Zenvaedhithil

Dwelling underground in twisting, complicated tunnel cities and rarely seen by the races above the ground, Zenvaedhithil are often called Dark or Chthonic Elves. Descendants of Fae from the Winter Court, they are diplomatic and highly professional, though often accused of being mercurial and ruthless.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Influenced by Dwarves and the other underground races, Zenvaedhithil have developed names used solely for Mithmai through centuries of contact. Though hard to tell for those unfamiliar with Elven or Dwarven culture, these names are considered definite markers of gender.
Examples: Kavrala, Yudraelsia, Halanaestra, Thazziren, Gaerradh, Vokkaebelyn, Yaereene, Nevragret, Malruthiia, etc..

Masculine names

As with feminine names for Mithmae, contact with other cultures has developed into a selection of masculine names for Thaneva to choose from. These are considered definite markers of gender by Zenvaedhithil as well.
Examples: Myriil, Uraec, Arbelladon, Kuldromri, Darthoridan, Dhuzzun, Vesstan, Thrakhaer, Biafyndar, Yasdreg, etc..

Unisex names

As well as masculine and feminine names, Dark Elves also have "traditional" names, which considered gender neutral and are less influenced by other races. Those with these names can be any gender.
Examples: Halaema, Cyran, Lethonel, Myrdin, Lysanthir, Merellien, Eldaerenth, Mnementh, Avourel, Kaelva, etc..

Family names

Due to the rigid clan structure of the Zenvaedhithil, their surnames hold information on an individual's family, status, and level of wealth. Those proud of their name may give it out instead of their first name, while those ashamed of it or hiding their status may not even mention it in polite company.
Examples: Magsibaragrim, Kurgrima, Doralba, Thudrornma, Thaunainburi, Sidornrin, Sorgakha, Khazimsorg, Adrinli, Falskjalras, etc.

Other names

Children, until they reach adulthood around 50 to 100 years of age, are given a Child Name until they are old enough to choose their own. These are generally simple and limited to one or two syllables. As children are exempt from expressing gender, all Child Names are gender neutral.
Examples: Oror, Amur, Kur, Soni, Ashi, Finla, Neha, Ren, Tol, Raki, etc..

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Zenvaedhithil speak Chthonic, a dialect of Elven heavily influenced by Dwarven and Goblin.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Taking after their Winter ancestors, Zenvaedhithil are the darkest of the elves, with skin tones ranging from a medium grey-brown to the deepest black. Grey and blue tints are common, while brown and purple are slightly rarer. Their hair is normally light, and can be anywhere between snow-pale and strawberry blonde. Eye colour, on the other hand, can range anywhere within the spectrum, though it tends to be washed out and pale. Often, Dark Elves tend to be smaller than the other subraces.
The ideal body type for the Zenvaedhithil is stockier than most, able to bear much more weight despite their smaller size. Pale white hair is desirable for many Dark Elves, and reddish or pink eyes are considered the most beautiful.

Gender Ideals

While gender is well-defined and categorized within Elven society, the Zenvaedhithil take it a few steps further than most of the others due to the influence of other, more gendered cultures. There are generally four categories, though Dark Elves do not consider children to be Kaeldril after 50 years of age.
Thaneva: What most Humans would classify as men, Thaneva are considered to be the more emotional gender, highly disciplined and empathetic. They are mostly voices of reason within a community, and are expected to fulfill protective and domestic roles throughout society.
Adantae: An adoptive term for other races that do not have the concept within their languages, Adantae are those between genders. Also called Din-thôr, a term borrowed from Dwarven, Adantae are considered to be the strongest gender, excelling at physically-focused tasks like tunneling and hunting. They are also expected to be strong and decisive leaders, able to make morally demanding decisions.
Mithmai: What most Humans would classify as women, Mithmai are considered to be the more intelligent gender, though far more rash and impulsive than the others. They do poorly in domestic roles within a community, and are generally far more expected to be involved with the standing army or some form of protective role. While a Mithmai is traditionally the head of a clan, she is also aided by the eldest Adantae and Thaneva within the family.
Kaeldril: Generally translated as genderless to other languages, Kaeldril are also called Bar-ást, from Dwarven. Children, ranging in age from about 20 to 50 are also considered Kaeldril, after which they may present as any gender, though this category is mostly made up of adults in Zenvaedhithil society. They are considered to be the wittiest, and are often involved with entertaining the community. They are also expected to be excellent diplomats and masters of language, and many spend their years studying.

Relationship Ideals

There several types of relationships that Zenvaedhithil recognize in both law and society.
Morilion: Generally what other races would call a loveless or political marriage, morilion are arranged by clan members for purposes such as ending a feud between clans, producing offspring, or as a political move for gaining power or wealth. The Clanmother, when she wishes to arrange one, will often announce her intent to the other clans in the area through a lavish gathering. The involved parties usually have very little choice in the matter, though they may give their input for the Clanmother and her advisors to consider. The ceremony is as grand as the initiating clan can afford, and often takes several days to complete.
The individual from the lesser clan takes the higher's name, once married, while the other may choose to adopt the lesser clan's name into their own. Taking lovers on the side is common and expected from this relationship, with no consequences as long as no offspring come from it. Children are both expected and desired from morilion, and generally have a Child name as well as a Clan Name until they reach adulthood.
Methalion: Generally similar to morilion, methalion are marriages where the participants choose each other instead of the Clanmother. They can also serve the same purposes, though that often comes after the individuals declare their intent. Taking lovers while in methalion is rare, though unpunished by society. Children are expected from this relationship as well.
Shanve: Considered more platonic than romantic by society, shanve are a mixture between an intense friendship and an intimate romantic interest. It is common among Adantae and Kaedril, as well as adventurers on the surface. The latter, however, can often end disastrously if not communicated properly.
Thorncele: Though common within other races and cultures, the relationship between mentor and pupil or master and apprentice is protected by laws and customs throughout Elven society. Apprenticeship, despite only lasting between a year and five years, is often for life, with the pupil considered part of the master's family when they are taken in.

Encompassed species

• Elf