- dex +2
 - int +1
 - cha +1
 - con --2

 - 60feet
 - all other abilities as elves.

The L’aelus are the most changed of all the races who fled to the new continent from the old. The changes derive from their abandonment by their previous patron goddess, Lolth. With the removal of the requirement of near constant blood sacrifices the L’aelus have had a resurgence of culture and order after such a long period of chaos. The primary result of the removal of the sacrifices has been a lengthening of the average lifespan of those who now live in the new lands. Previously, few of this race lived longer than two hundred fifty years because if they were not killed by a rival or enemy Lolth would get impatient and claim their souls to feed her eternal hunger. Those who escaped such a fate found their lives extending much longer, reaching nearer four or five hundred years of age before old age claims them. Increased longevity allowed the L’aelus to develop their own culture and art under the forgiving influence of their new patron Ssrigg’nala. L’aelus society fought amongst themselves for a thousand years after their settlement in the new land. The power structur juggled as the priestesses lost their traditional power over life and death and were completely cut off from their divine power. Males managed to regain some measure of status and power during this time, gaining stature and managing to throw off the traditional reigns that Lolth had placed o­n them. The females retained much of their power; the authority of the priestesses became relegated to the heads of the houses that survived the war and subsequent battles for position that followed. With great surprise the L’aelus found that their traditional resistance to the arcane arts had faded along with their support from Lolth, making the battles for position and superiority particularly bloody as magical might was unleashed from any house that had the resources to command it. Eventually the battles of position ended, leaving five main houses in control of the rest of the L’aelus. These five houses formed a council to govern their new home in the Underdark, each o­ne sending a single representative to control their interests in this new council. Most commonly these representatives are the Matrons of their respective houses, though o­n rare occasions others are chosen to represent their house’s interests and o­n very rare occasions the representative sent is a male. The council of five houses makes all laws for the parts of the Underdark they rule over, and often take petitions from others to settle disputes between the more minor houses and businesses. Currently the five houses that control the council are:

The House Renor Velve, a warrior house that prides itself o­n the skill of its fighters. This house provides many of the guards for the other houses, as well as whomever else can afford their services. It is said that anyone with a Renor Velve bodyguard could walk into the hells themselves and walk away unscathed. They currently hold the first spot o­n the council, as their strength of arms replaced the power of the divine for much of the time during the building of their cities in the new lands.

The small house Menvis D’faer holds the second position o­n the council. Unlike many of the other houses almost every single member of this house has the talent to wield magic. This gives them a great amount of power in proportion to their size, and has solidified their position o­n the council. Legend holds that some of this house joined Galdor in the final ritual that took the refugees to their new home, and in payment they were given many books from Benzor’s mystical library. They have also established many schools of magic, which are considered some of the best training facilities available.

The house of Ral’teleth takes the third position o­n the council. The matron of this house has the honor of being the first full priestess of the goddess Ssrigg’nala. This elderly matron nears the end of her days, but still manages to hold parties that are said to make the gods themselves blush with embarrassment. Most of the temples to Ssrigg’nala fall under the control of this house, a duty and task they relish; they use this authority to maintain their position o­n the council.

Fourth o­n the council is a single individual. This mysterious figure appeared out of nowhere and challenged the previous holder of the council seat to a duel of position. A small but rich house named Ma’reth held this seat. The challenge terms specified blades and magic. Surrender was the o­nly way to end the challenge. During the challenge this figure showed a dazzling display of magical and physical skill, laying his opponent low in a matter of minutes, taking the position o­n the council shortly thereafter. Going by the name of Na’dalir, he has since proven to be a formidable force o­n the council and all who have challenged him have failed to dislodge him from the position. House Ma’reth has funded many assassination attempts o­n this individual; all such attempts have failed spectacularly. Most times these attempts have backfired, driving house Ma’reth further from have any chance at regaining their position o­n the council.

The last council seat is reserved for whichever merchant house shows the most profit for a five-year period. This rotating council seat changed quite often in early years as artisan houses and smithing houses jockeyed for position in offering their products to the other races. It has slowly settled, and now the seat changes house as infrequently as every twenty or thirty years now.

As an alternative to bringing conflicts and petty issues to the council the L’aelus have developed a system of challenges and duels to replace the system of assassinations and plots so common in their previous home. These duels settle disputes of all kinds, and are occasionally even used to settle disagreements between council members. In these duels the challenger sets the style of the duel, and the o­ne challenged determines its conditions of satisfaction. These duels can take many forms; duels of swords, sorcery, art, and intellect all can be used as terms of the duel. Just as varied are the lengths that participants will go to settle them. Though first blood or surrender are the most common goals of most, duels to the death still occur. Such duels are infrequent as they are frowned upon in current times. These duels are held in either private or public arenas, and duels between well-known participants often become festival days in themselves. Many spectators from above and below the earth flock to these arenas to watch the duels and participate in such spectacles. Unfortunately these duels have not completely eliminated the plotting and back-hall manipulations of the various houses. Spies and assassins still ply their trade among the L’aelus though their actions have been forced to become more discreet.

Otherwise the L’aelus have become a society of craftsmen and artisans. They perform very little hard labor, choosing instead to import raw materials from other sources, particularly the dwarf clans for their metals and crystals and the gnomes for the more exotic components. The artwork produced by the best L’aelus craftsmen is considered exemplary. Kings and lords alike have spent exorbitant amounts of gold and effort to acquire these premier pieces. L’aelus blacksmiths are often considered as much artisans as craftsmen. Their weapons and armor show intricate and delicate elegance. Despite their delicate construction these pieces are remarkably sturdy, though many of their mystical properties weaken significantly in the light above ground. The L’aelus have taken their patron goddess’s teachings to heart; they savor their life of leisure, using the income gained from their craftsmanship and artwork in order to buy more extravagant lifestyles. Therefore, the L’aelus are the race that consumes the most; they import anything that will make their lives more pleasurable.

Slavery still is a part of L’aelus culture, though the days of raiding other races for slaves have long since passed. Slavery is now most often relegated to punishment for criminals. The slaves provide most of the menial labor that is necessary to keep the cities of the L’aelus functioning properly. Criminal slaves have no rights, and many are either worked to death or end up being sold to owners that give little thought to their well-being. Two other forms of indentured servitude also exist. Any free person can voluntarily enter a slave contract to either the city or a specific individual. These contracts usually are set for a specific period of time and give marginal rights to the person entering the contract. Specifically the contracts prevent abuse or death at the hands of their owners; though the guidelines for ‘abuse’ are ill defined and o­nly the death of the slave will cause an investigation. Despite this many view these contracts as a viable way of living their lives. Those that are unable to afford the expenses of living o­n their own find contracts of indentured servitude particularly attractive. The owners are obliged to provide food and lodging, and at the end of a contract the person will often walk away with enough money to start their lives over, if they choose. The third category of slaves is the gladiator. These individuals enter into slavery contracts in order to receive martial training from established schools. These contracts last for as long as necessary to pay off the costs of the training they receive. Some gladiators remain slaves for most of their lives, others pay off their contracts with few fights, depending entirely o­n how much money they make during their service.