Race's and Cultures Of Shide

## Races

Shide is known as the Elven continent and this is not far away from the truth. Elves dominate the massive continent known as the land where time stands still. However they are by no means the only denizens of Shide. Shide is changed dramatically from province shaped by the Elves and other races who make it home.

### Elves

Where humans are adaptable to any situation Elves have split into sub races that excel beyond expectation in specific areas. This doesn't mean there is no variation across a population but in general

#### High Elves

High elves are the oldest lineage of elves and the most powerful in Shide. Their elaborate beautiful city known to most as The Eternal City is considered by high elves to be the Crown Jewel of Shide. Because of The Eternal cities massive size and the opportunities it provides you find many other races flock to it, While other forms of elves are common you will be able to find most other races in the Eternal city as many travel from other continents to live and work there. High Elves possess a natural ability with magic and even those with no magical training can often perform a trick or two.

High Elf culture in the city is often smug. Even their name denotes them as superior so many, especially those who have power and wealth within the city, believe themselves the superior race of elves. This can permeate through the cities culture and it is not uncommon to see High elves in better positions less due to merit and often due to race.

However, High elf culture comes with a natural kindness, as what the point of being the best if you cannot flaunt it. The Council of the Eternal city run healers houses for free for the poor population. Education within some of the less prestigious schools is open to anyone (While the more prestigious schools tend to allow only high elves to join).

The Eternal city is policed by a military force of high elves. As expanding their borders does not concern them the Military of the Eternal City, Often referred to in common as the Gold Plates serve as a defense based army who also ct as the police force. The Gold Plates are highly trained in the classical elven combat techniques wielding bows and swords and often possessing a little magic as well.

The High Elves run the city via an elected council who serve for 50 years once elected. Only Half Elf citizen of the city who "Have attained a right to rule" are allowed to partake in elections. The current council are considered egalitarian by the populace as several of their ranks seem to be pushing to provide more support to the poor and disenfranchised of the city.

High elves are also the largest producers of Airships and The Eternal Cities sky-line is littered with them.

High elves themselves tend to look classically beautiful to humans their hair is often light and silky and their skin seems soft and flawless. Their skin is often light flesh coloured although variation exists over all elven subraces and because of this you are rarely defined by your skin colour in elven society.

#### Wood Elves

Wood Elves make their home in the Fallenwoods however it is common to see them all over Shide and the other continents. Wood elves are one of the most numerous of Elven subraces seeing as their woods take up an enormous portion of the landmass. The Fallenwoods are mysterious to others but the wood elves are able to move through trees with grace and certainty. The ma out routes through the trees and down in the brush and are able to control large amounts of territory with few people.

Their treehouse homes are far more comfortable than one would assume and many who have had the pleasure to visit one often regail people with tales of comfy beds, and friendly elves. However get on the wrong side of wood elves ad they have proven to be adept at hunting those who cross them to the bitter end.

Wood elves are not welcoming at first and most who visit must prove in some way that they are well meaning or kind because of this their cities which with rare exceptions are entirely populated by their own kind have no formal police or military. Hunting parties and Patrol groups are decided on and any wood elf in a city can be called upon to serve. Decisions for the cities are made through town halls where any individual can stand and raise an issue. The people will then vote on this issue. Some roles are decreed such as mediators for these town halls and these members of society give up their right to vote or raise issues to essentially manage this process.

Wood elves maintain the monsters of the forest, Ensuring that they never get too numerous but also ensuring that some still exist to deter other groups from getting ideas of claiming their land. As well as this they hunt and gather from the forest for food. Becasue of this the hunting parties are the cornerstone of their culture and Wood elves can gain renown by collecting monster trophies from their kills.

Wood Elves themselves often have a more bestial appearance than their High elf counterparts although not always. Their skin is often tanned dark or even in many cases one of the colours of the forest. Many elves develop skin the colour of bark which is believed to help them blend in to their environment.

