Opening this second door, they find a lavishly-decorated room. The floor is carpeted with large, plush pillows; curtains hang from the walls and ceiling, and the scents of exotic perfumes fill the air. Dim lighting is provided by flickering lamps. There is a proper entrance on the opposite side of the room from where the characters enter.

Five adolescent elves are laying in the center of the room around a large hookah. Their breathing is slow and labored and their eyes, though open, show few signs of consciousness. They appear to be staring off into space, oblivious to their surroundings.

The elves are pale, even for elves, as if their skin has never been kissed by the sun’s rays. They also appear somewhat emaciated. Each elf wears nothing save for an ornate codpiece of leather and iron, locked to prevent removal, and an iron cuff around one leg with a long chain tethering them to the room.

This is the personal harem of Lastricia Gothaell, a prominent nightblade amongst the Nacrisseans. The elves within have been raised since they were babes, and have no knowledge of their true homes. They are poorly treated and several are near death due to malnutrition.

A few minutes after finding the harem, the characters hear the voices of two people approaching, discussing something in an unfamiliar language. They are, in fact, enemies of Lastricia, coming to retaliate against her by slaughtering her slaves. The PCs would be hard-pressed to free all the slaves before they are discovered.

The two Nacrisseans are not particularly skilled, hence why they are attacking Lastricia’s slaves instead of the nightblade herself, and will surrender as soon as the fight seems to be going against them. Needless to say, they do not wish to be discovered here, and will try to negotiate for their freedom.

The Nacrisseans are forced to shun the light of the sun, living beneath the ground. They forge vast citadels in the darkness, plotting and scheming against those above them. They would never admit it, but they are intensely jealous, above all else, and believe that if they cannot see the sun then no one should.

The male Nacrisseans are tough brutes, and from a young age they are given a tincture to further toughen them and decrease their willpower, making them easily-cowed laborers and shock troops. The females, on the other hand, are strong and capable leaders, mages, and even warriors. They are not nearly as strong as the males, but they more than make up for it with finesse.

Female Nacrisseans wear elaborate clothing emphasizing leather straps and draping cloths. In battle, they use armor and weapons of the finest craftsmanship. The males wear simple smocks or loincloths, and in battle are given rough armor and heavy weapons lacking subtlety and emphasizing raw power. Male Nacrisseans always wear an unusual, chitinous mask, for their feminine masters do not wish to see their deformed faces.

The final curse the Nacrisseans must endure is that of infertility; every male Nacrissean is completely sterile. They raid Elven lands, stealing babies. The females are raised as hand maidens and laborers, while the males are groomed and eventually pressed into servitude in a powerful female’s personal harem.

Needless to say, Nacrissean society is strictly matriarchal. It is also plagued by infighting, which is lucky for the rest of the world. If the Nacrisseans did not spend so much time fighting each other, the power they could muster would truly be frightening. The Nacrisseans, like all elves, have long memories, and they hold grudges. It is not uncommon for an assassination to be ordered in retaliation for a centuries-old slight.

Note: Images of the Wraith from Stargate Atlantis are used in this article. They are copyright of MGM, and I have used them without permission. Please don’t sue me.