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[[The Arak]] are the race that once inhabited the [[domain]] of [[Arak]] and now inhabit the [[Shadow Rift]]. Note that, as originally imagined in [[Realm of Terror | [[The Arak]] are the race that once inhabited the [[domain]] of [[Arak]]<ref name="Servants of Darkness p. 59">[[Servants of Darkness]] p. 59</ref> and now inhabit the [[Shadow Rift]].<ref name="The Shadow Rift p. 125">[[The Shadow Rift (Module) p. 125"> Note that, as originally imagined in [[Realm of Terror]] [[black box]]ed set [[source]], the [[drow]] were the inhabitants of Arak.<ref>[[Realm of Terror]] p. 61</ref> After the Ravenloft designers determined the drow were unsuitable for such an inclusion in the setting, the Arak were created as replacements. The Arak were introduced in the [[Servants of Darkness]] and [[The Shadow Rift (Module)|the Shadow Rift]] [[module]]s<ref>Comments made by [[David Wise]] on the Kargatane Reviews Page of the Red Box, archived at [https://web.archive.org/web/20030812235153/http://kargatane.com/sotk/reviews/rcs.shtml the Internet Archive</ref> Sources postdating these modules carried over the inclusion of the Arak over the drow.<ref>Given that these two modules were written fairly late in the life of [[2nd Edition]], most of the sources that mention the Arak are [[3rd Edition]] sources, such as [[Denizens of Darkness/[[Denizens of Dread]], [[Ravenloft Gazetteer V]], and [[Van Richten's Guide to the Shadow Fey (Book)]].</ref> The change from drow to Arak is explained in character as humans mistaking some Arak for drow<ref name="The Shadow Rift p. 125">TSR p. 125</ref> due to the [[corruption]] of several Arak by the [[Cult of the Spider Queen]]. Such [[corrupted]] fey begin to physically resemble drow. | ||
Despite replacing the drow as the inhabitants of Arak and the Shadow Rift, the Arak are neither [[humanoid]]s with the [[elf]] [[subtype]] nor are all [[evil]]. Rather, the Arak are [[fey]], divided into numerous "Breeds" that shape their abilities and general alignments. The origins of the Arak lie in the [[Plane of Shadow]] | Despite replacing the drow as the inhabitants of Arak and the Shadow Rift, the Arak are neither [[humanoid]]s with the [[elf]] [[subtype]] nor are all [[evil]]. Rather, the Arak are [[fey]], divided into numerous "Breeds" that shape their abilities and general alignments. The origins of the Arak lie in some unknown world , and they became what they are today due to events in the [[Plane of Shadow]]<ref name="Denizens of Dread p. 22">[[Denizens of Dread]] p. 22</ref> | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Also called [[shadow fey]] for their association with that plane, the Arak's origins are not natural. [[Gwydion]], an [[ancient]] [[fiend]] of [[god]]-like power lodged within the Shahdow Plane, ferried away their [[ellefolk]] [[ancestor]]s and made them his race of [[thrall]]s many eons ago. Gwydion imbued them with the power of darkness, transforming them into the Shadow Fey.<ref name="Gaz V 114-115">Gaz V p. 151-152</ref> After they were [[liberated]] by their now-late [[leader]] [[Arak the Erlking]], the shadow fey adopted Arak as the name of all their kind in his honor. | Also variously called [[shadow fey]]<ref name="Denizens of Dread p. 22">Denizens of Dread p. 22</ref> or [[shadow elves]]<ref name="The Shadow Rift p. 122</ref> for their association with that plane, the Arak's origins are not natural. [[Gwydion]], an [[ancient]] [[fiend]] of [[god]]-like power lodged within the Shahdow Plane, ferried away their [[ellefolk]] [[ancestor]]s and made them his race of [[thrall]]s many eons ago. Gwydion imbued them with the power of darkness, transforming them into the Shadow Fey.<ref name="Gaz V 114-115">Gaz V p. 151-152</ref> After they were [[liberated]] by their now-late [[leader]] [[Arak the Erlking]], the shadow fey adopted Arak as the name of all their kind in his honor.<ref name="Gaz V 106-107">Gaz V p. 106-107</ref> | ||
