The Wood Elves of Cape Nimbrethil

The Nims

Much like the other elves of the realm, the Wood Elves of Cast en-Nimbrethil are known for their style and fashion-sense. The Nims, as they are so often called, however differ in that their clothes come in two distinct colorings, making it easy and fast to distinguish between those living in the southern and northern sections of the cape. The Nims of North — considered by the southerners as stuck in a rut sort of purists putting too much weight on archaic practices — favor natural colours, especially those of the forests; prominently greens and browns. The Nims of South on the other hand — considered by the northeners as having lost their humility after the incessant dealings and bartering with the humans — choose to don clothes of bright white and blue colouring, viewing these as colors that invoke trust and respect on others, and establish their status and position as the nobles of the forests.

The symbolism

Despite their differences, the symbols and symbolism they both use are identical, thanks to their shared cultural roots.

• The head of the settlements called brannath, the equivalents of lords, mayors and governors among humans, are easily distinguishable by a triangle shape standing on its tip with three circular holes or orbs bored/embedded to its tips.
• The head of the entire nation or state, equivalent to kings or overlords but called brannarath by the elves, also wears the triangle symbol but it's surrounded by a thick circle to denote their elevated status.
• The individuals a step down from the brannath, those reporting to them directly, are distinguished by the three circles alone. These individuals are, for example, high-ranking law enforcement officers, messengers and advisors.
• High-ranking military officers are also part of this group, but their emblem also includes an upside-down v-shape resembling an arrowhead striking through the grouping. How these symbols are or must be presented hasn't been ratified, although certain general practices do exist, and thus they range from pendants to pins, and even to embroidery or having been woven into fabrics.

Military ranking

Rankings in the military follow the same symbolic tradition;

generals, as mentioned, are denoted by having all of the circles and the arrowhead,

officers are identified by the arrowhead and two circles on the side of its tip,

non-commissioned officers have a single circle underneath the arrowhead,

and privates have nothing but arrowhead

If decisions or orders clash within the military, and the conflict happens among two equally high-ranking individuals, seniority will ultimately define superiority.