Root

This is an Elven clan made up of elves that have left their original houses to seek purpose in life. The clan was formed dedicated to destroying the Xianese, but has since expanded to cover protecting what they believe are elven interests against any outside creatures.

Unlike most houses, which are balanced, Root is mostly focused on information gathering and fighting. There are many elven tales of the shadow warriors that were most likely started by witnesses to their exceptional skill at remaining unseen.

Most elves do not know of the existence of Root. The leaders of the other elven houses do know of its existence, and sometimes work with the leaders of Root. Many of these leaders mistrust this group, as they have a lot more latitude to operate than what would make the other houses comfortable.

It was during the height of the Xianese War and the Elven frontiers were occupied by Xianese solider and the land posioned by alters to their god. Many of the Elven Houses that had survived the Night of Blood collapsed overnight as they no longer had the strength to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the other great houses. While most of the elves choose to merge themselves with another house, so many collapsed that there were many elves left stranded. Because elven society so tightly revolves around one's house and their standing within that house, this left many elves used to the bonding within a house empty. To fill this void many of these elves gathered together and formed a new house.

The creation of a new house is not impossible within elven society, but typically these are first formed as associative houses that fall under the banner of one of the major houses. Instead this new house, called the Dark Slayers, formed up completely on its own to stand against the threat to elven society. So many elves filled its ranks that on size alone it was almost as large as the smallest Great Houses. Further bolstering its strength was that most of its members had kin that took positions within other houses. While elves belong first and foremost to their house, the ties of kinship are still strong enough to open doors and arrange meetings. In a short amount of time the DarkSlayers House went from creation to a major military and political entity.

Once recognized as a elven house, the Dark Slayers marched their hastily gathered army to confront the Xianese army to the south. Their fury in battle was unquenchable, which led to Dark Slayer units quickly known for their ruthless demeanor and battle-skills. Many have attributed their mettle to the fact that their house existed only for the destruction of the Xianese, which allowed their leaders to focus all of their attention on the battle. Most elves agree that because all of the beginning members of the Dark Slayers had already seen their loved ones die they had a great deal to pay back to the Xianese invaders. Whatever the reason, warriors of the Dark Slayer House, still hold a reputation as fierce and loyal fighters against any outside cause that threaten elven society.