High Elves

in: Races

## Introduction

High Elves are intellectuals who desire to gain knowledge and master not only the arcane, but also life itself. They are consummate perfectionists that will devote their lives to their chosen pursuits. Their civilization is one of the oldest in the world, rich with numerous traditions and cultures that they take pride in. High Elves govern their land with not only the belief that they were divinely chosen to do so, but also that they are simply the most capable of doing so.

From their island home of Tir Cygodi, their growth has been gradual and contained mostly to the island. They are heavily reliant on trade with humans to import the various resources they need that have long since been depleted from their homeland. Due to their maritime position, High Elves are experts in ship building and sailing; they also have a substantial naval presence to ward off potential intruders.

*The doom of the Elves is to be immortal, to love the beauty of the world, to bring it to full flower with their gifts of delicacy and perfection, to last while it lasts, never leaving it even when ‘slain’, but returning – and yet, when the Followers come, to teach them, and make way for them, to ‘fade’ as the Followers grow and absorb the life from which both proceed. The Doom (or the Gift) of Men is mortality, freedom from the circles of the world. — **Yves Siarad**, ”Life Everlasting”*

## Quick Notes

* **Alternative Names:** Ignavid (Dark Elves), Zorafshan (Dune Elves), Ellylon (High Elves), Serkku (Snow Elves), Watu wa Kisiwa (Wood Elves)
* **Naming Convention:** Welsh *(Examples: Tir Cygodi, Nylifiadglasafon, Llywelyn, Cadfael, Rhiannon, Morgan)*
* **Appearance:** Lithe frame with toned, athletic bodies. Black, blonde, brown, grey, red, white hair colour. Blue, brown, green, purple, or yellow iris colour.
* **Lifespan:** ~1000 years
* **Height:** 170cm - 195cm Regions Found: Forests, Grasslands, Coasts
* **Common Character Roles:** Agriculturist, Merchant, Scholar, Soldier
* **Values:** Individualism, Inquisitiveness, Religion, Wellness
* **Culture:** Elves revere magic and incorporate it into all aspects of their lives. They are known to be graceful and intelligent beings, renowned for their skills in diplomacy.
* **Religion(s):** Elven Pantheon
* **Common Allies:** Wood Elves, Snow Elves, Humans, Dwarfs
* **Common Enemies:** Dark Elves, Humans
* **Views on Magic:** Accepting of all magic
* **Abilities:** Sleep Immunity (Trait), Arcane Knowledge (Trait), Captivate (Spell), Mend (Spell), and Reveal Area (Ritual)
* **Weaknesses:** Disease/Poison Susceptibility (Trait), Hemophilia (Trait)

## Appearance

High Elves typically are taller than the other elves, with an average height ranging from five and a half to six and a half feet. Both men and women are approximately the same height, although men typically weigh more. Their bodies are often slim and toned, rather than bulky. Their natural hair colour may range from a variety of colours, like black, blonde, brown, grey, red, and white. Common eye colours for their irises are blue, brown, and green, while more rare colours are purple, yellow, and white.

They reach adulthood somewhere near twenty years of age. Although physically mature, their seniors would consider them not knowledgeable enough for the world yet. High Elves are the most likely of any of the elven races to reach maximum age, which is roughly a thousand years. They stand out in this regard among their peers due to their highly developed homeland and relatively peaceful existence. Elders in High Elf society are treated respectfully as their wisdom they’ve attained over their years are highly valued.

Fashion among High Elves is heavily scrutinized and valued. From how they present themselves to the actual function of the outfit, the clothes they wear are selected mindfully. Each article of clothing is tailored specifically for the wearer of it, and will frequently be adorned with unique symbols or regalia associated with the one who wears it. Social clothing are frequently long flowing robes and dresses, designed to draw the eye so that the wear can stand out among their contemporaries.

## History

For as long as they've known it, the island of Tir Cygodi is the birthplace of the original Elves. In the earliest days of their civilization, the elves lived in simple homes, and only had knowledge of nature magic at their disposal. The hardships of these early times coupled with the isolation of the island would mean that it took a long time for the elves to change their lifestyle from hunter-gatherers to an agrarian society.

