TEXT: Paths  
  of 
  Spite
  the 
  by Luke Crane, Bob Doherty, Radosław Drozdalski, Thor Olavsrud and Peter Tierney.
  Art by Erica Henderson and Rebecca Spyder Bennington.
  © 2005 Luke Crane
  
  Valandil’s Story
  by Richard Douek
  A bitter wind lashed the trees mercilessly, and the creaking of their bare 
  boughs were the only sounds in Valandil’s ears, save for the soft crunch of 
  the frosted ground beneath the horses’ hooves. All the color had gone out of 
  forest and sky, and it seemed to Valandil that the entire world was as the 
  forest was now—all the color and beauty of his homeland was painted on 
  by fanciful children who thought the trappings of beauty and happiness were 
  tantamount to the real thing.
  “This place is cursed.” whispered Miellin. His comment drew mumurs of assent 
  from the Elves. Valandil motioned for quiet. The hair on his neck bristled, and 
  his ears strained to hear what was carried on the wind.
  It began as a whisper, a high, reedy rasp that seemed to rustle with the trees, 
  half syllables and shadow words, but soon the voice rang high and clear from 
  all around him. He set his teeth, and ran a reassuring hand through Skeros’ 
  mane. The horse swayed uneasily.
  The voice filled his ears, singing of ages gone by, of battles lost, and battles won, 
  hatred and sorrowful war, and bitter, lonely peace. Valandil’s mind wandered 
  back, back through the ages of his life. Despite his resolve, he saw scores of 
  brutish men cut down by his hand, blind to the consequences their actions 
  brought, throwing their lives away in a futile grab for what they thought 
  power was.  He saw his father donning his armor, smiling as he rode to battle. 
  He saw his face as dusk fell that same day, cold and lifeless, the cursed dagger 
  still lodged in his breast.
  The host grew uneasy, as remembrance swept across them all like rain. Even 
  the horses shuddered with emotion, growing more stubborn with each step, 
  until at last they refused to take another.
  The Elves dismounted and continued on foot, up and up the rock strewn path, 
  to the high hill where a great, twisted oak towered like a gallows. The song 
  grew louder as they approached, and the bitter smell of ash reached their 
  nostrils.
  As they reached the crest, arrows were nocked, yet none dared loose them; 
  swords were bared, but hung listlessly in the slackened grips of their bearers.
  The crone was there... bent low over a sputtering fire that rose and fell with 
  her voice. 
  
  She looked up, and spoke Valandil’s name with a black-toothed grin. It took 
  Valandil a moment to realize the song had not ended. His name was but a 
  lyric, a part of the song since the beginning of time. He saw his father again. 
  Cold and lifeless. He saw the dagger. An ugly thing, heavy and black. An orc’s 
  blade. Or was it? Did it not gleam in the sunlight? Was it not fine and slender, 
  gleaming silver, with an emerald set in the hilt? 
  As if reading his thoughts, the crone sang of it now. She knew it’s name, she 
  knew the hand that held it. Valandil realized that he knew it, too. He turned 
  to face Miellin.
  “Show me your knife, old friend.” Valandil said, his words choked with bile.
  “My prince,” Miellin began, “This is no time for...’
  “You serve me, Miellin!” Valandil thundered, “As you served my father before 
  me! You were with him that black day! Alone with him! Now show me the 
  blade!”
  “I served your father, yes.” Miellin retorted, “And he would weep to have such 
  a fool for a son! A son that has let the entire kingdom come to ruin! Even 
  now our enemies surround us, and you are here, in the middle of nowhere, 
  chasing a ghost story!”
  “Enemies without, enemies within!” Valandil growled, “The story is real... she 
  stands before us.”
  “With you too much of a coward to strike her down.” Miellin spat.
  For a long while, the song was drowned out by shouts of rage and the clash 
  of steel. It took but a moment for Valandil and Miellin’s clash to spread to the 
  rest of the host, some taking the part of their prince, others stood with his 
  lieutenant. The base of the hill was drenched in blood, the forest resounded 
  with screams, until at last Valandil stood alone, Miellin’s ravaged body at his 
  feet. He sent his servant’s head rolling down the hill with a swift kick, and 
  bent to examine the dagger. It was not the blade he was expecting to find. 
  His eyes burned with tears of rage at the sound of the Crone’s laughter. He 
  whirled about and advanced on her, fully intent on silencing her.
  “Hold, my prince.” the crone hissed. “Of all the creatures in this pathetic world, 
  would you now slay the only one who will not condemn you for your deeds?”
  Valandil’s sword inched lower, and his pace slowed.
  “You cannot now return to your kingdom,” the crone continued, “Nor can you 
  flee beyond it, for your enemies now surround your lands.”
  
