As the Corrupted forces of the Ancients overwhelmed much of the continent of Khal (later to become Breakhal and Darkhal), many of the humans and elves that dwelled on those lands sought refuge beneath the earth. The humans evolved to become the Schek (Dwarves) and Gnomes, while the elves became the Dark Elves. Initially, most Dark Elves remained within the dwarven citadels, where even in the current age there is typically a dark elf district, but now the dark elves have many subterranean settlements, even cities, of their own. Dark Elves are not inherently evil, and generally live peacefully with their dwarven neighbors, but they typically take on the view that the end justifies the means in pursuit of defeating an enemy, an attitude that can occasionally make their allies uncomfortable.