ELVES
The Draconic Divine
The Second Race
The elves of Hy-Brazir were once like other fae, but have changed since their arrival to the planet. In the chaos following the First Fall, they found refuge in paying allegiance to the dragons, where they found protection by paying tribute and the dragons found aid in recovering from the devastation they had experienced. In time the elves developed a close relationship to dragonkind and were taught arcane magics by them. A disciplined approach to magic changed their bonds with nature, becoming more bound to the draconic specifically and in turn the physical plane of existence. This led to more strictly elemental magics by birth and the need to learn casting, the loss of shapeshifting, and the development of their draconic mutations. They are fae by technicality, but have diverged greatly from their ‘wild’ kin (which they now lump all other fae under).
The lands between the elven kingdom and the Frozen Sea became a holy land occupied by both races, where Dragon Monks now learn and serve their reptile masters. They believe they will eventually become dragons themselves through their worship of the great ones and their planet, gradually changing over time through their devotion. It is considered a goal of their culture to ‘ascend’ their people in this manner.
In many ways elves are like their generic depictions: dignified, scholarly, often arrogant and aloof. A people of many varieties, but with a strong sense of unified culture despite territory - no matter what sort of elven society they live in, they take no nonsense (even struggle to understand humor) and take great pride in their luxuries. It might be fair to say they even come across as greedy in their pursuit for knowledge and finery. The elven cities and settlements of the northwest are a testament to their advancements and scholastic tendencies, but also their increasing draconic natures: tall towers of gold, elegantly curving architecture with elaborate engravings, a taste for what is fine and rare. A great deal of emphasis is placed upon statues and paintings that stand testament to their appreciation for the arts. It's rare they'll seek life outside of these places (with many even considering it taboo), but as always there are those who don't fit in, or those who believe that not all knowledge can be found in a book or the words of others. It is rare for an elf to be adventurous and seeking enlightenment through travel, but not unheard of; that being said, the most encounters most will have had with one in Thornmouth is through the rare merchant.
Racial Details
- historically among the earliest to arrive alongside the dwarves, and like the latter showcase strong draconic traits
- were likely once members of the seelie courts who arrived before the others for reasons lost to history, but have changed since; still technically fae, but those of the fae wilds (especially the courts) have decidedly stronger opinions about their perceived divergence
- were the cause of the other fae arriving through meddling with moongates and dangerous magic; if either party remembers the details, the wild fae are not forthcoming about it and the elves don't like to talk about it either
- unlike the dwarves, they revere dragons and see their mutations as blessings
- as a result they take great care of their horns and other draconic features, with a notable tendency to show them off through their fashion choices
- standard mutations include horns, sharp nails, and scaling scattered across features especially at temples/neck/hands/feet, sometimes extending to arms/legs/shoulders/back
- skin typically displays 'point' patterning of unnatural tones on their extremities and the edges of scaling, as if dusted with color (commonly including horns, which are generally the same color as their scales or markings)
- horns come in many shapes (typically long and curving upwards in some fashion) and in rare cases more than one set, but are covered in leathery skin and scaling
- tend to have very little to no hair, that which grows on their head rarely reaching more than a couple inches at best
- body hair is nearly unheard of save eyebrows and eyelashes, facial hair is rare and even then typically no more than a shadow
- most elves with hair shave their heads to showcase markings, horns, and jewelry
- scars are considered unbecoming and typically covered up in some fashion
- facial piercings, including adorations adhered to scaling, is very common
- long lived and showcasing slow growth, even as children
- consequences of not physically maturing at the same rate as other races means they are more isolated in their cities, with lower birth rates, and a tendency towards encouraging long periods of education (decades)
- their attitudes are often fueled by frustrations during youth due to growing minds outpacing their bodies; temperaments tend to go from angry and frustrated to reserved through a process of surrendering to patience
Social Overview
- culture has long ties to dragonkind and religion revolves around reverence to them
- religion plays a strong role in their society, not unlike the far eastern empire of men
- they have holy lands east of their kingdom, within the dragon territories bordering that side of the central sea
- make up a significant portion of fae demographics in the West, but primarily deal with Thornmouth in terms of trade (while most fae living in the kingdom are of the courts)
- the elven capital city of Meel Caeldora is run by a council with lifelong appointments
- architecture and art is ripe with imagery of dragons
Notes:
The Draconic Divine
The Second Race
The elves of Hy-Brazir were once like other fae, but have changed since their arrival to the planet. In the chaos following the First Fall, they found refuge in paying allegiance to the dragons, where they found protection by paying tribute and the dragons found aid in recovering from the devastation they had experienced. In time the elves developed a close relationship to dragonkind and were taught arcane magics by them. A disciplined approach to magic changed their bonds with nature, becoming more bound to the draconic specifically and in turn the physical plane of existence. This led to more strictly elemental magics by birth and the need to learn casting, the loss of shapeshifting, and the development of their draconic mutations. They are fae by technicality, but have diverged greatly from their ‘wild’ kin (which they now lump all other fae under).
The lands between the elven kingdom and the Frozen Sea became a holy land occupied by both races, where Dragon Monks now learn and serve their reptile masters. They believe they will eventually become dragons themselves through their worship of the great ones and their planet, gradually changing over time through their devotion. It is considered a goal of their culture to ‘ascend’ their people in this manner.
