Moon Elves

... the faded beauty of the night.

Created by Acturus Albani, ^{who is killing time while he works}.

Moon elves are an extinct type of elf that existed north of The Kingdom of Crendameth until a little over five hundred years ago. Quite differently from their other elven kin, moon elves tended to gather and live in elevated areas in mountains, where they could perform a variety of different religious rites centering around the worship of Glacia, Nimla and Æthera, the three moons of the world.

Moon elves were generally associated with the belief that the moons held special or mystical powers that were imparted onto individuals that were referenced in moon elf lore as Silmë (literally, starlit), which resulted in numerous hunts from other species and extremist zealots within the moon elves to find and destroy, enslave or indoctrinate these beings respectively. These hunts became increasingly violent and began including innocents after the warlock Ilyndrathyl Swordstar, heir apparent to the lost Silverlight Throne began a retaliatory campaign against the races that had so vehemently pursued his own for centuries. Claiming himself to be one of the legendary Chosen, he led a host of kinsmen and women forward into sabotage, espionage and assassination ventures, occasionally engaging in open battle but regularly avoiding it do to reduced numbers. Swordstar was ultimately defeated by his own followers and the Empty Lord's forces in the pivotal Battle for Brightkeep.

Less than a decade afterwards, a random cataclysm struck the already reduced number of elves, apparently taking refuge in the mountain city of Mooncrest, which resulted in the total extinction of the species. This event is today known as Mórilanta (literally, nightfall). There is little evidence to show what actually transpired in the ruins of the city, but it is known that it was one of, if not the last stand of the moon elves.

Since then, the moon elves have slowly faded from public conscience, to the point where only learned scholars and some travelling storytellers know of their existence.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Moon elves were bipedal, upright-standing sentient vertebrates that had two legs and two arms attached to a central torso. In turn, these each had a foot (five toes) and a hand (five fingers) respectively. On the upper part of the torso rested a head with two eyes and eyebrows, two ears, a nose and a mouth with two sets of eyelashes, one above and one below the ocular globe.

Their muscles were mainly composed of muscle cells, and were classified as smooth, striated and cardiac, all found in different parts of the body and playing different roles in the organism's locomotion.

Moon elves had a total of two hundred and six bones in their skeletal structure, and were lighter and more durable than bones found in other species, but had the same functions of providing structure and protection for the body.

Both of the above-mentioned organs were covered in a layer of skin, which encompassed the entire body.

Genetics and Reproduction

Moon elves reproduced sexually, and had a gestation period of approximately nine to eleven months. It was usual that more 'normal' characteristics, like light hair and clear eyes, be passed down from parents to children, but more 'unusual' characteristics were not unheard of.

Growth Rate & Stages

Moon elves grew slowly, much like their wooden and high brethren. Over the course of a century, they grew from childhood through their 'teenage' years to adulthood. A moon elf was considered to be an adult upon their first century. Frequent changes as they aged included an increase in size and length, sexual maturity, lengthening of hair and other secondary traits as a by-product of that sexual maturity.

Ecology and Habitats

Moon elves usually lived high up in mountainsides, valleys or open plains where they could see the moons clearly, although they always displayed a clear affinity for stone structures. Rather than removing rocks or trees, they built their houses around or into it, most times combining the two materials into their constructions. This was mostly done as a sign of respect and gratitud to the place where they lived for allowing them to be there.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Moon elves were omnivores, contrary to popular belief and frequent legends that state that they only ate the fruits that grew up in the mountains. Normally, a town or village had an established number of people that would hunt in the nearby forests in the case of low-land settlements, or a small group of seasoned rangers that would go out to hunt the hardy wildlife of the mountain ranges.

Biological Cycle

All moon elves were, in some unexplained way, connected to the phases of the moons, reportedly glowing softly at night when at least one of them was full. During lunar eclipses, basal needs and sentiments were heightened for the duration of it. Once a month, females underwent a hormonal 'cleaning up' in their bodies, not unlike what human females experience.

Additional Information

Social Structure

At the very top, there was the Silverlight Sovereign, which ruled the small country of Zoastria centuries ago. After its definite fall in 637 BE, said governance disappeared.

In its stead, and after the fallout of the rebellion that finally disbanded it quelled, the people lived governed by a decentralized regime. Every collection of settlements in a determined zone would answer to a council of elders, one of which is a part of a high council of Diviners that gathered on a yearly basis in Mooncrest.

After the fall of the Sovereign, most elves banded together in solidarity. As such, there was no such thing as extreme poverty in the elvish society.

The ones in charge of keeping the customs and religious traditions were also highly regarded, but never given any real political power. Still, they constituted an important part in moon elves' society.

The hierarchy was something along these lines:

• The Diviners

• Town/Village Elders

• High Priestess of Æthera

• Clergy

• Commoners, farmers, warriors and workers

Facial characteristics

Moon elves' faces would most accurately be described as angular and fine, with high cheekbones and straight jaws. Their eyes differed from family to family, but their ears were pointy, like most elves'.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Moon elves were unevenly spread out in the northern regions of Crendameth, never really part of the kingdom but never really opposing its rule, either. They would most easily be found across great mountain ranges.

