Post by Oni on Aug 1, 2010 23:10:59 GMT -5
The Elven race is considered to be a creator race, created by Neiros#, along with the likes of Humans, Merfolk, Eldjotnar, Dragons, Lizardfolk, and Fey. They are considered the longest naturally lived* of the Humanoid races with a lifespan that ventures into the likes of eight to nine hundred years, before any magic is used to prolong it. In terms of size they stand almost the stature of Humans though they are typically far more lithe and their features more distinct. Of their features their ears are possibly the most famous though it depends on the subrace, though in the typical sense the ears are angled and pointed. Their senses are enhanced compared to the likes of Humans, though as a tradeoff it takes Elves far longer to learn and master things. Elves are well renown for their sense of style, their beautiful flowing language, and their mastery of magic.
Their history is one of many moments of happiness and many of sorrow – of a great alliances and great betrayals. This causes many Elves to be cautious in forging friendships with those outside their own race and the resulting xenophobic nature of their societies. Though those that earn such are as long as they live, and do not betray their Elven friend, forever welcome to their homes, to their consul, and to their aid in times of need. Elves and Dwarves have always had a hard time getting along, some blame it is on culture clashes while others believed it stemmed from an insult over wine. While their natures clash often, the friendships that do form are among the strongest known to Aynnor. Sadly though the number of Elf-Friends among Humans in current times is notably low, mostly over political differences as result of the Human desire to expand and claim land in addition to their common wars.
The Elves are broken down into three primary subraces, they are: Aeoreldar^ the High Elves, Hyleldar+ the Wood Elves, and Særeldar** the Sea Elves. They were all originally from the same race the Fylaeldar, the Elves, which is often still used to describe the races as a whole. Their splintering came as result of the war with the Eldjotnar, Titans, and not by choice. Their great kingdom of Edhellen Thokgrima, the lost continent, was laid to waste by Golems created by the Eldjotnar. The survivors fled in different directions – some to the northern continent of Eirene, others upon ships into the Sea of Sunthaz, and others into the vasts forests of any lands they could find. While many would regroup to continue the war against the Titans, many would remain behind and slowly over time the changes would occur.
The Aeoreldar, more commonly known as the High Elves, dwell within their city of Avarius. Avarius is a massive floating island that floats in the air thanks to ancient magics. A vast city and forest appears upon this floating island, it is home to the majority of the Aeoreldar still alive. It is tethered to Aynnor by means of three heavily enchanted chains of mithril above the lake known as Serenear, Star Sea in Elven, or Stjarnavatn, the Lake of the Stars in the Old Tongue^^.
The Hyleldar, more commonly known as the Wood Elves, dwell within small villages spread throughout the numerous forests across Aynnor. Usually they are of a clan or two of several families and lead by a council of elders. They were once very common in forests all across Eirene, though in recent years it has become rare to encounter them. The largest concentration of Wood Elves is in the Ygard, east of Calirun.
The Særeldar, more commonly known as the Sea Elves, dwell within many locations in the Sea of Sunthaz and some major lakes like Serenear. With the ability to breath underwater infinitely, and limited breathing capabilities on land, they established several cities within aquatic caverns and other similar locations. Their major cities include Hrío the capital and Sunnt in the Sea of Sunthaz south of the Human capital city of Speranta, and Serenpaz in the Serenear. They typically have little to do with the surface world, outside of Serenpaz, due to the limited ability for the worlds to easily communicate. But they have been known to be kind to surface-dwellers that fall into their world from above, such as during shipwrecks and the likes.
The Nevoaeldar++, more commonly known as the Mist Elves, dwell within small nomadic clans scattered in the northwestern portion of the continent of Wyrre. Descendants of the survivors of the nation of Rhundaure, whose population dwindled to next to nothing thanks to the Dustlung Plague. They are extremely rare to encounter on Eirene. The honored Host of Gray are of this subrace - the Elves who would eventually merge with Humans of Vestrvegr to become the Vestlig.