#### Sun Elf

Sun Elves come from the Orange an endless desert where the sun never goes down. The story goes that once one of the Original Elves overwhelmed by her own power come to the Land that would become both the Orange and the Navy. There she collapsed and conceived two children from her magic. The firstborn was a strong son dark of skin. He brought light to the land he walked with kindness and naievity until one day his trickster sister pushed him to anger and he scorched the earth. Looking around at the destruction he had wrought he decided he would become disciplined enough that this could never happen again. On his death his discipline locked the sun in place and from his body rose the first sun elves.

Sun elves are an odd combination of Militaristic and Individualist. They train themselves in discipline and while the structure of their government is that of a military they also vastly encourage those who have mastered discipline in their skills to use them for the betterment of society. This however doesn't always work as some Sun Elves develop extreme individualism not looking to benefit society and become adventurers and these Elves are often called The Sunless.

As mentioned before the Government within the Orange is Militaristic. All Sun elves are expected to work for the Military when they are young and should they develop other skills that may be suspended for those skills but otherwise Military life is common for 300 years for many Sun Elves and More for those who stay with the Military.

The Orange provides the Sun Elves with the ultimate training ground for their young to become ultimately trained beings. The Military of the Orange has the best swordsman in the known world by far even amoung the most trained of military forces.

Sun Elfs have dark skin and often tight curly hair or dreadlocks. They often like high elves appear beautiful to other races.

#### Moon Elf

The Other child born of the Original Elf was a girl with Blue/purple skin and hair. a mischief maker from birth she found herself at home in the shadows. She spent her time irritating her brother until one day she wound him up so much he lashed out and burnt half their homeland. She retreated in fear to the land untouched by her brothers rage and being all alone made friends with the beasts that roamed the land. When Sun stopped on her brothers death the shame she felt for never going to see him again pained her so bad she stopped the Moon in sky leaving the Navy in eternal night in which it is said she still wanders.

Moon elves live in small tight knit tribes, however while disputes do happen over land and hunting grounds no major conflict has ever occurred between the tribes. As expert hunters the moon elves stalk the dark with their ornately crafted bows hunting the creatures that they see as holy as the elves lives depend on them.

The Moon Elf tribes run their lives by a hierarchy of roles. At the top the Chieftain of the village make every day decisions for the tribe, What they will hunt where they will pitch their tents etc. A Moon reader these elves are deeply connected to the moon and can use it to determine where their tribe should go and foretell prophecies for their tribe. Because of this they make recommendations to the chief. Hunters encompass all Moon elves of age and training they act on the orders of the Moon reader and Cheiftan and are expected to do whatever they can to better the tribe. Bowstringers are the youth of the tribe, Their jobs are to assist tribe hunters and learn to become one.

Moon Elves have a mystical nature about them likely down to their blue-purple skin and hair. Their eyes are bright even for elves and in the darkness if they want you two you will be able to see their eyes a second before and arrow slams into your body.

#### Sea Elves

Sea Elves are one of the Aquatic races and their culture seems to incorporate both parts of their aquatic nature and elven nature. This is seen in their gods as well as their lifestyles.

Most Sea Elves of Shide live in the Coral ring, An Enormous Coral reef that Circles Shide that has been molded by the Sea elves (an some other aquatic species) A series of cities. Each of these cities uses their own ruling systems but most employ a council much like the high elves.

However some Sea elves become more predatory living out in the open sea and forming their own groups and communities. These groups vary wildly and are rarely alike.

Sea Elves are one of the less homogenous groups of Elves where some do conform to one single culture but many do not.

Sea Elves themselves often have Blue or Black skin their ears often enlarge and some are known to possess webbed hands and toes. They look very similar to Triton who are common in the cities of the Coral Ring.

Wild Elves

Wild Elves, Often called feral Elves are the descendants of groups of Wood and High elves who decided Elven society was a waste of time. The respect one thing and that is the natural world. They are known to be difficult to approach and often attack on site.

