Anoraith
The elven Estekoast is believed to have occurred approximately 25 thousands years ago, leading to the elven diaspora of today. It is well-known that the largest population of these elves went to the subcontinent of Mavom, south of the Zahira Desert, however, other smaller populations found themselves in other places. The question as to whether these populations sprung from elves leaving Mavom, clearly true in the case of the Viz elves, or were separate groups of refugees leaving the Shamay Isles is rigorously debated among scholars. The Anoraith, or Desert Elves, of the Zahira Desert were one such group.
It is believed that the Anoraith arrived from the Yozira Ocean, where they quickly crossed the mountains into the Dahlya Valley. There, they developed into a small civilization controlling much of the western Zahira. This civilization, believed to have been predominately centralized, had strong positive relations with the elves of Mavom. Archaeology and the study of the few remaining Anoraith shows that these elves followed Sheidic practices, a possibility that is further confirmed by their close relations with the desert firbolgs.
The Dagveri period between 10-15 thousand years ago was a devastating period for the elven diaspora, with the crumbling of many of their civilizations. The Anoraith were among those civilizations that were unable to escape their fate. Midway through the Dagveri, the cities of the Anoraith were destroyed and the people dispersed. Some scholars believe that the Dahlya Valley had been a more fertile place at the beginning of the Anoraith civilization's history, but that shifts in the weather had caused devastating droughts that led to the valley being unable to sustain the large population. This led to civil unrest and a breakdown of the Anoraith society that eventually led to the collapse of their civilization. Other scholars believe that there was something more akin to a divine curse, as told by Anoraith myths, in which an angered Sheid cursed the Anoraith and destroyed their civilization. Additionally, there are many who believe that these events were connected to the larger events of the Dagveri, rather than just a cruel twist of fate for the elves. Whatever happened, the Anoraith civilization was largely wiped from the Zahira Desert.
After the destruction of the Anoraith civilization, the remaining people broke down into small subgroups similar to, and most likely inspired by, the elven tribes of Mavom. Many of these tribes traveled to the Shinalar Pass, where they settled down in modern-day Naka and eventually intermarried with humans as the ancestors to the Halite people. Others most likely traveled south, joining their cousins in Mavom. Many believe that, as a distinct people, the Anoraith no longer exist, however sightings of bronze-skinned desert elves living among the caves and hills of the Kaltina mountains have been reported many times over the centuries. Whether these elves are Halites favoring their elven ancestry, or Mavom elves bearing some Anoraith blood remains a mystery today.
It is unknown to what extent the Anoraith civilization spread throughout the Zahiran Desert. The Dahlya Valley is filled with the ruins of their civilization, while other ruins believed to be Anoraith in nature have been found as far as the Sadar Desert.
It is believed that the Anoraith arrived from the Yozira Ocean, where they quickly crossed the mountains into the Dahlya Valley. There, they developed into a small civilization controlling much of the western Zahira. This civilization, believed to have been predominately centralized, had strong positive relations with the elves of Mavom. Archaeology and the study of the few remaining Anoraith shows that these elves followed Sheidic practices, a possibility that is further confirmed by their close relations with the desert firbolgs.
The Dagveri period between 10-15 thousand years ago was a devastating period for the elven diaspora, with the crumbling of many of their civilizations. The Anoraith were among those civilizations that were unable to escape their fate. Midway through the Dagveri, the cities of the Anoraith were destroyed and the people dispersed. Some scholars believe that the Dahlya Valley had been a more fertile place at the beginning of the Anoraith civilization's history, but that shifts in the weather had caused devastating droughts that led to the valley being unable to sustain the large population. This led to civil unrest and a breakdown of the Anoraith society that eventually led to the collapse of their civilization. Other scholars believe that there was something more akin to a divine curse, as told by Anoraith myths, in which an angered Sheid cursed the Anoraith and destroyed their civilization. Additionally, there are many who believe that these events were connected to the larger events of the Dagveri, rather than just a cruel twist of fate for the elves. Whatever happened, the Anoraith civilization was largely wiped from the Zahira Desert.
After the destruction of the Anoraith civilization, the remaining people broke down into small subgroups similar to, and most likely inspired by, the elven tribes of Mavom. Many of these tribes traveled to the Shinalar Pass, where they settled down in modern-day Naka and eventually intermarried with humans as the ancestors to the Halite people. Others most likely traveled south, joining their cousins in Mavom. Many believe that, as a distinct people, the Anoraith no longer exist, however sightings of bronze-skinned desert elves living among the caves and hills of the Kaltina mountains have been reported many times over the centuries. Whether these elves are Halites favoring their elven ancestry, or Mavom elves bearing some Anoraith blood remains a mystery today.
It is unknown to what extent the Anoraith civilization spread throughout the Zahiran Desert. The Dahlya Valley is filled with the ruins of their civilization, while other ruins believed to be Anoraith in nature have been found as far as the Sadar Desert.
