Snow Elves

in: Races

## Introduction

Snow Elves live in the further reaches of the north. They have defined themselves on their ability to adapt and survive in their frozen climate. Snow Elves were among the original exodus of elves to leave the island of Tir Cygodi, leaving the island over the belief that elves had lost theirs. Unlike their Wood Elf counterparts, they remained in the northern portion of the continent and settled themselves there. In time, the Snow Elves were changed by their habitat; their skin became pale as snow and their bodies became accustomed to being in temperatures that would freeze a normal person.

As time passed, the Snow Elves had begun to build themselves a civilization in the north. Today, the Snow Elves have well established themselves and are a threat to neighbouring human and Dark Elf populations, raiding them for wealth and slaves to further their own needs. Their ability to survive and thrive in a land inhospitable to nearly everyone else ensures that will continue to be unchallenged in their homeland.

*He must master or be mastered; while to show mercy was a weakness. Mercy did not exist in the primordial life. It was misunderstood for fear, and such misunderstandings made for death. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten, was the law; and this mandate, down out of the depths of Time, he obeyed.* ***— Jaakko Lehtokaupunki,** ”Life Everlasting”*

## Quick Notes

* **Alternative Names:** Ignavid (Dark Elves), Yakhzan (Dune Elves), Cerainteira (High Elves), Watu wa Theluji (Wood Elves), Keijukainen (Snow Elves)
* **Naming Convention:** Finnish, some Sami *(Examples: Viessana, Dievanjuolla, Heammu, Juhani, Veera, Lilja)*
* **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 - 190cm
* **Regions Found:** Taiga, Tundra, Polar Ice
* **Common Character Roles:**  Farmer, Warrior, Tradesman, Homemaker
* **Values:** Familial Values, Survival, Individualism, Religion
* **Culture:** A key aspect and value to the Snows Elves is survivalism, a strong sense of tradition, and deep familial bond.
* **Religion(s):** Elven Pantheon
* **Common Allies:** High Elves, Wood Elves, Non-Neighbouring Humans
* **Common Enemies:** Dark Elves, Neighbouring Humans, Coastal Villages
* **Views on Magic:** Distrust of magic outside of their own spheres
* **Abilities:** Sleep Immunity (Trait), Frostborn (Trait), Ice Armour (Spell), Ice Strike (Spell), and Stasis (Ritual)
* **Weaknesses:** Disease/Poison Susceptibility (Trait), Thermophobia (Trait)

## Appearance

Snow Elves can have a variety of hair colour, just like their cousins. Their eyes have a colour range that can vary from black, white, purple, blue, and green. Much like the other elves, Snow Elves have slim and athletic bodies that have been honed by plenty of time exploring the frozen wastes in search of game. Both men and women are approximately the same height and nearly the same weight if they take up the same physical tasks in their lifestyles.

Much like all elves, Snow Elves live for an extremely long time. With a lifespan roughly of a thousand years, a Snow Elf can watch much of the world change from on top of the world in their frigid homeland. In addition to their lifespan, they can further extend their existence by putting their bodies in a magical stasis and sealing themselves away from centuries. Once they've awoken from their slumber, they can continue on as if no time has passed to ravage their physical body. Snow Elves age at the same rate as the other elves, reaching their peak maturity in their early twenties and then not aging any further for centuries beyond that.

Snow Elves prefer to dress themselves in warm furs and leathers in colder climates, although they've acclimated themselves to the colder climate and don't need as much clothing to stay as warm as their kin might need. In warmer climates, they'd find themselves unseasonably warm, and even doubly so if they were wearing their traditional clothing in those climates. Indoors and when not exposed to the elements, they wear brightly colourful clothing made of reindeer skin and laced with filigree designs. In addition to their clothing, Snow Elves adorn themselves with plenty of jewelry, frequently made of silver and gold. Snow Elves take to hunting during the winter and their choice of weapons more or less reflect that, using bows, spears, and axes over swords or maces.

## History

Snow Elves were originally High Elves that had wandered far north after leaving their homeland of Tir Cygodi. They had left their homeland over the belief that their kin had strayed from how their gods had intended for them to live. They believed they needed to return to a simpler use of magic and live in better harmony with nature. After withdrawing from the island, they sailed their ships northbound and made landfall on the continent. Some of the elves remained where they had first landed and started to settle there, while others would wander the continent southwards as they looked for a place better suited for their needs. The elves that remained in the north were the ancestors of what would become the Snow Elves.

Favouring the loneliness of the alpine wilderness to the more active boreal forests. It was there they had built their first settlements; no more than single lodge dwellings or small villages at first. From these simple settlements, snow elves would hunt animals for their pelts and then trade them with the Kovrokov to the south. As time went on, however, they frequently found themselves pushed out by the more numerous humans. Losing hunting grounds and resources to the greater human numbers, the Snow Elves would instead go further north. Eventually, they would settle in the tundra, seeking shelter in the icy caves or building homes made of snow and ice. It was during these early times in the far reaches of the north that their skin would adapt to the lack of sunlight from their surroundings, becoming nearly as white as the snow that they lived in.

As time went on, the Snow Elves adapted, becoming more and more successful at surviving out in harsh cold weather conditions. They domesticated reindeer and herded them about in flocks, using them as a source of food and pelts during the long winter until the cold finally gave way to another summer. They still depended on trading their meat and animal pelts to Kovrokov in the south. Despite their dependence on humans for trade, they grew to distrust and resent them. Rarely would they ever mingle among them, preferring instead solitude or keeping to the company of other Snow Elves. As their situations grew better and they became less reliant on humans for trade and instead looked to take some of their land for themselves.  Although they were too sparsely populated to commit to prolonged warfare with  humans, snow elves would frequently raid the Kovrokov for slaves, food, and supplies. It wasn't before long that the Snow Elves had spoiled their relationship with humans.

