A lecture of the Dhe’nar
by Lord Starsnuffer
Silvergate Inn, June 1997
(part 2)
Starsnuffer says, “It is with great trepidation that I admit the following…however, if I change my mind, I’ll surely…take back my words.”
Starsnuffer says, “Over time, the Dhe’nar fell victim to the same circumstances that drove them away from the elves so many years ago. The Temple, the Magi, and the Warrior caste began to vie for power internally and the polital treachery that ensued was devastating.”
Starsnuffer says, “In a bold political move, the Priests of the temple proclaimed that they themselves were “gods” and that their wishes were to be followed over all others. Though there were many opposed to this, anyone disagreeing with the temple was brutally sacrificed to set an example for the others, and over time most of the temples opponents were either slain or went into hiding.”
Starsnuffer sighs.
Starsnuffer shakes his head.
Starsnuffer says, “The Temple sealed Shialos du s’karli and the entrance was hidden. To go anywhere near the library would mean certain death at a priests hands.
Starsnuffer says, “It was a horrid…terrible time for us.”
Starsnuffer says, “I warn you now…to bring up this subject to one of us would not be a good way to promote… good health.”
Starsnuffer says, “On one fateful day, the High Priest announced that the Dhe’nar were to be blessed by the heavens. Almost all of the Dhe’nar gathered around the base of the Temple awaiting the celebration. The resulting horror that ensued was predicted 30,000 years earlier by Noi’sho’rah.”
Starsnuffer says, “Screams of fear were quickly quieted when fire fell from the heavens and the earth opened up beneath the feet of the unfaithful. For 50 days and nights, fire rained down upon the jungle of Sharath. A great mountain pierced the heart of the city, destroying everything the Dhe’nar created.”
Starsnuffer says, “..once again, to quote the second part of Noi’sho’rah’s prophesies…”
Starsnuffer recites:
“Those who remain firm in the faith will never need fear retribution. Lose your way and you will feel fire from the heavens. Always though, the way stands open, even for those who have lost it.”
Starsnuffer says, “and once again… the truth was told.”
Starsnuffer says, “Nearly all of the Dhe’nar were destroyed in the cataclysm…the few who survived were the ones hiding from the day’s “festival”, refusing to follow the broken ways of the self-proclaimed “gods”.”
Starsnuffer says, “When the fires finally ended, the survivors emerged from the caverns they were hiding in, to see that a great mountain stood where their city once did, and the jungle around them was still there. Every tree, every shrub, standing as if nothing happened. However upon closer inspection, they found that the jungle was composed entirely of grey-black ash. Ever since, Sharath has been known as the Forest of Ash.”
Starsnuffer says, “And this forest…this ash…this mountain…This became our home.”
Starsnuffer says, “A constant reminder of the price for losing the Way.”
Starsnuffer says, “Within the rubble of the fallen city, the Dhe’nar survivors found the entrance to the Shialos du S’karli. They committed the information in the book to memory, reciting the verses over and over so that they may pass the information down through the generations, that it may never be lost again.”
Starsnuffer says, “Realizing their true heritage once again, the Dhe’nar begin to rebuild. The Great Mountain and the maze of caverns underneath become their home. Because of their small numbers they developed the stealth and merciless raiding parties they are so famous for now. They learned to take slaves to augment the worker caste and the government is restored to power, this time with an Obsidian Council to guide their way.”
Starsnuffer says, “I won’t go into details on the Council..but I will tell you that it is formed of members from each caste, save the worker caste…it keeps the balance among the castes and makes certain that they strive for the same goals, both long term and short term.”
Starsnuffer says, “Under new rule and with renewed vigor and sense of purpose, the Dhe’nar rebuilt our homeland, and grew in power and purpose. To this day, the Dhe’nar remain undefeated in battle and we have never forgotten what Noi’sho’rah taught us, or the promises we make to ourselves each day. We walk with power.”
Starsnuffer says, “The Dhe’nar continue to expand their empire, conquering nearby villages of humans and dwarves and taking prisoners to use as slaves. The Dhe’nar temple ensures that the bloodlines are kept pure by placing restrictions on breeding, making sure that each child is pure and powerful, lest it be sacrificed for the good of the Dhe’nar.”
Starsnuffer says, “So to sum it up…The Dhe’nar view the split of the elves into its 7 separate houses to be the downfall of the elves from the very beginning. To them, unity and the practice of Arkati self-enlightenment are the goals to which everyone must strive to achieve.”
Starsnuffer says, “They believe the bickering and quarreling among the elven houses as petty and refuse to take any part in it or the political games it created.”
Starsnuffer says, “When the Dhe’nar left the elven nation, they left forever, believing the others to have betrayed the Arkati teachings. The Dhe’nar have no emotion of pity for the other elves, nor do they admit that they have anything to do with the elven nation.”
Starsnuffer says, “The legendary Arkati philosopher Noi’sho’rah taught them that the elves are the children of the Arkati, and as a child strives to become as its parents, the Dhe’nar strive to become as the Arkati. They do not view the Arkati so much as gods or celestial beings, but more as role models for what they themselves can achieve.”
Starsnuffer says, “Being that the Dhe’nar believe they can become as powerful as the Arkati, they do not see them as different or better, only more powerful, thus Dhe’nar bow to no god. Their religion is not one of worship; instead it is one of self-preservation, not so much as an individual, but as a race in whole; the ultimate goal being to achieve power over all things.”
Starsnuffer says, “The Dhe’nar have long been hunters, survivalists and warriors. 50,000 years of fighting for survival has taken its tole on the Dhe’nar psyche, however. The Dhe’nar at battle are a gruesome sight. They seem to want to torture and punish their prey, savoring the pain they inflict with each kill.”
Starsnuffer says, “It is a beautiful thing indeed.”
Starsnuffer smiles.
Starsnuffer says, “The Dhe’nar do not believe in the concept of “good” and “evil”. They believe in survival, they believe in power. They hold true to the philosphy, “to be strong is to survive, to be weak is to perish”, however simple survival is not enough for the Dhe’nar, thus they constantly strive to better themselves in their quest for power. This believe is shared with the great Drakes of ancient times, and has long endured the tests of time.”
(end of part 2, part 3 is here)