Post by Nazerine on Dec 4, 2011 20:27:18 GMT 10
"As water reflects a face, so does a man's heart reflects the man... So the question is, what does your heart reflect?" - Pwaffti Greenmoon, Seer. |
| Name: Evyen'dolvyin. Pronounced 'Eve-yhen-dhol-vin'. Nicknames: Wild Elves, Elfies, Wood Elves, Forest Elves. Lifespan: 500 - 700 years. Reputation: Loyal, Guarded, Mysterious, Conservative. Common Classes: Archers, Scouts, Druids. Racial Gods: Darnphi, Goddess of the Hunt. Racial Attributes:+5 Agility, +5 Wisdom. * Can see further than other races. * Slight resistance to poison or disease effects. * Weapon Specialisation with Bows. Cities and Towns: |
Origins
The exact location and age of the origins of this race are unknown, but due to local legends, it has been suggested that the elves were not from this world and in-fact came through to the mortal realm from the spirit realm. This is supported by their magical roots which cannot otherwise be explained.
Wild elves were the first of the elves to inhabit Verenthia and have remained unchanged in physical appearance for many ages, their time on Verenthia only being rivalled by the Baysaad. Syncellia is claimed the mainland of the wild elves, where only a few known towns are listed on the map. The location to the rest of their civilisation remains a mystery, the elves keeping their villages safe simply by not speaking of them.
The exploration of the forests lead them on a migration to the west where many conflicts between the baysaad stirred. The wild elves lost their first capital city to the lizard people in a great siege. However, during the expansion of the elven empire, their broadening knowledge came at a cost. There were those that wanted to investigate into the newly found magic of arcane, and though it was powerful, it was seen by the elders as a sure road to perdition.
Eventually, those that seeked the path of the arcane left their homes and migrated further to the west where they used the new power to build great towering cities. The magic of the arcane changed the migrating wild elves forever, causing their features to become more delicate and pale.
However, many wild elves refused to follow the path and remained behind to stay with tradition. Presently, the wild elves lay scattered in their homeforests, living in settlements and discreet towns hidden by nature herself. Their capital city remains secluded and can only be accessible to outsiders by a guide.
Biology
Wild elves carry distinctions that have remained in their blood for generations. Generally speaking, their skin colour ranges in three variations, either being lightly gold, tan, or a soft lavender. The colour of their hair however is restrictive with dark brown and black being the only shades. The hair texture itself is usually described as wild and thick, often being wavy in nature. The colours of the eye are known to come in dark browns, ambers, yellows and on the rare occasion; green. Ears of the wild elves are the longest of all elven types, often arching toward the back of the skull.
The Evyen'dolvyin are classified as the strongest out of the elven races, often having more muscle mass than both the arcane and dark elves. This gives males wide shoulders despite their lithe build, subjecting them to a strong athletic appearance. The males of the species grow long hair as do the females, but the hairline will recede with age, though they never go bald unless shaven. Females hair grows longer than men and is often more thick or wild in nature. Concerning height, the females are slight larger by a mere few centimetres which cannot be discerned from a distance. The females carry a volputious yet slightly muscular build which is often accompanied by powerful thigh and stomach muscles.
Age and Reproduction
An elven woman is always presumed to give birth at least three times in her lifetime. When born, wild elf babies are born with hair on their heads and on the top of their feet which is so fine and soft that it is hard to grip. The hair on the feet eventually wear down with age and usually vanish by early adolescence. The children are raised by the father parent and will only involve the mother if the father is absent or dead. Wild elf orphans are adopted into a family chosen by an elder. Once the children are old enough to walk, they are taken out to hunt and learn the realities of life from a young age.
Both the females and the males learn of the forest and how to co-exist with it. Children are taught to maintain balance and to make sure that when hunting for food that they must pick what is most necessary rather than what is most convenient. As they grow in size and wit, children are often sent out to gather food or supplies, particularly mushrooms or other goods found in hard to reach places.
Elven children grow quickly and usually come to full height by the age of 17 , yet are not declared a full adult until the age of 40. Upon reaching early adulthood, an elder usually blesses them and allows them to leave the village. From that point onward, the elf decides what he or she may do, as it is encouraged that all spirits are free and are allowed to wander and travel as destiny intends them to. Most wild elves remain in their villages to live out their lives though it is known that the other percentage migrate to the capital to start a new life and make new friends.
Wild elf societies are dominantly matriarchal, with females having ownership over the higher positions and roles. Males are considered important, but only to a certain standard. Only the most elite of males are considered to be equal to a woman.
Psychology
Naturally, wild elves are cautious of outsiders and usually keep conversation on appropriate matters when dealing with them, but toward persons they know, they are hospitable. Individualism is strong amongst the wild elves. There are those who are against the notion of meeting with humans or other races and are racist in their opinions and mindsets. But there are also those who are more open minded and friendly.
