Niriallunor - Elves
The Elves are born from Humanoids (who had no magic), and were imbued with a magical connection while in utero of their mother. When being born, elves look distinctly different to the rest of Commonkind and have a deep magical connection. Elves who mate with other elves always have spellborn children, while elves who mate with other Commonkind run the "risk" of having non-magical children. Some Spellborn used to view this as an insult to their Gods-given nature of magic, while others believe love matters more than lineage. For centuries, the Spellborn lived amongst Commonkind and the Dracomages, being different yet accepted from the non-magical neighbors and the soulbonded neighbors.
After the Spellborn Revolt where the Elf King was executed and the rebellion hunted down, the Elves fled to different directions away from the capital to escape the Unbound (an elite force within the Dracomages) hunting them. The following years Choosing Ceremony resulted in ALL Spellborn adolescents not returning home (not just Elves), and that became commonplace with the Dracomage General sending missives to the parents that all Spellborn were accepted into Benjamar as either dracomages or part of the army. Parents began moving away in order to not be forced to send their children to the Choosing Ceremony, ultimately ending their lineage if they were past the age of bearing more. After a few decades, the horrifying truth came to light that the General had not been giving all Spellborn a place within Benjamar, but simply slaughtered them once the newly bonded Dracomages had left. When this atrocity became known to the Queen, she gave her approval for the Dracomatriarch to eat the General who gave the order in the first place, ordering the same Unbound who hunted the Elves all those years ago to eradicate every single person who knew what was happening and committed the treason. She then appointed two new Generals- one an Emptie (the name of those who formerly had magic but the connection was severed due to punishments i.e. those who willingly came forward as rebellion supporters) and one a Dracomage, trying to put actions behind her words of unity and changed times, though nothing seemed to appease the Elves after their beloved Evergrove was incinerated by the Unbound forces, the Barkwardens and all they protected being reduced to ash in the process of refusing to leave their sacred home. From that point on, the unchosen Spellborns simply had their magic connection severed, an ability the Queen discovered she possessed through her soulbond.
In modern times, there are covens of Elves that live in various parts of Verithia, each with unique cultures, affinities, and more. Most elves worship Allune the Wise Moon while also revering the Grove. The major Covens are as follows:
- Sunplume
The Sunplume coven are a fiery, sturdy, practical people whose main affinity of magic is fire and earth. Serious, not light-hearted, intense as a people. They excel in devastating offensive tactics in warfare and choose to meet the enemy halfway versus trying to defend their kingdom. Hurling massive boulders, erupting miniature volcanoes, throwing fireballs, splitting the earth beneath their enemy's feet: all of these things and more are what the ruthless Sunplume's are known for. They are a loyal ally and a forever enemy. Once the trust is broken, there is no bridge left to mend as they will have incinerated it entirely at that moment.
- Twilightbreath
The Twilightbreath coven are two-faced, shady, and known for their deceitful ways. They are not inherently malicious or harmful, only using their Gods-given gifts to make their life better, as they believe. What a Twilightbreath coven member shows you may be completely different when viewed by another. They are spies, infiltrators, expert camouflaged allies, etc. Their loyalty lies with those who can give them the greatest reward for their service and not many view having "allies" as a good thing.
- Verdanthearth
Verdanthearth coven are curious, inquisitive, yet wary people who live devotedly in their forest. They have a knack for befriending nearly any beast and any humanoid, making them a kind face most see. They are lighthearted, full of smiles and warmth and welcome, and very quick to defend their friends, regardless if they've known them for 20 minutes or 20 years. Their call to nature makes them terrifying foes in combat, yet hilarious company while drinking. They tend to the Ashmoon Grove that their ancestors had planted hundreds of years ago after the Evergrove was incinerated, a reclamation to their culture and symbol of strength against the brutality of the dracomages.
- Stormbringer
The Stormbringers are an aggressive coven who value power and ferocity over pure skill. One must have the heart to accomplish their goals or their skill will fail them eventually leading them to failure. Their respect is won through accomplishments alone and potential new allies must endure a short series of fairly formidable challenges that the coven considers successful participants as permanently Honorable ones and regardless if they are allies or enemies, the coven will always treat them with equal honor and respect. They are highly militant, always training and honing their skills. They ride feathered dragons who are their second halves in combat, almost like dracomages but they don't have a soulbond. Their feathered dragons are much smaller than true dragons, made for bolting through the hurricane-strength winds and rain storms the weavers conjure. When the Stormbringers arrive on foot, you can assume their powerfully beaked companion is not far behind.
- Allune
The Allune coven are airy, elegant, traditional elves who worship Allune the Guide/Allune the Wise Moon/Allune the Starpath. They favor diplomacy and peace negotiations over warfare, though during battle they protect the injured with the fervor of a mother protecting her newborn babe. All life is sacred and everyone deserves chances to get back on the One True Path that Allune has destined for each Mordian. Highly diplomatic, charismatic, and religious.
- Underwalkers
The Underwalkers are a coven cobbled together from the covenless, either by choice or by banishment or by misfortune. They are the misfits and outcasts, ones who can't find a welcoming home in one of the large covens. New elves born to these covens have no tradition other than those the parents wish to continue, which not many have any they hold closely. Their coven does not restrict what their members are interested in pursuing and learning such as occult /forbidden/taboo magic, in fact they encourage it because to be shunned is simply to be misunderstood.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Each coven follows a relevant naming tradition reflecting their heritage. When two elves marry, they form a new name of combined strength i.e. a Shadowflame weaver and a Spiritprime wed and their last name could be Dawnlight or Umbralglow etc. It is frowned upon to include more than two affinities as it comes across as "bragging". The strongest affinity is used in the name ceremony.
