Deadmouth Elf
Descendants of Slavery
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Diaspor, Spring, Dragonfly, Nightshade, Spring, Marlie, Peridot
Masculine names
Peanut, Flame, Cloud, Anthurium, Turnip, Caraway, Bud, Axis
Unisex names
Earth, Drake, Meadow, Skylark, Raine, Light, Nelly, Little, Walnut
Family names
Poplartwirl, Goldenswirls, Garlicshore, Littlevale, Copperspice, Nightleaf, Pinewhisper, Sugarvale, Goldendance, Rainbowwax
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Few Deadmouth elves speak more than a pidgin version of Elvish. Common along with the language that their forbears owners spoke are the norm. This second language can vary, but would typically be orcish or draconic.
Culture and cultural heritage
Elven cultures as a whole are relative newcomers to Deadmouth Island, however early dwarf, human and halfling attempts at colonizing the island brought elven slaves upon their expeditions. When the colonies failed, many of these enslaved elves were left behind on the island, stil considered the property of those who remained. As the failed colonists and their descendants grew Highport and Cliffegard into the nearest things to permanent settlements the island knows, their property remained with them until, in 112, slavery was declared illegal within Highport and Cliffegarde in response to ongoing raids by the Mireworth Slavers to the west. By this time the Deadmouth elf population had dwindled to just a handful and so the loss was not a keenly felt one to those who owned a slave. Many remained with their former owners as servants.
Deadmouth elf culure is in its infancy. They remain viewed as inferior. No half-elf would claim their ancestry was with a Deadmouth elf (though in truth the majority within Highport are). When other ethnicities of elves arrived on Deadmouth Island in the mid 100s, they were seen almost as a entirely different species and treated as equals.
Shared customary codes and values
The development of strong family units and communities was the most vital response to the trauma of slavery. Deadmouth elves form tight knit, protective communitie and a breach of trust within the community is seen as a tremendous betrayal, not easily forgotten or forgiven. Often forbidden to learn to read or write, their is a strong oral tradition amongst Deadmouth elves. Many are superb storytellers. Action in the best intrests of the community is the prime consideration for Deadmouth elf society, as their means and opportunities remain restricted.
Common Etiquette rules
Among their own kind, Deadmouth elves have developed a societal etiquette of cooperation, welcome and assistance to other Deadmouth elves that extends to those that show them respect as an ethnicity and treat them, if not as equals, then at least as having value as individuals rather than property. On the other side of the coin, is the accepted etiquette that the other races, present in Highport and Cliffegarde in particular, use when interacting with Deadmouth elves.
Most Deadmouters, (human, dwarf or halfling in particular) expect Deadmouth elves to conduct themselves according to well-understood rituals of behaviour. This racial etiquette governs the actions, manners, attitudes, and words of all Deadmouth elves when in the presence of other races. To violate this racial etiquette places one's very life, and the lives of one's family, at risk.
Deadmouth elves are expected to refer to other races in positions of authority as "Boss" or "Cap'n" or some like title of respect that replaces "Master". Deadmouth elf servants might speak in somewhat intimate terms with their employers, addressing them as "Mr. Herman" or "Miss Rhiannon".
All Deadmouth elves, on the other hand, are called by their first names or arereferred to as "Boy," "Girl" or simply "You". If the human, dwarf etc. does not personally know a Deadmouth elf, the term "Pointy" referring to their ears or "Slanty" referring to their eyes might be used.
Dwarves much prefer to give Deadmouth elves ironic honorary titles, such as Professor, Corporal or Journeyman in order to avoid calling them Mister. While the terms "slanty" and "pointy" are universally used, some dwarves are uncomfortable with it because they know it is offensive to most Deadmouth elves. As a substitute, the word "pronged" has begun to appear in polite dwarven society.
Deadmouth elf females are addressed as "Wench." This practice of addressing Deadmouth elves by words that denote disrespect or inferiority reduces the Deadmouth elf to a non-person in Highport society.
In general, Deadmouth elves can meet and talk on the street with other races. Almost always, however, the rules of racial etiquette require Deadmouth elves to be agreeable and non-challenging, even when the other race is mistaken about something. Usually it is expected that Deadmouth elves will move out of the way of other races. Under no circumstances can a Deadmouth elf assume an air of equality with humans or halflings (dwarves are more tolerant).
Deadmouth elves are not permitted in the Southern Ward except as servants. While there they are expected to remain in the home unless carrying explicit written instructions as to their purpose or a pass to return to their home at the end of the day.