Most wild elves carry a strong bond with their friends who they deem as brothers and sisters in terms of greeting. Their circles of friendship are often tightly bound but can remain open enough to allow more to join. Wild elves are social beings who do not mind of humour or competition. They are however, somewhat protective about the natural world and are against the destruction and abuse of nature. Moreso, the more devout types will even go so far as to refuse to eat meat and will take on a strict vegetarian diet.
Wild elves think differently concerning the individual but all hold a respect for those who have been blessed with age. No matter the race or gender, anyone of veteran age is treated with admiration.
Tradition also plays an important part in their psyche. Most wild elves will regard the arcane arts as taboo or twisted magic only suitable for heathen and will find it offensive if seeing it used.
Racial Traits
Wild elves are renowned for their ability to thrive in forested areas and maintain a certain subtlety. Their care of nature and prowess of the wilds has armed them the knowledge to co-exist with the land rather than dominate it or allow it to dominate them. Naturally, all wild elves are quite gifted survivalists and the ability to live even in the most difficult situations seems to flow to them easily. Though not completely adaptable, they can embrace new lessons and use them to their advantage. Almost any forested area is a suitable habitat for a wild elf, though it is not uncommon to find them in mountainous areas or even swamps.
Their survival in the forest for countless of generations has gifted them a slight immunity to poisonous effects on the body. They can recover and detox properly, given a few days rest and proper nutrition, whereas a human would perish. Their survivalist nature also gifts them with superior eyesight, allowing them to see into the distance and see detail.
Another trait they are well known for is their speed and their balance of strength and agility. Their nimble and plastic bodies can allow them to contort and bend far beyond what any average human or dwarf could do, making them the most excellent of acrobats in the lands. In human kingdoms, wild elves are often popular in circuses or street performance art and can only be rivalled in dance by their city elf counterparts.
Art, Industry and Clothing
The wild elves are renowned for their elite archers and bowmen. Able to strike down an insect from a distance, their flawless accuracy is sought after by the military and other organisations who wish to incorporate them into their ranks.
Clothing in their society is considered beautiful and unconstrained. Crafted from many versatile plant groups, the effects of the plant can leave any being it's fitted to to feel snug and warm or feel as if they wear no clothes at all.
Apparel used for battle or hunting situations is also made from plants, but can leave the impression of being protected by plate. Usually military wear is enchanted or bathed in special salves to further strengthen the armour's quality. However, even with the strong material, most elves in combative situations wear little protection. Relying more on their speed and grace to keep from harm's way.
Building's within wild elven societies are said to be created from the land itself using magic. The few known towns are made entirely from magnificent wood and exquisite stonework. The transition from using stone to wood has been a milestone in elven architecture, the baysaad siege being the source of the change.
Within the secluded elven towns, an outsider would note the presence of many animals. Used as communal pets, the wild elves treat the beasts of the forest and land as their equal and never as slaves. Usually the animals are tied on a loose rope while the more domesticated are allowed to roam freely. Even beasts that escape will eventually return to the village.
Religion
Wild elves are a deep society of people. Their ties with nature is the strongest of the mortal races, and as such, they have accumulated their beliefs around the base of nature. Firstly, they cherish life in all its forms. Very few elves will find something in the natural world ugly. Secondly, animals and beasts alike are considered their equal. Parties of wild elves still hunt, kill and slay beasts for food and resources, but they are most certain to thank the Darnphi for her offering.
Darnphi, the Goddess of the Hunt, is the soul and instinct of the wild. Feral and unpredictable, elves are taught to never take for what they have as granted. Darnphi also represents the balance of nature in all aspects of life. Life and death are a cycle that must co-exist to retain balance. While other races may view death questionably, the wild elves see it as the other side of life's face. Death must happen for life to grow and life must rely on death to keep the cycle consistent.
Anything that exists for longer than it should is deemed unnatural, founding the basis for elves having a strong hate for undead. Things found corrupt, twisted or unnatural is seen as a mockery of life, leaving the most devoted elves few choices but to go out of their way to fix the balance with force. Devoted followers of the goddess focus their goals to hunting and slaying foul things in hope of gaining favour.
Other old gods are prominent figures in their religion. Most of the old gods have lost their name, but certain sectors and villages of elves still devote their time to prayer and deeds for the old ones. Old gods are simplistic, but still tend to operate in the most ancient of regions in Verenthia. Though little is known about the old gods or how many there are left, the few that remain are known to be perceived as dark, such as requiring sacrifice or other unusual offerings to have their attention sought.
Upon death, wild elf bodies are known 'vanish'. Monuments and relics are erected in honour of the fallen but contain no graveyards or burial grounds. The exact nature to their bodies fading quickly still remains a mystery, but lore, so claimed by the elves themselves explains that it is merely nature's way of intending they do not become undead.
Elves are said to transcend back to the spirit world upon passing, where they join their ancestors in administering and blessing the prayers and pleas of the living.