The Dark Ones are the origial population of the lands where Eclypse is set. They are currently led by Lady Vaeyen.

The Dark Ones live in the lands known (predictably) as Darklands. These are an intricate complex of jungles, mountains and caves. They are perpetually in half-light, hence the name.

Nobody non-Dark can enter the Darklands without being invited by a Dark One and/or the Lady's permission. If you try, you will have to accept the consequences (which can vary from imprisonment to physical assault).

The Dark Ones can walk freely everywhere, but only at night. Direct sunlight or otherwise direct, bright light is thought to hurt them, though that may be superstition (one the Dark Ones fully agree with). It does cancel their innate powers, however.

Dark Ones can live anywhere - but keep in mind they will not feel comfortable and may be hunted down by Lady Vaeyen's (or whatever leader's) forces. They will be assigned to the Darklands at joining, automatically.

Dark Ones are always original characters (that is, they have no memories/pasts outside of the Darklands - you're welcome to reinvent old characters into the Darklands, but, yeah) or children of Dark Ones already existing in the game. You're free to invent a past for your character, including parents, family, etc., as long as this past is still set in the Darklands.

Since the Dark Ones are supposed to be a highly xenophobic lot, they will not easily or comfortably interact with those not of their cadre. Exceptions, however, do occur and Dark Ones have been sighted increasingly often in the company of foreigners - romances and sexual relationships, however, are still supposed to be rare (I won't control this too much, since it isn't really a big deal and I'm all for the freest playing possible, but keep this in mind when playing your character).

All Dark Ones are born with innate shadow powers Ð that is, they have this power by simple virtue of being from the Darklands race (you can still pursue classes and earn abilities as normal; shadow powers are 'freebies', as to speak). The shadow powers are: invisibility when in a shadowy/dark place, exceptional night vision and 'walking through shadows', that is, teleporting from one shadowy place to another. Being in contact with light cancels these powers. They cannot create darkness or cancel light, however.

Shadow powers can be used in battle, but up to a limit. Since battles usually occur in a well-lit, open plain, it's likely they will never have opportunity to use them - though we never know.

Dark Ones are usually larger than ordinary horses (though not necessarily coldblood-like) and live twice longer than normal horses. They can be as tall as 19 hh, though no taller. Exceptions do occur.

Dark Ones are always black. Eyes can be of any color. Foals born with markings (any markings) are looked down upon and often avoided as 'bad omen'; mothers will feel inclined to abandon or otherwise shun them. The larger/more numerous the markings, the bigger the stigma.

The foal of a Dark One x normal horse has a 25% chance of being born with shadow powers (and only if the child is black, ie., Darkie bred Whitie; Whitie's foal is chestnut Ð automatically, it can't have shadow powers. If Whitie's foal is black, however, it has a 25% chance of being born with shadow powers). I, Dreia, the owner, will decide whether your foal has shadow powers or not by use of a die. You cannot claim shadow powers without my blessings.

A foal of mixed blood with shadow powers is automatically accepted as a member of the Darklands.