  Valandil glanced quickly into her eyes, and the crone shook with peals of 
  laughter.
  “Pass into the west?” she cackled, “They would turn you away, kinslayer.”
  Kinslayer. The very word hit Valandil like a hammer. His sword clattered to 
  the earth, and he sank to his knees shaking with sobs.
  “It is not so bad as that.” the crone said, “You did only what was natural.”
  “I... betrayed them.” Valandil croaked.
  “They betrayed you!” the crone shouted, “Fools and cowards to the last. To take 
  up arms against their prince... despicable. Should they not give their heads 
  willingly if you so asked?”
  “They...” Valandil gasped.
  “And your father, did they not betray him by allowing him to fall?” the crone 
  said, her voice falling to a whisper.
  “I...yes.” Valandil sighed, “They should have protected him with their lives. That 
  was their pledge.”
  “Then did they not receive a just reward for such base betrayal?” hissed the 
  crone, her black lips curling in a sharp grin.
  “Yes.” Valandil nodded, his tears drying in the heat of the fire, “But there are 
  others who deserve as much. Even I deserve as much.”
  “In time, my prince, in time.” the crone said sweetly. “You shall pay them all 
  back in kind, even the accursed gods that gave you life. For now, warm yourself 
  by my fire, and listen to the true nature of the world...”
  Valandil sheathed his sword and took his place by the fire. The crone’s voice 
  droned on, and as the last rays of sunlight faded beyond the horizon, so 
  too did the last vestiges of grief, remorse and nobility fade from Valandil’s 
  heart, until his chest was filled not with warmth, but with a cold burning 
  knot. And on this pain he swore to make pay every soul who drove him to this 
  abyss, everyone who ever grieved with him shall now learn the folly of their 
  pathetic lives!
  
  Valandil, the Lost Prince
  Lifepaths: Born Etharch, Attendant, Second, Sword Singer, Prince, Griever
  Age: 278
  Stats: Pe: B6 Wi: B6 Ag: B6 Sp: B5 Po: B5 Fo: B5
  Attributes: Ref B5, Ste B7, Hea, B5, MW B10, Hesitation 4, Spite: B6
  Circles: B4  Resources: B1
  Skills: Elven script B4, Etiquette B6, Ride B6, Sword B6, Song of Bonding B3, 
  Bow B6, Mounted Combat Training, Song of the Sword B6, Song of Lordship 
  B5, Voice of Ages B5, Lament of Mourning B4, Lay of the Horse B4, Song of 
  Songs B5, Mending B4, Lullaby to Sorrow B4, Dark Elf-wise B4
  Gear: Remote refuge, Elven Arms (sword and knife), traveling clothes, Elven 
  Chainmail, cloak of darkness
  Traits: Etharchal, Fêa, Calm Demeanor, Prince of the Blood, World Weary, 
  Cool-Headed, Spite
  Beliefs: All who betrayed me, I will betray in turn. Vengeance is an end unto 
  itself. There is nothing in this world that is worth compassion.
  Instincts: Toy with them before moving in for the kill. When cornered, go 
  aggressive. When walking among my people, conceal my spite (so that I may 
  accomplish my ends!)
  