#It was the desire of the Duchovia Neiros, twin of the creator of Fey Deiros, to create the race that would be known as Elves – therefore sponsored by Ilîhum, Neiros created the first named Ingwine. Ingwine radiated with a golden light unlike anything that Aynnor has ever seen before or since, his mere presence gave an air of benevolence. But Ingwine was lonely and it was not long before Neiros created the first, a second, the first female Elf, Valfreyja. Valfreyja shone with a silver brilliance and her mere presence gave those around her a feeling of serenity. Together Ingwine and Valfreyja begun the Elven race, imbuing their children with their blessings and love, or so it remained until the jealously of Myrtorc forced the Fallen to commit one of his most infamous crimes. Myrtorc, jealous of the creations of Neiros, attempted to best his kin by creating the first spider, Ugrliante and the first demon, the Eldrleior the balrog. His creations fell short of the glory of Neiros. Enraged by this he sent Ugrliante and Eldrleior to destroy the two first Elves.
The children of Ingwine and Valfreyja, the Fylaeldar, rose up to protect their parents against the forces of Ugrliante and Eldrleior. The ensuring battle cost many lives on both sides, including the life of Valfreyja at the hands of Eldrleior whom she took with her. Thrown in sorrow Ingwine begun to glow his brightest as his rage built, swearing that no matter where Myrtorc hides, Elves will find him and seek his downfall. Following his oath, he lead his children into battle against Ugrliante and Myrtorc himself.
The battles were costly for the young Fylaeldar, who for generations to follow would sing laments and ballads of the heroes who rose to glory and who fell during this war, until the entry of the Duchovia. Myrtorc knew he could not stand alone against the combined forces of the Duchovia so he fled, but not first before poisoning Ingwine with the last breathes of Ugrlinate. Upon his deathbed, Ingwine told the Fylaeldar to continue the fight and to continue to hold up their faiths. Slowly Ingwine passed from this world. Saddened by the loss of Valfreyja, and now Ingwine, Neiros wept until he could cry no longer and rose up to the stars his first born.
Long following this ancient event, was the creation of the Tívarleuthil. Two stones said to show the world, even if in pale comparison, the beauty of both Ingwine and Valfreyja. They were the focal point of a series of short wars between several states of the Elven people following the Titan War, before the founding of the current Elven strongholds. These Kinslayer Wars are almost never spoke about, especially not openly, as they are a great point of shame. However, these beautiful stones are royal treasures that continue to be protected from Myrtorc and are found on Avarius.
*Eldjotnar, as result of their curse, are the longest lived of the creator races. They are immortal as long as they consume the essence of life on a daily basis, which is in the form of an Ithuna apple. These apples are gathered for them by their creation and slaves, the Hálfrekkr (Halflings).
^The Aeoreldar are the most open race of Elves, communicating and trading with nearly all sentient races of Eirene. They do not permit those that they know are openly evil, lycanthropic (less they submit to wearing a crest on their shoulder), or diseased within the city of Avarius. They are known for their both for their great intelligence and wisdom but also for their arrogance in some cases. Many famous chefs are from the Aeoreldar people.
Physically they have the most varied skin tone and hair color. The skin tones range from the palest of skin to the deepening tan that nearly labels them a Hyleldar. The hair colors range from a ghostly snow white to a jet black with golden blonde and silver being notably rare in the younger generations. Eye colors are also very varied, nearly as much as Humans, but the Aeoreldar possess the odd colors of violet, silver, and gold in addition. They are nearly as tall as Humans but gracefully lithe in frame. Among the Fylaeldar they are known as the most adept at magic and are the expert of bladed weaponry.
+The Ygard Hyleldar are among the most open of their race, known to have a healthy trade with Calirun and known friends of the Vestlig who also dwell within the forest. The typical reclusive of most other Wood Elves is due to border conflicts with Human settlements, drake attacks, and lycanthropes which has all lowered the Hyleldar population in Aynnor. The Hyleldar, in general, are among the more xenophobic and hostile of the Elves, shooting first and asking questions second if they feel those entering their forests are of a threat.
