Snow Elves
Bound by Ice and Faith
Also known as pale elves or pallid elves, the Snow Elves are the pale or blue-skinned elves of Mistvall. They are the most petite of the elves and are easily recognizable by their pale tone and deep blue or purple eyes. They are known for their strong sense of piety, community, and harmonious relationship with the land. A deeply faithful people, the Snow Elves place deep importance on their faith, temple structures, and ancient wisdom passed through the generations by clan mothers and priestesses. Like most elves, they believe in a form of ancestor veneration, but the names and figures of their pantheons bear little similarity to those of any other culture. When dealing with the other races, the Snow Elves have a reputation for being shrewd diplomats, generous and fair in their dealings, if a little naive. They have also been known to be somewhat isolationist, not seeking expansion through war or domination through trade. Rather, they prefer to keep good relations with their neighbors and keep to themselves for the most part. A harsh exception is the Empire of Daeruin across the Sea of Thralls. The imperialistic Dark Elves have raided into Mistvall and enslaved the Snow Elves for millennia. Never strong enough to challenge them, they have built their military, navy, and homeland for defense, focusing all their efforts on protecting their kin, though many dream of a future of liberating their people from Dark Elven bondage.
Priestesses and Arcanists
While the Snow Elves bear little resemblance to the High Elves in society and culture, one aspect of life that remained strong, even after the divergence, was a mastery of spellcraft, both divine and arcane. Snow Elven arcane tradition focuses on protection, enchantment, restoration, and divination, rather than the more destructive and baleful schools of magic. On the battlefield, the Snow Elves prioritize defense and resilience above all else. Their priestesses are masters of restorative magic while their mages harness abjuration spells, and few elven cultures produce heavily armored juggernauts of protection like the knights of a Snow Elven battalion. As well, perhaps no unit of the Snow Elven military is as famed as the elite pegasus knights; valiant armored warriors wielding magic and blade who have bonded with a fabled pegasus. The most famous of these knights is General Karriath the Stern, fabled Prince-Consort of High Queen Neravina.
A Simple Life
Snow Elven culture and philosophy dictates a harmonious, cooperative relationship with the land and its spirits, living and dead. Snow Elven architecture is beautiful in its own way, but it's rarely opulent or large. Farms may easily be mistaken for gardens as they are built small but efficient, even in the frigid environment. Local game is hunted only as much as is needed. They do not use more of the land than is necessary for the continuation of the community and moderate prosperity. For the Snow Elves, life is not about amassing as much wealth as possible or leaving a legacy through great works. Rather, the best life is one with community, balance, and respect. This tradition extends to their faith as well; these elves recognize their ancestral spirits as a guiding force working with their people rather than dictating reality from on high.
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
Shared customary codes and values
Snow Elves hold fast to the values of community, family, faith, and fair play. It is expected that even those who lack a religious belief participate in the traditions and spirituality of the culture, for to do otherwise would not only blaspheme the gods but disrespect the ancestors and one's family. As alluded to, ancestors are given tremendous respect and honor. They must be counseled and regularly communed with through offerings, prayer, and dreams. However, their word is not law, and they should be approached more as a wise relative than an absolute divine authority.
Beyond that, sacred hospitality plays an essential role in Snow Elven culture. When someone is accepted as a guest, they are given free reign of one's home and possessions. Hospitality of this kind should extend for at least a month but if one overstays a reasonable welcome, a Snow Elf might rescind these privileges, however reluctantly. It has been well noted that even enemies of the Snow Elves, including prisoners of war and foreign dignitaries of hostile nations, have been treated as honored guests.
Snow Elves don't have a strong sense of competition and survival of the fittest. Rather, they accept that survival is a communal task. Given their harsh homeland, they accept that they must rely on others to make it, and if people stop working together, then they perish. Excessive individualism is seen as selfish and against the path laid out by the gods. It isn't uncommon for multiple families to live together. Living alone is likely to invite rumors and mistrust.
Common Etiquette rules
Snow Elves are polite, dutiful, and respectful. They do not care for boasting and will avoid conflict wherever possible. As a deeply diplomatic lot, they tend toward conflict resolution and peace through dialogue rather than force. That being said, many may call them naive and novices in the ways of speechcraft and cunning. Their isolationist tendency makes it so they tend to keep to themselves in many cases.
Common Dress code
In what is probably a mix of sensible dress for a frigid environment and religious sensibilities, dressing immodestly is considered a sin and to be shunned. While Snow Elves aren't known for being judgmental, they may look down upon those who dress in a way that is overly revealing or opulent. They prefer heavier clothes that drape over the whole body.
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, but anyone with even passing 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
In the current age, the heroic ascension from a slave in Daeruin to a great general and Prince-Consort has made Karriath the Stern a folk hero of sorts. His escape from slavery and triumphant return to the homeland of the Snow Elves has reinvigorated the population behind the dream of a military campaign to free all of their people from the oppression of the Dark Elves.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Snow Elves value aesthetics of subtlety and simplicity. They prefer soft features, small stature, and modest dress. Braids and traditional hairstyles are considered beautiful to the Snow Elves. They are not fond of piercings, but tattoos are a long-honored tradition, with many getting familial patterns tattooed to show loyalty.
Gender Ideals
Snow Elven culture is matriarchal with community and spiritual authority being in the hands of women exclusively. A religiously operated society, all the clerics are women. Snow Elven families and communities are led by a clan mother who is usually among the oldest women of the kin unit. Her power is not legally binding but her word carries traditional weight, seeking to guide and counsel the family. In terms of rights and social mobility, Snow Elven culture remains egalitarian despite the matriarchal power structure. Women are expected to be wise leaders and carry a calm yet elegant presence. Men are permitted a bit more social openness and tend to make up more of the military and labor forces.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship is often a lengthy and emotional process, ideally involving romantic gestures, love letters, poetry, or elaborate games. It is socially permissible for a woman to engage in courtship with multiple men or women at the same time, though men are not afforded this social leniency. The tryst is an honored tradition in Snow Elven culture, it is a meeting away from family and peers where potential lovers can spend a significant amount of time in the wilderness together.
Relationship Ideals
Though simple and pious people, they value passion, merriment, and fun in relationships. Games, tricks, and pranks are all regular features of long-term Snow Elven relationships. Trust is a vital aspect of love as well, betraying the secrets of one's partner is considered a grave offense, almost tantamount to divorce. Polygamy is present in the culture as well, though only for women. Snow Elven women are permitted to have multiple marriages to men or women, while men are only permitted to have one marriage to one woman.
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