Editing Shadow Elf (section)

==Schattenalfen==
Deeper than even the shadow elves normally go lies the [[Hollow World]] of [[Mystara]]; a secondary planet on the interior surface of the planet, lit by a crimson sun that never sets. Here resides the Schattenalfen; a splinter group of shadow elves still loyal to the dark Immortal [[Atzanteotl]]. Their history stems to the time when the shadow elves retreated from the surface back into the catacombs, after elves in Glantri accidentally detonated a nuclear device left over from [[Blackmoor]]; a number of these foolish elves survived, fled into the catacombs, and were adopted into the shadow elf society, taking the clan name "Schattenalfen" (which is just "Shadow Elves" in German). When [[Atzanteotl]] corrupted many of the shadow elves to his worship, it was amongst these "adopted" shadow elves and their descendants that his worship prospered, and he ultimately divided the clan into two groups; one settled the ultimately doomed city of Aengmor, whilst the other, he turned towards the depths.

In their explorations, the shadow elves had learned of the [[Hollow World]], although they did not understand its mysteries. Under the guidance of their dark patron, the schattenalfen clan forcefully colonized a mountainous region of the interior, despite their negative reaction to the sun's light and their failed attempt to conquer the [[Kogolor]]s. Now, the schattenalfen pursue a lifestyle of constant guerrilla warfare against the Azcans, whom they wrongfully believe have stolen their culture and twisted it to their own ends, whilst intermittently and reluctantly trading with other races. Though they are dimly aware of the existence of their shadow elf relatives some where in the caverns "underground", they have forgotten the way back to the City of Stars; the two races haven't spoken for over two thousand years.

Schattenalfen culture is a weird blend of shadow elf and Azcan elements. Though most of their culture is clearly shadow elf, they do not worship [[Rafiel]]; only [[Atzanteotl]] is honored, and as such they pursue vengeance as a holy sacrament - this doesn't require hasty attacks or formal duels; [[Atzanteotl]] teaches that slow, thoughtful, carefully planned vengeance is the sweetest of all. Likewise, their building styles and decorations are clearly Azcan in nature. They practice equality of the sexes, although inheritance is based on matrilinear traditions; authority ultimately rests with an Elf-King and an Elf-Queen. They do not mine soul crystals like shadow elves do, and don't believe these crystals to hold unborn shadow elf souls. They do not possess shamans (indeed, the Mark of Rafiel doesn't appear amongst schattenalfen at all, although they still suffer the deformities that leave one in five of their offspring resembling [[orc]]s or [[goblinoid]]s, who are abandoned), and in fact they are generally less magical than their underworld-dwelling kinsfolk; like all denizens of the Hollow World, the Spell of Preservation stifles magical talent amongst their race.

Schattenalfen, like shadow elves, are extremely pale-colored; albino white skin, pure white to pale steel-gray hair, ice-blue, gray, light green or yellow eyes. However, schattenalfen are even more adapted for a lightless existence than their shadow elf relatives are; they burn in agonizing pain when exposed to sunlight, which can kill them, and they suffer a race-wide affliction of agoraphobia; they are so used to living in enclosed environments that an open sky fills them with deep, subconscious dread. Why they are so mutated is unclear - it may be a side-effect of their prolonged worship of [[Atzanteotl]]. It's also a litttle contradictory as to whether all sunlight hurts them, or just the red sun of the Hollow World. Whatever the reason, the schattenalfen can never live outside of the cave again, at least not without the aid of total body-concealing garments. There's a reason that the standard schattenalfen attire is dark, heavy, long-sleeved tunics, long trousers, knee-high soft boots, gloves, and broad-hooded cloaks.

What makes things worse is that schattenalfen culture constantly torments them by making them yearn for the surface. Rather than accepting the world they have and striving to embrace it, their culture continues to push them to aspire to reclaim the brightly lit surface world of their ancestors. Schattenalfen are bitter creatures, full of self-loathing for their own inability to be what their ancestors were, and hatefully resentful of other races which lack their physical limitations. Just the way [[Atzanteotl]] likes them to be.

Playing a schattenalfen is possible, but only Basic D&D stats exist for them. Due to being members of a [[Hollow World]] race, PC schattenalfen can't use the standard [[Elf]] racial class unless they have a minimum of 16 [[Intelligence]]; otherwise, they have to use the Warrior-Elf variant class introduced in the Hollow World. Unlike shadow elves, there are no schattenalfen shamans. They do have a unique racial trait; a schattenalfen not wearing an entire body-covering suit of heavy, dark clothing will take 1 hit point of damage per hour they are exposed to sunlight. They are restricted to the following cultural arms & armor, and must take the Caving skill and at least one professional or labor skill.
::Cultural Melee Weapons: Hand Axe, Dagger, Short/Broad/Two-Handed/Bastard Sword, Mace, Club, Staff, Pole Arm, Spear, Javelin, Lance, Net, Whip
::Cultural Missile Weapons: Light and Heavy Crossbow, Longbow, Shortbow, Sling
::Cultural Armor: Leather, Scale Mail, Chain Mail, Banded Mail, Plate Mail, Suit Armor Shield (not Horned/Knife/Sword/Tusked)
::Banned Armor: Barding