Average Intelligence

The average moon elf would be slightly more resourceful that most other species, but not much more intelligent.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Moon elves relied on their eyes, ears, nose and skin to perceive the world around them. Both their eyesight and hearing are described to be exceptionally good, with most reports claiming that, much like wood and high elves, they could see in the dark using darkvision.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Keeping in line with other elvish naming traditions, moon elves imparted their names twice, once on childhood and once upon reaching adulthood. Their family names were either written in elvish or as an amalgamation of two Common words to describe the family's history as accurately as possible.

Major Organizations

• The Diviners: A group of magic-wielding elders that served as a high council for the elves before their extinction.

• The Silverlight Sovereignty: The fallen kingdom of moon elf royalty.

• Isilnórë Voronwë: Literally, 'faith of the moon people', the most commonly accepted religion the elves were said to practice.

• Isilaráto: Literally, 'moon champions', a secret military organization founded by the voronwë centered around the zealous conservation of the faith.

Beauty Ideals

All born under the light of the moons were inherently considered to be beautiful people, but the ideal but was reportedly described by Corellion V as "that who wishes good onto their kin and works towards making those words into actions".

Courtship Ideals

Moon elf courtship has largely been lost to time. However, a few pictographs depicting a male approaching a female with a viridian flower and then depicting the same two figures under a whisperwood tree seems to represent a matrimonial ceremony or rite.

Average Technological Level

From evidence recovered from the ruins of different elven cities, great advancements in the field of optics were made, as demonstrated by a series of interlocking tubes with two lenses at each end, providing a magnifying effect and allowing for a greater look at things in the far distance. Some astral maps have survived the test of time, with the three moon's movements in great detail and an established moon calendar accurately describing their changing phases and even going as far as to predict lunar eclipses. Some incongruities have been found with the stars described in these maps, however, namely that most of the stars there depicted do not exist in the night sky observable from Ar'Nuhûn's surface or its mountains.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Moon elves spoke general elvish, but morphed and transformed it into what has now been called Highland Elvish, which is what they used for their names, cities, religious chants and more. It is such a great departure from traditional elvish, however, that it can be considered as a different language entirely.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Like many things, moon elf culture has been largely lost due to the destruction of most of their heritage. What little does survive are treaties and some poems composed by the elves, reaching our days because they were sold, stolen or otherwise found their ways into the hands of other species. From the moon elves, a lunar calendar accurately measuring the phases of the moons was perfected, many stars and heavenly bodies' movements were properly charted and named and some fragments of their underlying philosophies were adapted to other religions.

Historical Figures

• Sylleth the Windcaller: First ruler of the Silverlight Sovereignty and Zoastria, builder of many moon elf cities, such as Mooncrest, Mornmist and Ashgrove.

• Corellon V: Fully established the country of the moon elves. Writer of The Apex of Light, a poem that has survived until our days and is considered a seminal representative of the elves' artistic capabilities.

• Koronos the Farseer: Nigh-legendary Master Diviner, famous in history because of his prophecies, most of which came true. Successfully navigated the blossoming regime through many tribulations, avoiding famines and plagues.

• Ilyndrathyl Swordstar: Warlock posing as one of the mythical Silmë that led a retaliatory campaign against the enemies of the moon elves.

Common Myths and Legends

Many myths surround the moon elves, primarily those told by wandering bards seeking to enthrall audiences with songs of tragedy. Original myths from the elves have been reported to exist, but there is no greater myth than the Silmë, the chosen avatars of the moons, and their exploits. Many of these tales depict these beings as nearly omnipotent, with an apparently endless supply of vigor, strength and magic, and most of the times performing epic deeds or impossible feats done in the name of good or love.

There are some, more cynical myths that depict these chosen warriors as blundering fools or raving madmen after obtaining their godly powers, even going so far as to depict them in a negative light, becoming insane from the amount of might at their disposal and becoming bloodthirsty savages.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Many species hated the moon elves, to the point of hunting them down violently. Most notably, the dwarves in the northern ranges of Crendameth, near where the moon elves had established their outposts, were almost zealously violent against them. Even some factions of high and wood elves were prone to antagonizing them.

This is not to say they were universally hated. They harbored cordial relationships with the people in the edges of the kingdom, going so far as to leave their settlements to live with them.

EXTINCT

Origin/Ancestry

Elvish

Lifespan

Two hundred to two hundred and fifty years

Conservation Status

Extinct.

Average Height

1.6 - 1.8 (Females), 1.7 - 1.9 (Males)

Average Weight

45 - 70 Kg (Females), 55 - 80 Kg (Males)

Average Physique

Because of their constant need to climb stairs and sometimes even the bare mountainside, moon elves were usually fit or, at the very least, thin. Even the ones living in the lowlands would adhere to a strict diet, resulting in a low body mass.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Some moon elves would have tattoos drawn on their bodies as a way of showing their devotion or channeling divine magics, but this was more of an exception than it was a rule. Generally speaking, moon elves had a pale complexion, not completely anemic but most certainly light of color.