Elu'Baren
Elu'Baren is a culture born from the Great Exodus. When the Feyborn children chose to leave Faenum behind, they took the teachings and cultural hallmarks of the realm and the Fey with them. But instead of playing into the hedonism that many Fey had fallen to, the Elu instead teaches moderation and temperance while still pushing for one to live life as much as possible. From their clothing to their art to even the way they dress, Elu people are those who are exuberant and never afraid to live life as they wish to while keeping in tune with nature.
Naming Traditions
Unisex names
Across the board, Elu names have a lot of light syllables flowing across the tongue with ease. With how common vowels are in these names, diphthongs are also common as well, leading to heavy syllable naems here and there. Across the entire region, the names Ano and Maiya are synomous with "Hero", the former's name being woven into many names through the culture and variations of Maiya existing. As these two were the legendary heroes who helped beat back the X'ith'ila in the region, it is no wonder why.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The Feyborn formed their own language not long after they landed in Avestra, forming the Elu or Elven tongue as it is commonly known. The Menzo dialect formed as the Elu-Baren became the Menzo-baren but is still spoken in the eastern parts of the Elu region. A mixture of the language of the Under Empire and their own over thousands of years that has become it's own dialect if not language. The central lands still have the Fey as the dominant influence, forming the Faen dialect. Some people who speak this version of Elven can also speak or read and write Fey as well. The last major dialect exists on the shores of the west, a mixture of the Argorn and Lonavi culture, forming the Arlu dialect.
Shared customary codes and values
Across the Elu region, a deep love of nature is common for them. One of the few connections they have to the Fey still. Another value they share is their love of freedom, not to the point of excess or anarchy, but allowing pepole to live a life they see fit without infringing on others.
Common Etiquette rules
The Elu'Baren prefer to make it known how they feel about others, no tricks or hiding their emotions. It is why they can be so blunt but also very expressive as well. A person who visits Elu lands will know how one of their people feels about them, especially if they strongly like them or dislike them. This mentality however starts to fad as one gets closer to the north or south, the influence of the Lonavi and the Aerin people causing a rise in the false civility that most Elu are known to dislike. However, Elu are quick to forgive but never forget, preferring to not let their lives be marred by actions in the past. Additionally, they are one of the few cultures who recognize Ano as a hero, his likeness appearing in festivals to heroes of past ages.
Common Dress code
Due to the tropical climate of the region, many Elu wear light and flowing clothing to deal with the heat and humidity common throughout most of the year. Most people wear brighter colors throughout the year but hunters and the like often wear colors to blend into the enviornment. As the Elu get closer to the mountains, they will wear thicker clothing but few have the winter-esque clothes that the Menzo-baren people wear.
Art & Architecture
The western edge of the Elu region begins to blend with Cico and their Argorn culture. Most cities and architecture are made out of wood, interwoven into the trees itself. Whole forests can serve as a metropolis for the Elu people. And in places where there are no trees, the Elu will sometimes plant their own to make tree cities or make them out of whatever they can find. Paintings and weavings related to the ocean or shore are common here and as the central Elu region is reached, woodwork and writing becomes even more prominent art wise.
Further east, the Elu live in the remains of the once great Under Empires, sharing them with their Menzo cousins as well. Unlike the Menzo, they do weave plants into the stone, holding together that which erosion has slowly worn away. But they are careful not to destroy what came before, seeing these holds as gifts from those who delved the Underoads. Sculptures are quite common in this region.
In the south, architecture turns towards the Lonavi lands as the Savannah is tough to keep tall trees alive in. Stone and brick houses are common or houses made of mud if the settlement is too far away from any good sources. The Lonavi often trade with the Elu-Baren in this region to help them have what they need to survive in the region.
Foods & Cuisine
Elu food is a must-have for any visitors and sought after from those who do not live in the region. Grains and vegetables have to grown in treetop agriculture, planted on the top of wooden platforms with rich soil brought up from the forest floor. As a result, fruit is a heavy constant in Elu diets as sweets such as chocolate which is abundant in the region. Meat and fish as usual are also common since the Elu people are keen to keep nature in balance with hunting and fishing practices taught at a young age.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
- New Year's Dawn: With the dawn of the new year, the Elu people give thanks to the gods for another year that they're been able to survive. They also make offerings for good fortune in the new year.
- Day of Hearts: A day of spending time with those the Elu care for most and remembering those that are far away or long passed but still in their hearts. The week of this day is usually devoted to festivals and bonfires across the region and often a destination for romantic partners.
- Remembrance: The one day of true mourning or prayer for safety for those far from home. It started as a day for the Lunari who fought and died to protect the Elu lands and the Alomri when they were first banished from Faenum but has become a memorial day for any lost souls.
- Spirits' Crossing: The day when the barrier between Avestra and Mortis weaken is when people pray to the Raven Queen in earnest. The Elu also aid those who are unable to pass on due to unfinished business or emotional turmoil that still binds them.
- Giftmore: A celebration of gift giving and time with kith and kin that lasts from the Winter Solstice all the way to New Year's Dawn. It is also when they pray that one day all of the Feyborn can be given the gift of Reincarnation and their creator, Raselo, and his court can be free from their chains with Gashiro.
Coming of Age Rites
For elves, their coming of age is the Hayekon or Severance. It is when Elves who have reached a century in life sever their connection to their past lives through trancing. After this day, they can no longer trance on memories from other lives, only their current lives.
Meanwhile the Lunari have their special ceremony called Inisaek or the Seeking. Lunari who have come of age and have chosen the Path of the Guardian have one final feast with their kith, kin, and fellow Guardians before they head out on their adventures. Due to the large Lunari population, this is often a yearly affair and many Lunari families have to accept that they may not see their children again or for quite some time.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Most dead are laid to rest within the roots of trees, becoming one with them. Notable graveyard and mass graves are denoted by their golden colors, permenant even with the change of seasons. Funerals are not a way to mourn what was lost but to celebrate the grand life they lived or the impact they left on others. This is especially common for those who reincarnate as their loved ones know they will see them again some day in another form.
Common Taboos
Harming Lunari is a definite taboo in the Elu region as they are considered the guardians of the Feyborn. Only a fellow Lunari or those that serve as protectors are able to harm them usually unless there is undeniable proof that the Lunari has wronged others. Some call this unecesseary favortism but considering that Lunari criminals and bandits are rare, the taboo has stayed for now.
Common Myths and Legends
Unified Soul
Legends speak of an Elf in the past who was unified in body and soul. An elf who was able to become one with their past lives and keep their consciousness as well. Their voice was not just their own but of all their past lives as well. It is said this unified elf was one of the people who pushed the Alomri revolt and also the Elven Exodus. It is said that in the future, when Fey kin spill each other's blood and Faenum weeps Golden tears, a Unified Elf will appear again to unite the Fey under one banner and help them fight against the encroaching darkness that seeks to eradicate reality.Ideals
Gender Ideals
There is no real ideal for gender in Elu culture. Due to how accepting they are to many walks of life, they are equally open to people whether they are cis or transgender. Since the Fey rarely even cared about what the gender of a person was, this trait has followed their children even to Avestra. It is espeically common for people like the Elves for whom it is quite common to have androgynous features.
Relationship Ideals
Polyamory is a common relationship type in the Elu lands as why limit one's self to only one partner if they love more than one. As such from the lowest commoner to the highest nobility, it is quite common to see polycules. As long as the partners can give each other equal attention and love, there is nothing to be ashamed of. There is even a subset of both monogomous and polyamorus relationships where they are open, allowing their partners to see others whether physically, emotionally, or both.
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