Elvenhome Settlement in Nor | World Anvil

Elvenhome

Elvenhome is the ancient home of the High Elves. It sits in the Maletheryn Wood. The forest is made up of a variety of different coniferous and deciduous trees including the massive Valenwood Trees. It is these trees that elvenhome is built atop and inside. The trees, which have been cultivated by the Elves for generations, have actually grown large cavernous opening in which the elves make their homes. A single tree can have many homes at different level all connected by bridges, walkways and ramps. The wood is is shaped by the magic of the elves and there is no cutting or nailing of any structure.   Elvenhome is just one of the cities in the Meletheryn wood. It is the largest and considered the Capital of the High Elf people, but there are smaller cities as well, all close to Elvenhome. Vine "roadways" connect the cities to each other. The magic of the cities allows elves and only elves to traverse there vines as if they were roadways, to move from one community to the other. Elvenhome is at the center and is a hub for all of roadways and it the city that maintains the magic which these roadways use.

Demographics

Elvenhome is made up exclusively of Ellasti.  While other races are sometimes allowed to visit, they are not allowed to stay permanently.

Government

Elvenhome and the surrounding cities are governed by a King.  The King is a hereditary office though though the King can be dethroned by the Elven Noble houses.  If that were the case the highest ranking noble would become king.
In addition to the Monarchy, the Elves have a hierarchical system of Noble Houses.  The ranking of these houses is complicated and is based on the service the house is responsible for, the age of the house, and other factors including the personal influence of the house elders.

Defences

Elves are trained from an early age how to use Bow and sword.  Both Elven boys and girls have this as part of their schooling.  Because of this when there is great need all elves can fight.  
Elvenhome does have several organization for defense.  The first is the the Elven Army. Elves who dedicate themselves to the fighting arts join the Elven Army which is organized and run by House Aralynn.  House Aralynn is responsible for the physical defense of Elvenhome and its people.  It has a long tradition of training the best fighters. 
In the army are several smaller organizations that have specialized duties.  The Elven Core is a small group of fighter who have excelled at combat over and above the regular elven army member.  This elite fighting force has several duties, including concentrated strikes against enemies, covert operations, and the protection for the Royal Family.  There is also the Graycloaks, a group of rangers that act as scouts for the army.  During peacetime, they patrol the forest ensuring the city is safe and discouraging visitors when needed. 
There is also House Ravencall's Aspen Knights.  This small group acts as a city guard, investigating crimes and keeping peace in the city.  
In addition to the conventional defenses Elvenhome is the home of some of the most powerful magic users on Nor.  Not only are they trained in standard magic, there are practitioners of True Elven Magic, a force old and powerful that can harness the power of nature itself.  The city is protected by a powerful ward that is maintained by these Elven Magi, that can keep out even the most powerful Dragon.  House

Industry & Trade

The people of Elvenhome are completely self sufficient, and are able to obtain all they need form the their forest homeland.  During peacetime though, the elves do much trading with the other races.  They trade some of the goods that can only be found in the forest like Valenfiber, a fibrous substance that comes form Valenwood trees.  It is used to make thin and strong cordage which rivals silk, and can even be made into cloth which is strong yet very breathable.  There are also several herbs and other plants that can only be found near Elvenhome, that are used for medicinal purposes.  The elves are also known for their craftmanship with wood, jewelry, and magic.  They trade these items for the very few things they can't get in the forest, like metal.

Guilds and Factions

The two biggest sources on conflict in Elvenhome are the the isolationists, who believe that the elves should stay in their forest home, and cut off ties with the outside world, and the globalists, who feel that the elves need to work with the other races to make Nor a better place for all.  This argument has been going on since the elves first encountered other races.  Houses switch positions from time to time, but most have long tradition on their view of the conflict.

Tourism

Elvenhome is the subject of many stories, songs, and legends and this had led many people to want to visit.  Unfortunately Elvenhome is not open to most outsiders.  They have long standing relationships with several settlement, where they trade, but outside of that, they do not like visitors.  A person has to have a good reason to visit the city.

Architecture

The buildings of Elvenhome are grown into the Great Valenwood Trees of the forest.  The elves have a symbiotic relationship with the trees and the trews actually mold them self to the Elves need.  This means that elven structures are actually built into the massive trunch of the trees themselves.  Trees usually have several structures all at different heights to accommodate whole families.  When a new member of the family is born or needs a new space, the family asks the tree to create one, and in a few days there is a new opening for the them to live in.  The structures don't really have doors but they do use curtains for privacy.  A Ellasti spends as much time outside on balconies as he does inside.  Each Building is a work of art, and each is different.  Ramps, and bridges connect trees to each other so the elves can traverse the city without ever having to touch the ground.  
Another unique architecture feature are the vine roadways that connect far off places.  These vines stretch across the forest form tree to tree and have a magical property that allows elves to move across them very fast as if they were walking on wide walkways.  They uses these to get form city to city, or to structures that are too far for a ramp or bridge.  They also use them to access the forest floor.  The art of using these roadways is exclusive to Elves, thought they do have the ability to bring others with them by holding their hands.  Non-elves are not able to use the roadways with the help of an elf though.  Unlike most other things in Elvenhome, the roadways are able to be used, not only by Ellasti, but by any elven sub-soecies.

Geography

Elventhome is deep in the center of the great forest, Maletheryn.  The forest itself is bordered by mountains to the south and west, and east by the ocean.  To the north is Emic.  The forest is the largest known forest on Nor.
Current State of Elvenhome: Elvenhome has closed its borders to all due to the Vemoraxx Uprising. No one is allowed into or out of the city under normal circumstances.
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