Eilistraee
The Dark Elven Goddess of Swordplay, Hunting, Song and Dance. Also known as the Dark Maiden and Lady Silverhair, Eilistraee is the sole benevolent member of the Drow Pantheon. When the Drow gods were banished from the council of Elven gods, Eilistraee alone was spared, as she did not participate in her mother Sindrai'el's rebellion. However, she voluntarily left, feeling the responsibility of being a balancing force for good among the Dark Elves. Her self-appointed mission is to save the Drow from themselves, and she dreams of a day when they will leave the confines of the Underground and the Way of Sindrai'el behind, returning to the light of the surface to live in peace and harmony with the other races.
Eilistraee's clergy consists of priestesses of every race in Crystal, though Dark Elves comprise most of her priesthood. Known as Sword Dancers for their rhythmic, graceful fighting style, they live on the surface, generally creating temples in secluded woodlands in reasonable proximity to Underground entrances. Their most sacred mission is acting as a sort of Underground Railroad (no pun intended) for Dark Elves seeking to flee the evils of Sindralese society and live in peace on the surface. The most well-known Eilistraeen temple is the Temple of the Silver Crescent, located near the foot of Mount Ordeals. The Darksong Knights, who operate out of the Silver Crescent, are a band of priestesses and lay soldiers led by Lady Mayandrana Tuin'Tar. They patrol the forests surrounding the mountain, hunting the various undead creatures that wander down the mountain from time to time.
Eilistraee's followers are few; it is no mean thing for a Dark Elf to reject decades of social conditioning. They are hunted mercilessly by the Spider Queen's followers, who view them as self-hating, addle-brained traitors who must be put out of their misery. Inevitably, they must flee to the surface, where they are treated as pariahs by humans and hunted by their Elven cousins. Still, they seek to fulfill their goddess' will, and spread her message of love and reconciliation to all.
