Lavædriè Elves

The Elves that now roam the plains north of the mountains, once ruled the skyes. The lengends tell that the desendants of the fey once had wings, and built cities in the clouds. It is unknown what happened to those cities, or why were abandoned, but sometimes it's still possible to sight them in the clouds near the sunset.

Lavædriè was told to be the most beautiful city in the world. Its inhabitants were artist and poets, and the city itsself was a piece of art, a verse of poetry. It is unknown what happened to it once the elves left. Some say it crushed somewhere in the great plains, other that it rose higher in the sky abandoning forever the mortal realm to return in the feywild, but no answer is certain.

Leonard Teapot

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Abandoning the skyes, Lavædriè elves left behind them any kind of written law, basing their society on oral values and customs.

The elvish society is based on tribes, nomadic groups composed of various families tied together. A tribe is usually ruled by an elder who acts also as healer and priest. The warriors and hunters provide food and defence to the tribe, while other members perform daily tasks in the camp.

When they fell from the sky, the elves lost their faith in En, embracing other religions, the most widespread one being the worship of Quenlan.

Art & Architecture

Lavædriè elves have a nomadic culture, leaving behind no architecture. The only form of art they produce are fine ritual weapons.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Giving birth is considered like a battle. When her first child is born, a woman is considered on the same rank as hunters and warriors, and if she dies giving birth she is burned with all honors.

Just after being born, a child's umbilical cord is burned, meaning that from that moment the child can't rely on the mother anymore and has to fight for himself. The child is then bathed in the blood of the last animal the father had slain.

Coming of Age Rites

To be considered an adult, a Lavædriè elf has to defeat his father (or a warrior chosen by the elder) in a ritual duel, and disarm him. Then the elder carves two scars near his shoulder blades, representing his lost wings, and proclaims him a warrior. An adult elf also choses an new name.

Funerary and Memorial customs

If a Lavædriè elf dies in an honorable way, he is burned, and his ashes scattered in the wind. In this way he returns to the sky his people lost a long time before.

If he dies in a dishonorable way he is buried and left behind, and salt is poured n his grave to ensure nothing will grow there.

Common Taboos

Lavædriè elves should not enterbuildings other than their typical tents, and it is forbidden for them to go underground.

If a Lavædriè elf flees from battle, he becomes an ouutcast, and his closer relative has to hunt him down and kill him, to amend the sin his family committed giving the outcast life.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Elves that descended from those of Lavædriè belive that eyes the color of the skyes are synonym of beauty and high social rank.

It is common among males to scar the flesh on the back where are the shoulder blades, as a reminder of the wings that their race once had.

Courtship Ideals

Lavædriè elves don't form lasting relations, intead young elves mate during ritual gaerings sacred to Alea, that take place during summer.