After they had adapted to their new lifestyle, they found themselves having much more free time than they used to have. They used this time to practice and further study magic, learning new ways to utilize it before. The Elves were able to improve their civilizations even further than previously thought possible. In time, they were able to harness energy and force to shape the land around them.

High Elves are descendants of these original elves, tracing their long line of history back to the earliest recorded history. They believe themselves to be descendants of the magical gods shaped and gave birth to the universe. Given their lineage, they believe that they alone have the right to rule. The first elves lived simply in small villages that were nestled in the woods or on the plains. As time went on, the High Elves grew into a mighty civilization. Aided by their skillful use of magic, they were able to free their people from hunger, disease, and violence.

However, it wouldn't be long before they would face new challenges. The first schism was with the Wood Elves, who insisted that their constant use of magic had corrupted their spirits. They would lose many of their own over time, as they embraced their past and wandered into the wild. The second schism was that of a secret elven cult, which desired to destroy the very gods they worshiped, wishing to overturn one of the very foundations that their society was built upon. The end result was the annihilation of one of their gods, and the subsequent exile of what would become the Dark Elves.

Despite losing much of their original population from these scisms, the High Elves persevered and rebuilt what they had lost. Although they were able to recover, they still had to contend with fighting constant wars against their former brothers and sisters. As the centuries went on, they began to encounter new races, such as the dwarfs, greenskins, and humans. Not wishing to spark further conflict, the High Elves quickly attempted to establish a diplomatic relationship with these new races. They made some progress with humans and dwarfs, but the greenskins' own nature made discussions next to impossible. Still, the High Elves were able to keep enough allies to allow themselves to flourish to this day.

In the present day, their homeland is filled with both Elves and foreign races alike. Their port cities in particular have attracted entrepreneuring humans and dwarfs who have eagerly brought resources and materials to the isle of Tir Cygodi, a land that has long been stripped of its own valuable resources. This important line of commerce forms the backbone of friendly relations between High Elves and the other races.

## Society

High Elves are haughty, graceful, and knowledgeable. They have a society that has a rich history of rituals and traditions. High Elves maintain a close relationship with Shaeva, the goddess of knowledge and magic. To High Elves, magic is a pursuit that's to be studied over a lifetime. There's nothing off-limits for High Elves, and once they discover new magic, they'll try and learn everything they can about it.

High Elves have always been superior, at least in their eyes. They hold themselves higher than all other races, including their own elven cousins, the Wood Elves, and the Dark Elves. High Elves tend to live in vast cities or even castle-like structures with buildings tall enough for the gods to see. High Elves are trained both in arcane magic as well as martial weapons.

Slavery is not frowned upon in High Elf society; in fact it is encouraged. High Elves believe that they can offer better lives to other races when they take them into their home. Their slaves are usually treated very well, as High Elves don't wish to be seen as cruel. Public displays of cruelty to slaves are considered to be faux pax, and they generally try to avoid being physical with slaves in public. Slaves are often found wearing blue silks, their hair usually well kept and groomed by their owners. At first glance, one would never guess that they were even slaves, save for the bejeweled collars around their necks and anklets around the ankles. Employing mental magic is a common practice among slave owners to keep some of the more difficult to train races under control, such as orcs, minotaur, and giants.

## Government

High Elves are ultimately ruled by either a high king or queen, who takes up residence inside the Moon Palace in Priddlodau and administers the nation from there. It is the duty of the high king or queen to oversee and make decisions over large scale aspects of the High Elf civilization. The monarchs try to make the best decisions for their people, understanding that as kings and queens, they were responsible for their subject's well being. That being said, they often prefer maintaining the status quo, making decisions that benefit themselves and their allies. To this end, they are often imposing further taxes upon the merchant class whose numbers and power have been growing in recent years.

The monarchy has been in control of the Amarilvyr Dynasty for generations. Inheritance is passed down to the eldest child, between men and women equally. Although inheritance is assumed from the moment of birth for the heir apparent, old traditions still play a strong part of their accession. As such, the heir is still groomed to have as much as a distinguished background as possible so that their eventual rule is met with respect by their subjects. Heirs are expected to wait in court and learn its protocol and proceedings from observing their parent rule. They are also expected to master their magical skills by studying within the Tower of Secrets for decades until they've attained the rank of 'Dewines'. After graduating from the Tower of Secrets, heirs are expected to serve in one of the cities' levy forces, eventually earning command positions as they move up through the ranks.

