Meldari

The Grey Elves are the grey-skinned, typically red/gold-eyed elven people of Aeloth. On Aldevaria and Aerqueleron, "Grey Elf" is the common usage, but among their Elven brethren they are called "Meldari". Their combination of powerful intellects with strong and agile physiques produces superior warriors and sorcerers. On the battlefield, Meldari are noted for their skill with a balanced integration of the sword, the bow or crossbow and Destructive magic. Grey Elves live two to three times as long as humans; with a 100-year-old Grey Elf being old and a 300-year-old Meldari being very, very old. In character, they are reserved, as well as distrusting and disdainful of other races, especially. The Meldari distrust and are treated distrustfully by other races. They are often proud, clannish, ruthless, and cruel, from an outsider's point of view, but greatly value loyalty, friends and family. Young female Grey Elves have a reputation for promiscuity in some circles. Despite their powerful skills and strengths, the Meldari's vengeful nature, age-old conflicts, betrayals, and ill-reputation prevent them from gaining more influence. Those born in their homeland of Aeloth are known to be considerably less friendly than those who grew up elsewhere.

The Meldari believe they were born from the glory of their ancestors. The infamous confrontation Between Two Races led to the death of an ancient and respected war leader known as High Warlord Alinar the Great, the destruction of a Nylian clan, the destruction of an entire Myrvonir empire, and the ascension into godhood of the Wife of Lord Alinar's, culminating in a chain of events from prohecies that transformed the Grey Elves into their present appearance. Before that, they were the Nylians, a race of elves with skin like pale white gold and bright white Eyes that lived with an intelligent Race of insectoid beings who called themselves the Myrvonir. Both lived together on Arceleron but the Myrvonir were far more superior to the Grey Elves and they used the Elves as Slaves for their projects and experiments. Everything changed when Warlord Alinar revolted against them, destroying their ingenious machines, sacked their cities and erased everything that had a connection to the Ant-like race. The Last battle Alinar fought against the Myrvonir, were he succumbed to his wounds a few days after. The battle, was so savage and brutal that the gods Aarus, Yfaldir and Edar, angry at the monstrosity the Myrvonir had committed against their slaves, had broken the metaphysical chains of the Nylian people. This had changed their skin into a greyish colour, their white eyes into Dark red, almost black, eyes which only their pupils being red and their hair transformed from white to black or red. Some saw it as a final liberation, while others saw it as a curse. Alinar's wife, Valindra, was so heartbroken about the death of his beloved husband that she broke the oath of Loyalty against the gods and ascended into godhood, making of Alinar a Saint and guided her brothers and sisters ever since. The Meldari came to worship High Warlord Alinar the Great and The Generous High Priestess Valindra and follow their teachings, with some notable detractors. For thousands of years, they used their power and leadership to protect the Grey Elves from foreign invasion.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Non-tribal:

• Vindela
• Fanusa
• Rila
• Lamela
• Verasi
• Reldil

Tribal:

• Zanummu
• Imashi
• Sahnivari
• Shallah
• Adubra
• Hananari

Masculine names

Non-tribal:

• Ulvith
• Banden
• Savras
• Syndril
• Devak
• Saryn

Tribal names:

• Erur-Bael
• Zellit
• Ervos
• Yeheredid
• Effi-Awa
• Dredas

Family names

Non-Tribal:

• Veram
• Darithys
• Indaros
• Velen
• Ulvenith
• Veralor

Tribal:

• Simsa
• Siddur-Inu
• Khenu-amalit
• Ke-Aksû
• Usharm
• Atinsobai

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

• Darionic
• Dialectic Nylian

Culture and cultural heritage

Native-born Meldari tended to look down on foreigners or "outlanders", which include both other races and Grey Elves born outside of Aeloth, though the intensity of this ethnocentrism varies. For thousands of years under the Order of Alinar, Grey Elves society was structured much like the Nylian society had been: domestic political Clans governed by Ruling Councils competed against each other for power and territory. Clans tend to rise and fall; many have faded to extinction over the years or sprouted up to challenge others. The Four most important Clans are Teldwyn, Kohran, Odonya and Bartari. Teldwyn has been so heavily involved with the Order itself that it is hard to distinguish the two. In the Saar gan region, native tribes ruled without laws or government and lived strictly by codes, rituals, and ancient traditions usually dictated by a seer and implemented by the leader of the tribe. They lived in the plains and woods of the western part of Aeloth. The "peaceful" status quo for Meldari is still quite savage, even when led by a living goddess. Political machinations are constant. Assassinations are common; there's even a legally established guild providing services. A huge amount of black market activity thrives along Aeloth’s extensive coastlines. Dissidents to the Order and other subversives over the years have been hunted and persecuted. Slavery used to be commonplace. Mostly Humans or Goblins slaves were trafficked, although many Elves were also enslaved. Necromancy is also practiced openly by some Grey Elves, though never with the corpses of their own race. The Clans generally follow the established Order of Alinar, which preaches faith for Valindra, respect for the "Good Gods" who recognize the Goddess, and veneration of ancestors. There was some practicality to this: ancestral remains are used to power special enchantments to ward off spirits. Historically, the Meldari have resisted worshipping The Gods, and it is likely many Meldari will be.

Common Etiquette rules

Terms of Respect

• Fehlsera (Fehlsera) - mostly male-oriented term of respect, used in legal documents
• sera (Sera) - mostly female-oriented term of respect
• bahro (Bahro) - term of high respect used to address nobility
• bahr (Bahr) - same as bahro, but informal and private
• sedura (Sedura) - term of respect used to address wealthy people
• kena (Kena) - term of respect used to address a Kohran lecturer
• Khefn (Khefn) - used to address a Hutmen chief, but also as a suffix to address a chief or a councillor in the Great Clans

Art & Architecture

The Grey Elves are known for some of the most exotic architecture in Silceris. The Kohran reside in giant Trees and flowers, using arcanium to grow their homes. The Teldwyn, Odonya, and Bartari use more conventional methods to build their structures in their own slightly differing styles. The Odonya town of Lothireth is famous for having their castle built from the shells of long dead ancient lobster-like creatures. Unlike their settled brethren, the Hutmen are nomadic, and live in migrating encampments of large tents throughout Aeloth. All Meldari buildings have to be well-suited to deal with the climate of their particular region, which vary greatly across the continent of Aeloth.

Historical figures

• Alinar The Great
• Bael Myr
• Valindra
• Ehkelar

Diverged ethnicities

• Melgari
• Melsari

Related Organizations

• Crimson Hand

Languages spoken

• Darionic

Related Locations

• Aeloth