Physically they have the darkest skin tone, being anywhere from a tan to a dark wood brown. Their hair is often various shades of blonde, brunette, and even a light green coloration. The eye colors possessed by the Hyleldar are notably few in comparison to the Aeoreldar – they are various shades of green, brown, and extremely rarely blue. They are slightly shorter than the other Elves but possess a broader chest and shoulders. They dress usually the simplest and go most for functionality. They are the greatest archers, hunters, and trappers of the Fylaeldar.
**The Særeldar, are the most alien of the Elves due to living completely underwater the majority of their lives. Their music is perhaps the most filled with notes of sorrow, for their life is the furthest from what they believe Neiros desired of his children, but they keep the faith as Ingwine desired nonetheless. They are known for their social dos and do nots on nearly every subject, mostly due to the harshness of life in the early days of their people. They are known for their close relationship with the Merfolk.
Physically they are the tallest of the Elves, taller than many Humans as well, but they nearly never stand at full stature given they are nearly never on land. Due to their underwater life they have gills on their necks close to the jawline, they do not stick out like on some fish but are ultra-small slits that can be easily overlooked. Their skin tone ranges from a bright sea-blue to a dark sea-green, granting them a bit of natural camouflage in the open sea. Some have hair, which is typically dark greens or blues and very rarely silver while other Særeldar have crests and head-fins of various sizes and styles. Their eyes color is either a bright violet or red, it is believed this enables them to see in almost pitch darkness in various locations of the sea. Of all the Elves, the Særeldar are the most skilled with spear-like weaponry and most adventurous explorers.
++The Nevoaeldar are actually a variant of the Aeoreldar that settled in the western continent of Wyrre and eventually established the nation of Rhundaure. A once high and noble people whose skills in business and trade lead them to become extremely wealthy yet giving and helpful to any who would come peacefully to them. They were known to host large amounts of gold taken from local mines, with which they would use to trade and live peaceful lives. This came to an end when Lyonion of Vestrvegr grew jealous and attacked them, including destruction of many of their holy temples. Eventually this came to an end after the brief war with the mad king Lyonion of Vestrvegr and its destructon by the hand of Ilîhum, a great coming of the plague of Dustlung came and laid to waste most of the popluation. Its survivors fled westwards across the great wastes and into the renewed lands near the western sea where they settled. But life as they knew it was over and over time they became nomadic to survive.
Physically they have skintones that range between smokey ivory to darker gray to even silver - those with silver skin actually have gray skin but are said to have a scattering of tiny flecks of thicker skin (though soft), called scales, that reflects light to cause the silver like appearance. Their hair meanwhile is often variants of white, gray, silver, and rarely black and is often worn short or top-knotted if male and braided or buns for females. Their eye colors range from gray, silver, violet, gold, and black which is uncommon but those with magical (arcane) nature are said to be "marked" with it. Their height is similar to that of the Aeoreldar, though occassionally minorly shorter or minorly taller. They have very strong legs from many years of traveling and their arms are of note for their strength. They are the greatest in terms of group hunting, axemanship, and horsemanship.
They were changed though by the brief contact of the Dustlung. Their lifespans were cut nearly in half and their time of maturity changed to reflect this over a few generations. Most do not live pass their five hundreth year and usually do not have more than two offspring an entire lifetime, if they are so lucky in the first place. In addition, mostly due to what could be found, meat became a far more heavily noticed part of their daily meals. So much that it is prefered by most over nearly any other foodstuff. It is also partially to thank for their unusually high strength as result of all the additional protein. Many became carriers of the disease within their system and had to find a means to keep it in its stasis. The disease they found could only spread to other Mist Elves if the carrier ever grew sick themself.
They soon found a herb known as Nevoa, when consumed it would help make them feel better but eating it usually took the entire plant which limited its usefulness. Soon enough they discovered smoking it, or at least burning it, would release a mist like substance which would do the same as the consumpation of it. It has a meaty smell to it and is harsh to many people's noses, even their own, so it is sometimes mixed with pleasant burning herbs to ease such. Sometime later on using a form of divine magic they created the Nevoacoeur, Mist Heart, which could be used to similar the mist and be used to grow new plants which seem to require soil "blessed" by the mist. Being in the mist itself is just considered pleasant by the Mist Elves and their homes and horses are known to smell heavily of it.
