High Elves
As the remnants of the bureaucracy serving the La'shei, high elves are now the ruling class of Elvenkind.
High elves have a keen mind and a mastery of at least the basics of magic. They are known to be haughty and reclusive, believing themselves to be superior to non-elves and even other elves.
High elves outside of Doroinir Nimloth tend to be exiles, ambassadors, scouts, spies, or agitators. Politically, the high elves have a vested interest in making sure that the humans and goblins remain on the verge of attacking each other while never actually spilling over into large scale violence. Additionally, court intrigues and bureaucratic hangups have resulted in more than the occasional voluntary tour of Seaudyr.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Keyrona
Liarel
Biphine
Yesvaris
Valxisys
Presnala
Syllynn
Xilkalyn
Trisxisys
Iarrie
Wynlee
Reythyra
Binala
Oritris
Reymoira
Adzorwyn
Urira
Zyljyre
Ularora
Wynhana
Masculine names
Elzeiros
Luberos
Balgeiros
Ilineiros
Waesxalim
Craric
Thezeiros
Pettumal
Petgeiros
Dorsalor
Carxidor
Crakian
Norran
Waesfaren
Sarhorn
Herwraek
Paydark
Raloxidor
Leoran
Dorwraek
Family names
High Elves have twelve Great Families and hundreds of smaller ones. The Twelve are: Farinaal, Luminor, Talcinaar, Nimelen, Tuweinna, Sarcosi, Gililinal, Talipoli, Verinaef, Sefec, Cozaral, and Tivofay
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
High Elves speak Elven and Common. Many of them speak Celestial or Sylvan as well. In all of them, they speak properly and with correct (often outdated) diction.
Culture and cultural heritage
High elf culture is an endless barrage of tradition and etiquette thinly veiling a deep well of loathing and elitism.
Shared customary codes and values
High elves are the ruling class, and everything in their culture reinforces that attitude from birth. They are born to privilege, indoctrinated in a
Common Etiquette rules
High Elves believe in courtesy and due respect.
Common Dress code
High Elves tend to wear robes and tunics. "Ostentateous Practicality" is the order of the day.
Art & Architecture
High Elf art is almost entirely marble, grown magically from living rock, enchanted the purest white and detailed with glittering gold.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Births of high elves are rare enough that they are celebrated by extended family. These parties shower the new elf with gifts and especially money.
Coming of Age Rites
When a high elf is finished with their education, their post-education, their apprenticeships, and their post-apprenticeships, they are finally adults. They celebrate this with a feast and more gift-giving.
Funerary and Memorial customs
High Elves that die are ideally mummified and buried in mausoleums magically hollowed out from bedrock.
Common Taboos
Elves do not kill elves. Even in war, they count coup and take prisoners rather than kill each other.
Common Myths and Legends
High Elves believe that their ancestors were stars chosen by Morwal, Queen of Stars to come down from the heavens and populate Kobos. They believe that on the Final Day, the elves will rise into the sky to return to their cousins in the stars.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
High Elves are tall (for elves), blonde, with light blues and greens for eyes. They have unnatural levels of symmetry, which goes through the human sense of beauty to the other side of unsettling.
Gender Ideals
Both genders are graceful, slender, and beautiful.
Courtship Ideals
High elf courtships are long, considered affairs that involve poetry, supervised walks, and sometimes tense negotiations between families.
Relationship Ideals
Ideal relationships for high elves are monogamous, long term, and politically advantageous.
Comments