A bit of background, morph it as you will. just a little something to get the ideas going.
Born to an elven family of traveling merchants, Meng Vunommosus was a perfectly healthy young child. But he was not fortunate, for as he was being born a tree was struck by lightning close to the merchant camp. Taking it as an omen sent by the gods, they discarded the child to the darkness of a nearby cave to die and preserve nature’s peace. If only they had known which gods the message was from they may have never made such a grievous mistake.
For many days the newborn lay in total darkness as thirst crept upon its tiny body. As death neared its still form, a strange occurrence took place. A creature of such power and fear that it had become a mere legend whispered across a campfire happened upon the child. This creature was Xun, the embodiment of deformity. At one time it was worshipped as a god. But such times had crumble into dust, while its immortal form lived on. There came a time when its last follower died, leaving it isolated and alone. A curious and intelligent creature, it set out to discover others like it, beings that it has never before seen. It has been time immortal since, but Xun has failed to find another of its kind. It has given up hope, and sought death. It has failed. Yet, in this small being it sees a possibility. A glimmer of a hope that it can once again reign as a god.
Regarding the weak infant with its three great orbs that most would call eyes, it makes a decision. It reaches out and wraps the infant in silk, as if it were a blanket. It then carries the baby away, deeper into the darkness. It feeds the child, and protects it from the terrors of the deep. It becomes the baby’s caretaker and friend, and in turn the child grows stronger. Yet, there is a price of Xun’s gift, deformation. The baby’s skin turns grey, his eyes red, and his hair white. Even his mind is not left unaffected. His thoughts become violent, and his desire for power grows.
He knows that Xun requires more followers, and he obliges. He captures elven travelers as they pass the many entrances to his domain. Once captured he uses the taint of his very blood to corrupt the elves. They begin to resemble him in appearance. Their minds bend to his will, and that of his caretaker. In time he assembles an army. An army that becomes feared and respected by all who feel its presence. At first there mere rumors of an army of mutant elves attacking small settlements for supplies. But in time the rumors became no more and were replaced by reports of a massive movement of troops. These elves were given the title of Drow, for their dark appearance.
Then came the everlasting war, as the drow marched across the world pillaging and destroying anything that got in their way. Many dark creatures joined their charge and soon the force became large enough that Meng (now none as Meng the Venomous by elves and men alike) set his sights on larger goals. At first he attempted to ally with the elves, the current occupiers of the dwarven civilization, a position they reached by trickery and deceit. He had no love for his former people, but he desired more troops. When they refused he revoked their right to live. Yet, in his diplomacy he found worthy allies. The enslaved dwarves. Their love of the underground and might in battle pleased him. So he formed an alliance, guarantying the dwarves freedom if he took over their kingdom from the weak elves. Distrustful of him, but without access to any other alternative the dwarves agreed.
The war that followed was grand, perhaps even mythical. The elven blood ran deep enough to drown in. Meng proved his ferocity in battle, wielding two battle axes in a flurry of steel and blood. Their were a great many casualties. But in the end Meng achieved his victory by destroying the previous “king” and instating himself. In a show of good faith, he allowed the dwarves to pick seven of their worthiest for a mission to create a new home for the dwarves, one free of the torments of their previous mountain. Though the dwarves do not trust him they allowed for this to be carried out…