The owners of clothing stores do not allow Deadmouth elves to try on clothing as a general rule, fearing that other customers will not buy clothes worn by Deadmouth elves. Some stores do allow them to put on clothing over their own clothes or to try on hats over a cloth scarf on their heads. Shoes and boots are never tried on as a general rule, and as a result, most Deadmouth elves go barefoot.
The whole unspoken intent of Highport, and by extension Cliffegarde, etiquette boils down to one simple rule: Deadmouth elves must demonstrate their inferiority to other races by actions, words, and manners. When such behavior slips, halflings in particular resort to violence against Deadmouth elves to reinforce the customs and standards of behaviour. Indeed, halflings commonly justify mob beatings of Deadmouth elves as defensive actions taken in response to violations of etiquette.
Common Dress code
As they are unwelcome to try and wear the Highport clothing favored by the other races, Deadmouth elves have developed their own fashions in clothing themselves in styled burlap, sackcloth and scraps of other fabrics. Often garishly clashing patterns and colors mark the outfit of a Deadmouth elf. THe less the fabric scraps match, the more fashionable the outfit seems to be considered.
Art & Architecture
Deadmouth elves are largely contained within the slums of the elven Platform in Highport. Succesful architecture is considered to be structure that remains standing for some years. Deadmouth elves excel in creatin art out ofdebris however. The castoff goods and broken items of the rest of Highport are repurposed as art in intricatley designed sculptures isplayed in the home of a Deadmouth elf, and given as gifts of affection and esteem.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
When entering a room, if not automatically met by someone, greet the most elderly or most senior first. Elders are always respected by kissing their right hand then placing the forehead onto the hand. Maintain eye contact while speaking since Deadmouth elves take this as a sign of sincerity.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Deadmouth elves hold that the following can ease the process of childbirth:
- Unfastening the woman’s hair
- A woman who had earlier had an easy labor would rub the back of the pregnant woman
- Making the woman lie down on a piece of cloth and rocking her
Coming of Age Rites
Upon becoming a man around the age of 65, it is a tradition for men to prepare a special meal. It's a symbol of independence and loyalty and it's the culmination of an honoring ritual that can last for days. Women fast for a week as a symbol of individualism and patience upon coming of age.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Deadmouth elves lay the deceased on their stomachs instead of their back. They also surround a deceased person with scented candles. It's supposed to ease the journey of the spirit.
Common Taboos
Public displays of affection remain a major taboo among the Deadmouth elves due to the historic danger of such displays. Open displays of religious piety have a similar taboo attached to them.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Deadmouth elves carry the aesthetic beauty of their finer cousins, but it lies more hidden behind the general grime, tattered rags and poor hygeine common to the poverty most Deadmouth elves continue to live in. To each other, beauty is held in attitude, bearing and the care with which they carry the few possessions they have, including clothing. To a Deadmouth elf, another that can maintain the proud bearing of their free cousins despite all that life has thrown at them is very appealing.
The Deadmouth elf aesthetic finds beauty in the flaws of an object. Perfectly crafted, new or unblemished item are viewed as untested, untrusworthy or downright ugly. To a Deadmouth elf, an item's beauty lies in its practicality and length of use or service.
Gender Ideals
Deadmouth elves have a true equality sometimes espoused but rarely truly practiced by other races. It comes not from a place of enlightenment or progressive idealogy, but rather because the gender of an enslaved elf mattered little. As property they were treated equally badly as a whole, and so no gender superiority lingers in their ideals.
Courtship Ideals
Coming from a legacy of slavery and having no rights, Deadmouth elf relationships are kept low key and secretive until such time as a marriage is proposed. In past generations, such marriages would have required the permission of the elves' owner and since the emancipation of the Deadmouth elves, marriages have become an expression of freedom marked with gregarious celebration of the whole community.
Relationship Ideals
To enter into a relationship was once a potentially dangerous endeavor for a Deadmouth elf, at least in the days before they adopted the "Deadmouth" identity. This ideal has lingered and so subtlety and secretiveness in the early tages of relationship is considered highly romantic. When a relationship becomes serious, close family and friends only are invited into the circle of secrecy and "outing" a couple is seen as a bitter betrayal of trust. The couple decide the pace at which the relationship should move, however physical intimacy beyond a stolen kiss or a discreet holding of hands or a lingering hug is rare due to the inherent danger that a risk of pregnancy could cause in the days of slavery. This attitude is slowly changing, however, for the long-lived elves, the community memory of slavery is still relatively fresh and despite freedom, the treatment of the Deadmouth elves remains poor hampering a change of attitude.
Comments