Tal'dorenth

One of the four ethnicities of elf found on Eotha, the Tal'dorenth hail from the Principality of Seraline. Isolationist and disdainful of other racists, the Tal'dorenth believe that they were the only race in the Time of Terror who truly pulled their weight in the battle against Tiamat's infernal invasion. Tal'dorenth means unbroken and the Seralinian Elves (as they're known by other races) took the name at the same time that they named the Wayfarer Elf the Dorenth, meaning broken. In the eyes of the Tal'dorenth, the Dorenth broke when they should have bent. The Tal'dorenth's willingness to sacrifice everything, including their own capital with all its wealth, is why they remain unbroken to this day.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Seralinian, this dialect of Elvish is distinct mostly due to the large number of words and phrases the Seralinian Elves have created to insult other races.

Shared customary codes and values

Those that survive without bending the knee are the only ones worthy of respect. Seralinian Elves will not bow to another being, no matter the circumstance. If they do, they are immediately regarded as having become Dorenth, and so are cast out from society.

Average technological level

The Tal'Dorenth lack what most would could a modern level of technology for Eotha. Their craft and skills lie in three primary areas of focus, woodworking, leather working and herbal medicines. A lack of need for clothing mean that tailoring is kept to simple colourful garments, with the hides from hunted animals providing cloaks and parkas for protection from the elements. When it comes to weapons of war the Tal'Dorenth are master bowyers and fletchers. The Royal Family of Seraline, the Tal'Dorenth's formal military are known for their use of expertly crafted glaives and spears. Though the Tal'Dorenth only have a minimalist approach to the use of metallurgy, their long life spans along with records of methodologies dating back 10,000 years mean the few smiths they have are bound to become among the best on Eotha. The use of metal is reserved for weapons and tools, namely axes, hunting knives, spears and arrowheads. The Tal'Dorenth have access to a much higher proportion of magic users than other races and their sorcerers are universally trained in the arts of enchanting. Every bow and spear created for use by the Royal Family is enchanted to ensure the wooden hafts have the strength of steel while maintaining the flexibility of the wood they're made from. The Seralinian Warbow is a massive weapon of war, only brought out in times of armed conflict or to combat large monstrosities (it's to unwieldy to be used in the forest), only especially strong archers can manage the incredible 160 pound draw weight these bows can afford.

Common Dress code

The warm climate of their forests mean that Tal'dorenth eschew traditional clothing, preferring instead to adorn themselves with colourful loin clothes and a variety of tattoos. Nudity is entirely accepted in their society as function is the key to survival, and clothing has little function in their homeland. Elves that leave the forest and end up in colder climates quickly adopt local dress and attire, again favouring simple, functional pieces of clothing, ideally leaving as many of their tattoos and piercings revealed as possible.

Art & Architecture

The Tal'dorenth are experts at carving wood and shaping obsidian. The edges of their forest are doted with obsidian statues among the trees and foliage intended to warn those who approach that they are entering into Principality of Seraline.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The nomadic nature of Tal'Dorenth means that they travel light. Culturally this has lead to the principal of the shared campfire. Seralinian elves believe it to be sign of good fortune if another tribe encounters their temporary camp, the other party will be welcomed in and hosted by the tribe who have been situated in the area. Seralinian Elves often run into to trouble in other societies when they expect the inhabitants of permanent villages and towns to give them food and shelter without expectation of recompense.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Tal'Dorenth are universally a fit and healthy race, their ideal of beauty reflects this and so muscle tone and flexibility are seen as signs of beauty and virility. All Tal'Dorenth sport vast body spanning tattoos detailing their exploits and lineage. Tattooists hold a revered place in their society and don't range far from areas that provide their source of inks. A Tattooist will only give a tattoo to an individual if they have proof of their exploits, either by trophies or by the sworn word of three Tal'dorenth who are not immediate blood-kin. Consequently tattoos are of paramount importance in the appeal of one Tal'Dorenth to another, few things are regarded as more beautiful than one of the tattoos signalling the bearer to be a master in their given field.