The Dark Steeds of Nagarythe
A Dark Steed is an Elven Steed that has been magically-corrupted by the Dark Elves, increasing their speed and savagery to supernatural levels.[1a]
When the armies of Nagarythe invaded the rest of Ulthuan, they captured many of the famous Elven Steeds of Ellyrion. The finest of all Elven horses, these beasts were taken back to Anlec, and there they were bred with the native horses and corrupted with Dark Magic to turn them into black-flanked killers. No longer truly a horse, a Dark Steed can outrun the steeds of the other mortal races, galloping for days without tiring.[1a]
When Malekith was cast out of Ulthuan during the Sundering, many of these steeds were slain, but a few were taken upon the Black Arks. In the dark, chill forests of Naggarond, the Druchii had their slaves cut pastureland for their mounts, and flogged thousands of slaves to death to till the soil to provide food for their prized mounts. The Dark Steeds fed upon the bones and flesh of fallen captives, so that dead slaves were as useful as living ones.[1a]
However, no sooner had the Dark Steeds begun to flourish and their numbers increase than the Cold Ones were discovered in the Underworld Sea and the nobles of Naggarond chose to abandon their old mounts in favour of the new, bestial reptiles of the caves. These days, Dark Steeds are used almost exclusively by Dark Riders to patrol ahead of the army, and by heralds and messengers as they ride from city to city.[1a]
Sources[]
Gallery[]
