Elvasha
Our ancestors were considered the greatest of our people as they had achieved much in their lifetime, peace, prosperity, and immortality. Yet they let their pride and ignorance lead to their downfall, and now we live in their shadow with only a glimpse of what we once had and will never achieve again. - Elean'ra ShuraThe Elvasha, known as the Revered Elves, were a highly advanced society that existed thousands of years ago that ruled over the entirety of Western Lands under the Unified Elven Empire and headed an alliance of the other races that lived in the west during its existence. Their society built great wonders and advancements that pale compared to advancements in the modern world. However, their culture would come burning down with the arrival of the Beastmen, with their society and culture almost being destroyed. Despite advanced society, they were no match for the beastly might of the Beastmen, and the survivors would be forced to flee across the sea to the Continent of Dageth where their culture would degrade with the War of Light and Dark and the Awakening that would create a schism throughout their entire race with little to no remnants of their former glory and achievements remaining.
Forgotten History
Not much is known about the old Elves and their great empire that once existed, only that it existed for thousands of years unopposed and lived in relative peace for a long time, or so the stories go. Their ancestors kept much of it alive through oral traditions and later written down as very few documents exist that survived the voyage to Dageth. Very little survived the wars and the Great Elven Schism that scattered the Elves across the continent. Those left were just bits and pieces that were hard to keep together at that time, leaving only a fraction of what was lost to be even learned by those looking at it. With very few ideas of how their tradition and daily life word after the last of their culture died off, many of their descendants of the other Elven races have been trying to reclaim their knowledge as their birthright.Naming Traditions
Masculine names
Taenaran, Lyari, Eldaerenth
Unisex names
Ava, Tanelia, Kali
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Elusah : The ancient language of Elves that was said to have sounded like singing rather than a language, now it has become a dead language with very few being able to read it or speak it.
Culture and cultural heritage
Elven Supremacy: Though their skill and and ingenuity the Elves would become the dominant power that existed in the Western Lands with few that could oppose them and their rule. Rather than forcing the submission of the other races that raised in their empire they instead extended a open hand to allow them to work within their empire and strive to keep the peace.
United People: The Elvasha were considered the last of the pure Elves to exist during their time in the world, they were one race that existed and lived in harmony with one another with war and struggle being none existant withing their culture. They united under one cause and strived to perfect themselves and their people creating an paradise.
Beings of Perfection: They were said to be the perfect beings as if they were gods and were masters of many studies and crafts to expand their empire further. Even being able to achieve immortality to enjoy their labors and rule over the other race that existed across the Western Lands.
Magicless: Despite their advanced society and culture, they could not perform any magic of their own and used their practical knowledge to achieve their limits. Many have debated why this happened, from giving it up for immortality to the Fae restricting their access to it with their powers over magic. They would not be able to achieve it until they reached Dageth and eventually destroyed their culture in the war that followed.
Average technological level
The Elvasha was considered one of the greatest civilizations to ever exist for their time, predating most Human civilizations. While much of what they had achieved has been lost with few records being found, ruins that remain, despite being thousands of years old, remain in good condition. Their design and building materials they are made of are magnificent to behold. Only the tales of great cites of stone and their many wonders are all that remain. They were also known for their excellent skills in astronomy, being able to predict when heavenly bodies would more in place and use the stars to travel in the right direction by land and sea.
Common Dress code
Clothing was often layered by both genders and made from fine materials with jewelry. How their clothing defined their status, and daily life is mostly a mystery. Both are considered more of a spiritual aspect of their culture as not much bare skin was shown, and they might see too much skin as a sign of indecency. However, women were allowed to show a little more than men, most likely to show their beauty.
Art & Architecture
Only ruins exist that the Elvasha built, and they are still considered otherworld and utterly different from any Human designs that have been built to date. But they have still been considered some of the most breathtaking things by many who see them, no matter how run-down they are. Often standing with a white stone that has yet to lose its glow as the sun and moon's lights reflect off it. The stone is not natural but artificially built with a mixture that is all but forgotten, but it remains a marker to all the Elvish ruins across the west. These ruins range from small temples to large citadels that hold the remains of a once great people.
However, some of their art survived as well, as wall carvings and idols have been found in ruins, often depicting themselves and animals or historical events that have lost their meaning. But what stands out is their depictions of the sun and moon, often representing their gods in some way, shape, or form that seemed central to their culture.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Celestial Events: The Elvahsa had various ceremonies that involved all celestial things. From solstices to eclipses, they would use these times to honor their gods and remain in their good graces. Along with celebrating their lives or even the day of one birth with them.
Common Myths and Legends
Birth of the Moon : The story of how the moon was created and shared the sky with the sun to chase away the darkness.
Major organizations
Unified Elven Empire: It was considered one of the greatest empire that time had forgotten and the height of Elvish power in the Western Lands before it all came crashing down.
A solid overview with a couple hidden hooks and how to write about them with their values and motivations too.
Share your world on Lavani's Reading List!