Under the monarchy is further nobility such as dukes, counts, earls, and barons, each title responsible for a certain amount of land, as well as the people living upon it. Each position is expected to maintain excellent standards over their respective territories and well-being of their subjects. A noble that isn't capable of performing their governance properly will be told to step aside for another of their bloodline.

## Culture

High Elves revere magic and incorporate it into nearly every aspect of their lives. Magically infused items and trinkets are commonplace in their homes. Magical lighting ranging from powered globes of energy to endlessly burning candles that continue to provide light even in a fierce rainstorm.

Known to be graceful and intelligent beings, High Elves tend to speak with care and consideration and move with a certain flow and ease. They try to maintain a degree of stoicism, only very rarely making displays of emotion when in the company of others. High Elves are renowned for their skills in diplomacy. They greatly prefer to resolve conflict with others using words and compromise as opposed to violence, with an exception given to Dark Elves who they just prefer to eliminate whenever possible.

Once they've found a romantic partner, they'll stay faithful to each other for the rest of their lives. Monogamy is preferred as High Elves greatly value pedigree and lineage. Adultery when it is discovered is frequently punished with exile and disinheritance. High Elves have little desire to mate with other elves, as they have an incredible desire to keep their bloodline pure. They do, however, try to protect them from the darkness that looms around each corner.

The refinement of their culture can be visible in the clothes that they wear. Silk is a popular material for clothes worn by men and women alike in the aristocracy since it is quite expensive to import to the island. For common folk, cotton clothing is what is affordable and can be found domestically on the island. High Elves commonly will adorn a wide range of jewelry, with the more intricate designs and craftsmanship preferred by the wealthy.

### Marriage & Courtship

Marriage is an important aspect of the adult lives of High Elves. The importance of continuing on a family’s legacy and line puts heavy pressure on young adults to wed and immediately begin to start families of their own. However, this is not the sole reason for marriage in their minds as well. The upper class also utilizes marriage as a method of forming alliances between families, strengthening their bonds. Frequently, noble marriages will be arranged between families before the would-be bride and groom have even met… and sometimes before they’ve even been born!

Marriage between a High Elf and another race is considered taboo and unlikely to be recognized in any capacity. Companionship with Wood Elves or Snow Elves is generally greeted with tepidness among the general populace, but members of Tir Ein or those sympathetic to their viewpoints might regard the union with hostility.

Men and women are considered equal partners in marriage, and they often take on the most prestigious of their family names as their own if their parents haven't yet decided what they want. The partner joining the new family is forever considered to be part of that family, even if their spouse dies. In High Elf society, there is no legal way to get divorced or get married to multiple people. Once a couple is publicly recognized, they are considered to be married for life.

### Wedding Ceremony

A High Elf wedding ceremony is an occasion where the friends and family of the couple are invited to see them exchange vows to each other. The ceremony is typically officiated by a priest on an appropriate prestige for the couple, who will bless the pair by invoking the favour of the gods for them. Staples of the wedding ceremony include handfasting, a ritual in which the hands of the pair are entwined together. The material used varies from couple to couple, but cloth, rope, leather, silk, and hair are all common.

## Religion

High Elves believe that all life in existence is drawn from the same pool of spiritual essence; this collective essence is called 'Ki' by the High Elves. With this essence, the High Elves believe that their gods used it to create them in their image. This belief has given rise to the opinion that the Elves are meant to rule over all other life as custodians. High Elves see death as only a release from their physical body; their spirit continues to exist forever, connected to the spiritual singularity that binds all life.

High Elves dedicated many shrines to their gods, sculpting them from stone to resemble the likeness of their chosen deity. High elven shrines are always built from rock and a shrine will only be built from a singular type of stone. Particularly lavish or important shrines will be carved from a monolith. Once the shrine is completed by the artisan, it is then consecrated by either a priest or the shrine's creator. Consecrating a shrine (or any object) involves dousing the shrine with water. Once the shrine is doused, the person performing the consecration will meditate with their thoughts towards the shrine and the deity that it depicts. Once the mediation is over, the consecration is completed.

