Elanshia
Deities
The elves worship the 10 elemental gods whose physical forms are the world trees. However they take elven shape when entering one's mind.
Teulu: Goddess of ice
Hanian: Goddess of Nature
Gwynt: God of Wind
Oalsha: Goddess of water
Tändande: God of Storms
Valalu: Goddess of Night
Coruu: God of Sun
Brasa: Goddess of fire
Kalagor: God of Earth
Fyrean: God of Poison
Zuulth: God of Decay
The Gods Teachings:
Teulu:
The way of winter is about working together especially with your family through life's difficulties. It's about making your family stronger together. Choosing the way of winter is about being a strong family member, being creative with what you have and turning it into something useful or beautiful, and beating the cold harshness of the world together. As well as finding beauty in things that can be harsh.
Hanian:
The way of nature is to respect and care for the land as it helps to sustain you. Choosing this path is to love others and care for all that lives and breath. It is to help others in need, heal the wounded and sick and to forgive all those that wrong you.
Gwynt:
The way of the wind is to set your dreams free, to unshackle yourself from depressed and shackling emotions, to follow your passions and creativity. It is also to learn patience in achieving those dreams and in all things. The wind also teaches to not only enjoy the destination but more importantly enjoy the journey.
Oalsha:
The way of water is to smooth even the roughest of edges, to become compasanite and be in peace of mind. Choosing the path of water is to sooth yours and others fears, to become pomasanite and help others through trauma, or other afflictions of the mind. To gain peace within one's heart and mind, so that one can be happy. Being compationent comes in many forms, having a good sense of humor or being loving and sweet are just a few paths to take.
Tändande:
The way of the Storm is to be molded by life's storms, to weather trails and challenges coming out of them a better and stronger person. Choosing this way of life means you are actively in search of trials and challenges to weather so you can become stronger, or that you vow to become stronger and better through weathering the storms of life rather than becoming bitter.
Valalu:
The way of night is to be watchful, smart, and ready for anything, to always be prepared. Those that follow the path of night study and work to have the intellect and tools they need to make their skills sharp, to be ready for anything that may happen. Those that follow the night also work to protect what is theirs and the lives of those who are in need. Those of the night must also balance the teachings of the sun.
Coruu:
The way of the sun is to be warm, inviting, and humble. To give light even in the darkest of circumstances, to burn bright and seek happiness. Followers of the way of the sun look for the bright sides of life, and seek real happiness and hone their professions that make them happy in their lives. They give others warmth and light, while also keeping the teachings of night. Those that choose this path also work to destroy evil and dark.
Brasa:
The way of Fire is to be strong in the arts of warfare and battle. The way of fire is to have a burning passion for combat, to fight with honor and to test one's strength. It’s to always be prepared for battle for one may never know when it may be needed.
Kalagor:
The way of earth is to keep your honor at all costs, otherwise you are nothing. It is to work hard for what you have, to earn the fruits of life. Finally it is to bear your responsibilities in order to grow. The path of earth is hard, but those that follow it are strong.
Fyrean:
The way of Poison is to be costuois otherwise the viper may strike and end what you have. It's to protect what is dear to you, your heart, and what you love. The world can be cruel and attempt to stomp it out, or poison it until it withers away. You only get one life, protect it with all you have. Followers of this path are no strangers to the cost of life, they protect their hearts, and are very patient.
Zuulth:
There is no life without death, death brings many blessings, such as preparing the next generation, learning from the past, and making fertile ground.
The way of Decay is to learn from death. History is one's greatest teacher, one should know where they came from. Death also provides many lessons and blessings. The death of life brings further and more abundant life in the next generation, and fertilizes the earth. Choosing the path of decay is to embrace history and the circle of life, to bring great blessing for the future generations, and learn important history from the past.
The Gods description:
Teulu:
Her clothing is ice and snow as a long dress, with bits of pine needles and pine cones as detail. Her skin is as white as snow, her hair is short and an icy blue color with snow and ice clinging to it. Her eyes are a solid glowing icy blue.
Her voice is like musical chimes upon the icy winds, she encourages families to work together through her cold winters, she spills her beauty and creativity upon the northern lands
Hanian:
Her dress is made of green leaves, decorated with amber and flowers. Her skin as brown as bark, her long hair as green as leaves, with autumn leaves and flowers within her hair. Her eyes are a solid glowing green.
