Hurin Eldain
Grey elves (“Hurin”) are at once the most noble and most reclusive of the elves. Upon return to Alcirya, the Hurin were dismayed by the turmoil they found for they expected a new era of peace and accomplishment. A millennia ago the Hurin created the fae-gates (a series of portals that the Eldain used to leave Alrciya - their use, location, and destination are known only to a small group of Hurin. Many rumor that the enchantment which bore them was ruined with the return of the Eldain) and encouraged their brethren to escape the turmoil of Secerno Apocryphum with the promise of returning when humanity had ‘matured.’ In vain they had attempted to make their mark, which was to put the world on the path to goodness, and failed. Even today their message is largely ignored and the Hurin have withdrawn from the world until a time comes which will bear the fruit of their message. Until then the Hurin view themselves as the protectors of good in the world, and they will only stir from their mountains and meadows to protect the "lesser" races when they are faced with great evil, much as they have done for the Rock Gnomes.
Grey elves act much like human knights - supercilious and condescending, full of their own importance. They think nothing of speaking their minds, provided that this remains within the bounds of Eldain decorum. They are often haughty, disdaining contact with most others, including all other Eldain save Hurin.
This species garbs themselves in wool tunics of gold, silver, white, or yellow. Over these, they wear cloaks of dark blue or purple. Their dress alone often makes them the most striking of the elves, and their elegant bearing and pure beauty make them almost appear as supernatural creatures.
When arming themselves for battle, they don shimmering suits of plate or chain mail, protecting the head with winged helmets. Their weapons, created by master elf crafters, shine brightly under any light. Mounted warriors ride griffons or hippogriffs into battle, swooping down upon their enemies with dreadful perfection.
Taller and more slender than the other elves, Hurin typically have silver hair and amber eyes. This does not give them any special abilities, but it does serve to distinguish them from their Anaar Eldain brethren. Somewhat rarer are those Hurin who have pale golden hair and violet eyes. These Eldain are often known as faerie and are probably those who first made contact with humans.
While not exactly bigoted toward other races, the Hurin do believe in the purity of the Eldain line. They are the least tolerant of other races, and they take pains to ensure that they remain secluded from all - sometimes even other Eldain. Only the mightiest mages of other races are allowed within their mountain citadels, and these are greeted with suspicion. The Hurin are not rabid in their dislike of the shorter-lived races, but they do fear the corruption that the other races can bring to the Eldain.
Because of their reverence for the sanctity of Eldain blood, Hurin have striven to maintain their original ideals. They consider themselves to be the purest form of all Eldain. They believe that, since the other elves do not concern themselves with maintaining their purity, their role in the Eldain world is less than that of the Hurin. These Eldain feel that they are the "true" elves and that others are somehow lesser versions. The Hurin staunchly believe this to be true, despite the fact that they are an offshoot of the original high elf line.
Hurin disguise the entrances to their mountain meadows and remote cities with powerful magic, ensuring that only those who are Eldain or familiar with the Eldain dweomer can discover their retreats. If members of another race find their hideaways, the Hurin are not averse to casting a high-level Forget spell. They have worked long and hard to achieve their hidden lands, and they welcome not those who stumble across them.
Of all Eldain, Hurin rely the most on their intelligence. While other elves are by no means stupid, Hurin trust less in physical prowess than they do the mind. Their line breeds more mages and mage combinations than any other, and some of the most esteemed of their species are scholars.
Their entire existence is based on developing and discovering new knowledge, and they therefore spend less time on the pleasurable pursuits that occupy other Eldain's lives. Their mages are without peer in the Eldain world. Even mages of greater power from other races speak of the knowledge of the Hurin with no small measure of fascination.
Because the only wizard specialties available to Eldain are Diviner and Enchanter, Hurin usually do not become specialist wizards. Instead, they learn more about magic in general; their long lifespans ensure that they are among the most knowledgeable mages on any world, though not necessarily the most powerful.
However, like all Eldain, their crafters have had centuries to perfect their art. Since the Hurin have a much fiercer dedication to perfection than other Eldain, their products are finer than any others in the world. Only some dwarves can rival the expertise shown by Hurin - but even then they cannot rival the sheer beauty exhibited in Eldain manufacture. It is a guarantee that almost any Hurin work can hold the strongest magicks and enchantments. The very qualities of the manufacture work subtle charms into the item, making it more receptive to whatever potent magic a mage might use to enhance it. The Hurin have produced most of the magical items attributed to elvenkind. They are particularly devoted to the creation of tomes and scrolls.
Hurin often have the most extensive libraries of anyone in the world. Any Hurin community of more than 50 years will have a communal library rivaling those of any major city or wizard. Such libraries are open to all Eldain who wish to better themselves and increase their knowledge. Since the Hurin value the constant expansion of their stores of books, many spend their lives in research (either magical or scientific), writing learned treatises.
Because they spend so much time in research, Hurin often have little time to spare for physical labor, although this does not preclude craftsmanship. In order to maintain their cities, they must rely on "lesser" races for the upkeep of their realms. Since almost all of these servant elves have been brought up in the particular atmosphere of the grey elves, they believe that their lot in life is to serve the grey elves. In ancient days, other Eldain species served the Hurin’s various needs. Since Secerno Apocryphum, however, the Rock Gnomes have integrated into Hurin society. The Rock Gnomes provide invaluable labor and goods to the Hurin in return for protection and organization. Hurin are not harsh taskmasters, but neither are they forgiving. When a servitor gnome fails in a task or performs it poorly, punishment is swift and to the point. Few make the same mistake twice.
Hurin society is among the most rigidly defined in any world. They are ruled by a hereditary monarch, either male or female, who can be succeeded by any of the other members of the House Royal. This is subject to approval by a majority of the House Noble. The ruler must have all decisions ratified by such a majority.
Beneath these two Houses are the Merchant Houses, of which the Guild Houses are a part. The House Protector is equal to the Merchant Houses. Beneath the Merchant Houses are the Servitor Houses (of which the Gnome society is one). Beneath them are the castless Eldain, who have almost no voice in Hurin society.
Interestingly enough, most other Eldain do not readily befriend Hurin, for they see the Hurin as far too serious and arrogant. Indeed, some elves think the Huirn species is far closer to the word "human" than "elf." They think the Hurin have lost the Eldain joy of life, for the Hurin prefer to spend their time with books rather than revel in the outdoors and the goodness of life. Instead of exploring the boundaries of life, they are learning to be serious.
In some Eldain's eyes, Hurin had gone so far as to enslave other Eldain - if not in fact, then at least in spirit. The Hurin’s ancient "servants" had none of the typical Eldain love of life, nor did they have that spark that is so particularly Eldain. This caused many Eldain to shun much contact with the Hurin (and is even rumored to be one of the major causes of the Revolt of the Morwen). Hurin claim that the servitor Eldain were there by choice much as the Rock Gnomes are today.
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