First names are different depending on which coven is being represented.
The Sunplume coven, deeply tied to fire and earth, places a heavy emphasis on strength, vitality, and grandeur. Their names reflect the radiant, dynamic nature of their affinity and the resilience of their environment. These names are bold, warm, and commanding, often inspired by the sun, flames, mountains, and the power of volcanic forces.
- Masculine names are sharp and robust, evoking strength and fiery determination.
- Feminine names are melodious but retain a fiery elegance.
- Neutral names reflect elements of light, heat, and earth, with a balanced tone.
- Examples:
- Masculine: Kaerith, Tharnis, Solvek, Ignar, Pyrrik
- Feminine: Seravelle, Lavinia, Calyra, Aestren, Phyrris
- Neutral: Talyon, Embren, Solen, Aurrek, Viltheren
- Last Name Examples:
Brightforge, Emberstone, Lavawhisper, Magmaborn, Sunspear, Infernowind
The Verdanthearth coven draws inspiration from the natural world, valuing harmony, growth, and the eternal cycle of life. Their names reflect their deep connection to the forest, plants, and the seasons. Names are often lyrical and evoke imagery of nature—leaves rustling, streams flowing, and flowers blooming.
- Masculine names are inspired by sturdy elements of nature like trees, rivers, and rocks.
- Feminine names are softer and often botanical, inspired by flowers and vines typically.
- Neutral names embrace balance, inspired by phenomena like morning dew, wind, or twilight.
- Examples:
- Masculine: Thornen, Rowan, Lioran, Sylrick, Bramble
- Feminine: Elenora, Mariel, Faenith, Liris, Ivyanne
- Neutral: Veyral, Sylas, Aeris, Fennith, Lysyn
- Last Name Examples:
Greenbloom, Mossroot, Dewbranch, Oakshade, Thornbriar
The Twilightbreath coven thrives on mystique and subtlety. Their names reflect their magical expertise in illusions and manipulation, often sounding enigmatic, elegant, and a bit otherworldly. These names have soft consonants and flowing syllables, creating a dreamlike quality that mirrors their ability to blur the lines between reality and illusion. Names often evoke twilight, shadows, and veiled truths.
- Examples:
- Masculine: Rivenel, Deythar, Nymeth, Solvryn, Veylor
- Feminine: Velithria, Saelith, Aeryn, Lyssara, Caerisse
- Neutral: Vynther, Lyrel, Soryn, Zeirith, Mythen
- Last Name Examples:
Moonshade, Shadowgleam, Mirageveil, Starshroud, Mistweaver
The Allune coven embodies celestial grace, faith, and the infinite mystery of the cosmos. Their culture is steeped in reverence for the stars and the divine order they believe governs all things. As visionaries and spiritual guides, their names often reflect the eternal beauty of the night sky, blending a sense of serenity, wonder, and wisdom, all only in their own language. Names are lyrical and elegant, with flowing syllables and soft consonants that evoke the quiet majesty of starlight. Or at least that's how they view their names.
- Examples:
- Masculine: Astrennan, Calivarriath, Veythonillian, Solanoralanel, Liorinnalith
- Feminine: Ellinvarielle, Lystrialune, Saelunelle, Nyveriana, Solennialli
- Neutral: Caerynnan, Oritharron, Lyvarissanith, Velyssimianne, Thalyonnaroth
- Last Name Examples :
Korinelinril, Estratheronir, Lioravelis, Selkistralore, Siritarenan, Nylirifovore, Lorillunethel
Common Etiquette Rules
There are quite a few common phrase all Elves know regardless of coven, though they can be used quite differently. A common greeting is, "We walk the Starry path." and "Allune's blessing upon you."
An Allune coven specific phrase is, "War beings honor, but peace brings love."
Common Myths and Legends
Spellborn history begins from the first one being born to a simple human couple in the days before the first soulbond. The story goes something like this:
A sweet, quiet woman and a protective, boisterous man fell in love and lived in a simple cottage in a grove. This grove provided them logs for their home, refreshing water to drink, plenty of game to hunt, ample plants to remedy nearly all ailments, and a quiet atmosphere to live happily. The couple thrived in this grove, claiming it to be a blessing from the Gods' themselves and worshipped them daily. A prayer of thanks each time they refilled their water basin, prayer of gratitude each time a large beast was slain for sustenance, a prayer of relief when their home stands strong after a particularly devastating storm. Then one day, the woman had a meeting with her Goddess in her own dream, telling her that she was pregnant with a very special child who was the embodiment of the love for her Goddess. When the baby was born, the baby was surreal in beauty. She clearly looked like her parents, but had long pointy ears, more almond-shaped eyes, a slightly narrower face, and a leaner body than other babies would. The couple discovered their daughter could speak to the plants and will them to bloom at a simple "please", could summon up a flurry of sharp leaves when she's angry, sprout thorns along the ground when she wanted to be left alone, etc. This confused the couple and the woman was visited again in her dreams by the Goddess, explaining that she gave the gift of magic to her offspring as a reward for her faithful devotion and respect for nature. The goddess gave the woman her name upon her request to show her devotion more intimately, beyond grateful for the blessing she had gifted to her daughter. Over time, this exact story happened across the continent as many children were born with a connection to the magical realm belonging to the parent's devoted deity.
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