Her heart beats for all, she does her best to feed all. And she is always ready and willing to forgive all.
Gwynt:
His robes are the white clouds themselves, swirling about him are winds carrying pink flowers and purple leaves. His skin is white and his long beard and whiskers and long hair are white, with pink flowers and purple leaves entangled in them. His eyes are a solid glowing white.
He comforts people with the wind letting them know he is always there, he encourages people to chase the wind to allow themselves to be free and to follow their passions and dreams. However with those who have dark passions and attempt to pursue them his winds turn against those people Blocking their paths or destroying them with vicious winds.
Oalsha:
Her dress of pure water, coral decorates her shoulders, and pearls and seashells act as her jewels upon her neck and ears. Her skin is a pale blue color, her long hair an ocean green and blue. Her eyes glow a solid pink.
She seeks to smooth people's minds, hearts, and bodies with her soothing and beautiful waters. Her waters contain wounders so people may achieve peace of mind.
Tändande:
Her clothing are the dark storm clouds themselves, wrapping themselves around her body like a long dress. Her skin is black, her hair is long and an electric blue color with lightning crackling through it. Her eyes are a solid glowing electric purple.
She creates lightning to guide her people and light the way, and to sing to her people, she creates thunder to warn her people's enemies of her wrath.
Valalu:
Her clothing is a kind of scale armor the color of moonstones and with black leather all of it speckled with blue stars. She has pale purple skin, glowing silver white hair, one solid glowing purple and gold eye.
She works to sharpen her skills, to keep watch of the earth below her watchful gaze. She creates warnings in the stars to warn the people, and is not afraid even eager to use her deadly skill to those who may harm her people.
Coruu:
He wears robes of gold and white decorated with ribbons of sunfire, his skin is pale gold, his hair glows red and orange, and his eyes glow a solid gold and purple color. Upon his brow rests a sunny golden crown.
He gives light to the world, to give warmth and to make peoples days bright and happy. He works to destroy the dark and evil intents of the world.
Brasa:
Her armor is made from fire and magma. Her skin is red, her long hair glowing bright orange, gold, and red. Her eyes are a solid glowing gold.
She tests her people to be strong warriors, to become strong and become like fire. She teaches to fight with honor and a burning will to overcome your foes.
Kalagor:
His armor is of stone, dotted with ore and crystals. He carries an anvil and a hammer, his skin is light brown, his hair is dark brown, and his eyes glow a solid red.
He bears the responsibility of keeping the earth moving and working, and has no patients with those who do not pull their own weight. Those who work hard and are blessed will earn his favor and the fruits of life.
Fyrean:
His clothing is robes of green gas, It constantly swirls and twists around his body. He has dark green skin, black hair, and his eyes glow a solid lime green.
He teaches patience and cushion, while he protects what is deer to him and only gives it to those who are cunning and trustworthy.
Zuulth:
He wears a cloak made of fungus, while clouds of black decay below form it. He has gray skin, white hair, and solid glowing pitch black eyes.
He teaches to study the past, to prepare the foundation and health of the future generation with the passing of the dead.
Daily Life:
Overview
The elves live the teachings of all the world trees. However they will mainly follow the tree that matches their elemental mark. The elves pray to them all the time, within their homes are shrines to the gods that contain small trees of the elemental regions the world trees reside in. to pray to their gods they press their heads against the bark of the tree and begin their prayer.
Following these teachings influences every aspect of their lives, down to the smallest and most simple of things.
Tattoos:
The tattoos of the elves are extremely important. These tattoos are given to them at birth and are edited over time as their life goes on. These tattoos represent their important life moments, they also bind them to the world trees so that when they die their souls are claimed by the world trees.
However if an elf reaches certain milestones within their life and these are marked by their tattoos, they will gain greater blessing upon death. These elemental tattoos determine what their element is, often their personality determines their element.
Some of the milestones include being bonded to a dragon, bonding with your true love, having children, becoming an adult, mastering your elemental path and mastering your profession. When these are achieved they must be tattooed upon the elf by a keeper so that when the elf dies they gain greater blessings in the afterlife.
These tattoos are not normal tattoos. The keepers use the sap and their own elemental magic to create these magically binding tattoos onto the elves. These tattoos match the color of their elements, and are not painful in the slightest.
Taföd:
Is a special drink only Elves know how to brew. It's not quite tea nor any other drink. Taföd is kinda like tea but with an elemental plant and certain spices mixed in. This is a drink the elves drink all the time.
