Wood Elf
Among the different ethnicities/sub-races of the elves, the wood elves are probably the most reclusive. This is due to them historically being the victims of many different invasions. Mostly by humans. When the elves divided into their respective kingdoms, the wood elves made their home in a kingdom called Crenao, which was situated in the Timberlands on the eastern shore of the Snake. When the human kingdoms began to grow and encroach on elven lands, the wood elves were pushed back to the Timberlands and that is where they still reside. Even though their old kingdom is gone, the wood elves still refer to themselves as the "Crenao" and this is also the given name of their linguistic dialect. This has made them quite reclusive and militaristic. They're also known for being the most straightforward of the elves, preferring to not waist words and just get to the point.
In appearance the wood elves seem to be the tallest of the elven sub-races. Their skin also tends to be a bit tanner with their hair predominantly coming in shades of brown, red, and the occasional dirty blond. As for their eyes, the most common eye color seems to be either brown, green, or grey.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Aelrue, Amra, Cauladra, Dasyra, Dathlue, Edraele, Elora, Faunalyn, Filaurel, Ghilanna, Gweyr, Hacathra, Halaema, Imra, Leilatha, Lyraesel, Merethyl, Muerlara, Nuala, Nueleth, Pollae, Rathiain, Renestrae, Ruavia, Saelihn, Selussa, Seirye, Shael, Sheylen, Sinnafain, Talindra, Thalaera, Thalanil, Valindra, Veluthil, Vestele, Ytharra
Masculine names
Abracham, Aodh, Barinthus, Caolan, Comghan, Dakath, Darcassan, Dholeath, Edansyr, Ehrendil, Erendrial, Erevan, Erlathan, Felaern, Filarion, Galaeron, Gilvas, Haalaari, Hachaam, Haemir, Iefyr, Iolas, Keryth, Khiiral, Lamruil, Larrel, Lhoris, Merith, Morthil, Nesterin, Ninthalor, Orym, Rathal, Ruith, Tarron, Toross, Shae, Uthorim
Family names
Aelasar, Agrivar, Berlian, Calaudra, Cormyth, Dahast, Dracoseir, Ellarian, Eroth, Falanae, Fellmirr, Gourael, Haladar, Ibryiil, Ilbaereth, Irian, Irithyl, Laelithar, Laerethian, Lhoril, Maerdrym, Meliamne, Merluth, Miritar, Naelgrath, Nolbrae, Orbryn, Rhaevaern, Rhothomir, Selorn, Straeth, Talandren, Tarsis, Vandiir, Veverell, Yundraer
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Wood Elves speak a dialect of the elven language known as Crenao -- or Wood Elvish.
All elves speak a universal elvish tongue known as High Elvish (Aratedhel). Among the elven ethnicities --Wood Elves, High Elves, Sea Elves, and Dark Elves-- they all speak their own dialects of the same language. But, when elves of different ethnicities come to speak with each other, they use High Elvish to communicate.
Culture and cultural heritage
The culture of the wood elves is one based in military tradition. This is due to the old wood elf kingdom of Crenao being invaded multiple times by human forces. Both wood elf males and females took up arms to defend their land. Giving them a unique perspective, this has led practical gender equality among the wood elves since they see no difference between what a man or woman can and can't do --since both helped fight for their kingdom. The ancient war paint of the wood elves eventually transferred over into the form of face tattoos which are now a coming of age rite once they're received. Many wood elves start training how to fight by the age of thirteen, and don't become fully fledged warriors until they have received their facial tattoos.
Common Dress code
Wood elves tend be dressed in colors associated with the woodlands. They often wear different shades of green, brown, gold, and grey.
Coming of Age Rites
At the age of twenty five, a wood elf child receives their facial tattoos. This symbolizes that they are now fully fledged members of society. The tattoos come from their warrior traditions when the ancient elven warriors would paint their faces before battle. These warrior designs transferred over into ceremonial tattoos. Today they represent a wood elf's willingness and readiness to fight for their homeland and people.
The only time one might find a wood elf without their face tattoos is if the individual chose to abandon the customs of their people, thus making them live outside of wood elf society. Many wood elves who live among the Kattegat also don't tend to have facial tattoos.
Common Myths and Legends
The elves believe that their gods are the ones who created the great cataclysm. Deep Sashelas used the plane of water to create the oceans, lakes, and rivers. Rillifane Rallathil raised the land from the sea, and the water soaked into the earth bringing forth the trees, fields, and all other plants, Sehaine Moonbow harnessed light from the realm of fire and created the moon and sun. Like Laurentians, the elves believe that sentient life came from the bark of trees, and that Corellon Larethian taught them the use of magic.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Between the different cultures of the elves, it is the wood elves who seem to have the most gender equality within their society --the second most being the dark elves. Historically, the wood elves have fought off many an incursion and they used all the help they could get. Men and women alike rose to the occasion to defend their homes. Because of this, wood elves don't see a limit on what a man or woman can and can't do. This makes it quite common to see women and men in positions of power, and fighting alongside together in the wood elf armies.
Courtship Ideals
Elven spouses will choose each other long before they ever get married. If the two parties are underage then they need the consent of their respective families. At a meeting between the two families the parties will announce their betrothal in which rings are exchanged between the couple. This signifies their engagement in which they wait a year until providing a date for the wedding. The engagement can be called off at any time with either party returning the ring, but this rarely ever happens.
The actual marriage is celebrated with a feast between the two families in which the spouses swap out their betrothal rings with wedding rings. For the marriage to be considered legitimate the vows must be spoken, and then later the couple must consummate the marriage. Once consummation happens the marriage process is considered complete.
Major organizations
- Crenao
- Timberlands
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