Ganiman Elf
They are the dominant natives of mainland Ganima. Elves come in every color, although there are some common variations. Scarification, tattooing and piercing is a common way of expressing oneself.
They have a rich culture that varies throughout their diverse landscape. However, from the desert, to the mountains, swamps and tundras, the elves are united by the Empire of Her Honorable Cynhere.
Sturdy and adaptable. Also known as "heartland elves."
They have a rich culture that varies throughout their diverse landscape. However, from the desert, to the mountains, swamps and tundras, the elves are united by the Empire of Her Honorable Cynhere.
Sturdy and adaptable. Also known as "heartland elves."
Basic Information
Anatomy
Humanoid and very colorful. Hair, skin, eye iris and even sometimes sclera all vary greatly.
Growth Rate & Stages
Puberty: ~10-20
Mature at ~22
Brain development done: ~35
Signs of age show at 40-150 years (becomes "middle-aged") - av. 70
Can start looking/behaving elderly at 50-450 years - av. 160
Mature at ~22
Brain development done: ~35
Signs of age show at 40-150 years (becomes "middle-aged") - av. 70
Can start looking/behaving elderly at 50-450 years - av. 160
Ecology and Habitats
There are many forms of Ganiman architecture depending on the region and resources available. Refer to region or city articles to see such variation.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Currently their homeland of Ganima is ruled by an Empire that has a representative local government.
Villages choose their leaders. Village leaders will go to the local lordship for moots; where the local leaders will elect a new lord when needed.
Lords then meet with each other to discuss provincial matters; often selecting a small representative group to report to the capital. The seat of Empress and her many court-positions are, of course, highly sought after. When needed, conventions are assembled to pick among the local studied candidates to replace these positions. The seat of Empress is several week long convention followed by 3 days of festivities when a new Empress is selected.
Monarchical positions are not genetic by default but often, the heirs of monarchs will train their whole lives to hope to be selected.
Villages choose their leaders. Village leaders will go to the local lordship for moots; where the local leaders will elect a new lord when needed.
Lords then meet with each other to discuss provincial matters; often selecting a small representative group to report to the capital. The seat of Empress and her many court-positions are, of course, highly sought after. When needed, conventions are assembled to pick among the local studied candidates to replace these positions. The seat of Empress is several week long convention followed by 3 days of festivities when a new Empress is selected.
Monarchical positions are not genetic by default but often, the heirs of monarchs will train their whole lives to hope to be selected.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Cosmopolitan across Ganima; tend to avoid mountains as there are other folks who live there (Dragonborn & Imps).
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Ganiman elves are capable of harnessing magic, but, culturally, magic is not very well known. Magic is usually a religious practice, and most local clerics will know a few healing spells to help out their constituents. Your grandmother may know a couple of spells, but many folks have very little understanding of magic. The exception to this is in towns surrounding academies of magic, where the knowledge leaks out into the general populace.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Examples
Havesin, Adelanna, Pidon, Garth, Pei, Padgett, Amia, Yvette, Arveene, Natali, Bran, Mara, Sabel, Brona, Kedaus, Addathein, Alovel, Ybauwyn, Karun, Fedda, Calenthiel, Servanor, Nydelaren, Oqi, Bryda, Barasanath, Letra, Lesbet, Cashnyel, Safrith, Anara, Femi, Nicholls, Bartram, Lliathrish
Havesin, Adelanna, Pidon, Garth, Pei, Padgett, Amia, Yvette, Arveene, Natali, Bran, Mara, Sabel, Brona, Kedaus, Addathein, Alovel, Ybauwyn, Karun, Fedda, Calenthiel, Servanor, Nydelaren, Oqi, Bryda, Barasanath, Letra, Lesbet, Cashnyel, Safrith, Anara, Femi, Nicholls, Bartram, Lliathrish
Major Organizations
Gender Ideals
No binary system; common to introduce oneself with a gender marker. i.e.
"I am the woman Helia."
"Call me Falas, the man."
"I am Raleth, neither man nor woman."
"My name is Telvis." (Leaving one's gender ambiguous.)
There are many small traditions regarding gender-discovery in adolescence. Festivals of womanhood; The Women's Hunt; Trials of manhood, Crowning of a local male beauty, Rituals of man-woman spirit, and equivalents for many of these for other genders. There are those who abstain from partaking, or visit one year, but not the next.
Some parents wish desperately that they'll get a daughter, a son, or a child of middling nature, and push their children to embody one ideal or another, with varying success.
"I am the woman Helia."
"Call me Falas, the man."
"I am Raleth, neither man nor woman."
"My name is Telvis." (Leaving one's gender ambiguous.)
There are many small traditions regarding gender-discovery in adolescence. Festivals of womanhood; The Women's Hunt; Trials of manhood, Crowning of a local male beauty, Rituals of man-woman spirit, and equivalents for many of these for other genders. There are those who abstain from partaking, or visit one year, but not the next.
Some parents wish desperately that they'll get a daughter, a son, or a child of middling nature, and push their children to embody one ideal or another, with varying success.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
See Ganiman
Common Etiquette Rules
Being warm and friendly is idealized - be a good host, be generous, be welcoming. As a guest - be welcomed! Hang up your coat, feel at home, and treat your host with equal amicability.
Common Dress Code
Nudity is not particularly taboo, considering public bathhouses are common and seen as appropriate.
In the capital of Varis, soldiers are outfitted in plate armor, sometimes decoratively. More commonly, though, is leather or cloth armor with some metal pieces.
In the capital of Varis, soldiers are outfitted in plate armor, sometimes decoratively. More commonly, though, is leather or cloth armor with some metal pieces.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Stuccoed walls, or wattle and daub are common in many areas, and in temperate areas terracotta roofs are common. The capital of Varis has a unique style of great stone buildings, domes and copper accents. Decorative formal gardens.
History
This knowledge is really only known by a few select scholars.
The Ganiman Elf is really a subspecies or descendant of the Iyunasian Elf. After the plague that wiped out the previous mainland population subsided in fatalities, those left on the mainland were those resistant to the disease. Over many (many) years, the two populations grew apart in features and culture.
Historical Figures
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
200 years (variant between 150-500 years)
Average Height
4.9-6 ft.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Examples of pigmentation
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
Comments