Luna (loo-nah)
PLEASE NOTE: Luna are currently considered 'extinct' or rather, they would be if anyone could remember them. Perhaps its more accurate to say they are extinct in memory and that... that is it's own type of death.
Does that mean they do no longer exist? It's hard to say when you can't recall meeting one even if they did. Schrodinger's Luna, you only know of them and remember everything about them while you have one in sight and in recent memory, once that's gone: equally alive and dead.
The Luna are the Elves of the moon cycle. All elves were created together by or from forces of their world to embody a system, a cycle; for the Luna they were of (or perhaps from?) Pennbor's moon, to be the moon cycle: Luna. From new to waxing to full to waning and around again. Much like the cycle of the moon, it's about perspective and directing change around them much like how the moon can affect the tides. To be the push and pull forces and to bring light in dark places.
The Luna embrace change in oneself and in the world around them and so are less adverse to other races and development in society and tradition than other Elves. Rather, they revel and encourage it. They make their home on the highest peaks to best feel the tug of the moon, they do not hide but shine above.
Even their practices in magics were focused on bending evolution to their will - which some, such as the Leif would argue is the exact opposite of what is natural.
Despite - or maybe because of - these advancements they are often viewed as more primal or savage by other Elves for their lack of refinement in details, sacrificed in favour of renewing and changing and their closeness, embracing and intermingling with other races so readily. Especially those of the werebeasts. They are well on their way to cracking foundations with new discoveries. For this cannot be denied, and in fact is a heavy source of envious anger.
With so many parts flying in all sorts of directions, it's no wonder (and no way to know how) that Naeris and all of the Luna came to be obliterated over a single night.
Now very few can easily recall the Luna, much less the city. As time goes on it becomes more and more difficult. The histories and memories still remain (for now) but are easily overlooked as if they have become background noise. They're being forgotten, and quickly.
Appearance
- The Luna's skin tone directly reflects that of the moon's 'colour'; a pale silver to blue, they continue to reflect the state of the moonlight even when not directly within it. That said, like their counterparts the Sol, they begin to weaken when they stray too long away from the light of their moon.
- In cases of eclipses within the Shadow Ring, their skin also temporarily darkens - as well as their general dispositions. Once upon a time, Luna would stay clear of this ring for this reason.
- When it comes to the more rare events such as blood moons or blue moons, their skin continues to reflect the change. It's said these too affect the Luna's behaviour but they happen so rarely nothing has been recorded extensively since the fall and restart of civilisation after The Core War.
- Their hair is typically any hue found within the twilight to midnight sky.
- Their eyes range from pale yellow, or vibrant greens, blues or purples.
- The pupils are also said to reflect the state of the moon or their 'inner light' - that is usually they are pure white. But during an eclipse or if they have not seen moonlight for too long, their pupils become black.
- Some Luna practice moon bleaching, a process that draws out their skin's reflective properties to allow patterns and imagery to glow faintly in the dark. This became especially prominent over time as it was believed (although unconfirmed) that during eclipses these reflectives gave them focus, in the same way a nightlight helps a child in the dark.
Height & Weight: Their size and build are similar to humans but more slender and slightly taller than average.
Features
Of a Cycle
Elves are resound in their ways, cycles are about change yes, but only on a set path. To break it is to cause ruin. So Elves are naturally stubborn in their mindsets, but that does come with it's advantages. Magic aiming to claim their minds in any way, struggle to do so.
Their minds also do not travel to the uncontrollable realm of Ribosia
when they sleep - in other words, they do not dream. Instead they sink into a calm nothingness to allow the centuries of memory they accumulate to rest and settle and not add more images to the pile - or otherwise risk losing themselves to madness. As such they are able to remain somewhat alert as they sleep so it's not as easy to sneak up on them and they do not - for better or for worse - feel the effects of Ribosa.
However they can still be put magically to sleep, and depending on intent, this can then force their minds to travel to Ribosa. In fact it's a known ole wife's tale that an Elf can become addicted to such magics - to dreaming - and for minds carefully made to support long lives of memory, doubling the load proves disastrous.
Of the Moon
Condensing the reflective effects of their physiology and link to the moon, a Luna can create a visible beam of moonlight that can sear the skin and force a creature that's in a changed form to revert back. However doing so tends to expel their inner moonlight, which is replenished if they are under the moon but otherwise temporarily weakens them until they feel the touch of its light again.
Being of the cycle of moon, they also have some innate magical ability to manipulate the light of the moon and general perception. Channeling the moon's pull on the tides, Luna can draw small sources of water to themselves to create a layer of morning dew on their skin.
Moonlight in the night is also known to mess with one's vision, a Luna can utilise this feature to cause their forms to blur at the edges, making them hard to see properly.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Elven names are often long (at least 3 syllables), for as long lived as they are they wish for each to individual to stand out - far too easily can history be twisted when one can accomplish so much in so many years.
And a name is all you are, and when you live that long, you are much, and thus so is your name. While they are given a full name at birth, children are referred to a shortened version (like a nickname) until they grow up. Once they are considered an adult, it is considered an insult to be referred to by anything less than their full first name because it is a marker for them growing into themselves - thus 'growing into' your full name. From here on only those considered close, and/or with permission, may shorten an adult Elf's name into the 'nickname' as it shows they have become familiar with the book and it's contents and no longer rely on title and cover.
For these reasons, those of only partial Elven blood are given 'half names' which are much shorter.
On the other hand, some Elves of higher power may enforce use of the shorter version of their name as a way of saying 'you should know of me, and if you don't, be careful.' Although this is usually reserved for nobility and the like.
For an Elf to completely resent their name and give themselves a new one, is to turn their backs on all of Elven kind.
Examples: Sherriala (Sherri), Thaiamasdane (Thaia), Klassmerid (Klass), Varessida (Varess), Matteodan (Matteo), Sersilas (Silas), Rutheron (Ruth), Sessalees (Sessay), Vincender (Vince), Anthearosa (Anthea) or Jabneelin (Jabneel)
Family names are more of a duty and anchor for an Elf to return to if they drift, and so have great meaning in Elven but are usually much shorter.
Examples: Vemor (Vital knowledge), Yerta (Sea Farer), Merthio (Battle hardening), Irphenkiir (the gems of a plant), Jolay (Joy of sweetness), Tomseree (delight in lawful trouble), Sprinona (Spring coloured wind) or Sorcha (Sun warmed sand)
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