Despite being all technically part of the same race, the Arak are divided into several different kinds of Breeds. There are [[Nine Breeds|nine major breeds]], along with several [[Lesser Breeds]] that are much fewer and more specialized in nature. Breed is not in[[heir]]ited but rather | Despite being all technically part of the same race, the Arak are divided into several different kinds of Breeds. There are [[Nine Breeds|nine major breeds]], along with several [[Lesser Breeds]] that are much fewer and more specialized in nature. Breed is not in[[heir]]ited but rather outgrowths of their personalities.<ref name="Denizens of Dread p. 22">Denizens of Dread p. 22</ref> Each breed has its own role within Arak society. | ||
The [[Nine Breeds]] comprise the political leadership of Arak society. They are split into two [[court]]s, the [[Seelie Court]] and the [[Unseelie Court]] Led by [[Queen Maeve]], the Seelie Court is generally comprised of [[shee]],[[Alven]], and [[portune]]. Led by [[Prince Loht]], the Unseelie Court is generally comprised of [[sith]], [[muryan]]s, [[teg]], and [[powrie]]. Whereas the Unseelie Court's intentions towards [[humanoid]]s are definitely [[evil]] and exploitative, the Seelie Court's intentions are fairly benign but dismissive and amoral, thus not being entirely [[good]]. [[Fir]] may belong to either court.<ref name="Gaz V 114-115">Gaz V p. 114-115</ref> | The [[Nine Breeds]] comprise the political leadership of Arak society. They are split into two [[court]]s, the [[Seelie Court]] and the [[Unseelie Court]] Led by [[Queen Maeve]], the Seelie Court is generally comprised of [[shee]],[[Alven]], and [[portune]]. Led by [[Prince Loht]], the Unseelie Court is generally comprised of [[sith]], [[muryan]]s, [[teg]], and [[powrie]]. Whereas the Unseelie Court's intentions towards [[humanoid]]s are definitely [[evil]] and exploitative, the Seelie Court's intentions are fairly benign but dismissive and amoral, thus not being entirely [[good]]. [[Fir]] may belong to either court.<ref name="Gaz V 114-115">Gaz V p. 114-115</ref> | ||
==Society== | ==Society== | ||
The Arak live in a strange society marked by distorted caricatures of [[human]] civilization marked by haphazard blends of cultural practices and fashions. With a few exceptions, their lives are shaped by the avoidance of [[boredom]] and the pursuit of pleasure rather than mortal, [[biology|biological]] concerns.<ref name="Gaz V 109">Gaz V p. 109</ref> | The Arak live in a strange society marked by distorted caricatures of [[human]] civilization marked by haphazard blends of cultural practices and fashions. With a few exceptions, their lives are shaped by the avoidance of [[boredom]] and the pursuit of pleasure rather than mortal, [[biology|biological]] concerns. The pursuit of a trade, occupation, or even [[character]] [[class]] is an outgrowth of a particular shadow fey's interests<ref name="Gaz V 109">Gaz V p. 109</ref> | ||
Unlike most of the human societies of Ravenloft, Arak society is steeped in [[magic]]. Most if not all are [[innate racial spellcaster|natural spellcasters]]. As such, magic is seen as a natural part of everyday life.<ref name="Gaz V 109">Gaz V p. 109</ref> | Unlike most of the human societies of Ravenloft, Arak society is steeped in [[magic]]. Most if not all are [[innate racial spellcaster|natural spellcasters]]. As such, magic is seen as a natural part of everyday life.<ref name="Gaz V 109">Gaz V p. 109</ref> | ||
Conversely, true faith is much less natural among the fey than among humans, and thereby Arak society is not religious in the same sense of human religion. Individual shadow fey may become followers (and [[divine spellcaster]]s) of varying deities, but this service is more of a pleasurable hobby rather than true [[devotion]].<ref name="Gaz V 110">Gaz V p. 110</ref> The Church of the Spider Queen was perhaps one notable, and altogether horrific, exception to the Arak avoidance of organized religion. its vile rites and corrupting nature, even among the Arak, have made it the only religion almost universally hated among the shadow fey living in the Rift today. | Conversely, true faith (aside from reverence for nature, as for example in the case of [[druid]]s) is much less natural among the fey than among humans, and thereby Arak society is not religious in the same sense of human religion. Individual shadow fey may become followers (and [[divine spellcaster]]s) of varying deities, but this service is more of a pleasurable hobby rather than true [[devotion]].<ref name="Gaz V 110">Gaz V p. 110</ref> The Church of the Spider Queen was perhaps one notable, and altogether horrific, exception to the Arak avoidance of organized religion. its vile rites and corrupting nature, even among the Arak, have made it the only religion almost universally hated among the shadow fey living in the Rift today.<ref name="Gaz V 110">Gaz V p. 110</ref> | ||