  The Path of Spite
  Dark Elves 
  The Path of Spite is walked by those Elves who have turned their 
  Grief and sorrow into Spite and bitterness. These dark souls see 
  the world as coming to nothing but ruin and wreckage. There is no 
  good left in it for them, nor will there be for anyone else in the end. 
  Individual Choice
  It is worth noting, that these Dark Elves follow neither archetype 
  of extant Dark Elves—they are not those who have never seen 
  the light, nor are they underground dwelling, spider-worshipping 
  sorcerers. 
  These are individuals who have made a choice and believe in it with 
  the utmost conviction. Having turned away from the mourning  and 
  sadness, they have focused on rage, hatred and malice. To them 
  such a transformation is a natural evolution of an eternal life lived 
  in an endlessly decaying world.
  Leads to Spite
  To make things fun, any Elf lifepath may take a Lead into the Paths 
  of Spite. Once here, you may never go back, though. GMs have full 
  authority to limit this at their perogative. 
  Playing a Dark Elf requires sanction from the GM and the other 
  players. No sneaky, fun-ruining ass-ass-ins unless everyone’s in on it.
  Special Requirement
  All Dark Elf lifepaths require Griever.
  Paths of Spite Sub-Setting 
  Lifepath 
  Time Res 
  Stat 
  Lead 
  Griever 
  3 yrs 
  — 
  — 
  —
  Skills: 3 pts: Lullaby to Sorrow§, Dark Elf-wise 
  Traits: 1 pt: Spite
  Wastrel  
  25 yrs  
  3 
  —  
  —
  Skills: 6 pts: Scavenging, Brawling, Forest-wise, Wasteland-wise, 
  Animal-wise
  Traits: 2 pts: Filthy, Feral 
  6
  
  7
  The Path of Spite
  Elven Lifepaths Sub-Setting
  Thief 
  18 yrs 
  6 
  +1 M/P 
  —
  Skills: 6 pts: Lock Pick, Stealthy, Climbing, Escape Artist (page 223, 
  Monbu), Dirge of Night§
  Traits: 1 pt: Thief
  Murderer 
  15 yrs 
  6  
  +1 P  
  —
  Skills: 7 pts: Intimidation, Poisons, Knives, Bow, Garrote, Dirge of Terror§
  Traits: 1 pt: Murderous, Callous, Cold-Blooded
  Stalker 
  20 yrs  
   8 
  — 
  —
  Skills: 8 pts: Hunting, Tracking, Trapper, Observation, Stealthy, Throwing, 
  Javelin, Supplication to Shadows§ 
  Traits: 1 pt: Saturnine 
  Deceiver 
  35 yrs  
  10  
  +1 M  
  —
  Skills: 7 pts: Sleight of Hand, Disguise, Inconspicuous, Rhyme of the Unraveller§ 
  Traits: 1 pt: Deceptive  
  Twister 
  25 yrs  
  8  
  +1 M  
  —
  Skills: 6 pts: Falsehood, Soothing Platitudes, Persuasion, The Twisted Tongue§ 
  Traits: 1 pt: Compulsive Liar  
  Siren1 
  55 yrs 
  20 
  +1 M/P 
  —
  Skills: 9 pts: Seduction, Etiquette, Persuasion, Soothing Platitudes, 
  Gossip-wise, Sow of Discord§, Litany of Fools§
  Traits: 2 pts: Charismatic, Femme Fatale
  Eremite2 
  150 yrs 
  15 
  +1 M 
  Servant to the Dark
  Skills: 12 pts: Philosophy, Ugly Truth, Obscure History, Symbology, 
  Strategy, Elf-wise, Orc-wise, Dwarf-wise, Man-wise, Paean of the Dark 
  Fire Within§
  Traits: 2 pts: Remote, Cold
  Recluse3 
  225 yrs 
  25 
  +1 P 
  —
  Skills: 2 pts; Screed of Folly§;  5 pts General
  Traits: 1 pt: Bitter
  Notes from the Dark
  1: Siren requires Griever and one other previous Dark Elf lifepath. 2: Eremite requires Griever 
  and two other previous Dark Elf lifepaths. 3: Recluse requires Griever and three other Dark 
  Elf lifepaths.
  §: Indicates an Elven Spell or Skill Song. These special skills cost 2 pts to open and are 
  advanced as normal.
  
