Darklings, also known as dark ones & Darkfey, were a lineage of fey that suffered a curse from the Summer Queen, forever doomed to absorb light and to suffer rapid aging from exposure to it. The absorbed light over the lifetime of a darkling was explosively released at the time of its death, destroying its body and much of its surroundings.
Biology
Darklings & Darkling Elders actually appear quite different from one another while being of the same race. Darklings are recognizable by their short height, wretched forms with wrinkly faces and large pointed noses in addition to cloven hooves.
It was possible for the most experienced Darklings to undertake a ritual in order to become elders. The ritual consisted of applying glowing tattoos over its body, therefore releasing some of the accumulated light. If unsuccessful, the ritual was fatal. Otherwise, it resulted in a darkling elder: a taller and fairer beautiful form recognizable as a grey-skinned elf. This ritual might be communal, or the Darkling could receive assistance from hags.
Society
Due to their curse, most Darklings dwelt in caves or underground. Under cities, they typically worked as thieves or assassins. Despite this curse, however, Darklings retained their love for beauty, and sometimes risked watching a sunset or occasionally using light to appreciate the colors in a piece of art.
Darklings greatly value preparation and beauty. They also value a person's merit, their society being a Meritocracy.
Due to the dangers of the Feydark, Darkling Elders rely on Moodmark Paint to communicate due to their struggle to yell or scream.
Sex
They remain fey, making sex a novel and curious down time to do - but ideas on physical "beauty" is... questionable. It is a luxury of the elders, while everyone else is repulsed by their own Fomorian physique... Body dysmorphia hits Darklings hard - especially since there's always that reality in Darkling history they're not supposed to be the way they are physically.
The use of light and mushroom potions allow some to "dream" together wherein they might have sex mentally until the time they either earn the right or are brave enough to give the ritual a try.
Racial Perceptions
Darklings & Vampires are often enemies, and rarely allies or even frenemies. To people who aren't knowledgeable on Vampires, Darkling Elders may be confused with vampires. The second vampires set up shop & start taking people, people go after Darkling Elders (unwittingly) as well as Vampires. Vampires can hide & 'look normal,' but Darkling Elders cannot; the ignorant will go after the creepy people who can't tolerate sunlight and are pale as death.
Darkling Names
Darklings have a given name, but if they become an elder, their name is extended into a longer form to match their new status in Darkling society. All Darklings use the family name "Dubh Catha" in memory of their first kin that fell from grace.
Male Names: Bran, Cor, Dòm, Fal, Fin
Female Names: Eimir, Mor, Gran, Cea, Bree
Elder Male Names: Brandubh, Coireall, Dòmhnallan, Failbhe, Fionghan
Elder Female Names: Eamhhair, Mòrag, Gràinne, Ceanag, Brianag
History
It was told in legends that a seelie fey, whose real name had been erased from history, betrayed the Summer Queen. In her wrath, she cursed them and their entire house. They became known in those stories as "Cunning Crow". Their descendants, and those of their house, were then known as the dubh sith, or "Darklings".