Snow Elves
The Snow Elves are a blue-skinned and dark blue or violet-eyed race of elves from the northern reaches of Sol. Rulers of the ancient kingdom of Mistvall, they are well known and admired throughout the continent for their piety, art, scholarly pursuits, and magical prowess, as well as their superb statecraft. A petite and beautiful race, many make their living as entertainers and actors, their skills are sought out all over the continent. Though not particularly known for military matters, they have not only produced one of the most famous generals in the modern age, but they're also extremely skilled in all magical fields from illusion, restoration, and enchanting schools but also alchemy and staves. As a culture, they value faith and learning while also finding time for artistic pursuits. Despite being well-liked and friendly, they're quite rare to come across outside of their homeland.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Neravina, Venlenor, Faeselin, Niravhis, Belvena, Faeren, Vyrbora, Celegeth, Ysrae, Arivena, Nirahen, Celeren, Venrae, Minvena, Gisgeth, Terageth, Melpath, Aithbora, Vyrgeth, Melzhina, Venmeril, Inhebora, Terpath, Faebora, Elzhina, Enbora, Imeneris, Ryngeth, Kirrae, Jeneris, Celeher, Venlenor, Venfani, Vyryis, Verrona, Idhrenmir, Kirpireth, Minrae, Elpath
Masculine names
Karriath, Varzius, Faithur, Nirathune, Varsur, Arengoth, Edriath, Nirilebor, Mirnaris, Cengroth, Nirzius, Wirivhur, Mirriath, Nirilor, Nyrthir, Irelor, Varhur, Kidaprith, Jednaris, Celedhor, Redwith, Nirilor, Terebor, Redgroth, Varkaris, Balmhor, Hargriath, Glensebir, Kidagriath, Jedgroth, Zarlebor, Nirivus, Varwith, Celebor, Vyrprith, Jagriath, Celeriath, Varpiroth
Family names
Orenoth, Finnoth, Urehan, Denkrath, Orvath, Naraloth, Naralen, Vranparis, Vorbath, Vrangoth, Anfaroth, Erenoth, Sindras
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Common and Elven, mainly, though many might pick up third and fourth languages in their education.
Culture and cultural heritage
Snow Elven culture is rich with magic, stories, and a long history of superb artistic achievements. Around the continent, their cultural works of poetry, pottery, and weaved products are prized by many. While their culture of art and learning is seen as distinct from other cultures, they retain a great deal of their High Elven cultural ancestry moreso than other elves who tend to make a point of rejecting it and doing the opposite on principle.
Shared customary codes and values
Snow Elves are considered one of the more pious people of Sol, making special effort to follow the teachings of dignity and respect of Saathvir, their mighty god. In terms of values, Snow Elves often hold dear the values of education, family, and justice.
Common Etiquette rules
A Snow Elf, to strangers, is often especially polite and welcoming. They're known for being cosmopolitan and friendly throughout Sol. They like to emphasize hospitality to strangers, especially those of other races new to their lands.
Common Dress code
Partly due to typical environmental conditions but also due to their religious sensibilities, Snow Elves consider dressing immodestly to be a sin. Exposing skin and figure unnecessarily is uncommon and looked down upon. Form-fitting plate armor is an exception.
Art & Architecture
Well known to their contemporaries, Snow Elves are considered the most adept artists on Sol. Known especially for their pottery, weaving, poetry, paintings, and decorative ice sculptures, any town or city in Mistvall is likely patroned by many local artists vying to make the best sculptures of local heroes or poetry of their history.
In terms of architecture, Snow Elves retain much of their High Elven heritage, building immaculate towers, spires, and castles, clad in marble, silver, and beautifully aesthetic rugs and cushions. Snow Elven architecture is luxuriously crafted and made for comfort as well as grandeur
Birth & Baptismal Rites
When a Snow Elven baby is born, it often won't be named for a year or more to allow it to develop traits and characteristics to be named after. Snow Elven names, as such, are often character-based in their meaning, using words for amusing, thoughtful, beautiful, or other traits.
Funerary and Memorial customs
After passing away, a Snow Elf will often be carried by prominent local community members to their favorite place to be given a burial. Their coffins will be intricately and ornately designed with mosaics and engraved poetry that they might have liked.
Common Taboos
Naturally, given their history as being slaves to the Dark Elves, Snow Elves consider slavery an extreme taboo. Not only is the practice outlawed in Mistvall, anyone with any connections to the institution is treated with open hostility.
Common Myths and Legends
Snow Elves believe that their god Saathvir is not only their advocate among the heavens but is actually their progenitor. They believe every Snow Elf, no matter where they're born, has some of his blood running through their veins. As such, many Snow Elves consider spilling the blood of another of their kind to be a grave sin.
Historical figures
Karriath the Stern, a world famous Snow Elven general who married the Queen Neravina after helping lead a rebellion and escape from Daeruin against the Dark Elven slave-masters. Going from slave to Prince-Consort was unprecedented and has made him a folk hero of sorts.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Snow Elves pursue beauty in simplicity and aesthetic. While they are widely famed for their beauty and fine clothing, in truth, it is often made of simple designs and pleasant patterns. The ideal Snow Elf man or woman is pale and dignified looking.
Gender Ideals
Snow Elves are a highly egalitarian society with females having a slight edge over males in typical authority and education. Both men and women are expected to be educated, earn a high wage in a specialized trade, and contribute to the nation by being an artist, in the army, or in the navy.
Courtship Ideals
Men or women might impress their love interest by writing love letters, poetry, or even lengthy epics to express their love through fictional stories and heroic tales. Often, those with magical prowess, which is a great portion of the Snow Elves, might woo their love interest with magic tricks and arcane expressions of their favorite things, like magical flowers.
Relationship Ideals
Passion is the core ideal of relationships for Snow Elves. Though simple and pious people, they enjoy merriment, fun, and excitement with their family and partners. On the note, polyandry is rather widespread and considered Snow Elven custom. Polyamory is, as well, practiced, but only by females, meaning the 'one' in the relationship can only be a woman though the partners may be any combination of genders.
Major organizations
They form the majority and ruling class of the Kingdom of Mistvall.
Parent ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Related Locations