Dahaks

Dahaks are a fictional humanoid species commonly encountered in fantasy settings and role-playing games. They are typically depicted as inhabitants of extensive cave networks and underground rivers in temperate regions, where they have adapted to perpetual dim light. The origin of the name varies by author, but in many works it derives from a root meaning “survivor of the dark”; in-world lore, Dahak is sometimes cited as the progenitor father of the clans. The plural form Dahaks is used in most texts.

Physically, Dahaks are of medium height, roughly 1.6 to 1.9 meters, with sinewy builds suited to climbing and tunneling. Their skin colors range from ash-gray to coppery, and they possess large, reflective eyes adapted to low light and pointed canines used for hunting and defense. They move with a stealthy, patient gait.

Society is clan-based, with leaders chosen for prowess, cunning, or proven service to the group. Social life centers on cavern halls, ritual singing, and craftwork such as bone tools and carved stone. Dahaks value endurance, resourcefulness, and a code of honor about protecting kin and cave habitats. They are typically cautious toward surface dwellers, trading minerals or crafted goods when convenient while defending sacred sites.

In fiction, Dahaks appear across various works and games, with portrayals ranging from honorable guardians of ancient passages to fierce raiders. They are often used as archetypal subterranean foes or, less commonly, as complex allies with their own agendas.

See also: dwarves, goblinoids, subterranean civilizations.