  Character Burner Expansion
  8
  Dark Elf Traits
  Dark Elf Common Traits
  Grief is turned to Spite, of course. Additionally, a player may, if he 
  chooses, change the Fair and Statuesque trait to the Dark and Imposing 
  character trait.
  Dark Elf Character Traits
  Filthy, Murderous, Callous, Compulsive Liar, Remote
  Dark Elf Lifepath Traits
  Bitter 
  Dt
  This trait is two-fold, first it acts much like Flights of Murderous Fancy 
  (page 203, Character Burner). If the Dark Elf character is defeated in a 
  Duel of Wits or a Fight! and lives to tell the tale, he may FoRK his Spite 
  into all rolls bent on avenging himself against his enemy. Humiliating 
  or murdering the enemy—getting revenge upon them—immediately 
  earns the player a bonus Persona point. (So that’d be two points, one 
  for Personal Goal and one for Bitter.)
  Second, this trait requires that the Dark Elf have a close relationship 
  with a non-spiteful Elf or a mortal human. It can be familial, romantic 
  or fraternal in nature—but it must be close. It must rankle the Dark Elf 
  that they still live that way.
  Cold 
  Dt
  In a Duel of Wits where kindness, compassion, Grief, or passion are 
  involved, the Eremite may double his Will for the purposes of the Body 
  of Argument.
  Deceptive 
  C-O/Dt
  The Deceptive trait acts as a call-on for Sleight of Hand and Falsehood. 
  However, this trait so infuses the liar, he has a hard time telling the 
  truth. Deceptive also incurs a +1 Ob penalty to all Oratory, Command 
  test and +2 Ob to Ugly Truth or Litany of Fools.
  Femme Fatale 
  C-O
  Call-on for Seduction, of course.
  Feral 
  Dt
  Wastrels lose themselves to their animal instincts. Living for decades 
  at a time without contact with civilization—living as animals do. The 
  
  9
  The Path of Spite
  Elven Lifepaths Sub-Setting
  Feral trait reduces over all hesitation by two, but adds +1 Ob to all 
  social skill tests. Also, Feral negates the bonus to Circles from any 
  Elven lifepath trait—Etharchal, Lord of Ages, etc.
  Saturnine 
  Dt
  If any other player attempts to influence a character with the Saturnine 
  trait with passion, motivation, joy or love, the Saturnine Dark Elf player 
  gets a +1D advantage to all tests for one scene when confronting that 
  character (in a Duel of Wits or Fight!), hunting him or poisoning him.
  Spite 
  Dt
  Dark Elves trade their Grief for a burning and intense Spite. Something 
  has snapped inside the Dark Elf’s soul—Grief seems folly to him. And 
  whatever the truth of an immortal life is, Dark Elves know that it does 
  not lay silently grieving with his Elven brothers. See the Spite section 
  for more details on the mechanics.
  Thief 
  Dt
  The Thief trait requires that the player note a mandatory theft-related 
  instinct. “When visiting home, always steal mother’s valuables,” for 
  example.
  
  Character Burner Expansion
  10
  Dark Elf Skill Songs
  General Points
  Dark Elf characters may only spend general skill points on skill and spell 
  songs in this setting and skills from the General Skill List starting page 
  226 of the Character Burner. General skill points may not be spent on 
  purchasing new special Elven Skills, Elven Skill Songs or Elven Spell 
  Songs. They may be spent on improving Elven Skills, etc. that exist in 
  the character’s lifepaths.
  Litany of Fools 
  Will 
  The Litany of Fools is a Dark Elven siren song. It speaks gently of the 
  terrible fate of those who walk the righteous and valorous path. This 
  song counts as Ugly Truth or Intimidation. Choose which before testing 
  the skill. The Dark Elf player must incorporate a barbed rhyme of 
  verse into his roleplay.  
  FoRKs: Falsehood
  Skill Type: Social 
  Tools: No.
  Dark Elven Spell Songs
  Limitations
  When picking Spell Songs, if the player is presented with two similar 
  songs—one Elven, one Dark Elven—the player must pick the Dark 
  Elven song.
  For example, Threne of the Chameleon is similar to Supplication 
  of Shadows. If a player has both songs on his list, he may not choose 
  Threne. Or Twisted Tongue vs Voice of Ages—Twisted Tongue would be 
  the preferred song.
  Roots
  Dark Elf songs are rooted in Will like Elven Songs with a few exceptions. 
  Lullaby of Sorrow, Paean of the Dark Fire Within, Sow of Discord and 
  the Twisted Tongue are rooted in Spite.
  Dirge of Night 
  Ob 3 
  8 a
  Each extra success reduces the light conditions within the Presence 
  of the Dark Elf by one step each. Use the Mage Light Obstacle range 
  (page 180, CB). 
  