Each deity has elves devoted to them who find a particular draw to them at certain points in their lives, however, High Elves tend to favour the major deities and their more encompassing powers. The only exception to this is the annihilated god, Celarus. Rather worship or meditate upon him, High Elves simply maintain his old shrines in remembrance.

## Geography

### Tir Cygodi

The island, which the High Elves called their homeland, is named Tir Cygodi. The origin of the island is not fully known, but as far as the High Elves are concerned, it has always existed. In primitive times, the island was covered with dense oak and elm forests in the north. It was in these forests that the High Elves first rose as a civilization. As time went on, much of these forests gave way to Elven needs and they were cleared to make way for farming and living space. Today, the majority of the island's population still lives in the northern half of the island. The southern half of the island starts first with tree-covered hills that slowly transition into evergreen trees as the attitude climbs. The Briadane mountain range runs along the southernmost end of the island, which is for the most part uninhabited.

### Tir Arth

Approximately two and twenty-five leagues to the northwest of Tir Cygodi, is the island named Tir Arth. Much of the island is covered with boreal trees. The temperature is chilly year round, but it only gets cold enough for there to be snow for about a quarter of the year. As much of the wilderness is still intact, the island still has a wide variety of species still living on it that were once found in the Elven homeland. Pwyntell, a High Elven city was established on the island to gather much needed lumber from the island.

### Glasach River

Sourced from the Briadane Mountain ridge that runs along the southern side of the island, the Glasach River flows through the center of the island. The city of Nylifiadglasafon originated on the river and its citizens frequently utilized the river to support their livelihood. From there the river continues on towards the northeast where the city of Priddlodau was built upon. There the river forks into a delta as it spills into the ocean.

### Briadane Mountains

Jutting up high in the sky on the southern part of the island, the Briadane Mountains are often the first sight sailors see as they approach the island of Tir Cygodi. The mountains are dotted with plenty of mines long built by the Elves to extract precious metals for their own designs. The mountains themselves long held a spiritual importance to early Elves who would build shrines and altars from which they would worship their pantheon. One of the most popular of these pilgrimage sites would become the city of Hudadwyau.

## Cities

### Hudadwyau

The city of Hudadwyau is nestled between the peaks of the Briadane mountains that run along the southern coast of Tir Cygodi. The climate in Hudadwyau is often chilly due to the attitude of where it is situated. The city itself is accessible by a single road, which also serves as the only main road that winds its way through the climbing slopes of stairs that lead into Hudadwyau's narrow core. At the end of the road, at the highest point of the city lies the Tower of Secrets. The Tower of Secrets, despite its misleading name, is not secretive; but rather it is an academy and is among one the most prestigious places for ambitious young High Elves to learn magic. The rest of the city consists of smaller buildings constructed of marble stone. The city has little industry save for a few furnaces, which are supplied by iron mines located near the city. The mines are also fortunate enough to be a source of gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, and aquamarines, which traders ship off to Maymagynnul.

### Maymagynnul

Located on the northwest coast of Tir Cygodi, the High Elven city of Maymagynnul was the first city erected by the High Elves and continues to exist today as one of the largest centers of Elven activity. Of all of the High Elven cities, Maymagynnul appears the most chaotically constructed. The city has a mix of architecture ranging from the more modern and preferred white marble spires to older styles homes that are only one or two stories tall. The large metropolitan area includes a densely packed core of spires rising above smaller buildings below them, often these spires were erected right on top of some of these older buildings. Maymagynnul is home to most of the headquarters for artisan and merchant guilds, which all make use of the city's massive dock district. The Maymagynnul docks is where the majority of imports and exports pass through Elven territory, and it is also the most likely place to find non-elves on Tir Cygodi.

### Nylifiadglasafon

In the middle of the island, situated on the Glasach River, is the city of Nylifiadglasafon. It is the least glamourous of all of the High Elven cities, lacking the trademark high towers and marble streets that are present in the more wealthy parts of the land. The city itself is spacious, allowing for plenty of large property estates and warehouses. The estates are often the homes of farm owners and they serve to give them a place to stay away from the rural areas where their farms are located. The city of Nylifiadglasafon is another trading hub within High Elf civilization and is surrounded by many farms that line the Glasach River. These farms are the source of the majority of food grown on the island of Tir Cygodi, and the region is famous for its Chwerfel grapes and the resulting Chwerfel wine.

