Legends of Belariath

Dark Elf Houses

House Kalik`sorbequith

The entire peninsula section of Elginnaft, the Third City of the Dark Elf. Arguably the richest area per square foot of the city, it is also known as the most dangerous. There have been sightings of demons, dragonkin, undead vampires, and worse in that area of the city. However, House Kalik`sorbequith calls it home.

All of the other Houses say they are welcome to that section. They are the only known House whom actively entice such potential threats into their borders so openly of the Major Dark Elf Houses in any city. Surprisingly, the mortality rate of that area is lower than any other inside the city.

Does the word "terrifyingly" work to show you how many riches this one House have? If it does not, imagine being able to construct a golem of solid brass for every major entrance, and then have one of pure gold to loom before the antechamber of the Matron's own personal quarters. (one easily sees the golem is anatomically correct... if not a little disproportionate.)

House Kalik`sorbequith owns two of the most lucrative guildhalls in all of Elginnaft. As well, they are the premier gamblers throughout five of the thirteen known cities of the Dark Elf. Losing large and winning huge are part of their weekly routine at some places - both above and below ground. Their coffers are regularly stacked with the gold and gemstones of other, garnished from those unlucky fools completely legally.

This House has no immediate plans for the future. Being at the pinnacle of Dark Elf society has its advantages, but it also bears its own perils. Namely, the other four Archrival Houses within Elginnaft. Each of the other four Archrival Houses hold a piece of this House's fate in their hands. If they ever thought to scheme as one, that would mean the fall of House Kalik`sorbequith as a whole.

Of course, that would mean whole Houses of Dark Elf giving up ages-old enmities, grievances, and bitterness. The level of truth, faith, and dedication to such a purpose is quite beyond the Dark Elf race as a whole - unless under duress. This is as it should be, for though small in numbers, the Dark Elves are great in power. House Kalik`sorbequith depends on this naturally chaotic state to survive and thrive, especially as their plans on influencing the surface world continue to grow and prosper.

Primary Deities

Kirva, Orbilharn, Elghinalee

Those three deities cover all the House stands for. Their worship is loosely done, but fervent. None of the deities whom gaze upon the souls of House Kalik`sorbequith feels they are being slighted by their servants. Of course, they could always do more for their deities, but such is the way of all mortals.

Artifacts and Relics

The dark elves of Kalik`sorbequith are not known for going without when it comes to magic or weaponry. Having had over one thousand straight years of prosperity, they have spent much time making acquisitions of items of great influence. They have constructed some rather devious little trinkets of their own, most of them not in forms people regularly look for...

Erut`Nevda

This is a magical necklace, given to the Matron Mother's favored male. Ensuring his loyalty, the necklace binds his will to hers, making him essentially a slave to the Matron's convictions. The necklace does grant him the ability to act as a level 15 mage or cleric, whichever he is not. The necklace also bestows upon him an extra 30 Life, which leaves the moment the necklace is removed from his person.

Grairc-Perau`dhim

This innocent looking pair of bracelets is in the possession of the head of the priestesses of Elghinalee for House Kalik`sorbequith. They show up around the wrists of whoever is next to serve Elghinalee. They are made of ivory, ebony, and cold electrum shells. They have no apparent chain to link them, but they cannot be severed or broken. The bracelets give the priestess to ability to invoke the various spells: Maelstrom of the Soul, Darkness Of NeverLight, Summon The Fury. They also cast all their other spells at +10 Int and their Sta cost is halved.

Slippers of Valeskha Ulrika

These soft boots are sewn together using the sinew of umber hulks and the tanned hides of perilshriek bats. Over four hundred years old, the permanency spells cast upon this pair of boots are awesome, to say the least. The boots, first created and worn by

Valeskha Ulrika, can bestow on to the wearer a bonus of +15 to the following statistics: Agi, Str, Res, and Sta. As well, they allow the wearer to run at twice the speed of whatever is chasing them... or they are chasing. They must be fed the blood of a sentient being once per week, or they cease to work until they are satiated.

Web-gown of Silken Despair

A dress woven from the silks of giant worms and drider webbing. Enchanted thrice, then weaved through with threads of various metals and fibers of traitor's bane, it is a nightmarish item only used by those assassins of House Kalik`sorbequith against hard to reach opponents. Taking the form of a giant spider of their choice, the web-gown's possessor casts off their physical form to strike at the very soul of their victims. All the assassin's powers and skills are transferred into their soul-body, giving them the upper hand on most people. (Not many carry magical weapons or have mystical protection against intangible foes.) No man may ever use this garment, and it desires the lust of others to survive and thrive. Many slaves end up being raped while this is worn by the assassin before and after the mission.

Matron

The most recent Dark Elf elder priestess to hold this title is Vari Esidyroi. Slaying her aunt in time honored fashion during a raid on another Dark Elf House in another city, Vari holds her House in a slim-fingered iron grip. Cunning and cold, she uses Elghinnaft like a chessboard, with her House members as the pieces. None whom come in her presence do so willingly, other than her sex slave guardian golem, whose "soul" is actually a minotaur she personally mind wiped then thrust into the body of the golden statue.