Wood Elf
The Elves of Alkay were once the most populous people of the land, their tribes spread throughout the continent in every known terrain. Now the elven people have lost most of their lands to the nations that came from the Midlands colonies. The Midlands people call them Wood Elves, but that is actually a mistranslation of the name of the Redwood tribe, the first tribe the humans encountered. Now that the native elves have been pushed back primarily into the Tallwood forest, the name has become a banner for the newly branded 'Viel'then'.
The Viel'then from any area have a reddish complexion, often with sharper features. Their hair is darker, running from a chestnut brown to raven black.
Major organizations
Most outsiders know the elves of the Tol'Viel as "Wood Elves", but in fact that name is a simple translation of only one tribe's name. Most tribes have simple names, chosen for a specific totem animal, spirit, facet of nature, or even a concept. While beliefs and practices can change between different tribes, nearly all of them have some form of communication and trade. Most tribes expect ah elf to marry outside of their tribe, and the groom normally leaves to join the tribe of the bride.
- Bear Tribe - Originally native to the northeast, the Bear have lost all their ancestral land to Addam through a series of trades, wars, and broken treaties. The remainder live in the Tallwood, and are some of the most outspoken for open way with the human nation.
- Blood Tribe - Living deep in the woods, the Blood closest to nature of all their kin. They revere animal life for its connection to nature, and seek to become closer to the animals they love. Some within their tribe even choose to live as animals, believing it to be the purest connection to the world. They are known by the other elves of the area as being exceptionally aggressive. For years, the other tribes largely sought to avoid them, but the recent issues with the outside world have caused a tenuous reconnection. While the blood tribe has aided their kin, they have also been quite vocal about the need to fight to defend their territory from further incursions.
- Oak Tribe - The tribe who lived in Skybranch maintained the city as a meeting place and safe haven for their nomadic kin, hosting trade and ceremonies for many tribes. The Oak have been some of the most powerful and influential of druids in the Tol'Viel, and have always had a closer tie to the dryads and other fae than many tribes. The few of the Oak tribe left have become wardens of the Poisonwood, seeking a way to restore their ancestral home, or at least keep the monsters there from spreading.
- Owl Tribe - eschewing the connection to life that most elves embrace, the owl Tribe look to the other end of the cycle. The members of the dark Tribe revere death, often decorating themselves with skeletal paint and tattoos. They are said to practice necromantic rites instead of the oaths of the druids. Most other tribes are wary of the owl, and war with them has not been uncommon.
- Redwood Tribe - The first to meet the Midlanders when they arrived in Alkay, the redwood elves lived in the deep woods of the northeast. Nearly all of their ancestral land is now lost to them, and those remaining journeyed to Skybranch. Few Redwood elves survived Fellmist.
- River Tribe - Originally common throughout the Riverlands, most of the River Tribe has relocated (willing or otherwise) to the Tallwood, joining similar tribes there. They have a longstanding history of and pride in being skilled archers.
- Snake Tribe - Native to the Everflow in Durand , the snake tribe make use of the water as easily as most use the land.
- Wind Tribe - Native to the plains of the Frontier, the wind tribe are fleet-footed plainsrunning nomads. Some on the frontier say they've seen the wind tribe outrun horses. The tribe is split among several nomadic groups, gathering back together twice a year. The various packs deal with outsiders, from the centaur and gnolls they've known for centuries to the newcoming Addamians, in many different ways. From friendly trading, to avoidance, to tricks, to violence, it all depends on the pack and the individuals. This has caused confusion among many frontier Addamians, who tend to think all the elves are the same, and blame the attacks of violent tribes on all the Wind Tribe.
- Wolf Tribe - The Wolf are the tribe that lived in the area of the Tallwood that now borders Addam, where many of the eastern tribes have moved to.
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
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