### Priddlodau

Priddlodau is located on the northeast coast of Tir Cygodi, where the Glasach River becomes a delta as it spills into the ocean. It is the most recent of the major High Elf cities, the layout and design meticulously engineered and planned for centuries. Priddlodau is the seat of power for the High Elven royal family, making their home in the Moon Palace. Spanning over the many of the distributaries of the river delta are countless bridges that connect the busy city. Throughout the city, there are numerous gardens with all kinds of flower varieties with native to the island as well as ones brought in for their beauty. The architecture of the city is new and modern, marble and gold lining can be found everywhere as an extravagant display of wealth. Docks are located mostly upriver, just outside Priddlodau . These docks are smaller and have far less capacity than the dock district in Maymagynnul; mostly they used to receive food shipments from Nylifiadglasafon.

### Pwyntell

The first established High Elf city outside of the island of Tir Cygodi. Pwyntell is located on Tir Arth, a smaller island to the northeast of Tir Cygodi. Considered 'rustic' by High Elf standards, Pwyntell grew from a popular campsite for hunters and loggers. The city is smaller than its counterparts back on Tir Cygodi, and it lacks the signature white marble buildings the High Elves are known for; instead, most of the buildings are constructed from lumber. In the time since its foundation, Pwyntell has flourished by providing much needed resources back home, including fur, which is a highly prized commodity in High Elven society, valued for its use as furniture and bedding material. Due to the abundance of readily available lumber, most shipwrighting takes place in Pwyntell and the ships built there are used throughout High Elf civilization.

## Famous Individuals

### High King Llywelyn Amarilvyr

High King Llywelyn is the sovereign of all High Elves. He rules the realm along with his wife, Queen Consort Bronwyn. Together, they've ruled for nearly four hundred years. His tenure has included overseeing the completion of Priddlodau, a planned city that was started by his father and had been constructed over the course of decades. As the king, it is his duty to issue royal decrees; appoint new officials; respond to external threats by deploying armed forces, and keeping peace by making sure laws are upheld, and lastly resolving disputes among the nobility. He has at his command several military units such as the Royal Guard, the Priddlodau Guard, and Amarilvyr Soldiers. Llywelyn is a traditionalist and prefers to uphold laws and maintain a social structure that has been in place for over a millennia.

### Queen Consort Bronwyn Amarilvyr

Queen Bronwyn is the queen consort to the king. As queen consort, she has long assisted the king with his duties, even acting in his role when he is away. Besides supporting the king, Bronwyn also lends her patronage to numerous artists who have performed or showcased their work for her pleasure. Prior to becoming the queen consort, Bronwyn was an important figure in the Amarilvyr family in her own right. In her youth, she served in the Maymagynnul's military force and achieved the rank of commander of the city's forces before she resigned to assume her duties as the queen consort once the old king had died. She was the favoured niece to the previous king, and primary heiress to her parents' wealth and holdings, which made her a top candidate for marriage to the heir to the throne.

### Princess Lynettielle Amarilvyr

The first daughter and heir apparent to the throne, Lynettielle has many responsibilities placed on her shoulders. She is expected to wait in court and learn its protocol and proceedings. In addition to her education in court, she is also expected to make a name out for herself so that when she does inevitably rise to the throne, she will be respected as queen. She is also tutored in the fine arts of elven magic by the best teachers her father can afford to bring from the Tower of Secrets.

## Factions

### Feithriniad Astylch

The members of Feithriniad Astylch seek to uphold the status quo within the High Elven lands. Broadly, the Feithriniad Astylch supports the monarchy and the aristocracy, supports the expansion of elven territory, supports slavery of non-Elven people, and supports maintaining a well-funded, robust military. The vast majority of Elven nobility and military officers support the traditionalist views of the Feithriniad Astylch even if they are not members, as they strictly benefit from the views the faction espouses. As time marches on, however, support for the elite has waned as new power begins to crop up in the Elven homeland and members of the Feithriniad Astylch have to take increasingly aggressive measures to ensure that power stays at the top.