==Law== | ==Law== | ||
The Arak that reside within the Shadow Rift exist in a multi-tiered, vaguely [[hereditary aristocracy]] sort of social structure. The Two Courts politically govern the Arak, alternating rule over the [[Malachite Palace]]. | The Arak that reside within the Shadow Rift exist in a multi-tiered, vaguely [[hereditary aristocracy]] sort of social structure. The Two Courts politically govern the Arak, alternating rule over the [[Malachite Palace]].<ref name="Gaz V 113">Gaz V p. 113</ref> | ||
Few [[law]]s are applied or obeyed all of the time, but Loht and Maeve dominate their own courts in their own ways. Bolstered by a complex code of social nuances, Maeve governed essentially as a highly beloved and even venerated celebrity figure, rapidly exchanging favors and shaming or otherwise psychologically punishing those whom transgress her. By contrast, Loht's rule is more ordered but also more tyrannical. His [[:category:Whip (Unseelie Court)|whips]], a title unique to the Unseelie Court, help drive obedience and steadfastness into his subjects. | Few [[law]]s are applied or obeyed all of the time, but Loht and Maeve dominate their own courts in their own ways. Bolstered by a complex code of social nuances, Maeve governed essentially as a highly beloved and even venerated celebrity figure, rapidly exchanging favors and shaming or otherwise psychologically punishing those whom transgress her. By contrast, Loht's rule is more ordered but also more tyrannical. His [[:category:Whip (Unseelie Court)|whips]], a title unique to the Unseelie Court, help drive obedience and steadfastness into his subjects.<ref name="Gaz V 114">Gaz V p. 114-115</ref> | ||
===The [[Law of Arak]]=== | ===The [[Law of Arak]]=== | ||
Revision as of 16:58, 27 November 2016
 |
This section contains canon info from officially published sources |
The Arak are the race that once inhabited the domain of Arak[1] and now inhabit the Shadow Rift.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag After the Ravenloft designers determined the drow were unsuitable for such an inclusion in the setting, the Arak were created as replacements. The Arak were introduced in the Servants of Darkness and the Shadow Rift modules[2] Sources postdating these modules carried over the inclusion of the Arak over the drow.[3] The change from drow to Arak is explained in character as humans mistaking some Arak for drow[4] due to the corruption of several Arak by the Cult of the Spider Queen. Such corrupted fey begin to physically resemble drow.
Despite replacing the drow as the inhabitants of Arak and the Shadow Rift, the Arak are neither humanoids with the elf subtype nor are all evil. Rather, the Arak are fey, divided into numerous "Breeds" that shape their abilities and general alignments. The origins of the Arak lie in some unknown world , and they became what they are today due to events in the Plane of Shadow[5]
Overview
Also variously called shadow fey[5] or shadow elvesCite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag After they were liberated by their now-late leader Arak the Erlking, the shadow fey adopted Arak as the name of all their kind in his honor.[6]
Despite being all technically part of the same race, the Arak are divided into several different kinds of Breeds. There are nine major breeds, along with several Lesser Breeds that are much fewer and more specialized in nature. Breed is not inheirited but rather outgrowths of their personalities.[5] Each breed has its own role within Arak society.