Everyday elven lives can be boiled down to one of three things they do everyday Battle, music, or work upon their professions.
Professions:
High Keepers:
There are 11 high keepers, one for each world tree and one for the elven capital. They are among the rarest of elves who share a bond with not only a dragon, but a phoenix as well. Because of their bond with a phoenix they are reincarnated upon death, as are their dragons.
High keepers permanently reside within their sacred monasteries and by extension the world trees when they reach 200 years of age.
All keepers are reincarnated into their respective elven subrace that lives by their respective world tree, some goes with the dragon and phoenix they are bonded to. However the födelse landar high keeper while he or she is reincarnated to their respective elven subrace their dragon and phoenix are reincarnated into any one of the 10 species of dragon and phoenix upon death.
High keepers commune with the elementals and sprites from the elemental realms, and they hear the voices of the world trees and commune their desires to the elven king, who then relays their words to the people. High keepers also spend their lives within their world trees and monasteries teaching others how to become keepers so as to serve the elven people, and the lands.
The födelse landar high keeper can hear each world tree respectively because of the monastery he resides in.
Because of their bond with a phoenix and a dragon and their communication with their past lives, they are some of the most powerful magic users within the world other than the king himself.
(High keepers are able to marry and have children.)
Outfit:
The high keepers wear some of the most elaborate robes made of the finest materials. Their robes are made to resemble their elements and the trees they reside in. They also contain phoenix feathers and dragon scales.
High keepers have a mark upon their cheek where their phoenix kisses them for the first time. Same upon their dragon.
Keepers:
Only those bonded to a dragon can become keepers. Keepers are trained by the high keepers and elder keepers. (Elder keepers are keepers who are fully trained and have been for many centuries. They help the high keepers to train the new keepers.)
Keepers travel the elven and dragon lands to help keep the balance, they also learn to give the elven people the elemental tattoos and other blessings from the world trees.
Keepers are trained to use their magic in tangent with nature, their fighting style is martial arts using an elemental flair. When in combat should it ever happen, they aim to pasifie not kill.
The keepers tend to the lands as if they are giant gardens. And they teach about all ten elements.
Keepers have elaborate staves that’s a mark of their station. And they have sacred lanterns that helps them to commune with the elementals and to make the tattoos for elves.
To become a keeper one must first take upon them the oath of the keeper and keep it always.
Oath:
Never kill unless absolutely necessary.
Tend to the elements
Keep the balance
Guard the ancient knowledge
Aid in spiritual growth
Speak only truth
Once one has earned these items in their training they become keepers. They earn these in order.
Tome:
Within its pages are the teachings and lessons of the world trees. Lessons of their teachers, and the oath they gave. There is also a locked section of the book, that only keepers can unlock, it contains important knowledge that only they may study and take wisdom from.
Staff:
This staff is very elaborate and well made. It is the signature weapon and aid to the keeper. The staff’s are specially made for each keeper.
Elemental lantern:
These elemental lanterns are elaborate and are used to commune with elementals and give the elves their tattoos.
Robes:
These robes are silver and purple in coloration. With patterns and colors for each of the elemental powers.
Elemental keeper tattoo:
This tattoo is highly intricate and marks the completion of a keepers training. This tattoo has the colors and patterns of all ten elements. For males it covers their head, they must remain bald. For females it covers their entire arm. They may choose any of their arms to gain the tattoo.
Architecture
Their holy monasteries are half built, half grown atop the world trees. They are of the finest and most holy materials of the elves, they are made with such beauty that even elves are astonished by their craftsmanship. A High keeper resides at each of the 11 monasteries and is the leader of their respective monastery.
Winter Chime Monastery:
This monastery lies within the branches of the winter world tree, it's made entirely out of ice, molded around the branches of the tree. The walls of the building have been designed in such a way that when the wind blows through them they create music, and light chimes and bells lie within its walls. Works of art and elaborate patterns have been woven with ice upon the walls and most surfaces.
Heart Wood Monastery:
This monastery is actually grown from the world tree itself. It was made by the first elven king., who got permission from the god to grow it within its branches. This building's walls are made entirely out of wood, with branches dotting its walls. The building inside and out has large and lavish gardens of many plants of varying descriptions, but they mainly have flowers. Water canals and waterfalls also makeup the gardens. Within the structure many of the walls have amber works of art. Such as statues, patterns inlaid in the walls and floors made from amberite.
