Elves

"I can hear the songs of ages. I have felt its stirrings in my womb. What begins will end, and begin again in blood. The Door will tremble and bring the Ages Once Seen. We ask, in humility, for the Mysteries Behind the Door. We bring blood and sinew, as in the Old Ways. We ask for the Ages Once Seen to return to us. By blood writ, sinew done. By soul woven, by soul bound."
— a Kyrtha, during a Rite of Benediction

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

• Icenica
• Lavenia
• Nessa
• Olinda
• Serilda

Masculine names

• Aleyn
• Medreyd
• Penred
• Selig
• Viau

Unisex names

• Airleas
• Aren
• Cadeyn
• Siano

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Elves don't speak the Common tongue, though because of centuries of seclusion, dialects of Elvish have cropped up around certain regions.

Culture and cultural heritage

Said to be descended from the Cloud's Tears, the Mountain's Brow, and the Tree's Sinew, the elves were once a populous and prosperous race. hey were scattered over Dianera, and mostly fought amongst themselves in petty squabbles for territory. Once humans began conquering Dianera, one elf united the elvish clans: Icenica, the widow of a slain elvish clansmen and elder.
Icenica led the remaining clans to victory, driving humans out of ancestral elvish territory. However, she was poisoned by one of her trusted generals: Irathius. Irathius had some luck in later battles, but was eventually slain on the battlefield. Afterwards, the elvish host dissolved, and the remaining rebels were killed. After the first diasporas in the Expulsion, the elves were forced onto the fringes of old, primordial forests. In their isolation, the elves have a tiny foothold in which to practice their culture.

Modern-Day Culture

The elves view humans as an annoying pestilence that simply will not go away. The elves have little interest in human affairs unless they begin encroaching on their land. They are more or less resigned to their territories in the forest, and have adapted over the centuries to a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, making use of what little farmland and coastline is available to feed their populace. During the diaspora, the elvish culture and history were nearly lost. The elves had no written language, relying on the Kyrtha to pass down stories. During the rebellion and subsequent massacres, it was said that humans inadvertently killed Kyrthas thinking them to be shamans performing blood magic on their own people.
A “Kyrtha” or “Speaker” is a prophet/ess who normally occupies a role of storyteller, spiritual leader, and advisor to the clan’s head. The Kyrtha is the only one allowed to directly commune with the godhead, doing some by burning oleander and performing a ritual sacrifice. The Kyrtha is capable of “singing” out a new prophecy if the gods so move them to do so. Getting an audience with a Kyrtha is rare.

Shared customary codes and values

The elves are fiercely protective of their local gods. Worship differs from clan to clan. One particular commonality between the elves is their belief in blood sacrifice. Blood sacrifice is believed to be the “first” language of the world, and so important events must be commemorated with a sacrifice in equal measure. These sacrifices can be used to appease gods, atone for sins, or to ask a favor of the gods.

Common Etiquette rules

The Kyrtha is often present at religious or important ceremonies in elvish culture and treated with the utmost respect. Even clan leaders are second to her in terms of importance, as she is often interpreted as the living connection to the Well or the godhead. Therefore, when a Kyrtha speaks, silence falls almost immediately.
Before important ceremonies, gifts of livestock are often exchanged for blood sacrifice. If no livestock can be found, the best libations may substitute.

Common Dress code

Elvish men and women both wear their hair in complicated, elaborate styles. These usually feature braids, jewels, and accessories. Women often favor heavy earrings to highlight the length of their neck. Elves often dress with draped cloth, varying in patterns and the style of wear.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

While worship differs between clans, tutelary deities are often the subject of devotion. One particular clan worships Sygurd, a protective god of the forest. The elves leave sacrifices of meat and mead for Sygurd’s children, the Sigurdsens. These are mischievous spirits that guide lost travelers or curse them if they’ve been offended.
Besides its use in religious ceremonies, the elves usually enjoy recreational use of oleander. Because of its association with the gods and mysticism, oleander is usually brought out during celebrations. One such traditional ceremony uses oleander to “burn away” the chill of winter and to welcome in spring. This occasion lasts for six days of unabashed hedonism, with the seventh reserved for reflection. On the seventh day, the clan gather by the nearest body of water, entering the river, pond, or lake to wash away their sins of the previous six days away. Thus, the elves are "reborn" and ready for the rest of the year.
The week symbolizes the bounty of spring, bringing with it the joy of surviving another winter. The waterside ceremony stands for entering the new season with a “fresh” zeal, so the elves may work the seasons until winter without any burdens. It’s said many elves leave their clans during the first six days to find humans to seduce and bed.

Common Taboos

Elves now mostly reside in deep woods and forests, with some underground. They keep to themselves, despising humans. They expel any elf who fraternizes with humans, and “halved” elves are usually killed. This is to keep the bloodline pure, as full-blooded elves are said to be clairvoyant. Because of their seclusion and isolation, most elves do not speak the Common tongue. Some elves seem fascinated with humans, bedding some of them during a short week of festivities to celebrate the rites of spring.

Common Myths and Legends

The elves of old worshiped the Well of All Souls as the source of all life in the world. Blood was the first language of the world, so sacrifices were made to it. Death is gladly accepted in elvish culture, due to the belief the Well gives and takes as necessary to achieve balance. The first Wellwarden was an elf, bound to the Well by blood rites and magic in an elaborate ceremony. The beliefs in duality, rebirth, and the circular nature of life itself still persist even after the diasporas.
The elves regard the Teufle as “children from the Sun and Sacred Sky” and the Goblins as the “offspring of Rock and Branch.”

Historical figures

• Icenica: The elf of legends who united the elves to push back against human invasion. After her husband and children were brutally slain and her village raised, Icenica took control of her husband's lands and worked to unite the elvish host. Her tactics led the army to many victories, utilizing her unique knowledge of the land to fight the human army on her terms. She was poisoned by her lieutenant, Irathius.
• Irathius: The infamous traitor, thought to be the elves' true downfall. He poisoned Icenica after a particularly glorious victory. He took up the position as leader and won a handful of battles afterwards. However, his luck ran out relying on Icenica's old tactics and he was slain in battle.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Elves value a pure bloodline, and part of this comes down to facial features. Large eyes, a small nose and mouth, and a long neck are valued. The shape of one's ears is a highly scrutinized topic. Rounder ears are taken as a symptom of an impure bloodline or interracial relations with humans or G'bu.

Related Organizations

• Dianera
• The Royal Council