  11
  The Path of Spite
  Elven Lifepaths Sub-Setting
  Dirge of Terror 
  Ob 3  
  3 a 
  When this Dirge is sung, any character without the Spite or Hatred 
  attribute within the Presence of the caster must test his Steel. Extra 
  song successes increase obstacle for Steel test. The hesitations options 
  as described under Intense Sorrow.
  Lullaby to Sorrow 
  Ob  10 – Grief 
  3000 a
  This mournful song speaks of leaving sorrow behind, putting it to sleep, 
  and waking a new fire within—a flame of hateful spite. 
  Elves who are confronted with this song (if it is successfully sung), may 
  choose to change their Grief to Spite. Their eyes have been opened to 
  this new truth. Once changed, there is no turning back.
  Paean of the Dark Fire Within  Ob 10 minus Spite 
  3 a
  When sung properly this terrible song shows the singer’s true form—a 
  shifting and distorted visage that none can look upon without growing 
  dizzy or faint. Extra successes over the obstacle add to a character’s 
  obstacle to act directly against the Dark Elf—attacking him, 
  intimidating him, convincing him, etc. 
  Rhyme of the Unraveller 
  Ob See Below 
  x2 a
  This devilish song causes havoc round the singer. Knots untie, wax 
  cracks, mortar loosens, thread unwinds and seams unravel. The 
  obstacle of the spell is equal to 2+ the Integrity of the material being 
  attacked. (See page 250 of the Burning Wheel for material Integrity.) 
  Successes over obstacle then reduce the Integrity. If the Integrity is 
  reduced to zero, then the material is reduced to its component parts—
  it falls apart. In general, the target material isn’t damaged or made 
  unusable by this spell, it’s just “unravelled.”
  Simple constructs like knots or belts can be unravelled using the base 
  obstacle 2.
  The casting time of the spell is equal to the obstacle multiplied by two 
  in actions.
  Screed of Folly 
  Ob 4 
  50 a
  The Screed of Folly is a Dark Elf history of the Elven peoples. This 
  song acts as a historical retelling and can be used like the History skill. 
  It also causes Intense Sorrow when sung to those without the Spite or 
  Hatred attributes.
  
  Character Burner Expansion
  12
  Sow of Discord 
  Ob 5 
  12 a  
  When sung acts as Spell Interrupt to spells and songs being cast. It 
  acts as a Distraction against any song/spell currently being sustained. 
  The area of effect is the Dark Elf’s Presence. If a character attempts to 
  sing/cast while a Song of Discord is in effect, they must add the Dark 
  Elf’s extra successes from the Song of Discord to their obstacle. 
  Supplication to Shadows 
  Ob 4 
  4 a
  Speaking these sibilant and hissing words, the Dark Elf fades into 
  the shadows—disappearing from sight. Successes over the obstacle 
  of this song are directly added to Stealthy as helping/advantage dice. 
  If standing “in the open” and not being Stealthy, the successes over 
  the obstacle create the obstacle for Observation to spot the Dark Elf. 
  (Double obstacle penalty for Perception.) This spell song may not be 
  used in the Fight! mechanics beyond the initial position test—it’s not 
  invisibility. It may be used as normal Range and Cover.
  Twisted Tongue 
  Ob See Below 
  6 a
  When sung into the ear of an unwitting victim, the Dark Elf may twist 
  his mind and bend him to his will. 
  