Peace Coral Monastery:
This monastery is built entirely out of coral, it resides atop one of the towering platos of the sea world tree. In front of the monastery is an expansive pool with an elegant lush coral garden.
The building has many terraces with many flowing waterfalls.
The interior is light with bioluminescent water. The floors and parts of the walls are made from glass, with glowing water contained inside them. Within those glowing waters resides fish and plant life.
Cloud Blossom Monastery:
This monastery is made from molded clouds and built within the branches of the world tree. It has gardens of pink blossom trees lining its streets, walkways, and terraces. Inside lies vast libraries with elaborately made wooden furniture and with many chimes throughout the structure. Many terisces contain elaborate meditation circles, these have waterfalls, gardens, chimes, and incense. They overlook the branches of the world tree, the vast city of the dragons and elves below, and beyond, as well as to the thriving sky ecosystem.
Night’s Dawn Monastery:
During the day this monastery looks to be made of gold and white polished marble, giving a golden light radiance. During the night it turns black and silver, still keeping a polished marble looking, and having bright blue dots glittering upon the black walls making it look like stars.
Small blue globes float and decorate the building during the night, during the day they are replaced with golden globes. There are many gardens of pines, trees, flowers, and more that change color based upon whether it's day or night. Many large and elaborate telescopes rest upon the open terraces.
Storm Song Monastery:
This building is built within the branches of the storm world tree. It's made from black wood, the roofs made in a scale pattern of electric blue glowing wood, and patterns of electranite woven in the walls. The building contains many tapestries of storm clouds and lightning. The building has chambers for meditation designed to amplify and turn rain and thunder into music. These chambers are built with streams, electric plant gardens, and ceilings open to the sky to allow the rain in. The walls are designed in such a way that the rain and thunder sounds bounce off the walls to create a rhythm of sound akin to music, each chamber creates a different rhythm.
Battle Fire Monastery:
This monastery is built within the ember world tree, it's made from ember wood and steel. Many fire places, waterfalls of magma, and ember plant life decorate its terraces and halls. There are long beds of fire bloom flowers that produce embers that line the halls, they almost look like beds of coals. This monastery has many battle arenas for sparing, and many weapons and armor decorate the monastery. The meditation of this place is the peace and thrill of combat.
Poison Thorn Monastery:
This monastery lies within the jungle-like interior of the poison world tree. It’s made from wood, marbles and gold, connected by many bridges within the large thorn vines. The halls and platos are filled with deadly gardens, one must be patient and travel with care. The monastery's layout is to teach patience and to be observant and careful.
Crystal Earth Monastery:
This monastery lies within the crystal world tree branches under the great mountain, connected by a type of elevator to the second part of the monastery that lies built into the very top of the mountain. In the tree the monastery is made entirely out of crystal and gemstones. Forges of crystal, purified streams of glowing water, and glowing crystal sculptures decorate the halls. At the mountain top the monastery is made from iron, steel, stone, and wood. Gardens of mountain plants, armor, weapons, and great forges decorate its halls.
Ancient Decay Monastery:
This monastery lies atop the decay world tree within a fungal grove. The building is grown from multiple large mushrooms. All of the plans and water glow softly, this monastery houses a vast collection of elven history and statues dedicated to the past.
Four Seasons Monastery:
Thes monastery represents the four seasons, it is half built and half grown within the branches of the royal tree of elves. The center of the structure is dedicated to all ten of the elements and has rooms, terraces, libraries and more dedicated to the study and practice of each separate element. The rest of the structure is split into four other wings. They are called the seasonal halls, the hall of spring, winter, autumn, and summer. All of the halls are dedicated for living quarters, dining rooms, meditation rooms and terraces, and are where the four heads of the monastery reside.
Mythology:
The world trees blessed the elven people with the födelse landar world tree seed for aiding them in their war against the faye. Once it was planted and took root, the elves were blessed with the ability to bond with the dragons, and once they gained their high keepers who gave them their tattoos, the world trees gained the ability to take their souls upon death to their elemental realms. They only do this if you live their teachings.
Belief:
The elves know that upon their death they become an elemental sprite. Only those elves who have gotten the sacred elemental tattoos of a keeper are able to be claimed by the world trees upon their death. The world tree of the elf’s chosen element will claim them and their will spend their time as a sprite within that elemental realm.
