A master leading Naggaroth to war
Dark Elf masters are the nobles of Dark Elven society.
Role
Those Dark Elf nobles that manage to survive to adulthood are sent on a year-long raiding expedition. Dark Elves abhor weakness of any sort, so those youths that fail to make their mark during this time do not endure long thereafter. Some are slain by ambitious rivals; others are murdered by their own families, who can neither tolerate nor risk a weakling's presence. Should the stripling acquit himself well during this rite of passage, he begins his ascent through Naggarothi society.[1a]
However, this is a ladder with very greasy rungs, and more nobles perish in the climb than ever reach the heady heights of becoming a dreadlord. To alleviate the understandable paranoia engendered by the Dark Elves' treacherous society, a rigid code of etiquette has evolved. The lowborn classes may not approach within three sword lengths of a noble without being summoned. A retainer may stand as close as two sword lengths whilst a trusted retainer, such as a bodyguard, may stand just outside a single sword's length. The closest, most intimate space is reserved for lovers, playthings and mortal foes (the latter being far more trustworthy within reach than not).[1a]
Indiscretions
When it comes to Malekith, it is often pointless to look through past acts of weakness or sins of treason. If the Witch King wants to find them, he will, no matter how blameless a life a master or dreadlord leads. In truth, the Naggarothi system is set up so that no one can lead an entirely blameless life. If you did not criticise the king, you criticised his enemies in the Cult of Khaine, only to discover a decade later that those enemies were now trusted allies once more and your criticism of them could be construed as treason.[2a]
It is better to keep your mouth shut and say nothing at all, but what Druchii can do that? There are so many parties, so many public festivals at which drunkenness is not only expected, but practically mandatory, as was narcotic indulgence.[2a]
And after all, if you were sober what was it you were trying to hide? And once you were drunk, tongues always wag. In private gatherings, with friends, under the warming influence of the black grape, people can suddenly feel compelled to speak things better left unsaid. And ears are always listening. No matter how small the group, how trusted the friends, there is always someone who sees some way of gaining an advantage from an indiscretion.[2a]