  13
  The Path of Spite
  Elven Lifepaths Sub-Setting
  The spell has a three different aspects: First, it may be used to add dice 
  to the Dark Elf’s Circles—he warps wills and harries minds to find out 
  what he wants. The obstacle for this aspect is 4. Extra successes count 
  as a reputation or an affiliation of the Dark Elf player’s choosing.
  Second, the Twisted Tongue may be used to enhance social skills. With a 
  successful Ob 2 Twisted Tongue test at the beginning of a Duel of Wits, 
  the Dark Elf player may use any and all of his social skills as Rhetoric. 
  In other words, if you pass an Ob 2 test, Falsehood could count as 
  Rhetoric and be used to make Points and Dismissals in the Duel.
  Lastly, Twisted Tongue can be used to temporarily epiphany any one 
  social skill. The obstacle is 10 minus Spite. The epiphany lasts for one 
  test or series of tests (one Duel of Wits). 
  Mechanics of Spite
  Lip-curling, snarling, bitter, stomach-churning, vengeful spite. Action is 
  done either for complete necessity or out of pure malice: hopes shattered, 
  dreams murdered and love squelched. Why? For one simple fact: you’re 
  wrong and you’re in the way.
  Starting Spite
  In order to take the Griever LP and earn the Spite trait, the Elf must 
  first have at least a B3 Grief attribute. Before taking the lead to the Path 
  of Spite, factor all of the criteria for starting Grief as per the normal 
  rules for Elves. If the character qualifies for a B3 Grief, he may walk 
  the path.
  Once the Elf character takes the Griever lifepath, Grief is automatically 
  and irrevocably transmuted to Spite. 
  Add one to starting Spite for each of the following traits: Slayer, Exile, 
  Feral, Murderous, Saturnine, Femme Fatale, Cold and Bitter.
  If the character has taken Bitter Reminders, each 10 rps spent adds +1D 
  to starting Spite.
  Also, read and answer the following questions:
  —  Has the character been betrayed by his friends? If so, add +1 to the 
  starting Spite exponent. 
  — Is the character lovesick or broken-hearted? If so, add 1.
  — Has the character been abandoned by those he held dear? If so, Add 1.
  — Has the character been abused or tortured? If so, Add 1.
  
  Character Burner Expansion
  14
  —  Does the character still respect or admire someone on the other 
  side? If so, subtract 1 from the starting exponent.
  —  Does the character still love someone on the other side? If so, 
  subtract 2 from the starting exponent.
  Spite may not start above exponent 9. This emotional attribute obeys all 
  of the limitations described in the Setting Your Game’s Power Level on 
  page 36 of the Character Burner.
  5 points of Spite may be spent to shade shift from black to gray 
  shade during character burning. This may only be done at the GM’s 
  discretion.
  Limits of Spite
  At exponent 10 Spite, the Dark Elf commits suicide.
  Sever All Ties
  When a player chooses the Griever lifepath and acquires the Spite 
  lifepath trait, he may choose to sever his ties and obligations with his 
  old life. The player may remove any required lifepath trait in this vein: 
  Fealty to the Fêa, Servant of the Citadel, Sworn to Protect, and Sworn 
  to the Lord Protector. 
  He may also choose to take any reputation gained via his lifepath 
  traits as an infamous one. Or he can choose to keep these traits and 
  reputations as they are. There are a lot of options for playing Dark Elves 
  who still live among their brethren and are therefore still bound to all 
  their obligations.
  Intense Sorrow
  As Elven songs cause Wonderment, Dark Elven dirges cause Intense 
  Sorrow in the listener’s heart. Intense Sorrow only affects characters 
  who understand High Speech and who do not have the Spite or Hatred 
  attributes. 
  When a Dark Elf song is sung, characters within the presence of the 
  singer must pass a Steel test once they’ve listened for a number of 
  exchanges equal their Will exponent. If the Steel test failed, the hesitation 
  choices are: Stand and Drool, Weep Bitterly, or Exact Revenge. 
  New Steel Test Result Option: Exact Revenge
  The Exact Revenge result allows the character to “lose it” for a few 
  moments and take revenge on one of his companions who he believes 
  has slighted or betrayed him. Rather than Hesitating at all, a player 
  
  15
  The Path of Spite
  Elven Lifepaths Sub-Setting
  who opts for this choice has his character leap upon his betrayer with 
  a scream and attempt to kill him. The target of the attack must be a 
  friend or an enemy whose death will hasten the character’s own death. 
  It cannot be the Dark Elf who induced the test.
  New Steel Test Result Option: Weep Bitterly
  Rather than Fall Prone and Beg for Mercy, a player may have his 
  character fall to his knees and begin to weep and sob—remorseful 
  for all his past actions, because they have all come to naught and will 
  eternally come to nothing.
  In Spite of Grief
  Dark Elves may use traditional Elven Spell Songs and Skill Songs that 
  they learned in their previous life. However, they may never use any 
  song rooted from Grief. These characters no longer possess that attribute 
  and therefore can no longer use abilities based on it. And, of course, they 
  may no longer sing Lamentations. Those that died received the payment 
  they deserved!
  Deeds of Spite
  Like Elves, Dark Elves may use Deeds points to channel their emotion 
  into their actions. A Deeds point can be used to add the Spite exponent 
  dice to a roll. This counts as a difficult test for advancement for Spite. 
  Advancement: Spite Obstacles
  Like Grief and Hatred, Spite is generally not rolled. However, conditions 
  arise in play that act as tests and advance the attribute.
  Obstacle 1 Spite
  Being lied to. Betraying your Instincts. Being interrupted while at work.
  Obstacle 2 Spite
  Being robbed. Going against a Beliefs. Suffering incompetence.
  Obstacle 3 Spite
  Being accused of a crime you did not commit. Being maliciously 
  attacked or wounded (Midi wound or less). Navigating a 
  bureaucracy.
  Obstacle 4 Spite
  Having your home destroyed or ruined. Being personally betrayed. 
  Suffering a Severe wound.
  
