Braithstrom

The Braithstrom are a race of Elves commonly called Sea Elves in the Common Tongue. They are the tallest of the surviving Elves, regularly standing at around seven feet in height. There is evidence to suggest that they were likely the tallest Elves even at the height of Elfish Diversification. The Braithstrom are blue-skinned, and marked by webbing between digits and an extra eyelid that protects them from salt sprays. They are the only known race of elves with six digits per limb. The protective lid makes their eyes look white and clouded, while their hair ranges from black to shades of green. 
The Braithstrom originate from what is now called The Seven Lords Islands, and were driven out during the Sylvan War. By forming an alliance with the Langites and Embereki, they were able to survive the extermination of elfinkind, and relocated to the eastern edge of what is now the Confederacy of Elven Tribes.
Sea Elves are referred to as such because they are a seafaring people first and foremost. In the Elfin Age, they were notorious for launching raids on coastal settlements across the continent and maintained several temporary colonies. A result of this conquest is that many coastal Half-Elves to this day manifest Braithstrom traits, and Braithstrom themselves occasionally display unusual hair colors and features of extinct elfin peoples (most commonly scale patterns of the Nilane).

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Avni, Bogrun, Ragna, Seli, Ymi

Masculine names

Adem, Lief, Rurik, Felok, Qord

Family names

Braithstrom do not keep family names. Instead, they are given titles based on some trait or deed and these can fluctuate over time. Many captains are called by the name of their ship. Braithstrom children use the given name of both parents to distinguish themselves.

Other names

Nearly all Elf cultures share a few common names believed to be derived from the original Elves.
For men, these include Caladrel, Heldalel, Lanliss, Meirdrarel, Seldlon, Talathel, Variel, and Zordlon. For women, Amrunelara, Dardlara, Faunra, Jathal, Merisiel, Oparal, Soumral, Tessara, and Yalandlara.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Atcandean, or Common Elvish, is the primary language of the Confederacy. Braithstrom also speak Stromgun, a regional language unique to them that seems to be descended from the elemental tongues. It has sounds that mimic natural elements like thunder, waves, and rain.

Shared customary codes and values

Thanks to their reliance on ships and long history of ocean voyages, the culture of the Braithstrom focuses strongly on practical survival. They are community oriented and will frequently just "do what must be done" for mantenience purposes, such as cleaning and painting while on land. This has led to some misunderstandings- Braithstrom living in Triumph have been brought up on charges of repair work without a licence. They value hard work and self-sacrifice, the good of the whole is always superior to the individual, though they do practice theft and piracy on occasion and they are brought up to see no problem with this. After all, if something wasn't meant to be taken it should have been better guarded. The belief in preventing future problems by constant mantenience also extends to protecting and cultivating children. They happily adopt enemy non-combatants, an ancient practice shared with Skaldorans and Olona.

Common Dress code

Braithstrom are practical and tend to adopt the clothing styles of nearby settlements and cultures, with the exception of the identification sash. Once a Braithstrom chooses their path in life, they are given a colored sash so that other Braithstrom know what they do on sight. The color sashes are as follows:
Red for Foot Soldiers
Green for Agriculture
Blue for Sailors
Black for Captains
White for Scholars/Teachers
Black and Gold for Admirals
White and Gold for Diplomats
Grey for Craftsmen
Red and Gold for army officers
White, Gold, and Blue for settlement leaders
If an unusual or unlisted profession is pursued, the elf in question will simply choose their own color and it may be adopted by others, but it is more likely that some sort of identifying symbol will be added to the sash. It is believed that these sashes are related in some way to the scholarship badges of The University. 
No article of clothing culturally outweighs the waste-not attitude of the Braithstrom. Discarded clothing from other peoples are readily taken and distributed, clothing is recycled between generations. Spoils of war and enemy uniforms are repurposed just as often.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Braithstrom tend to observe what they call 'Ship Law' in their own language. This is a collection of five sacred rules.
Rule of Rankings: All Braithstrom follow a very strict hierarchy. The sashes help with this. Any captain can give an order to any lesser, and it must be followed.
Rule of Rearing: No child will touch a ship before they have proven themselves competent.
Rule of Sustenance: All Braithstrom who do not sail shall farm the land or be otherwise useful, that we might not be a strain on our Confederate Brothers.
Rule of Prayer: All sailors shall pray to the Storm King that we might avoid his wrath.
Rule of Law: He who holds the city sets the law. We will not offend when in foreign lands. In times of war, all land is ours.

Diverged ethnicities

• Acundi
• Lilai

Encompassed species

• Elves

Related Organizations

• Blue Claw Clan

Related Myths

• Ula Ular, Who Bled The Sea

Related Locations

• The Drake Islands
• The Sundering Coast