In many ways elves are like their generic depictions: dignified, scholarly, often arrogant and aloof. A people of many varieties, but with a strong sense of unified culture despite territory - no matter what sort of elven society they live in, they take no nonsense (even struggle to understand humor) and take great pride in their luxuries. It might be fair to say they even come across as greedy in their pursuit for knowledge and finery. The elven cities and settlements of the northwest are a testament to their advancements and scholastic tendencies, but also their increasing draconic natures: tall towers of gold, elegantly curving architecture with elaborate engravings, a taste for what is fine and rare. A great deal of emphasis is placed upon statues and paintings that stand testament to their appreciation for the arts. It's rare they'll seek life outside of these places (with many even considering it taboo), but as always there are those who don't fit in, or those who believe that not all knowledge can be found in a book or the words of others. It is rare for an elf to be adventurous and seeking enlightenment through travel, but not unheard of; that being said, the most encounters most will have had with one in Thornmouth is through the rare merchant.
Racial Details
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Classification: humanoid Compatibility: other humanoids Subraces: various draconic distinctions, there is a noble family for each element Homeworld: unknown |
Average Lifespan: 400-500 years Magic: yes, typically elemental Diet: omnivorous, meat-favoring Size: large Height Range: 6'0-7'0 on average Weight Range: 180-250lbs on average Skin Tones: all manner of natural humanoid tones, with unnaturally colored markings Eye Tones: jewel-bright and in brilliant colors, often reptilian Hair Tones: what elves do grow some amount of hair can display it in the same color as their markings, with about the same frequency as the appearance of natural tones Distinctions: taller stature, pointed ears, colorful markings, typically bald or very short haired at most, usually horned and sometimes displaying other draconic mutations like scales, pointed nails, and reptilian eyes |
- historically among the earliest to arrive alongside the dwarves, and like the latter showcase strong draconic traits
- were likely once members of the seelie courts who arrived before the others for reasons lost to history, but have changed since; still technically fae, but those of the fae wilds (especially the courts) have decidedly stronger opinions about their perceived divergence
- were the cause of the other fae arriving through meddling with moongates and dangerous magic; if either party remembers the details, the wild fae are not forthcoming about it and the elves don't like to talk about it either
- unlike the dwarves, they revere dragons and see their mutations as blessings
- as a result they take great care of their horns and other draconic features, with a notable tendency to show them off through their fashion choices
- standard mutations include horns, sharp nails, and scaling scattered across features especially at temples/neck/hands/feet, sometimes extending to arms/legs/shoulders/back
- skin typically displays 'point' patterning of unnatural tones on their extremities and the edges of scaling, as if dusted with color (commonly including horns, which are generally the same color as their scales or markings)
- horns come in many shapes (typically long and curving upwards in some fashion) and in rare cases more than one set, but are covered in leathery skin and scaling
- tend to have very little to no hair, that which grows on their head rarely reaching more than a couple inches at best
- body hair is nearly unheard of save eyebrows and eyelashes, facial hair is rare and even then typically no more than a shadow
- most elves with hair shave their heads to showcase markings, horns, and jewelry
- scars are considered unbecoming and typically covered up in some fashion
- facial piercings, including adorations adhered to scaling, is very common
- long lived and showcasing slow growth, even as children
- consequences of not physically maturing at the same rate as other races means they are more isolated in their cities, with lower birth rates, and a tendency towards encouraging long periods of education (decades)
- their attitudes are often fueled by frustrations during youth due to growing minds outpacing their bodies; temperaments tend to go from angry and frustrated to reserved through a process of surrendering to patience
Social Overview
|
Population: large Living Style: communal Nations: multiple territories and many settlements across the northeastern region of the west, including the great capital city of Meel Caeldora Languages: local elven, local draconic (to be named) Subcultures: dragon monks of the holy lands, tba Notable Members: tba Known For: dragon worship, the arts, education, finery, precious metals and gems (which their kingdom seems to have in abundance) Produce: magical goods, fine jewelry, art, textiles |
- culture has long ties to dragonkind and religion revolves around reverence to them
- religion plays a strong role in their society, not unlike the far eastern empire of men
- they have holy lands east of their kingdom, within the dragon territories bordering that side of the central sea
- make up a significant portion of fae demographics in the West, but primarily deal with Thornmouth in terms of trade (while most fae living in the kingdom are of the courts)
- the elven capital city of Meel Caeldora is run by a council with lifelong appointments
- architecture and art is ripe with imagery of dragons
Notes:
- A very clean people, they consider littering a crime akin to theft; but in this they are neurotic and strange in their ways, not doing well outside their cities. It can be seen why most fae no longer consider them kin, for they are material and domesticated folk.
- Elvish cuisine tends towards extravagant cooked spreads and less in the way of fresh or deli ingredients - a lot of elaborate dishes and baked goods like twisted pastries with berry jams, beef wellingtons, and magnificent tiered cakes. A love for wine and other goods that require aging, such as cheese, pickled vegetables, and dried meat. They believe all good things take time and anything worth doing is to be relished, which reflects in much of their culture. They tend to take extra time in all that they do.
- A half-elf in most cases will be tolerated in elven society but shunned by culture, considered lesser or of bad breeding. No matter their scholarly accomplishments, they will always be considered lesser by most unless able to prove themselves through a great feat.
- A hybrid elf tends to be infertile and have stunted horns, as well as trouble with natural magics. Unless, of course, that elf happens to be of half dragon ilk - starkly converse to all other hybrids these individuals are revered and treated like royalty. It is said that the dragons have a highly trained legion of agents that are all of half-dragon and elvish make. It’s even rumored that the near-mythical Assassin’s Guild was founded by such.
