Elvaan

The **Elvaan** are the predominant race of Vaan on Thyràsal, as well as many other colonies, occupying much of the Vaanic society. Bearing skin tones ranging in shades and hues of blue, purple, and pink, Elvaan have long, pointed ears and black schlera as well as prominent crests on their foreheads that curve backward. Along with this, their bodies have intricate ridges and cartilage covering their limbs and torsos providing a natural durability as well as protection from some kinetic damage. With improved strength, reflexes, senses, and endurance from humans, Elvaan are gifted with many traits that make them well suited to a variety of different functions and roles.

## Appearance and Biology

    Elvaan are humanoid in shape, with brightly-colored skin often lined with stripes, glowing eyes, black schlera, and four digits on their hands and feet. They are roughly the same size as humans but age far more slowly and are significantly stronger and more athletic. Some Elvaan have bony crests that curve back toward their skulls, though all have a gemstone called a *sepra* resting at the center of their foreheads. Their ears are long and powerful, capable of picking up and isolating sounds from a long distance. It is said that when it rains, Elvaan can choose to hear the travel of any one raindrop before it hits the ground.

Elvaan have thick cartilage-covered torsos and shoulders that serve as a natural armor. While it makes the breaking of bones and piercing weapons more difficult to work against them, bullets and plasma damage are still able to do significant damage. Elvaan have generally heightened senses from other species, capable of making out distinct smells and sounds. Their eyes can see a limited UV spectrum, allowing them to be able to see UV lights.

## Culture

Being an Elvaan means many different things, depending on the Elvaan in question. For some, it means taking a leading role in shaping the universe for the better. For others, it means relishing in the comfort of academic and spiritual freedom. Many in Aeos see Elvaan as uptight or snobbish, though others can see that many Elvaan are simply sincere and have trouble portraying such to others who they might deem "unenlightened". While there are many genuinely xenophobic and arrogant Elvaan, others merely lack the social understanding of how to interact comfortably with other races. With religious and cultural acceptance being a social priority within not only the Republic, but also the entire Core Alliance, however, the Elvaan endeavor to work amicably with their fellow Core worlders and strive to aid them whenever possible.

Life on Elvaan worlds is generally seen as peaceful, serene, and idyllic, with most Elvaan occupying their time by pursuing betterment of themselves, their families, people, etc. Very few criminal elements exist within Elvaan circles, though corruption within the Senate does arise.

Most Elvaan children are enrolled into public school houses at age seven, though many are tutored as early as five. More wealthy Elvaan parents can elect to enroll their children in private academies that specialize in preparing the students for a variety of rolls, allowing the children to choose their career paths early. Many young Elvaan do not decide their careers until they have graduated the "Mid Years", with most aging around their early twenties.

Because of their advanced age, Elvaan can take many schooling courses over many years, with many scholars taking almost a century or more of various courses to become masters of their fields. More eager youths often pursue roles in security or military organizations, such as the Heplat Guard or the Elvalan Imracuran Fleets.

### Language

The Elvaan generally speak Galactic, Elfric, and Inithas, the latter being the most recognized language native to all Vaan, serving as a universal trade language. Elfric is the national language of the Elvaan, serving as the primary form of communication within Elvalan lands.

### Philosophy and Religion

Elvaan laws are diverse, with many worshiping the Ìlthalan triumvirate while the ways of Nojaru spirituality was introduced by a cultural exchange with the Sylvaan. Shinthaeraeonism, or "Shinism", is a new prominent philosophy sweeping through academic circles in the Republic. Under the Natural Freedoms Article, all Vaan in the Republic are permitted freedom of religion, and many who have explored different cultures have returned with new faiths.

#### Ìlthali Covenant

The Ìlthali Covenant praises three deities - the sun god, Ajaru, and his two wives - the moon goddesses Mara and Nira. They are revered symbolically as the Vaethros' sun, named Ajaru by the Republic, and the twin moons of Thyràsal. The legend tells that Ajaru, with the help of his wives, crafted Thyràsal out of star dust and, on it, molded the various Vaan as their children.

As the Chronicles of Ìlthali tell it, Ajaru fought with the Avatar of Pestilence, Yandar, and ended the Great Plague that was forced on the Elvaan peoples. Having cast Yandar to the deepest pits of Atrioch to be guarded by Nira, Ajaru was forced to enter a deep slumber to regain his strength. His wives, Mara and Nira, watch over the Elvaan peoples in his stead. Mara governs the Elvaan's afterlife of Adralgard while Nira resides in the cold, wintry realm of Atrioch, both as a warden for Yandar and any accursed souls who earn the goddess' ire.

Mara is described as a warm, matriarchal figure, representing summer, love, fire, warmth, life, heart, and womanly power. She is said to be generous with her love and gifts the Elvaan with potency in Magick but teaches them the importance of empathy and protecting those who are unable to protect themselves. She watches over the grassy highlands of Adralgard, rewarding Elvaan with a place in her palace for upholding her ideals.

Nira is prayed to significantly less by Elvaan, being feared for her place as guardian of the Elvaan's equivalent of Hell. However, she is often looked to for forgiveness of sins or for protection during perilous times. She is often depicted as a white haired Nirvaan whose hair reaches down to her feet and billows like a gust of snowy wind in a storm. Her icy blue eyes are said to be so beautiful, they can petrify lesser men in icy stone.

#### Nojaru Spirituality

Nojaru spirituality is a belief passed to the Elvaan from their Sylvaan neighbors, teaching that all life is interconnected and part of a great whole, with the souls of every living thing from the smallest flower to entire planets is part of a Great Spirit, which the Sylvaan call Ama Amaran (Syl. "The Great Mother").

#### Onarism

The "Old Ways" of the Elvaan, Onarism was the predominant religion before the Ìlthali Covenant was introduced. The "Divine Court of Onara" chronicles the many tails of its many gods and goddesses, who followers of Onarism - known as Onari - pray to for various needs and situations.

**Míkaru** - The patron god of fatherhood, stone, and patience.

**Anaru-ka** - The matriarch goddess of motherhood, oceans, and change.

**Kíjat** - The god of stealth, hunts, and thylvar (Wolf like creatures native to Thyràsal)

**Omota-kori** - Goddess of grain, life, and familial bonds.

## Economy

The Republic of Elvala has adopted the Core's standard currency of Galactic Credits for use in their society. However, many coins from the previous Vathala Kingdom still remain though mostly as collections and for historical preservation.

## Military

### Heplat Guard

The policing force for the Republic, the Heplat Guard is one of the best trained policing forces in the Core. Their efficiency in pursuing criminals and investigating cases has been integrated into the Core Security Force. They wear a lightweight, padded dark blue armor and helm and use largely non-lethal equipment when it comes to bringing down dangerous individuals, such as stun sticks and gas grenades.

### Scáthanna

Meaning "Shadows" in Inithas, Scáthanna are not a technical part of the military but, rather, make up the intelligence network of the Republic. Known on the outside as the "Elvalan Secret Service", the Scáthanna are lead by the Cainteoir, or "Speaker", who serves as a figurehead and representative to the senate and Arbiter. The Scáthanna are divided into cells, each with their own assignments, and are lead by their own Údar or "Master".

## Notable Elvaan

* Arandar Sùrion

* Irindal Sùrion

* Ergar mac Aird