^^The Old Tongue, Malverr, was once the primary language used by most of those that dwelt upon Eirene. It was in establishment before the current kingdom was founded and remained active up until three hundred years ago when the New Tongue, Reinnoire, and the Traders' Tongue gained enough popularity to be encountered far more often. Many names are still in the Old Tongue.
Their history is one of many moments of happiness and many of sorrow – of a great alliances and great betrayals. This causes many Elves to be cautious in forging friendships with those outside their own race and the resulting xenophobic nature of their societies. Though those that earn such are as long as they live, and do not betray their Elven friend, forever welcome to their homes, to their consul, and to their aid in times of need. Elves and Dwarves have always had a hard time getting along, some blame it is on culture clashes while others believed it stemmed from an insult over wine. While their natures clash often, the friendships that do form are among the strongest known to Aynnor. Sadly though the number of Elf-Friends among Humans in current times is notably low, mostly over political differences as result of the Human desire to expand and claim land in addition to their common wars.
The Elves are broken down into three primary subraces, they are: Aeoreldar^ the High Elves, Hyleldar+ the Wood Elves, and Særeldar** the Sea Elves. They were all originally from the same race the Fylaeldar, the Elves, which is often still used to describe the races as a whole. Their splintering came as result of the war with the Eldjotnar, Titans, and not by choice. Their great kingdom of Edhellen Thokgrima, the lost continent, was laid to waste by Golems created by the Eldjotnar. The survivors fled in different directions – some to the northern continent of Eirene, others upon ships into the Sea of Sunthaz, and others into the vasts forests of any lands they could find. While many would regroup to continue the war against the Titans, many would remain behind and slowly over time the changes would occur.
The Aeoreldar, more commonly known as the High Elves, dwell within their city of Avarius. Avarius is a massive floating island that floats in the air thanks to ancient magics. A vast city and forest appears upon this floating island, it is home to the majority of the Aeoreldar still alive. It is tethered to Aynnor by means of three heavily enchanted chains of mithril above the lake known as Serenear, Star Sea in Elven, or Stjarnavatn, the Lake of the Stars in the Old Tongue^^.
The Hyleldar, more commonly known as the Wood Elves, dwell within small villages spread throughout the numerous forests across Aynnor. Usually they are of a clan or two of several families and lead by a council of elders. They were once very common in forests all across Eirene, though in recent years it has become rare to encounter them. The largest concentration of Wood Elves is in the Ygard, east of Calirun.
The Særeldar, more commonly known as the Sea Elves, dwell within many locations in the Sea of Sunthaz and some major lakes like Serenear. With the ability to breath underwater infinitely, and limited breathing capabilities on land, they established several cities within aquatic caverns and other similar locations. Their major cities include Hrío the capital and Sunnt in the Sea of Sunthaz south of the Human capital city of Speranta, and Serenpaz in the Serenear. They typically have little to do with the surface world, outside of Serenpaz, due to the limited ability for the worlds to easily communicate. But they have been known to be kind to surface-dwellers that fall into their world from above, such as during shipwrecks and the likes.
The Nevoaeldar++, more commonly known as the Mist Elves, dwell within small nomadic clans scattered in the northwestern portion of the continent of Wyrre. Descendants of the survivors of the nation of Rhundaure, whose population dwindled to next to nothing thanks to the Dustlung Plague. They are extremely rare to encounter on Eirene. The honored Host of Gray are of this subrace - the Elves who would eventually merge with Humans of Vestrvegr to become the Vestlig.
#It was the desire of the Duchovia Neiros, twin of the creator of Fey Deiros, to create the race that would be known as Elves – therefore sponsored by Ilîhum, Neiros created the first named Ingwine. Ingwine radiated with a golden light unlike anything that Aynnor has ever seen before or since, his mere presence gave an air of benevolence. But Ingwine was lonely and it was not long before Neiros created the first, a second, the first female Elf, Valfreyja. Valfreyja shone with a silver brilliance and her mere presence gave those around her a feeling of serenity. Together Ingwine and Valfreyja begun the Elven race, imbuing their children with their blessings and love, or so it remained until the jealously of Myrtorc forced the Fallen to commit one of his most infamous crimes. Myrtorc, jealous of the creations of Neiros, attempted to best his kin by creating the first spider, Ugrliante and the first demon, the Eldrleior the balrog. His creations fell short of the glory of Neiros. Enraged by this he sent Ugrliante and Eldrleior to destroy the two first Elves.
