Eldar
The Eldar are the first plants created by the Divine, the primordial ancestors of all plant life in Logos. Towering and majestic, these ancient trees stand as stewards of the natural world, embodying the harmony and resilience of the ecosystems they nurture. Their role transcends mere survival—they are the lifeblood of the groves, the protectors of nature’s balance, and the progenitors of the Eladrin.
Origins of the Eldar
The Eldar were the first living plants, crafted by the Divine during the dawn of creation to bring life to the barren lands. Their roots reached deep into the earth, and their branches stretched high into the heavens, symbolizing their connection between the physical world and the Divine. From these mighty trees came the first seeds, spreading flora across the world and laying the foundation for vibrant ecosystems.
In time, the Eldar began to bud Eladrin, humanoid stewards of nature who would assist them in their sacred duty to preserve balance. Over years, an Eldar would cultivate a bud within its wood, which would grow into a sapling that eventually took humanoid form. This process is delicate, but the resulting Eladrin inherits the intuitive connection to nature and serves as a steward of the grove, emerging as guardians of the forests, rivers, and glades.
The Eldar’s relationship with the Eladrin is symbiotic but vulnerable. Should an Eldar be destroyed, the grove it anchors can more easily wither, leaving the remaining Eladrin to wander or succumb to despair. Conversely, an Eladrin’s corruption, as seen with the creation of Blights, can infect an Eldar, turning it into a grotesque Blightlord.
Eladrin are deeply protective of the Eldar, understanding that their survival is intertwined. Rituals, songs, and offerings are made regularly to honor these ancient trees, reinforcing the bond between them.
Nature and Behavior
Despite their immense size and significance, the Eldar are not highly intelligent in the conventional sense. Their minds are comparable to those of human children—curious, intuitive, and instinctual. They lack complex reasoning but possess an unparalleled natural intuition, enabling them to sense the health of their groves and the creatures within. This intuition guides them in their role as caretakers of the natural world, ensuring the survival and prosperity of plants and animals alike.
When calamity strikes—be it fire, disease, or the encroachment of civilization—the Eldar exhibit remarkable adaptability. They produce fresh seeds which take root and restore barren areas. These seeds are vital for healing lands devastated by natural disasters or humanoid exploitation, ensuring the continuity of life.
Feral Instincts
While the Eldar are normally serene and nurturing, they possess a deep-seated instinct to defend their groves. When their territories are threatened, they can enter a feral state, shedding their usual tranquility for raw, primal aggression. Their branches twist into jagged weapons, their roots lash out like serpents, and their towering forms become unyielding bastions of wrath.
In this state, the Eldar are relentless, attacking intruders and using the environment as an extension of themselves. Animals and plants within the grove seem to be able to sense when an Eldar is in this state, often avoiding areas near a feral Eldar.
Cultural Significance
The Eldar are more than just guardians—they are sacred to the Eladrin and other nature-revering species. Their groves are places of pilgrimage, where druids, healers, and seekers of wisdom come to meditate, learn, and draw strength. The Eldar’s seeds are seen as relics of immense value, capable of revitalizing even the most desolate lands.
Legends tell of Eldar groves that stood through the ages, witnessing the rise and fall of empires. They are viewed as silent witnesses to the history of Logos, their branches holding the memories of countless generations.
Threats to the Eldar
Despite their resilience, the Eldar face numerous threats. Logging, corruption, and war have led to the loss of many ancient groves. Blight infections pose the gravest danger, as they twist the Eldar into monstrous forms and spread destruction across the land.
To combat these threats, the Eladrin and their allies have formed protective circles, patrolling and safeguarding the groves. Yet, as civilization expands and the natural world shrinks, the struggle to preserve the Eldar becomes ever more desperate.
