A lecture of the Dhe’nar
by Lord Starsnuffer
Silvergate Inn, June 1997
(part 3)
Starsnuffer says, “While history is very important, a Dhe’nar scholar does not waste time brooding over such concepts like good and evil or spend their days asking “why”, but rather they ask “how”.”
Starsnuffer asks, “Now then…are there any questions?
Anlec asks, “m’lord, how can we know ifin we are part of that race?”
Starsnuffer says, “The temple has strict control over the bloodlines. The dhe’nar can trace their lines as far back as the departure. The same way anyone knows what family he belongs to, he is born into it. The priestesses do have ways to test the blood however, and they do so during any apprenticeship.”
Valrissa stands up.
Valrissa says, “The Lord Starsnuffer has stated that the Dhe’nar wish to perfect themselves.”
Valrissa asks, “I ask what is the Dhe’nar concept of perfection?”
Starsnuffer smiles at Valrissa.
Starsnuffer says, “In my opinion, there is no such thing. Noi’sho’rah taught that it is not the goal that defines a man, but the path he takes to reach that goal. It is obvious that the Arkati themselves are not perfect, however, they still strive for control and power…I believe that this constant “striving” for perfection that defines the Way, not the goal itself.”
Starsnuffer says, “I need to add one thing..”
Starsnuffer says, “There are no ‘half” Dhe’nar. We breed only among each other, and the temple must bless each and every birth…on the rare occasion that a child is born who is not pure of blood… well… suffice to say, it does not grow very old.”
Flashstrike says, “You talk of slaves and sacrifices, and alo of trying to be like the Arkati, seeing them as role models, do they have slaves too?”
Starsnuffer chuckles.
Starsnuffer says, “Indeed, they have something worse. It’s commonly known as religion…a horrible thing in which the ignorant are forced to bow to that which they do not understand.”
Starshadow says, “Slaves who do not know they are slaves…”
Starsnuffer says, “I think I’ll add something here…”
Starsnuffer says, “As far as slaves go…”
Starsnuffer says, “About 20,000 years ago, the first dwarven slaves were taken by the Dhe’nar.”
Starsnuffer says, “At first, many of them died trying to escape.”
Starsnuffer says, “The dwarves were smaller and hardier than the Dhe’nar and were put to work in the mines.”
Starsnuffer says, “The undercaverns of Sharath proved to be very fertile in not only the stone, but also a rare metallic substance called rularon. Rularon, when propery forged, makes a very sharp, very durable weapon. These weapons became prized possessions of Dhe’nar warriors. As time passed, the dwarves – exposed to the raw magic of the Dhe’nar magi and priests began to change. Their skin became darker, until after several thousand years it reached its current shade of ebony.”
Starsnuffer says, “The hair and beards of the dwarves few paler, although a few dark dwarves still show recessive genes and have brown, red or even black hair. However the majority of dark dwarves have white or silver hair. In many ways they grew to resemble their Dhe’nar masters and there is some speculation that the meddling of the Priestesses may have some influence on this, and the resemblance can be almost startling.”
Starsnuffer says, “The dark dwarves served the Dhe’nar as slaves for approvimately 15,000 years. At some point, the line between slave and master grew blurry as the Dhe’nar found themselves dependent on the dark dwarves for their armor and weapons. As such, the dark dwarves became less an enslaved race and more of a sub-culture of Dhe’nar society.”
Starsnuffer says, “Currently, dark dwarven artisans and weapon-smiths hold high status in the Dhe’nar. A dark dwarf must still hold to Dhe’nar traditions, including temple approval of their choice of mate and permission before any children are conceived. However, as opposed to other enslaved races, the dark dwarves have homes of their own and are allowed to intermingle almost freely with the Dhe’nar workforce.”
Starsnuffer says, “Dark dwarves are now paid for their work and the highest skilled dark dwarven smith can quickly grow rich, producing weapons for the Dhe’nar warrior caste.”
Starsnuffer says, “It is hardly surprising in light of the radical changes to not only the appearance of the dark dwarves, but also in their social standing, that few if any now try to escape. During the early years of dark dwarven slavery, the fatality rate due to escape attempts was almost staggering. Dark dwarves take very poorly to confinement and perhaps this is now an inbred characteristic. However, once the dark dwarves attained a sub-culture status, they seem content with their lifestyle.”
Starsnuffer says, “To the dark dwarves, they have all they could want.”
Starsnuffer says, “Untold resources of metal to mine, the freedom to produce the highest quality they can and a standing that enables them to build up resources of gold and gems.”
Starsnuffer smiles.
Starsnuffer says, “Perhaps this was a wise move on the part of the Dhe’nar. They took an enslaved race and created a group of hard-working strong, industrious workers that will fight to the death to protect what is theirs.”
Starsnuffer says, “all in all, the dark dwarves are one of the few examples of a subculture that has risen, through its own talents and productivity, from the class of slave to that of valued merchant class. In Dhe’nar society, to harm a dark dwarven artisan is an offense punishable by death.”
Starsnuffer says, “So yes..we do take slaves..we feel we owe the lesser races the gratitude of our guidance.”
Secel says, “M’lord since you are a Dark Elf, how do you know so much about the Dhe’nar? I had understood from your lecture that they keep to themselves.”
Starsnuffer chuckles.
Starsnuffer says, “Because I am Dhe’nar, I was born in Sharath.”
Jylina asks, “m’lord, whom do the Dhe’nar priests and priestesses answer to?”
Starsnuffer says, “The priests and priestesses serve as the ‘police’ of the Dhe’nar. They make sure that customs and rituals are withheld and that the bloodlines remain pure. They have their own ranking system within them and answer to the High Priest and High Priestess.”
Starsnuffer says, “In addition…all Dhe’nar Warlocks are above any laws set in place, and we have our own internal system of governing.”
Starsnuffer says, “The Obsidian Council remains in control of all of this however, maintaining order among the castes.”
Starsnuffer says, “You have to realize…”
Starsnuffer says, “Ever since the fall of Sharath…the Dhe’nar have rediscovered our original teachings…and there is very little struggle among the castes and within our own ranks.”
Starsnuffer says, “We save our energies for our enemies.”
You say, “That’s all the time we have for tonight…”
Starsnuffer says, “It’s late, before I go, I thank you all for attending…and I hope that I have shed some light on our culture, so that you might better understand those of us who have expanded our empire here to the western part of our continent.”
Enegue bows to Starsnuffer.
You say, “The Silvergate first wishes to thank Lord Starsnuffer for generously allowing us to hear about such an interesting and unusual part of our Lands…”
You say, “and of course, to all of you for attending.”
You say, “and of course, to all of you for attending.”
You say, “If you’re interested in more educational opportunities, please look at News 19 for our Fall Schedule.”
You say, “Starsnuffer, thank you.”
(end of part 3)