Ithilvanúr (Moon Elves)
Moon Elves, also known as Silver elves. This race of elves are the primary driving people behind the rebellion of Veliuona, and actively work against the Anorenúr, despite their similarities. Moon Elves, as a general rule, are loath to complacency, and each individual drives their destiny by their personal will. They enjoy the company of similarly minded people, and as such form communities around common goals. Isolation and loneliness displeases Silver Elves greatly.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Karliene, Teriani
Masculine names
Avverion, Galathern, Ayas, Gaelin
Family names
Siannodel, Aedui, Yvrite
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
Moon Elves are a social breed, and as such are one of the builder species. Many of the cities of old eastern Elyn'aran were made originally as habitats for the Ithilvanúr, taking into account their architecture, and religious preferences. During the times of the original pecking order, with Sildenúr (Mithral Elves) ruling over the colorful cast of elf kind, moon elves tried to distance themselves from the lot, attempting to make their own civilizations. This didn't sit over well, as there is great value to be found within the Moon Elves, so their independent tendencies were forcibly muted. However, as the centuries passed after the fall of Sildeyuir, the Moon Elves began to see the cracks in the great elvish commune, and began to break away once more, with the Anorenúr less capable than their forebears at controlling them.
The only ones Moon Elves truly feel comfortable living shoulder to shoulder with are themselves, finding it in poor taste to hold second candle to anyone else. They don't actively seek to rule however, preferring chaotic individuality to rigid assimilation.
Art & Architecture
Moon Elves are true to their name with reference to their art, taking great inspiration from the four moons in their projects. The primary moon of interest is the silver white light from Tethys, the Plane of Earth. The phases of Tethys form the basis of the Ithilvanúr calendar, and many feats of artistic expression react to the light of the moon, illuminating hidden murals, and portals only showing once a precise beam passes through. They are also fond of silver as a metal, and their royal halls are adorned with it as opposed to the much more common gold.
Wood Elf architecture has also brought its influence to the Silver Elves, with the spiraling patterns utilized with abandon in carpentry and metallurgy.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The most important celestial object to the Ithilvanúr is Tethys, the Elemental Moon of Earth, to which the silver white coloration gives connection to their name. The calendar is based around this moon, and religion similarly follows.
The primary god of the Moon Elves, who are the primary species of the region, is Ketephys. He is the is the tight-lipped elven god of the hunt, often shown barefoot and clad in green and brown clothes. To him, his companions Meycho (a dog) and Falling Star (a hawk) are friends rather then helpers. His holy symbol is a hawk on a silver crescent.
While the Harvest Moon of Messis a celebration of the harvest and the coming of fall across all lands that once sat underneath Impilturian rule, the Moon Elves celebrate their day of love and romance alongside the redish tint of the Harvest Moon on this day. It is considered sacred, and all other activity ceases once the full moon rises in the east.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Physically, Moon Elves differ only slightly between genders. They appear nearly the same size and physique between males and females, including the long silver hair that both wear down in a milky river. From a distance, it is difficult to distinguish the two, but on further investigation, it would be discovered that male Moon Elves are the only of elvenkind that grow facial hair. The most common eye color of Moon Elves is silver or grey, although pale blue and even purple are common enough to be noted.
The ideal male will have hair that reaches to the small of his back, and is naturally straight. His facial hair will also be straight, but very short, more akin to a silver shadow across his face than an actual beard. His pale skin will also be graced with several shiny lunar tattoos hidden underneath his clothing.
The female moon elf will have equally lengthy hair, but curled into a bouncing tornado of silver. Her skin will be unmarked by flaws or tattoos, and her clothing will be long and flowing around her delicate body. Her expression will be rather stern, nearly emotionless across her bow-like lips.
Courtship Ideals
Despite the ease of mistaking men with women and vice versa, this is preferred for this particular people, with the perfect individual a brilliant combination of both masculine and feminine. This unclear differentiation leads most Moon Elves to lean both ways, seeing both men and women equally desirable in their eyes.
While Moon Elves find either gender of their own species to be desirable, the same cannot be said of their opinion to any other species. They have a very select taste how a human, a halfling, another breed of elf, etc must look for them to be a suitable partner. This persnickety attitude causes very few half elves to ever be conceived, leaving Moon Elves a rather pure blooded race.
Major organizations
Ithilvanúr are the primary race in the newly formed realm of Veliuona, found on the southern coast of the Sea of Fallen Stars. They were also the driving force behind its creation.
Related Organizations
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