Wild elves are the most individualistic of all the elves. They do what they want and when they want to. They do not live in homes but instead sleep under the trees and only really meet in groups when they just happen to find each other and these groups don't last long. However they rival Wood elves in their knowledge of the forest and move freely through some of the most dangerous areas of it.

Wild elves have no rulers, no society and no culture, what you see is what you get and that is usually and arrow in your back or a spear through your chest. They hold a begrudging respect for wood elves although they will not hesitate to kill ones who wander into their territory however all other elves in general will be killed on sight and any non elves will often be played with in the forest to the extent that when those creature die its comes as a relief rather than with fear.

Wild elves look odd to other elves. They can take on characteristics from both Wood and High elves and can in some circumstances take these appearances to the extreme. Some look very bestial while some look very beautiful and this can often be used in their traps.

#### Stray Elves

Stray elves are odd to other groups of elves. Essential Stray elves are elves who cannot trace their lineage back to any one group. This is usually down to interbreed groups of elves changing over time into their own distinct group. As the most recent group of Elves they hold no real history or ancient folklore and have instead merged their culture away from the elves to the travelers and adventurers who come to Shide.

Living the the Lost Coast Stray elves find themselves wandering the whole of Shide when they are young. This is often the case so that they can learn the land and make contacts in areas as many Stray elves work as guides or caravan leaders who take the less wealthy travelers across Shide. They run wagons and caravans to any part of Shide where travelers or settlers would want to visit. Because of this they prove useful to other elves they often bring people who hold odd good for the elves as well as customers for their goods.

Many stray elves also work the docks as shipwrights, dockers and even in some cases captains with ships that can be chartered.

#### Hidden Elves (Star Elves)

In the large population of All other Elves very few are born with the cosmos in their eyes. These elves are taken from a young age to the sky climb where they are often not heard from again. there are though to only be around a hundred of them at any one time but this is impossible to confirm.

The Sky climb is mysterious even to other elves as the hidden elves do not socialise with their kin let alone non-elves. The most common time to see one is if your child is born as one and they will arrive and take your child, either by you volunteering or if needed by force.

The Star Elves who have been seen away from the sky climb often share little of their lives in the tower. What is known is that age is everything and the young elves spend their times all day every day learning under their superiors. Methods of reading the stars are key and whispers of a powerful force contained within the tower is common among the populations of the other provinces.

Star elves are born looking as their parents but those that are seen year later change becoming tall and without fail their skin becomes a light blue and their hair a dark blue.

#### Fey Elves (Elardin)

More common in the Feywild itself these Fey touched elves live in both the Wild woods and they Feyveil in small numbers. Here they help crossings to the Feywild in both directions.

Their culture in the Feywild is unknown but if it mirrors their activity in Shide then they run themselves with courts each of which has a queen or king and nobles who decide on the activities, disputes and needs of their people.

Eladrin as fey touched can be wild and tricky but unlike much other Fey they are understandable and his means they can be worked with.

Eldarin are very distinct each one having four forms for each season which changes with extreme sways in their emotion and as Fey they are almost always in a fit of extreme emotion. Summer is rage, Spring is Joy, Winter is Sorrow and Autumn is peace.

#### Shadowfell Elves (Shadar-kai)

The Shadar-Kai of Shide are essentially guards who guard the Shadowseep which is their route to and from the material plane. There are very few Shadar-Kai who operate beyond the Dread fort let alone the Shadow seep but those that do share little of their world beyond.

Shadar-Kai follow the Raven queen an entity that many are unsure of. However what is known about her is she collects memories and souls and the Shadar-Kai that operate fufilling her desires are known as Spirit Theives although they refer to themselves by other names.

The society within the Dreadfort is unknown and mysterious. The Shadar-Kai seem to possess no leader they simply work together to benefit the Raven Queen. This often means if a need is seen it is filled and as a group they can mobilise quickly to deal with any threat to them quickly and efficiently.

The Shadar-Kai are very distinctive in how they look. The almost look drained with their skin being grey or white. Many are bald but those that do have hair it seems to be either jet black or completely white.