  Character Burner Expansion
  16
  Obstacle 5 Spite
  Fighting in a massive and bloody battle. 
  Being captured by your enemies. 
  Suffering a Traumatic wound.
  Obstacle 6 Spite
  Being imprisoned for a crime you 
  did not commit; Losing a massive 
  and bloody battle. Being mortally 
  wounded.
  Obstacle 7 Spite
  Forced to flee your homeland 
  by incursions of interlopers 
  and idiots. Having to kill your 
  friend whose mind has failed to 
  see the truth.
  Obstacle 8 Spite
  Being tortured. Being betrayed by 
  your family. Forced to ally with the 
  enemy in order to get one god damned 
  thing done.
  Obstacle 9 Spite
  Realizing that the Path of Spite breeds nothing but hatred and 
  division, and that this divergent path will be the end of Elvendom—
  but walking it anyway.
  Obstacle 10 Spite
  Betraying friend, family, kith and kin—precipitating their destruction 
  and end—because they failed to see matters your way.
  Spite to Hatred
  A Dark Elf player may attempt to turn his boiling spite into blazing 
  hate. At an appropriate or dramatic time in the story, he may make 
  a challenging Spite test to turn Spite irrevocably to Hate. This is the 
  only time Spite is ever rolled directly. And pass or fail, this counts as 
  challenging Spite test for advancement!
  Artha may be spent, but there is no help or FoRKing possible.
  
  17
  The Path of Spite
  Elven Lifepaths Sub-Setting
  If successful, Spite exponent becomes the Hatred exponent. The Fair 
  and Statuesque and/or the Dark and Imposing trait is instantly lost 
  and replaced with Twisted and Loathsome. The player may also choose 
  one additional Orc Common trait to replace one of his Elven Common 
  traits. 
  Also, any Elven Songs possessed by the character are now forgotten, but 
  Dark Elven Songs may be kept and are now rooted from Hatred or Will 
  (rather than Spite or Will). The Dark Elf may learn Hatred-based skills. 
  He uses the rules for advancing Hatred on page 213 of the Character 
  Burner. If the character knows the Void Embrace or can find an Orc to 
  teach him, he may turn his Hatred to Blasphemous Hatred.
  Spite to Grief
  In play, Spite may be turned back to Grief. To do so, the Dark Elf player 
  must learn the Lament of Mourning from another Elf character whom 
  he has hurt in course of play. He then must pass a test for the Lament of 
  Mourning at an obstacle equal to his Spite plus one. He may spend artha 
  as per the standard rules, but he also must have at least one helping die 
  given to him from an Elven character whom he has hurt in the course 
  of play. If the Lament is successful, the Spite exponent is transformed 
  to Grief. Mark a Challenging test for Grief. If the test is failed, mark a 
  Challenging test for Spite.
  Dark Elf Resources
  Dark Elves may purchase one or two heirlooms of their past (as per 
  Bitter Reminders). Everything else has been thrown into the sea or a 
  chasm in spite of its worth.
  Resources 
  Rp Cost
  Bitter Reminder .........see below
  Bitter Poison ......................... 6
  Lock Picks .......................... 10
  Grooved Knives ..................... 5
  Barbed Javelins ..................... 3
  Garrotte ................................ 3
  Caltrops ................................ 3
  Tools of the Trade .................. 9
  Cloak of Darkness ............... 30
  Climbing Claws ..................... 5
  Remote Refuge .................... 10
  