The children of Ingwine and Valfreyja, the Fylaeldar, rose up to protect their parents against the forces of Ugrliante and Eldrleior. The ensuring battle cost many lives on both sides, including the life of Valfreyja at the hands of Eldrleior whom she took with her. Thrown in sorrow Ingwine begun to glow his brightest as his rage built, swearing that no matter where Myrtorc hides, Elves will find him and seek his downfall. Following his oath, he lead his children into battle against Ugrliante and Myrtorc himself.
The battles were costly for the young Fylaeldar, who for generations to follow would sing laments and ballads of the heroes who rose to glory and who fell during this war, until the entry of the Duchovia. Myrtorc knew he could not stand alone against the combined forces of the Duchovia so he fled, but not first before poisoning Ingwine with the last breathes of Ugrlinate. Upon his deathbed, Ingwine told the Fylaeldar to continue the fight and to continue to hold up their faiths. Slowly Ingwine passed from this world. Saddened by the loss of Valfreyja, and now Ingwine, Neiros wept until he could cry no longer and rose up to the stars his first born.
Long following this ancient event, was the creation of the Tívarleuthil. Two stones said to show the world, even if in pale comparison, the beauty of both Ingwine and Valfreyja. They were the focal point of a series of short wars between several states of the Elven people following the Titan War, before the founding of the current Elven strongholds. These Kinslayer Wars are almost never spoke about, especially not openly, as they are a great point of shame. However, these beautiful stones are royal treasures that continue to be protected from Myrtorc and are found on Avarius.
*Eldjotnar, as result of their curse, are the longest lived of the creator races. They are immortal as long as they consume the essence of life on a daily basis, which is in the form of an Ithuna apple. These apples are gathered for them by their creation and slaves, the Hálfrekkr (Halflings).
^The Aeoreldar are the most open race of Elves, communicating and trading with nearly all sentient races of Eirene. They do not permit those that they know are openly evil, lycanthropic (less they submit to wearing a crest on their shoulder), or diseased within the city of Avarius. They are known for their both for their great intelligence and wisdom but also for their arrogance in some cases. Many famous chefs are from the Aeoreldar people.
Physically they have the most varied skin tone and hair color. The skin tones range from the palest of skin to the deepening tan that nearly labels them a Hyleldar. The hair colors range from a ghostly snow white to a jet black with golden blonde and silver being notably rare in the younger generations. Eye colors are also very varied, nearly as much as Humans, but the Aeoreldar possess the odd colors of violet, silver, and gold in addition. They are nearly as tall as Humans but gracefully lithe in frame. Among the Fylaeldar they are known as the most adept at magic and are the expert of bladed weaponry.
+The Ygard Hyleldar are among the most open of their race, known to have a healthy trade with Calirun and known friends of the Vestlig who also dwell within the forest. The typical reclusive of most other Wood Elves is due to border conflicts with Human settlements, drake attacks, and lycanthropes which has all lowered the Hyleldar population in Aynnor. The Hyleldar, in general, are among the more xenophobic and hostile of the Elves, shooting first and asking questions second if they feel those entering their forests are of a threat.
Physically they have the darkest skin tone, being anywhere from a tan to a dark wood brown. Their hair is often various shades of blonde, brunette, and even a light green coloration. The eye colors possessed by the Hyleldar are notably few in comparison to the Aeoreldar – they are various shades of green, brown, and extremely rarely blue. They are slightly shorter than the other Elves but possess a broader chest and shoulders. They dress usually the simplest and go most for functionality. They are the greatest archers, hunters, and trappers of the Fylaeldar.
