The Mithrallim

The core differences between the elven bloodlines are reflected in their favored technologies. High elven families have internalized and mastered the arcane arts, binding magic into their lives and environment. Wild elves, by contrast, work together to cultivate the living world through both mystical and mundane means. The daev have turned their focus toward refinement. Cultivation over ages has become their art.

This focus is best expressed in their metalcrafts. In an artisan’s oath to do no unnecessary harm, they’ve developed cleaner, safer, and smarter ways to glean wealth than others. As they seek out and sing to beckon elementals, they extract pure materials or form unique alloys from the untroubled earth. Their methods even enrich the soil that feels the great roots beneath the Old Wilds. Their methods aren’t a tenth as efficient in pure tonnage as human mining, but for the patient daev, what does this matter? In terms of quality, even the dwarven masters would be wary to challenge them. Also, their goals differ.

This coexistence beneath and behind their brighter cousins have shaped the daev. Careful refinement of a dangerous underworld into something truly precious has framed their perspective into the philosopies that freed them from a troubled past and whispers of a monstrous old religion. Value, they insist, must be wrested gently from the ground. Discipline reaps far greater rewards than selfish eagerness. The daev came to learn patience, and with that knowledge came the Mithrallim - their mercantile guild and kith.

Unlike most kiths, the Mithrallim is joined in adulthood and stands alongside one’s other chosen kith. Even outsiders may be inducted into the Mithrallim, so long as they come to understand the beauty of refinement. The Mithrallim trade the least of their wonders to voracious markets in return for resources to prosecute a war of conquest against the ever-threatening Underdark, to cultivate it into Karabagh - a paradise. The Mithrallim arm Elvenkind against the outsider enemy. The Mithrallim are the greatest supporters of the Ramparts alliance, and were a quiet hand behind the opposition to Savrias’ ascension.

To Elvenkind? They are both shield and spear. To themselves? The Mithrallim are merely gardeners. They cultivate and feed the roots of the world, so that it might grow into its proper shape... as they envision it.

Motto. “What gardener is not cruel to weeds?” This question serves as a bogeyman to those who fear Mithrallim agents. To themselves? It’s a balm to the conscience and a reminder of their true purpose.

Beliefs. The Mithrallim inducts and even adopts agents from all races and regions, equal in service to Elvenkind and to their elderkind of superiors. They are trained and honed to believe:

• Service is strength. From the noble paladin to the meek slave, purpose enriches us all.
• Waste is unforgivable. To do more harm than necessary is to destroy what one should create.
• Joy is the right of all. The Dream ought to be a paradise, yet this is not the Dream we know. Yet.

Goals. The Mithrallim strive to foster a better world for all peoples - not by any means necessary, but by all means that become necessary in time. They aim to sever flawed practices, legacies, and even dynasties as cleanly and as patiently as possible. The mission is joy and peace. Thus, the means matter.

Typical Quests. Quests for the Mithrallim tend to appear as standard adventuring fare on the surface - felling greedy waylords, recovering lost wonders, and purifying tainted places in nature. For those more aware of who they serve, more delicate tasks like assassination or cultivating better regimes are added. Those with crude methods receive no further work - the Mithrallim are patient. Cruelty must be earned.