High Elves

The High Elves are a hyper-militant group of Elves that find themselves spread out across various small kingdoms. These Kingdoms, however, house some of the most formidable peoples and armies of all of the Elvenkind. Beyond that, the High Elves are also some of the most magically-attuned peoples within the realm of Abaz'shala

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Aluna

Elune

Kaes

Masculine names

Jinn

Ortu

Raaen

Family names

Sa'sana

Lo'keta

Istas

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Elven (High Elven)

Average technological level

Medieval

Common Etiquette rules

High Elven etiquette is very formal and in general much more specific and elegant than most other races. They follow all of the common formalities of nobility very rigidly. However, when males shake hands upon meeting they clasp eachother by the wrist and bow their heads in respect. When females meet they take eachother's hand and lay a gentle kiss upon the knuckles. And when a male and female meet, they simply bow their heads in respect to eachother.

Art & Architecture

Art

High Elven art is heavily focused on beauty, especially of themselves and other things. For instance, they will paint pictures of famous or decorated men and women of High Elven society. However, it is not unlike them to paint pictures of themselves or in general things that fascinate them. Another form of art natural to the High Elves is their ability to sculpt or create statues. For example, most High Elven palaces upon entering have halls lined with previous High Elven nobility in sculpted statue form.

Architecture

High Elven architecture, despite their race being centered around beauty and elegance, their innate militant nature shows in their buildings. The High Elven architectural philosophy is simple, "If it's not functional, it's not worth it." Every building in most High Elven centers of living are highly functional and simple at times.While they do attempt to incorporate beauty and neat design in their buildings, they primarily focus on the functionality of it.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Every day, at their own discretion, High Elves typically make a trip to the shrine of their Kingdom. It is here that they bless eachother and themselves with protection and general charity. These trips are typically made at sunrise or sunset and very few can or will make the trip in between, Missing the trip to the shrine is considered to be offensive and rude. In addition, for those whom cannot make the trip by foot, they have the ability to draw upon their innate connection to the shrine they established from birth to carry them there, but only them.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Upon the birth of a new High Elven child a pilgrimage is made to the shrine of the local High Elven ruler for them to establish their link with the magic that lies within it. The children after arriving are taken from their family for a period of seven days where they are attended to by nurses and caretakers to prepare them for the seventh day when they bathe within a pool of raw arcane mana. The reason for this is threefold, one to establish the connection with the shrine and allow them to travel there across vast distances. In addition, it is used to enhance the health and longevity of the High Elf. Finally, it also assists in granting them their natural arcane affinity.

Coming of Age Rites

When a High Elf comes of age he is sent to immediately take his first pilgrimage on foot to the shrine of the land he was born to. Typically, families send their now-adult son off with some supplies and money and send him to the shrine so that he can discover his calling in life. Beyond that, if a family is too poor to afford sufficient supplies for their son, other High Elven families, especially the wealthier ones, pitch in to aid them.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The High Elves find beauty in refinement and elegance more than the other races. They also very much appreciate subtle style choices versus blatant and very "out there" choices of fashion and beauty. Their peoples are rather known for their smooth, unblemished skin, however, scarring is not unheard of. When beauty is considered, scars are a fine balance. While some may value scars over others, any sort of "humiliating scars" (more on them later) cause the bearer to be considered taboo to romance.

Gender Ideals

There are no real "defined" gender ideals. Both males and females find themselves rather equal in High Elven society. In fact, both of them are capable of not only leading their own nation, but also simply being a soldier or artisan working for someone else.

Courtship Ideals

Typically when a High Elves court another of their kin, they are blessed by the ruler of their locale. This is because of the sacredness of the royal family in High Elven society. Multiple times weddings have been called off due to the lack of a blessing from the royal house because it would be seen as dishonorable to one's own family. In addition, marrying outside of their kin, High Elves are not usually scorned, but they are

Encompassed species

• Elves