Banelwi
The 'Pale Folk' - ie High Elves, as they are known in common. Most Banelwi are found in Daer Lain - the 'High Capital' of Galaed Vala - or in villages and communes in the surrounding region. Of the two elven species present on Landsend Peninsula, the Banelwi are the ones most likely to be found in other realms and regions.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The primary language of the Banelwi is Elwan - Elven - though many have at least some knowledge of the forest tongue, Sylvan.
Culture and cultural heritage
Banelwi culture differs from Crannelwi primarily in one aspect, which is the reverence of the Amhrai. While the Banelwi do hold their gods in high regard, children are usually taught to prioritise reverence of themselves and the Agwedda, over reverence of the Amhrai.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Banelwi births are not exceptionally rare, though most families do not have more than one or two children, and so each birth is celebrated.
When a child reaches one year of age, they are presented with three carvings. A bird, a stag, and a wolf - these represent the companions of the gods, Tuatha, Fiannon and Mac'Tir respectively, and therefore also the gods themselves - The Morhaeg, The Kernunach, and The Bracwanir. It is believe that whichever carving the child goes to first is a foretelling of their future life path. The bird represents that the child will either pursue magic, the healing arts, or will seek solitude and wisdom. The stag indicates that the child will become a hunter or gatherer, or will devote themselves to care of the forest. Finally, if a child chooses the wolf this means that they will become a warrior, craftsmen, or will devote themselves to understanding and maintaining the traditions of the Elwi.
It is traditional for children to be given a temporary name, in preparation for them to choose their own when they come of age.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Banelwi burials are in most cases similar if not identical to Crannelwi burials. The dead are buried beneath sapling trees, so that their dead can nourish new life. While the Banelwi do not frown upon the cutting of all wood like the Crannelwi do, they do have burial groves of trees where it is a great crime to disturb the wood.
There are exceptions to this tradition. At the holy site known as Diathatine great or important elves are burned upon the funeral pyre, and their ashes scattered throughout the forest. It is believed that as one Elwi in death feeds new live in a tree, a special Elwi, such as an Aspect, will feed new live across a large stretch of the forest.
Every year as part of the Festival of Lost Winds, which is devoted to The Kernunach, elves recite the names of kin and friends they have lost. In this way, they are remembered.
Ideals
Courtship Ideals
While most Banelwi communities are less sprawling than Crannelwi ones, their courting traditions are not much different. Potential couples meet at the Festival of Whelptime once a year, where they exchange gifts. Where the Crannelwi exchange flowers, however, the Banelwi usually exchange trinkets such as carvings and jewelry. Outside of this, Banelwi do have more opportunities to meet their potential partners if they live near eachother.
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