Virithian

Birthplace of All Elves

Virithia is the name in modern elvish, but to those who live within these borders, it is known as Ilian Theylas, "Place of our Birth". It is here Corellon the Elf Father spilled his own blood upon Sel Ath Tel'adar; from this blood arose the first of the elves, and from them the great elven nation of the First Age arose. The Virithian Elves are those who stayed behind in Sel Ath Tel'adar, and stayed true to the traditions of the first elven civilization while the rest of their cousins spread across the world and became more and more distinct. While the Eladrin wandered the Fey and the Atlans mastered their swordsmanship, those in Ilian Theylas made it their mission to never again let their culture come as close to collapse as it did following the Elven Genocide. As a result, the Sel Ath Tel'adar has been shrouded in a conjured mist ever since, coming to be known as the Hidden Valley by the many kingdoms of Arith. Little is known about the true splendor of the first elven kingdom to even those in Irivia and Cremmevia, but those lucky enough to see it describe it as the most beautiful place in Thelekar. One scholar said this about the capitol of Ilian Theylas, its name kept just as secret as the rest of it:
"The place seemed as if it was made from glass and insect wings, full of impossibly high towers and a hypnotic swirl of ramparts designed to catch the light of the sun and break it into its component colors, which drape across the stones of the ground until you are thankful for nightfall. It is almost too grand, and by the time I was escorted away from the city, i was exhausted just from taking it all in."

High Mages

The spellcasters of Virithia are of the highest caliber, and have come closer than anyone else to replicating the power of Dratarian Archmages. Some of the highest ranking members of Virithia are spellcasters who have been alive since Zero Year, with over a thousand years of training and study under their belts. Baby Virithian elves have been known to effect the weave as young as a week old, their cries breaking glass and knocking furniture around. As a result, Virithia has become quite the magocracy, under the Archmagus and their Adeptus Council. Oddly enough, it was these mages that opened the door for the monastic arts to gain a foothold in Thelekar, welcoming in a number of creatures from other planes known as Sage Beasts. One of the more well known Sage Beasts lives within Sel Ath Tel'adar, Baekho the Great Tiger, and he has remained a staunch ally of the Archmagus and Virithia ever since.

Appearance

Virithian Elves are the quintessential elves in the eyes of the rest of Thelekar. They are relatively short, of small frame, and move with an otherworldly grace; their bodies do not rock as they walk, and they remain so perfectly still while moving that you might believe they were levitating if you could not see their feet move. Their hair, unlike their cousins to the north, is expected to be incredibly long, and is rarely cut, if at all. While the lower ranks of the magocracy may keep their hair cut to at least their knees, its unheard of for anyone who achieves the rank of Adeptus to cut their hair ever again. Because of this, hair dressers are greatly valued in Virithia, almost as high as archmages. It is said that the Archmagus's hairdresser is able to braid their hair, which has not been cut since Zero Year, into an intricate design that reaches only their waist in length. How she does so is not known, but she always leaves the Archmagus looking their best.

Attributes

Ability Score Increase Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Born of Magic The mountains of Sel Ath Tel'adar are so enriched by magic, it effected you even while you were in the womb. You may choose two cantrips from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for them.
Arcanist All children in Virithia are given schooling on magical theory and application. You gain proficiency in arcana, and any Intelligence(Arcana) check you make to identify magical writing, such as glyphs or runes, is made with double your proficiency bonus.

Encompassed species

• Elves