Elven Realm

// This article covers events or characters in the *'Hidden Path'*, a non-canonical expansion to the White Wolves Universe. //

The **Elven Realm** is the home-world of the elves, which lies alongside Earth, or the Human Realm, in space/time but is only accessible via Transitum.

## Culture

### Language

The official language of the Elven Realm is their original, ancient Elvish language. While not many speak in it anymore, as English has entered common usage, the Elves are careful to not let Elvish become a dead tongue. As a result, Elvish is still taught to children in schools. Elvish is the language in which all ancient texts are written.

When speaking to or around Humans, Elves often speak in Elvish to keep conversations private.

### Folklore & mythology

#### Traditional holidays

##### Life Day

Life Day is a traditional Elven holiday held annually on the birthday of the current Goddess of Life, currently Erin Daelys. The day is meant to "celebrate the lives that are being and have been led".

##### Day of the Dead

Similarly to Life Day, the Day of the Dead is a traditional Elven holiday held annually on the transcension day of the current Goddess of Death, currently Severious. The day is meant for remembrance of loved ones' lives. Along with Life Day, it's often celebrated near the Ancient Half-tree

### Food & cuisine

#### Slaughter

The ethical treatment of animals is very important in the Elven Realm, as such slaughter of animals and livestock is done so in a traditional method, making use of an Elven Daonna, a curved sword that is sharpened to a razor edge prior to use. The animal is slaughtered by a professional who can use the Daonna in such a way, that the animal feels nothing throughout the process. This is all stems from the Ancient adage that "animals should treated with the respect of any Elf".

These customs can be ignored in some situations, however. For example, if an Elf is hunting or desperate for food, they can use more traditional weaponry to catch their prey. Typically, this opens up the use of arrows and swords, and is allowed so long as it is done in a way that doesn't prolong suffering unto the animal.

If an individual were to cause undue harm to an animal, they are likely to incur the wrath of the Goddesses, this is often seen by sailors who are challenged with treacherous journeys as punishment.

## Calendar

The Elven Calendar is very different from Earth's predominant Gregorian Calendar, though features similar years. The calendar starts at the first known instance of Ancient Elves, on year 0. This Ancient Era spans from the origin year of 0 to 2000. Around this time, nearly all Ancient Elves died out, and Old Elves took their place. This era lasted just 400 years, as the New Era began around 2400 and has lasted the 700 years since.

While days are around 24 hours long, there are 731 days in a year. These years consist of eight seasons; winter, spring, summer, autumn; each occurring twice per year.

Based on the average life expectancy for Elves, which is between 400 and 600 years old, Elven scholars have estimated that there have been up to four iterations of each Goddess. For example, Anna Fox is the third known Goddess of Lightning.

## Geography

### Materials

#### Vermillion Steel

A tough, Elven alloy of Vulcanite, Carbon and Iron, the Vulcanite gives the Vermillion Steel its eponymous red tint. Vermillion Steel is the primary material for weapon-crafting in the Elven Realm, and also among the cheapest.

#### Azurite

Azurite is a shiny blue metal found in caves in or near water. When properly heat-treated, Azurite makes a great material for knife- and sword-making.

#### Valterra

Valterra is a highly-valuable metal found hundreds of feet underground. It is formed when underground veins of copper spend many years under high pressures.

#### Ashenite

Ashenite is a silvery-white metal which an incredibly high melting point. Despite its difficulty to smith, it is frequently used against pyromancers.

#### Luxite

A very shiny and reflective mineral, Luxite is used in magical mirrors.

#### Vulcanite

A super-hard, shiny red metal found in and around very hot rocks. Vulcanite is often seen as an alloying material in Vermillion Steel.

#### Crite

A sodium-based mineral similar to Earth's salt.

## Demographics

### Ethnic groups

The majority of Elven Realm residents are Elven, in particular, the New Elf (Dryadalis nova) and its genetic variants

 Ancient Elf
 Old Elf
 New Elf

### Languages

The *lingua franca* and predominant language of the Realm is human English, which was adopted by Elves some two hundred years ago. Before the introduction of the English language, the dominant language was Elvish, which is now recognised as an ancient language, which has been spoken for over 2000 years.

### Religion

The Elven Realm in mono-religious, meaning there is only one religion, which is the one regarding the goddesses of the Realm.

## Elves

### Ancient Elves

* (*Dryadalis archaios)*

The first known species of Elves, were the Ancient Elves*.* This species, which lived around 2000 years ago, laid the framework for many things in the Realm, including the Elvish language and Elven magic.

#### Vampyr Elf

* (*Dryadalis sanguis)*

The first genetic variant of the Ancient Elves came in the form of the Vampyr Elf, a species still alive today. As the name implies, these elves feed on blood rather than typical food. Ever since Vampyr Elves were first discovered by other Elven species, they have been shunned for the vampirism.

#### Dark Elf

* (*Dryadalis corrupta)*

Some of the Ancient and Vampyr Elves ventured too deep into the Dark Realm and were tainted by the darkness. These Elves would come to be known as Dark Elves*.*

## Symbols

### Flag

   The flag of the Elven Realm features a golden Phoenix surrounded by a golden wreath, atop a blue background with a purple border.

The wreath is an Elven symbol of peace, showing the race is open and compassionate to those in need or visitors to the Realm. The wreath is not visible when the Elves raise their war flag.

### Phoenix

The golden Phoenix is a primary symbol of the Elves. It symbolises power and rebirth.

## Notable Places

* The Grand Church of Life
* Vita Caverns
* Vale of the Realm
* Great Lakes of the Realm