DM Gray's Lords of Azathyr (Inactive)

Game Master Graynore

Malak never faltered on his duty, signing up early for scouting missions and even insinuating himself on a surface raid way before his years. On that raid he made a mistake he'll never forgive himself. Growing up on drow society, children are taught that surface elves are soft, weak little runts worthy only of a blade between their ribs. Thus, it was a big surprise for a young drow fighter to find a skilled swordsman among the pathetic treehuggers. The elf's counterattack took him by surprise, scratching his cheekbone and missing an eye by an inch. Malak barely survived and couldn't even see his enemy's retreat.

Returning to the underground, he was beaten up and mocked for his misgivings. After that he pushed himself even harder, scouting for extended periods of time and training swordplay techniques whenever he was forced to return to town.

Exile came as no surprise for Malak. On the contrary, he was ready and welcoming it, finding that the outside enemy approaching is easier to deal with than the insidious backstabber hiding beneath a pleasant smile.

Malak lives for the battle (including the mental battle of outsmarting his enemies). He doesn't actively enjoy the act of killing like some of his siblings (preferring the exhilaration of triumph over a worthy foe), but views it as a natural consequence for losing. Although he understands the need of torture to extract information, he views it as a job for another person (and sees torture for its own sake as an affectation bordering on weakness).

Not if he can help it.

He learned when the rest fought with one another. He questioned when t he rest only obeyed. He tampered with what the rest took for granted. To Alak-Ar, life, society, power- These were all to be examined, to be understood. He learned early on that those older do not necessarily know more, or even know what was correct. To him, the Drow were a puzzle, for they declared their superiority over all, yet used the talents and skills of their slaves whenever possible. They claimed self-determination, but worshipped demons. They proclaimed family above all, whiles slaying sibling. Paradox upon paradox.

But one thing was always clear- Power was required to obtain anything in life. Power would obtain you knowledge, the source of understanding. And knowledge would give a man power. Alak-Ar understood this simple but potent cycle. And so while his brothers would sharpen their blades and plot, as his sisters would be blessed by the patron and master their arts, Alak-Ar studied, and learned. He opened up creatures, tested truths, and experimented upon himself. And came to the realization that alone, he could never obtain the power he needed to survive within this world.

The matriarch saw him as a threat. An anomaly, a rebel, harnessing powers that they did not understood. He was a male trying to reach for heights they had denied. So, he learned a talent very few Drow ever seek.

He learned to ask for help. And he learned how to give it. He offered his services, particularly to his siblings. Learned to elegantly invade the minds of his fellow Drows, and convince them of his visions, or his purpose, and especially his usefulness. He became trader first, and knowledge seeker second. For he had not the power alone to survive. But by providing his skills, creating poisons for their blades, salves for their wounds, contacts for their goals...Which of his siblings would dare want to kill him?

They'd lose too much themselves. And so he became the brother rarely loved, but always of service. For a price, of course.

Alak-Ar views Drow traditions with skepticism. Why limit yourself to the past? Why use only a select amount of resources at your disposal when you can use them all? While he makes no discredit to Drow superiority, he disagrees that they have nothing to learn. Demons granted their clerics power. Devils gave them much of alchemy. The Dwarves knew stone better than they. The gnomes, how to use the earth as a weapon. Why ignore their talents, and indulge only in their own? No. Alak-Ar sees this as a foolish notion. He does not only express this, however, but instead subtly encourages his siblings to look beyond the old ways and explore new possibilities, new tactics, new tools in which to conquer. Thus is Arak-Ar's ways. He knows himself to be smarter than his siblings, but not as powerful. And so, he influences, subtly and careful securing an eternal position of power amongst his brothers. He is the first. And he shall be the last.

Kyric is very loyal to his family, but otherwise seeks only his own selfish interests. He takes great pleasure in a clean kill.