Anaar Eldain
The most commonly seen of all Eldain, the high (“Anaar”) Eldain are also the most open and friendly. They have no compunction about traveling in the world outside their lands, and they do so much more often than other Eldain. Since they have the most contact with the non-elven world and since their species is more adventurous than other Eldain, most elf PCs are Anaar Eldain.
While at first they may seem aloof and arrogant, a glimmer of true self can be learned with a little effort. Anaar Eldain seek friendship and alliance with the good humans of the world, however, they are not always easily befriended. Many Anaar Eldain are cautious about trusting humans; quite a few learned to distrust humans and dwarves in the pre-sundering era. Thus, although Anaar Eldain serve the cause of good, one can never be sure of what the reception from them will be.
When the fae-gates were created by the Hurin, a council of the elders of the three clans of Anaar was called. A bitter dispute raged throughout the communities; some wished to stay and give council and aid to the humans, others wished to use the gates and return during a less tumultuous time. Ultimately, the Eldain prophets decided the balance and urged the Eldain, of all creeds, to leave the lands. Despite the divine guidance provided, two of the clans, the Karkakeena Eldain and Morwen, of Anaar stayed behind. Of the two, only one exists still today known as the Rockseer elves, the Morwen were lost to the sands of time believed to have been hunted and slain to the last.
With their return, the Anaar (now only one clan) have begun to re-establish their ancient kingdom. With the aid of the Appollonians, the Anaar have reclaimed the Northern Sebaste as their own. While there are significant differences between the Anaar and Appollonia, the Appolloninas have proven to be significant allies.
Anaar Eldain are very pale. Though they spend a great deal of time outdoors, their skin simply doesn't tan, no matter how long they are in the sun. However, their skin is less a corpse-like pallor than the color of new cream. Their hair and eyes fall into two major variations. One is fair not only of skin, but of hair as well. These Eldain generally have blond hair and blue eyes. The other variation, equally numerous, seems far more mysterious. They have dark hair, ranging from sandy brown to sheerest black, and intense green eyes. These two varieties of Anaar Eldain have no other significant differences, but they are nonetheless often treated differently simply because of their appearance.
Anaar Eldain prefer light pastel shades over the colors worn by grey Eldain. Since they rely on hunting and woodsmanship, they often wear cloaks of green for camouflage in forests.
Their preferred weapon is the bow, but they are also adept with long and short swords. In battle, they wear their gleaming elven chain mail beneath cloaks "woven of the essence of the woods," which allows them to move silently through forests, strike quickly, and then retreat. Although they may befriend giant eagles and occasionally use them for transport, they rarely use mounts because horses and the like are too unwieldy in the forest. Only on the long-distance journeys or on the plains will Anaar Eldain use mounts.
Anaar civilization is much like that rumored in children's fairy tales. Elven homes are enchanted, the lands under their jurisdiction places of goodness. The realms of Anaar Eldain are fabled in the lands of men, and the highest aspiration of many a human is to slip into the arms of death while basking in the serenity of the elf lands.
These Eldain do not place a great deal of value on society, preferring instead to live as they wish rather than how someone tells them to. Their villages are peaceful places, for the Eldain all look out for one another. They have a royal bloodline of sorts, but few Eldain pay it much heed. They do not respect someone purely on the basis of birth.
Anaar Eldain live in a constant relationship with nature, never taking more than they need and giving back ever more. They replenish the forests and the plains constantly, ensuring that there will always be nature within their world. As such, they are often regarded by other good-aligned races as the highest epitome of goodness. Although those who prefer law over freedom do not always agree, they nearly always have respect for the quality of Eldain life. There is no doubt that the Anaar Eldain lead a fine life: Freedom, nature, and the sheer vitality of being alive comprise the daily existence of a Anaar elf.
These Eldain have few cares or worries, and their lives are often characterized by idyllic splendor. While they face problems from rampaging humanoids or the encroachment of humans, they seem to live free of the cares that so often plague other Eldain. Because they live so closely in harmony with nature, they have little trouble finding sustenance in the areas near their homes. Game proliferates near Anaar elf communities, and the earth is fertile for them. However, should the Anaar Eldain roam farther afield, they often discover a different matter entirely. A band of Eldain on the march must sometimes rely upon the generosity of others.
Comments