Arthan Elf armor

Pronounced /ärˈTHn/

History

The DEMON wars of 1000 BD, was a time of great strife throughout all the lands across Thalkura. The peaceful elven tribes were taking heavy losses as towns went up in flames. Artha was the first to unite the surrounding tribes to fight against the demonic forces. It was her belief that the elves were selected to free the people in those dark days. With the help of colleagues within the tribes circles, she was able to combine their low forces as a defense.
The armor during this time was said to be the most basic form of protection. As Dasterg’s account states,

“The helmets that adorned their heads resembled large leather caps with flaps that overhung on the sides of their heads with their ears sticking out the sides and their hair (sticking out) from the back.”

Two years later, after the Battle of Rhall-top where Artha and her army almost lost the battle, their lives, and the war entirely. Artha was focusing her time on bringing more tribes to their cause. Over time she gained 9000 more fighters, where more weapons, armor, and skills with both were attained.
The helmets were upgraded to protect the elves ears, but the armor wasn’t properly manufactured until their troops were sent to save their fellow races across the lands. When they came to the land of Frolgad, the dwarves were grateful for the elves' aid and were willing to help their cause. With the Dwarves expertise in metallurgy, the armor was at its best during its age.
Overtime as the army grew and battles were won, the common name for Artha’s army throughout the lands became the Arthan army. Later on, an Arthan referred to a specific elite soldier.
With the end of the DEMON wars, the Arthan army maintained peace throughout the lands for another 300 years. After that the Arthan’s become old myths and tales that only certain well researched historians believed. That is until Churlane the great started his province in 587BD. To help unify the people under his reign, and improve his image in the people's eyes, he made his own personal Arthan soldiers. With their ruler leading the praised Arthan’s, the people began to praise Churlane as a hero of legend, and still do to this day.
Nowadays, the title of Arthan is bestowed by the king of Midlar and Lirathal to nobles that they deem worthy. These nobles then also have the authority to deem other soldiers and even commoners worthy to have this title as well, but in the latter cases the title does not come with the authority to bestow it as with the nobles.

Helmet

One of the most defining part of the Arthan’s, the helmet is seen to be the foundation of the Arthan’s. Originally during the early years of the Arthan’s the helmet started off resembling “large leather caps with flaps.”
As the armies fought more battles, they started to protect their ears so they wouldn’t be chopped off. Later on, this became a tradition amongst the Arthan’s to represent their elven heritage. Some elves would protect their face with cloth or metal with eye-holes, but when the Arthan’s had the dwarves manufacture their equipment, a good friend of Artha, named Erfain, wanted her helmet to have the same eyes as Artha. Soon after that, Artha’s other friends wanted their helmets the same way. Then all the troops who served under Erfain wanted theirs the same too. On the morning of 983BD, when Artha walked out of her resting quarters, she saw an army all with her eyes standing to attention. Artha held back tears, but looked at them all with a proud face.

Hair

The belief of the elves is that long hair represents good fortune, peace, and a fair person. So having your hair grow out long and free was customary for any common elf. Because the hair represented so much in the elves' culture, whenever they were in battle or war, they would put their hair back in a plait, twist, or topknot, to represent that times of fighting would set these essential traits back until the fighting ceased. The helmets would incorporate this factor by having an opening in the back to let your tied or braided hair out the back.
Another essential part of the Arthan’s hair were the flowers that they would put in them. When the tribes that Artha had united started to gather together in camps, no one knew where they should go or who they served under. Leaving everyone in chaos. When the troops asked Artha a solution for this predicament, she said everyone should put their local flowers in their hair. To explain, when an elf lives in one spot, or there’s a large number of elves, the ground starts to bloom flowers, like an allergic reaction. And different elves living in different places produce different blossoms, some like tulips, some dandelions, others roses. These type of elf flowers are called Naublom in Alvigair. So a soldier would now be able to tell others which tribe he was from, and be able to know which general they were serving. Over time, the flowers that they would put in their hair were believed to have spiritual protection from attacks and pain, as these flowers came from their hometowns.

Necklace

Back during the DEMON wars, many casualties were taken and these troops knew it. A custom that began amongst the soldiers was to keep a string of yarn around your neck that had your name on it, so others would know who they were burying. The custom nowadays is the same idea, but another reason why they would put these adornments around their necks was the idea that when they would die on the battlefield they would be buried as they were. So putting on many stunning necklaces is normal as it shows they are ready to die for they’re cause or “dressed for burial.”

Cloth / armor

The overall armor is made to resemble a feminine form and even gown-like in appearance, as the elven culture is a more female dominated society. Even though the armor varies from elf to elf, a crucial part to the Arthan’s protection was the breastplate. This piece of armor is seen to protect your heart from both physical and spiritual pain. Other pieces of armor would depend on the Arthan’s role in their troop, some adorn themselves with many heavy duty war materials, while others prefer light leather or cloth.

Different factions

Although the Arthan’s are seen as a unified army, the Arthan title is given to many different elves across the lands, here is a list of a few different troops:
Dragonback riders During the DEMON wars when many demonic forces ravaged the land, the dragons had come to terms with Bazcal and were aiding with their sieges and battles. But when the war reached the FINAL BREYTA, many dragons rebelled against Bazcal questioning his authority. This in turn led the elves and dragons to fight alongside one another for the first time in known history. This led some dragons to allow some Arthan’s to ride on their backs.
Arcane Arthan’s Wizards from time to time have been known to become soldiers who use their knowledge of magic to aid in battles or affairs of war. Such things as healing, predicting the future, and even bringing flames down from the sky, were the great traits that these soldiers brought to battle. It is said that Erfain, Artha’s close friend, became one of the first Arcane Arthan.
Deep troops Although some Drayvur wear the standard armor that most elves wear, others prefer to wear their cave heritage proudly by wearing dark clothes that parallel their assigned name of “Dark elf.”
Tree wardens When the Arthan’s joined the tribes around them together, many Tamuil made their armor to accommodate their life in the forests. With their aesthetically pleasing light armor and dark hoods, these Arthan’s were a fairly popular lot. As time went on these soldiers were called Tree wardens, due to their tendency to more likely protect their wooden homes.

by Phickle-the-whimsical

Item type

Armor

Related ethnicities

• Elf

by Phickle-the-whimsical