Khal'res

Mountain Elves of the Khalvarn Mountains

The elves of the Khalvarn mountains are a tall and wiry folk, with snow-white skin and pale blonde hair. They're generally of about human height, taller than most elves, but not significantly heavier. Their name means, "The Mountain People." The Khal'res enjoy a strong, interdependent alliance with the Khalvari dwarves of the mountains. The Khal'res farm the fertile valleys to the east and west of Khalvarin, the dwarven capital city, and trade their crops to the dwarves for tools and other manufactured goods. Khal'resan population is mostly divided between the eastern Emerald Valley, so named because of its tendency towards growing green leafy plants and hardy root vegetables (mostly cabbage and potatoes), and the western Copper Valley, named for its tendency towards grains like wheat, oats and barley. Each valley is also known for a signature alcoholic beverage: the Copper Valley brews a wheat beer known for a light crisp flavor with subtle citrus notes called Veisskhal ("light mountain"), and the Emerald Valley distills a clear spirit from cabbage and potato, sweetened with sugar cane and steeped with spearmint, called Vodkhal ("mountain water"). Khal'res culture is heavily influenced by centuries of interaction with the Khalvar dwarves. A strong emphasis is placed on hospitality. Khal'res elves pride themselves on friendliness, but as they are also set in their ways and shun change and disruption of routine, there is a definite limit to how far a person can push Khal'resan etiquette. As farmers, the worship of Asta dominates the religious practice of the Khal'res, mostly focusing on her role as a fertility goddess. "All fruit is the fruit of her loins." is a common chestnut in Khal'res religious discussions.