Of all the denizens of Mythoss, the Fae-folk of Xylona’s Flock possess the closest natural connection to the magic of Selyne, the Great Mother. This magic is intrinsically part of all Fae-born, and more than any other beings in Mythoss they understand that magic, like nature itself, cannot be truly contained - not even by death.
In the far northern part of Xylernia, located in a small bay near the kingdom’s border with Leandorr, stands an ancient necropolis in a city called Duskvale. It is here where arguably the most mysterious of the Elven sub-species resides. This is the home of the Ghost Elves.
Named for their pale skin, as well as their charge as the caretakers of the tombs at Duskvale, the Ghost Elves serve a vital function in Xylernian society – as steadfast guardians between the realm of the living and the world of the dead.
It is an accepted principal, long ago proven by the scholars of the Convocation, that the energy of living beings does not dissipate upon their death, but is instead transferred elsewhere. For the mortal species of the Realm, this transference of energy is a harmless aspect of the natural order, but for the Fae-born in whom the chaos and unpredictability of magic so powerfully resides, this transference can lead to unexpected and even monstrous results. This is why any Fae-born whose time has come to an end are brought to the Necropolis at Duskvale. Here their bodies, and the magical energies contained therein, are kept under the watchful guard of the Ghost Elves.
Over the ages, there have been reports of these Fae-born energies somehow escaping from the catacombs of Duskvale and leaking into the Greater Realm. For example, one theory suggests that the legendary Crossroads of Dhú Fiarthrasana and its four “Keepers” are the result of these errant magical forces having escaped into the Realm unchecked. While the Ghost Elves of Duskvale have never confirmed the validity of this story, or even the existence of the mythical Crossroads in question, it is known that in the modern age of the Realm these elves have adopted a specific process for relieving the buildup of these energies and hunting down any of the resulting monstrosities that may escape.
Coinciding with the Feast of the Great Stag, when the rest of Xylernia is engaged in communal feasting and sharing, the Ghost Elves of Duskvale hold their own unique ritual. Opening the doors of the Necropolis, they intentionally allow a small portion of the energies gathered within to escape. These energies often manifest in terrifying ways, and the Ghost Elves have named the creatures that come from the dark shadows of Duskvale the Draugerherdd. These creatures are allowed but a temporary existence, for once they are freed, the Hunt begins.
The Ghostly Hunt, as it is formally called, takes place on the dawn of the Winter Solstice. As the Draugerherdd emerge from the depths of the Necropolis, a small party of Ghost Elves rides forth in pursuit. They are led by the Barrowseer, which is the title given to the head of Duskvale’s Necropolis.
The Hunters purse the Draugerherdd and, once they are captured, those monsters are destroyed and their magical energies returned to the confines of Duskvale. This process serves a very practical purpose in that it allows for a relief of the magical energies contained within the Necropolis, while the resulting Hunt ensures that the magically manifested monstrosities do not make their way into the Realm to do harm to others.
Beyond the practical aspects of the Ghostly Hunt, there is also a deep symbolism to the Ghost Elves’ rituals. At a time when the rest of Xylona’s kingdom gathers to hunt and forage in their efforts to reaffirm a connection to nature and the cycle of the seasons, so too do the Ghost Elves of Duskvale reaffirm the cycle of life and death and the perpetual connection that all beings have with the world which they inhabit.
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Artwork by David Williams.
This story was created as part of the Mythic Legions: The Necropolis at Duskevale figures for LegionsCon 2026. You can also see the figure entries for the Ghost Elves and the Draugerherdd for expanded lore and more details on those characters from this story, or check out the reveal livestream where these characters are discussed in detail.
Published on 07.02.26