**The Særeldar, are the most alien of the Elves due to living completely underwater the majority of their lives. Their music is perhaps the most filled with notes of sorrow, for their life is the furthest from what they believe Neiros desired of his children, but they keep the faith as Ingwine desired nonetheless. They are known for their social dos and do nots on nearly every subject, mostly due to the harshness of life in the early days of their people. They are known for their close relationship with the Merfolk.
Physically they are the tallest of the Elves, taller than many Humans as well, but they nearly never stand at full stature given they are nearly never on land. Due to their underwater life they have gills on their necks close to the jawline, they do not stick out like on some fish but are ultra-small slits that can be easily overlooked. Their skin tone ranges from a bright sea-blue to a dark sea-green, granting them a bit of natural camouflage in the open sea. Some have hair, which is typically dark greens or blues and very rarely silver while other Særeldar have crests and head-fins of various sizes and styles. Their eyes color is either a bright violet or red, it is believed this enables them to see in almost pitch darkness in various locations of the sea. Of all the Elves, the Særeldar are the most skilled with spear-like weaponry and most adventurous explorers.
++The Nevoaeldar are actually a variant of the Aeoreldar that settled in the western continent of Wyrre and eventually established the nation of Rhundaure. A once high and noble people whose skills in business and trade lead them to become extremely wealthy yet giving and helpful to any who would come peacefully to them. They were known to host large amounts of gold taken from local mines, with which they would use to trade and live peaceful lives. This came to an end when Lyonion of Vestrvegr grew jealous and attacked them, including destruction of many of their holy temples. Eventually this came to an end after the brief war with the mad king Lyonion of Vestrvegr and its destructon by the hand of Ilîhum, a great coming of the plague of Dustlung came and laid to waste most of the popluation. Its survivors fled westwards across the great wastes and into the renewed lands near the western sea where they settled. But life as they knew it was over and over time they became nomadic to survive.
Physically they have skintones that range between smokey ivory to darker gray to even silver - those with silver skin actually have gray skin but are said to have a scattering of tiny flecks of thicker skin (though soft), called scales, that reflects light to cause the silver like appearance. Their hair meanwhile is often variants of white, gray, silver, and rarely black and is often worn short or top-knotted if male and braided or buns for females. Their eye colors range from gray, silver, violet, gold, and black which is uncommon but those with magical (arcane) nature are said to be "marked" with it. Their height is similar to that of the Aeoreldar, though occassionally minorly shorter or minorly taller. They have very strong legs from many years of traveling and their arms are of note for their strength. They are the greatest in terms of group hunting, axemanship, and horsemanship.
They were changed though by the brief contact of the Dustlung. Their lifespans were cut nearly in half and their time of maturity changed to reflect this over a few generations. Most do not live pass their five hundreth year and usually do not have more than two offspring an entire lifetime, if they are so lucky in the first place. In addition, mostly due to what could be found, meat became a far more heavily noticed part of their daily meals. So much that it is prefered by most over nearly any other foodstuff. It is also partially to thank for their unusually high strength as result of all the additional protein. Many became carriers of the disease within their system and had to find a means to keep it in its stasis. The disease they found could only spread to other Mist Elves if the carrier ever grew sick themself.
They soon found a herb known as Nevoa, when consumed it would help make them feel better but eating it usually took the entire plant which limited its usefulness. Soon enough they discovered smoking it, or at least burning it, would release a mist like substance which would do the same as the consumpation of it. It has a meaty smell to it and is harsh to many people's noses, even their own, so it is sometimes mixed with pleasant burning herbs to ease such. Sometime later on using a form of divine magic they created the Nevoacoeur, Mist Heart, which could be used to similar the mist and be used to grow new plants which seem to require soil "blessed" by the mist. Being in the mist itself is just considered pleasant by the Mist Elves and their homes and horses are known to smell heavily of it.
^^The Old Tongue, Malverr, was once the primary language used by most of those that dwelt upon Eirene. It was in establishment before the current kingdom was founded and remained active up until three hundred years ago when the New Tongue, Reinnoire, and the Traders' Tongue gained enough popularity to be encountered far more often. Many names are still in the Old Tongue.
