Eloorin

Although the actual Eloorin people hail from the province (formerly nation) of Elooria, the word Eloorin is generally used as a catch-all term for all the common people of Arnor who aren't Foliths. As such, Eloorin have a wide range of appearances and even cultural practices. Skin colour can range anywhere from a light brown to a rich copper. Hair colour generally comes in shades of brown or black, although shades of blonde are possible as well. Red hair is even occasionally seen amongst the people of Lothal and Southal. They have a wide variety of eye colours with no single colour being particularly more common than any other. There is also a wide diversity of height and body shapes.
Throughout Arnor, Eloorin tend to be treated as second-class citizens by the ruling Foliths, though the degree of this racism can vary. It is at its most extreme in provinces like Plavin-Tyl and Belone, and more subdued in the southern provinces of Orthal, Lothal, and Southal, though not absent. Arnorin law forbids Eloorin from holding noble titles, but the rules are murky when it comes to Eloorin spouses of Folith nobles (rare, but not unheard of in the south) and people of mixed Folith-Eloorin blood.
Because modern Eloorin consist of so many distinct groups, they naturally have a diverse range of cultures and beliefs. However, two hundred years of Folith rule has brought with it an enforcement of Folith beliefs, particularly the Folith-run Universal Church. Most Eloorin today are devout believers of the Universal Religion, but there are many (particularly in places like Nallin) who secretly practise variations of older beliefs. In more remote locations like Collogia in the north, some even openly practise their older beliefs.
Many Eloorin groups have rich magical traditions. This is particularly true of the people of the former nation of Quistal, which is now the province of Belone. The Quistalins brought together wizards from across the continent in a council which regulated the use of wizardry across lands. They built the Hall of Knowledge in the city of Quorge as both a headquarters for the council and as a resource for all wizards. After Quistal was conquered first by the Elooria and then the Foliths, the Council lost much of its prestige, but it still exists today, still operating out of the Hall of Knowledge, and Quorge is still renowned as a city of wizards. Alas, the current ruler of Belone has cut all funding to the Hall of Knowledge, so the number of wizards in the city has diminished considerably in the last couple of decades. The Council is now mostly ceremonial, clinging to traditions that many wizards consider old-fashioned and pointless. The Hall of Knowledge itself is falling into disrepair.
Despite their magical histories, many modern Eloorin have taken to a distrust of magic, even Quistalins living in Quorge. This is due in large part to the actions of the Dragon (see below), as well as Folith propaganda over the years.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Arnorgue, the most commonly spoken language in Arnor, developed amongst the original Eloorin people of Elooria. However, the version spoken today has changed considerably since those days, having picked up bits of numerous other languages from across the continent.

Historical figures

The most notorious figure in Eloorin history was Stark Drago, more commonly known as the Dragon. He was technically just an advisor to King Everet of Elooria, but in truth, he was the real power behind the throne. A little over 200 years ago, aided by an Isyar known only as "the Isyar", he led a campaign of destruction and slaughter, killing tens of thousands and conquering and subjugating most of the central areas of the continent. Such was his brutality, he became feared in lands well beyond as well.
The Dragon was eventually defeated by the Folith King Martan the Conqueror, who personally beheaded the Dragon, the Isyar, and King Everet, and then proceeded to lead a campaign to conquer the continent himself.
Even today, the name, "The Dragon" still strikes fear in the people of Arnor. Some stories say that he never actually died, that the person beheaded by Martan the Conqueror was just a decoy created by his magic. These stories say that he still lives in some hidden location, waiting for the day when he will be ready to emerge and conquer again.

Related Organizations

• Arnor