  Character Burner Expansion
  18
  Bitter Reminder— Dark Elf characters may purchase items from the Elven 
  Resources list on page 112 of the Character Burner. Each 10 rps spent 
  on these items adds +1D to starting Spite.
  Bitter Poison—One dose of this blade poison causes the victim to lose 1D 
  of Health per day for five days. If Health drops to zero, the victim dies. 
  If not, the victim recovers his Health at 1D per week.
  Lock Picks— These tools are required to use the Lock Pick skill. 
  Grooved Knives— These insidious weapons are designed to cause 
  maximum harm and debilitation to their targets. The grooves in the 
  blades serve a dual purpose, to hold poison and to exacerbate blood 
  loss. On an Incidental hit, poisoned Grooved Knives deliver a half 
  dose of poison on a DoF roll of 4+. On a Superb hit, Grooved Knives 
  which are left in their victim increase the blood loss rate of the wound 
  by one step. A Midi bleeds as a Severe, a Traumatic wound bleeds as 
  a Mortal. Grooved Knives are designed to be both thrown and used as 
  a hand weapon. Power 1, VA –. Add 1 in melee, when thrown: DoF: 
  I 1-2, M 3-4, S 5-6. 
  Barbed Javelins— Barbed Javelins are designed to cause their victims 
  grievous harm even after impact. If a Superb hit is scored, the javelin 
  has embedded itself in the victim. All Medicinal skill rolls to stop 
  bleeding or begin recovery are at +2 Ob due to the javelin’s ugly barbs 
  that must be extracted before the victim can heal.
  Garrotte— See page 354 of the Monster Burner.
  Caltrops— Caltrops are sharp barbs scattered on the ground to interfere 
  with a creature’s movement. Any creature passing over an area cover 
  with caltrops must make an Ob 1 Speed test— +2 Ob if jogging, +4 Ob 
  if sprinting. Failure means the creature or character has stepped on 
  the caltrops. Damage is equal to the character’s own Power. -1 for 
  walking, +2 for sprinting.
  Tools of the Trade—Skill kits for Disguise, Poisons and any other kit the 
  Dark Elf may need.
  Cloak of Darkness— Adds +4 open-ended helping dice to the Stealthy 
  skill. If no Stealthy skill, or if standing in the open wearing the cloak, 
  just roll the cloak’s own four dice to create the Observation obstacle.
  Climbing Claws— These odd devices help the Dark Elf Thieves in their second 
  story operations. Add +1D to the Climbing Skill, but +1 Ob to all other 
  Agility based skills while wearing them (except when using Climbing 
  Claws with Brawling). They act a Power 1 weapon, but are Slow.
  
  19
  The Path of Spite
  Elven Lifepaths Sub-Setting
  Remote Refuge— Dark Elves often find remote refuges where they can live 
  in isolation—deep in ancient woods, lost in wastelands, or even under 
  the earth in vast caves. Use the Elven Land list for prices and translate 
  the actual purchases into something suitably dark and forlorn.
  Dark Elves in Play
  Dark Elves are both fun and challenging to play. On one hand, you’ve 
  got an evil, scheming, bitter “I hate Elves” character. Cool. On the other, 
  you have a potential fun-killer of epic proportions. Uncool.
  Based on what I have seen of the Dark Elves in play they work exceedingly 
  well as NPC villains and very well as an element in an Orc or Spider 
  cohort. However, playing a Dark Elf in a group of otherwise innocent 
  player characters can be very risky. As I said above, the super secret 
  mind-twisting assassin can really kill the fun at the table. Therefore, I 
  recommend outing the Dark Elf during character burning and making 
  the adventure about the Dark Elf’s role in the group. You can incorporate 
  them into Elven society—having just gone over to Spite, how do they cut 
  their ties? Or make them a disguised element in an adventuring group 
  who is destined to betray his friends—but only so long as everyone is in 
  on and agrees with the joke.
  When playing with Spite, try to walk the line between the remorse and 
  Grief of the Elves and the outright Hatred of the Orcs. It’s not easy, but 
  the best path that I have seen is a kind of seething, tortured anger. You 
  see, Dark Elves aren’t like the Orcs yet. They still care. They still want 
  the world to be right. And it drives them mad to watch the fools ruin 
  it—over and over and over again.
  Oh, and it’s not just Elves whom they despise, it’s everyone. Including 
  you.
  
  Character Burner Expansion
  20
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Burning Wheel/Burning Wheel - The Paths of Spite.pdf