Valmer

Image above: the dance of Luvial and Caerrio, a masterpiece of the Starfall Valmer

Overview:
Half-elves, known in the Holmgardian Empire as Valmer, are the descendants of ancient unions between humans and elves. Though first generation half-elves are now uncommon, the half-elves have become their own unique people, who some say combine the best traits of both humans and elves. They are as curious, flexible, and ambitious as humans, but are more long-lived, magically-gifted and physically attractive.
Unfortunately, half-elves face resentment from both sides of their lineage. With few realms to call their own, they are often mistreated in both human and elven countries.
Background:
Valmeric history dates back to before the Age of Ice, since the birth of humanity. It is a common misconception that the Valmer are elves, and to most humans, Valmer are the only elves they have ever seen. But in truth, Valmer are descendants from human-elf interbreeding thousands of years ago, and have become their own race of half-elves. Nowadays, most elves in the Empire are born from two Valmer. A Valmer elf born from a true elf and human however, is considered a blessed child.
This situation emerged because of the simple laws of nature. Trueborn elves - the original, "pure" elves - have a much lower fertility than their half-elf offspring. Over many generations, the half-elves outbred and superseded full elves in most of the world. Trueborn elves are now a rare sight, only leaving their reclusive Elfholds on important business; the older examples are wise and powerful.
The Valmer elves occupy an uncomfortable place in the world. Spurned by both of their parent peoples, they forged their own independent realms across Erden. But the rise of the Holmgardian Empire saw the destruction of most of these nations and a great loss of philosophy, culture, architecture, and other areas of learning. Now, many Valmer elves live in isolated villages and ghettos on the outside of human cities, where they are subject to discrimination. Humans tend to resent Valmer for their longevity, beauty, and high standard of living, while Valmer consider humans to be unintelligent, brutish, and xenophobic. Despite this racism, the Valmer have made many valuable, under-recognised contributions to human civilisation. In fact, the Chancellor of the Empire is a Valmer woman.
Understandably, many Valmer have come to resent the bigotry of humans, and have come to oppose the Empire. One of the organisations most despised by the Imperial government is the Ashcloak Syndicate, an outlawed group seeking Valmer liberation. The Syndicate has been reported to raid caravans, murder merchants, and kidnap human settlers, though it is hard to tell truth from propaganda.
Yet whether they are for or against the Empire, it is clear that the Valmer still have an important role to play in world.

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

Concrete architecture, the use of marble, the compass, vellum, and the longbow are some examples of Valmer innovations. Valmer philosophy, poetry, literature, and visual arts are considered some of the finest in the world. Conversely, their metallurgy is considered inferior to that of humanity; bronze tools were the norm prior to the Holmgardian conquests. Though their fine architecture is considered a marvel, their siege engineering is also considered poor.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Valmer exhibit a love of nature and of the ancestors. In all Valmer settlements, a large Weirtree predominates in gathering places. The bark of these trees is subtly shaped through the eons with the faces of passed Valmer ancestors, whose souls are said to reside in the tree itself. Black and white pennants, symbols of Kelemvor and Lathandar respectively, are hung from the branches of the tree in celebration of the ancestors who have passed to the Ethereal plane.
Religion
Valmeric religion is a highly political issue. Those Valmer who identify more strongly with their human heritage tend to follow Tyr, the Holmgardian god of humanity, conquest, and honour. These Valmer tend to be more highly assimilated in the Empire, have lower levels of literacy, and are more martially oriented. Approximately 75% of the Valmer in the Empire are of the Turadric faith, and follow the tenets of Kelemvor, Lathandar, and the Creator. Kelemvor is a particularly popular god, and many noble Paladins come from the Valmer people. Of course, these religious differences have often made the Valmer a target of xenophobia in the zealous Empire...

Historical Figures

Chancellor Delreyn
Alleria Nexander
Fiora Rendellion
Queen Belreyna II
Queen Halderia Graelingard I

Notable People:

by The Witcher 3

Above: Fiora Rendellion, Chieftain of Elven Sasau , 680s

Above: Cressida Asgard, Cleric of Mystra, 730s

by Anndr

Above: Caithus Davril, Paladin of Kelemvor, 730s

Languages
Valmeric
Holmgardian
Eldar
Geographic Distribution
Throughout the former Holmgardian Empire, usually in forest villages or ghettos. Most common in Arthendain, the Southern Empire, and the Sciaran and Rhynari elfholds.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Aeldari
• Human

Lifespan

200

Average Height

6 feet

Gender Roles

Traditionally a matriarchal society. Females act as magicians, leaders, and religious heads, while males craft and work the land. Both genders equally contribute to waging war, though females tend to make up a higher proportion of officers and elite troops.
Courtship
Courtship in Valmer society is complicated and drawn out, and is considered its own art form among some scholars. It tends to involve years-long exchanges of gifts, meetings, and sexual encounters. Aesthetic ideals of courting rituals are emphasized. For example, a successful "date" between Valmer may involve a moonlit sailing on a lake sacred to one partner's ancestors, on a boat hand crafted by the suitor specifically for the occasion. Naturally, these rituals tend to escalate over time, sometimes taking on an aspect of one-upmanship.
Relationship Ideals
Valmer couples tend to pair off for life after an extended period of courtship. Unlike most societies, polyamory is considered the norm. However, a Valmer pair is considered a sacred bond that transcends sexual relations, and it is said that the souls of the Paired become intertwined and live together forever in the bark of the sacred Weirtrees. Uniquely, the concept of marriage is dismissed in Valmer society as patriarchical nonsense. Instead, Valmer call their equivalent "pairing": a term that is said to be more egalitarian. Shockingly to Imperials, homosexuality is considered normal in Valmer society, even encouraged. This has often been a sore point with the Tyrian church, which strongly values the institution of traditional marriage.