### Gnomes

Gnomes in general are lighthearted and whimsical creatures who care little for the serious natures of their Elf cousins. Much like halflings they were often overlooked as powers that be but they know the impact they have and wise gnomes watch their words as know the damage that a loose tongue can cause. Younger gnomes however tend toward fun as a motivator and whether they are building or tinkering with gadgets, learning magic from parlor tricks to world altering magics or simply pulling a prank on an unsuspecting group of goblins the reason they do so is rarely to change the world or annoy someone but simply because it is fun. Gnomes are so curious that within their own culture they do not form schools or universities as they know those who seek knowledge will find it themselves and those that don't probably wont need it.

As far as gnomes are concerned, being alive is a wonderful thing, and they squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their three to five centuries of life. Humans might wonder about getting bored over the course of such a long life, and elves take plenty of time to savor the beauties of the world in their long years, but gnomes seem to worry that even with all that time, they can’t get in enough of the things they want to do and see.

Curious and impulsive, gnomes might take up adventuring as a way to see the world or for the love of exploring. As lovers of gems and other fine items, some gnomes take to adventuring as a quick, if dangerous, path to wealth. Regardless of what spurs them to adventure, gnomes who adopt this way of life eke as much enjoyment out of it as they do out of any other activity they undertake, sometimes to the great annoyance of their adventuring companions.

Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A gnome’s mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are

“stuffy” about names, a gnome learns to use no more than three names: a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that’s the most fun to say.

#### Rock Gnomes

Tinkerers and Tradesman Rock gnomes make up the majority of gnomes in the world. They live for making things form their burrows under the hills and in some cases in the mountains . They look for their wealth in gems and beautiful objects. They are by far some of the friendliest folk you will meet.

#### Forest Gnome

Magicians and Magisters the forest gnomes commonly live above ground in forest homes. Their villages are well protected and guarded and while friendly to those who speak friend much will be done before the open up completley.

### Firbolgs

Firbolgs in general avoid contact with other races. While they share some culture with the Eladrin, Even the Fey elves found it difficult to find a Firbolg who didn't want to be found. Preferring misdirection and peaceful solutions the Firbolgs used their magics to distract, confuse and misdirect and should they wish it the could have any being walking in circles through their forest.

Being Giant kin they their language confuses they fey they live with and many do not even learn Sylvan instead communicating through their work on the forest. The Firbolgs manage and help those who cannot directly speak but their happiness is easily conveyed to those that do. If given the opportunity to spread throughout the whole wood the Firbolgs would create a vibrant magical woodland as mesmerizing as it would be deadly.

The Firbolgs much like their Giant Kin cousins the Goliaths of the North are enormous often standing somewhere between 7-11 feet tall. This makes them imposing to be around bu thtose who have met them know that they are often kind if suspicious and rarely violent although force them to and they can do some serious damage.

Firbolgs often had pale blue grey or green skin and their hair could vary to any colour from brown to pink to green.

### Kalashtar

The Kalashtar are a compound of humans and the spirits that seem through the magical land of Shide. Many Kalashtar are reclusive and prefer to stay in the temple life of Feland, however, some driven by purpose venture out into Shide and the other continents.

Kalashtar are commonly reserved, tranquil and tend to spend significant time thinking something through before acting. They're kind and caring towards others though, in an intellectual manner rather than emotional. It is not known exactly why kalashtar take a keen interest in controlling their emotions however, it is commonly believed that it is due to the turmoil they suffer from their conjoined souls. They express their friendship with a wry smile and through offhand comments rather than being cordial or making lewd jokes.

The Kalashtar live a spiritual life and this trickle down into their culture. There are no directive or laws but spiritual guidance can be provided by at the temples. The Kalashtar seek their purpose given to them by the Great light. For some this is farming and raising a family, For others it is becoming a great warrior to guard the temples and for some rare few its is going out into the world and learning of other beings and their struggles. All that is known is it is for each Kalshtar to find that path and walk it or be lost in the dreaming darkness.