Sun Elves (Ghrianmir)

*“Early in life, I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose honest arrogance and have seen no occasions to change.” - Caesar Carbaze of House Travellion (Frank Lloyd Wright)*

**Rarity**

Uncommon

.

**General Overview**

Unlike most elves, Sun Elves (sometimes referred to as High Elves) organized their society along firm and hierarchical traditions early after the Awakening. Communities were and are still typically run by members of an esteemed nobility, some of whom could trace their ancestry all the way back to the Ancient Elves.

There is a difference, however, between Sun Elven and Human Monarchy and where a Human King typically accumulated influence through the ownership of land or command of soldiers, a Sun Elf noble commanded authority through the prestige of their family name or the magical power they held at their behest, a power they often demonstrated through the grandeur of their home.

Sun Elves are less motivated to become adventurers than their wandering Moon Elven brethren and preferred, for the most part, to keep to themselves. Those who are driven into the world to forge a path among the other races often do so as spies or scouts on the behalf of their people, or perhaps as vigilant watchmen against possible threats. Others might be drawn to adventure by a desire to explore the ancient ruins of the world and learn from their secrets, bringing back lost secrets of magic and power to their people.

In this, Sun Elves view themselves as keepers of history and true Elven heritage, where blood means everything and knowledge of the past does too for they keenly look back at it. They harbour huge amounts of relics of the Ancient Elves and rarely, if ever, share them with anyone else.

To a sun elf, the grander a piece the better, with heroic ballads or tragic epics the preferred form of literature amongst the subrace. The sun elven qualities of patience and haughtiness often both demonstrated themselves in sun elf art. Sun elven architecture, while undeniably beautiful in most cases, was often flashier than what other elves commonly built, a quality in part due to the fact that sun elves would accept nothing short of perfection, working tirelessly in their art to constantly raise the aesthetic bar.

In this, they can often be regarded as shallow or arrogant.

Sun Elves can commonly be found in Silia de la Notre, with many of the original architects and council of the great Kingdom being Sun Elf since creation.

Their belief in the gods varies, with the belief in all Viothist gods being frequent, however, worship of Solaris and Oris is most favoured.

Common Sun Elf Languages:

~ Common *(English)*

~ Elven *(D&D)*

~ Daru’sheen, the native Moon Elf tongue, for the sake of preservation *(Sindarin LOTR)*

~ Dwarvish

~ Orcish

~ Solresol, the native language of Sea Elves

~ Any other language they can get their hands on, they hunger for the Snow Elven tongue of Snorwiss, though it has proved elusive

Known Sun Elf Cities:

~ Orthellion, led by Ceaser (ruler) Carbaze of House Travellion

Known Sun Elf Houses:

~ House Travellion of Orthellion, known for their long line of Ceasers, nobility, and highest grandeur

~ House Alle of Orthellion, known for their contribution to the arts of painting, theatre and music

~ House Londis of Silia de la Notre, known for their reliability, loyalty and strategic nature

~ House Hissandra of Silia de la Notre, known for their savviness with trade and secrecy

Sun Elf names can sound unusually like common Human names, lacking apostrophes or dashes like other Elven names often have. (*Think Cintran from The Witcher*).

Sun Elves can live up to 500 years old.

.

**Race Alignment**

Lawful good to neutral

.

**Natural Race Abilities/Affinities**

Sun Elves have an astounding affinity for the Arcane, and with so much knowledge at their disposal they are often in a position to use it for more than just research.

They also have a leaning towards Holy magic, while feeling a repulsion towards Dark and Blighted Magics, though their affinity for holy magics is not as strong as Moon Elves affinity.

They are mildly stronger than humans on average, but have lower endurance.

Sun Elves have minor affinities for elemental magics, more so fire than the others. Though these affinities are not necessarily the most potent, they are still more significant than Sea Elves.

They have a resistance to heat and the effects of the sun, often able to withstand hot climates and sweat in a magical golden mist rather than salty liquid like Humans or other Elves excrete from their pores.

.

**Appearance**

Sun Elves tend to be of sandy, orange, yellow and red skin of various hues with pale white, red brown hair being the most common.

**History**

*“In my opinion, most of the great Sun Elves of the past were only there for the wealth, prestige and grandeur that went with the power.” - Elliot McCallen, High Scholar of the Oushivia Tower, circa 1120 (A.J.P Taylor)*

Although less numerous than the Moon Elves and Drow, Sun Elves settled into the new world after the Awakening more easily, forming the nations of Dwavane’er and Orthellion. Of the two, Dwavene’er would become the most powerful, blossoming under the rule of House Mi’leen. However, this prosperity would come with a cost and Dwavane’er blatant aggression towards other cultures would be one of the main causes of their war with the Drow Empire of old, which would eventually result in the nation's obliteration. As a result, Sun Elves turned inwards, becoming less expansionist and more reclusive.

House Travellion is the ruler of Orthellion after a throne usurping 400 years ago by their ancestors.