The Nine Breeds comprise the political leadership of Arak society. They are split into two courts, the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court Led by Queen Maeve, the Seelie Court is generally comprised of shee,Alven, and portune. Led by Prince Loht, the Unseelie Court is generally comprised of sith, muryans, teg, and powrie. Whereas the Unseelie Court's intentions towards humanoids are definitely evil and exploitative, the Seelie Court's intentions are fairly benign but dismissive and amoral, thus not being entirely good. Fir may belong to either court.[7]
Society
The Arak live in a strange society marked by distorted caricatures of human civilization marked by haphazard blends of cultural practices and fashions. With a few exceptions, their lives are shaped by the avoidance of boredom and the pursuit of pleasure rather than mortal, biological concerns. The pursuit of a trade, occupation, or even character class is an outgrowth of a particular shadow fey's interests[8]
Unlike most of the human societies of Ravenloft, Arak society is steeped in magic. Most if not all are natural spellcasters. As such, magic is seen as a natural part of everyday life.[8]
Conversely, true faith (aside from reverence for nature, as for example in the case of druids) is much less natural among the fey than among humans, and thereby Arak society is not religious in the same sense of human religion. Individual shadow fey may become followers (and divine spellcasters) of varying deities, but this service is more of a pleasurable hobby rather than true devotion.[9] The Church of the Spider Queen was perhaps one notable, and altogether horrific, exception to the Arak avoidance of organized religion. its vile rites and corrupting nature, even among the Arak, have made it the only religion almost universally hated among the shadow fey living in the Rift today.[9]
Law
The Arak that reside within the Shadow Rift exist in a multi-tiered, vaguely hereditary aristocracy sort of social structure. The Two Courts politically govern the Arak, alternating rule over the Malachite Palace.[10]
Few laws are applied or obeyed all of the time, but Loht and Maeve dominate their own courts in their own ways. Bolstered by a complex code of social nuances, Maeve governed essentially as a highly beloved and even venerated celebrity figure, rapidly exchanging favors and shaming or otherwise psychologically punishing those whom transgress her. By contrast, Loht's rule is more ordered but also more tyrannical. His whips, a title unique to the Unseelie Court, help drive obedience and steadfastness into his subjects.[11]
The Law of Arak
Set by Arak the Erlking, the Law of Arak is the only law that the entirety of the Arak obey: a shadow elf shall never cause the death of another shadow fey. If one of the Arak is found guilty of breaking this law, the offender is utter abandoned by the rest of their kind, whom will never interact with the offender again. This punishment is called the Shunning. This law has been broken only once in the past 5,000 years, by Loht in orchestrating the murder of Tristessa, with Jozell taking the blame and therefore the punishment.[12]
Alias
Arak
The Arak
Sneeuane Feallagh
The Sneeuane Feallagh
Gossomar Folk
The Gossomar Folk
Fey
The Fey
Shadow Fey
The Shadow Fey
Shadow Elves
The Shadow Elves
Dark Elves
The Dark Elves
Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue
|
|
|
|
The Shadow Rift - p123, 141 | |
|
The Shadow Rift - p123, 141 | |
|
Arak |
- ↑ Servants of Darkness p. 59
- ↑ Comments made by David Wise on the Kargatane Reviews Page of the Red Box, archived at [https://web.archive.org/web/20030812235153/http://kargatane.com/sotk/reviews/rcs.shtml the Internet Archive
- ↑ Given that these two modules were written fairly late in the life of 2nd Edition, most of the sources that mention the Arak are 3rd Edition sources, such as [[Denizens of Darkness/Denizens of Dread, Ravenloft Gazetteer V, and Van Richten's Guide to the Shadow Fey (Book).
- ↑ TSR p. 125
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Denizens of Dread p. 22 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "Denizens of Dread p. 22" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Denizens of Dread p. 22" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Gaz V p. 106-107
- ↑ Gaz V p. 114-115
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gaz V p. 109
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Gaz V p. 110
- ↑ Gaz V p. 113
- ↑ Gaz V p. 114-115
- ↑ Gazetteer V p. 114
Subcategories
This category has the following 36 subcategories, out of 36 total.
A
B
- Bane (Fey Vulnerability) (3 P)
- Black Mithral (3 P)
- Breathstealer (1 P)
C
F
- Faerie Drink (1 P)
- Fey Priest (2 P)
G
- Gwytune (1 P)
H
- Half-Fey (Arak) (empty)
- Huldrow (empty)
L
M
N
P
- Prince of the Arak (1 P)
R
- Regalia of Arak (9 P)
S
T
- The Umbra (creature) (empty)
U
V
- Vilay (empty)
W
- Waff (empty)
- Widderìbhinn (3 P)
Z
- Zelldrow (1 P)
Pages in category "The Arak"
The following 60 pages are in this category, out of 60 total.
