants adapted to life beneath the surface.
Despite their exile, the Dark Elves never abandoned their dream of reclaiming their homeland.
The Second Great War
Conflict with the Light Elves soon reignited.
This war became far more brutal than any before it, evolving into a struggle between light and darkness where the line between good and evil became increasingly blurred.
Powerful human mages from the Ivory Tower intervened on behalf of the Light Elves. During the fighting, the Dark Elf ruler Mitrael was sealed away through powerful magic.
Without their leader, the Dark Elves suffered devastating losses.
To preserve their society, authority was transferred to four Tetrarchs who would guide the race in Mitrael’s absence.
Demons, Blood Magic, and Dark Rituals
Unable to fight openly during daylight, the Dark Elves turned to increasingly dangerous rituals.
They created corrupted guardians from fallen warriors and transformed captured magical beings into terrifying new creatures. Blood Fairies, cursed treants, and other monstrous servants emerged from these experiments.
Seeking even greater power, the Tetrarchs forged pacts with powerful demons. These agreements weakened the effects of the ancient curse and eventually allowed the Dark Elves to reclaim portions of the Dark Forest.
However, every victory came at a cost.
The Battle of Elven Fortress
The final and bloodiest conflict occurred at the Elven Fortress near Lake Iris.
As the battle raged, desperate Dark Elf summoners called upon powerful demons from the underworld. The summoned creatures quickly spiraled out of control, slaughtering warriors from both sides without distinction.
The fortress was devastated.
Demons roamed its halls, rivers of blood flowed through its chambers, and countless soldiers perished. The destruction was so severe that neither side could continue the war.
Exhausted by centuries of conflict, the Light Elves and Dark Elves finally agreed to peace.
Neutral territories were established, and for the first time in generations, the forests fell silent.
The Legacy of the Dark Elves
Although peace was achieved, the scars of war remain visible throughout the world.
The ruined School of Dark Arts still radiates dark power. Elven Fortress stands as a reminder of the horrors of war, haunted by undead and lingering demonic forces.
Meanwhile, the Dark Elves continue searching for a way to free Mitrael from his magical prison. Ancient scrolls discovered in the northern lands may hold the key to breaking the seal.
Yet many among the Dark Elves believe the struggle is not truly over. Secret followers of Shilen still exist, and some whisper that preparations are already underway for a final holy war that could once again reshape the fate of the world.
Conclusion
The story of the Dark Elves is one of unwavering faith, betrayal, sacrifice, and survival. Their transformation from devoted followers of Shilen into a cursed race forged by dark magic remains one of the most compelling chapters in Lineage II lore, revealing how loyalty to a fallen goddess changed the destiny of an entire people forever.