### Gorwelion

As High Elves continue to extend their influence and activities beyond the island of Tir Cygodi, bright minds and successful opportunists have been greatly benefiting from the changes that have been brought to the island. The Gorwelion is loosely a faction of well-to-do merchants and traders. Although the organization is only in its infancy, its growth has been explosive from what was originally just a collection of trade guilds. Members of the Gorwelion sought to expand the legal power and influence of commoners, trying to wrestle control of it away from the aristocracy. The group is generally made up of younger, influential elves living in the coastal cities of Tir Cygodi.

### Newid Rhyddid

Newid Rhyddid is a criminal faction, opposing the crown and the High Elven traditions that have existed for millennia. Its members are typically drawn from the slums and poorer segments of cities on the coast, which include both Elven and non-Elven members alike. The goals of the group are varied but generally it is to upset the power structure of the High Elven nobility, freeing slaves, and acquiring wealth through illegal activities such as theft, smuggling, blackmail, and extortion. The group has been responsible for several high profile assassination attempts upon influential members of the High Elf elite, and are rumoured to be attempting one on the king himself.

### Tir Ein

A reactionary group that's opposed to continued elven expansion in the past centuries, the Tir Ein desire to keep Tir Cygodi the land of the High Elves. They desire to expel everything not High Elven from the island and ensure nothing else enters. They view the introduction of outside cultures and practices as an attack upon their very spirit. Members of the Tir Ein may support the monarchy and aristocracy, but they resent most of the members for the decisions and policies that they've made. Of all the factions, Tir Ein is the smallest and the least influential. Their support is usually found inland, and in the countryside, as well as among some of the seniority of the High Elf population.

## Racial Relations

High Elves pride themselves on their diplomacy and maintain liaisons with whoever is willing to receive them. They work closely with receptive human factions such as the Caledonii, the Centari, and Salvador. In regards to factions that are difficult or aggressive, High Elves prefer to deal with them indirectly rather than relying on warfare. The exception to this are the Dark Elves, whom the High Elves considered to be their sworn enemies, and as such never negotiate or come to terms with them. Wood Elves are considered to be a nuisance to High Elves, but one that they endure with patience.

Slavery of other races is common among High Elves, with certain races preferred over others for a multitude of reasons such as utility, beauty, and status. Humans are the socially preferred race among the elven elite, as they are the most likely to follow instructions while also looking visibly appealing. Dwarf slaves are also valued for their craftsmanship capabilities. Lastly, Beastkin slaves are usually either employed as labourers or as entertainment among commoners and most likely to be hidden from the public eye. Regardless of the race of slaves, all are treated respectfully and maintained in good health.

## Racial Traits

* **Arcane Knowledge** - Well versed in understanding arcane words and magical gestures, High Elves are capable of properly identifying any magic being performed from any of the magic spheres.
* **Sleep Immunity** - Elves do not sleep, nor do they require it. Instead of sleeping, Elves meditate for a few hours a day to rejuvenate their minds and bodies. In addition to not requiring natural sleep, they are also immune to magic that induces sleep or tiredness related to sleepiness.
* **Disease/Poison Susceptibility** - Elves have long used magic to alleviate and protect themselves from conditions that attack the body. While this has saved and enriched many lives, this reliance on magic has also left Elves further susceptible to the same sources of harm they've sheltered themselves from. Diseases and poisons, whether they be natural or magical in essence, will have a greater impact upon Elves unless they are otherwise treated.
* **Hemophilia** - Cuts and injuries take twice as long to heal for high elves as they would for other people, their injury timer is doubled (8 hours).

Available Magic Spheres: Blood Magic, Dark Magic, Holy Magic, Geomancy, Hydromancy, Marked (Witchcraft) Magic, Mental Magic, Nature Magic, Pyromancy, Wind Magic

## Attachments & Kit Items

The items listed in the kits below are made with the Season 6 modlist. They have been updated as of **14th December 2023**.

*Expand for Elf Racial Kit*

## Lore Contribution

##### **Credit for Lore Contribution:** *Rickets*

* *Includes contributions from Skav*
* *Includes a J. R. R. Tolkien quote from J. R. R. Tolkien (1951). Letter to Milton Waldman. Number 131 in Carpenter (1981)*