## Society

Existence for the Snow Elves is governed by seasonal changes. During the fleeting summer months, they have to be as efficient as possible to ensure they are prepared enough for the long, dark winter. They cultivate small farms, working along with whatever slaves they've managed to acquire by raiding their neighbours. The crops of choice ideal for growing in the summer are wheat, barley, and hearty vegetables that can last for months in storage. In addition to gathering food, they also would use the warmer months to build up homes and settlements. When not solitary, the men in Snow Elf society are expected to hunt, herd, and travel to trade aboard. Women are expected to stay home and manage the property, take care of children, tailor clothes, etc. Children remain at home until they are old enough to assist their parents with their own duties; the boys often join their fathers while the girls assist their mothers. The older children often leave their homes and settle elsewhere, regardless of their gender, while the youngest often remain in the village to become its leaders.

Villages are based around a single family that is led by the head of that family, usually the oldest male. Snow Elf settlements came in a few varieties depending on where the settlement was located. In the southern parts of Viessana, where trees still grew, Snow Elves built their homes by cutting down the surrounding pine trees. From a single one family lodge would sprout even more as the family grew in size. The largest of these settlements would ordinarily be situated on a defensible hill, with ditches and multiple rings of palisades made of either wood or stone. These large hillfort villages were capable of withstanding assailants for months, with hopes that the winter would whittle away at the resolve of any besiegers. In the more northern portions of Viessana, trees are scarce. The Snow Elves had to devise a new building material; so they used the only substance they had in abundance, ice. Great bastions of ice are constructed to serve as final strongholds for Snow Elves to seek shelter in from their enemies. These ice castles are built in regions cold enough that they are able to remain without thawing year-round, and are stocked with enough food to sustain their occupants for an entire winter should the need arise.

Slavery in Snow Elf society is common; the demand for labour is high in the summer months and many hands are needed to make sure a bountiful summer harvest is ensured. When not working the fields, cutting down trees or performing other physical labour, slaves are expected to assist with chores around the home. Meal preparation, the weaving of clothes, and caring for livestock are all among the tasks that slaves must perform as well. Poorer families with few slaves can even pay to rent them out for a price during the busy summer months. The treatment of slaves among Snow Elves rates worse than they'd fare among the High Elves, as there is no social stigma for owners who abuse their property. Humans are the most preferred race for enslavement, valued for their physicality and temperament.

## Government

Snow Elves have no centralized form of government; there is no consistent law of the land to follow. Snow Elves often live in solitary lodges or isolated villages, where the local laws are set by and enforced by the leadership of these places. A person is expected to obey the local laws of a settlement, whether they are a member of it or merely traveling through. Their laws only extend as far as the influence of the settlement or stronghold extends. While these laws may change from place to place, they do tend to all carry the same themes as they were made by a culture of people who have similar values.

Snow Elf tribes rulership is seniority based, with the most senior member acting as the chieftain of the tribe. Male members of the family are preferred over females; however, females are not excluded from taking leadership roles. As the tribe expands into multiple villages, leadership of the village is conferred to the local senior of the village, who is either a son or daughter of the chieftain. Snow Elf tribes will respect the sovereignty of each other, and disputes are handled diplomatically between chieftains, and marriage is frequently used to solidify the bond between the two tribes.

While specific Snow Elf laws will vary from village to village and tribe to tribe, certain laws can be trusted to be found throughout the land of Viessana. Those common laws are the following:

* Do not purposely slay or inflict harm upon members of the tribe, unless it is in self-defense.
* Do not thieve or purposely damage property of a tribe member.
* No Elf shall be considered property.
* Respect the authority of the chieftain on matters of their governance.
* Do not lie or purposely deceive a member of the tribe.
* All Snow Elves are allowed to roam the land freely; the wilderness cannot be owned or restricted.
* Do not squander or waste food and resources.

The severity of punishment for breaking one of the laws will depend on the law broken, but it is generally either an eye for an eye or restitution-based punishment to satisfy the victims. Even the hated Dark Elves are spared bonds of enslavement, although most Snows Elves will simply just slay any Dark Elves that have been captured rather than deal with them any longer than what is needed.

## Culture

A key aspect and value to the Snows Elves is survivalism, and their attitudes and decision-making go towards ensuring that goal. As a result, they are quite avaricious and view wasteful extravagance as foolish and inappropriate. Which isn't to say that they do not appreciate art or entertainment; but such endeavors have a degree of restraint on them. All Snow Elves are taught how to hunt, forage, and herd so that they can be productive members of their tribe. Laziness is one of the worst personality traits for a Snow Elf and witnessing can even bring them to the point of anger. Carrying over values of survival and utility, the buildings of Snow Elves reflect that same attitude. Everything in the village is built with function in mind; objects that are merely decorative are few and far between. While individual property is respected, it is frequently shared among members of the tribe with those in need of it at the moment.

There are three major festivals that are held yearly that Snow Elf villages look forward to. Each of these festivals are the rare times that exist in the Snow Elf calendar where it is socially permitted to indulge oneself. The first festival of the year, called Máizadit Muohta, occurs during the spring when the snow on the ground has mostly melted, opening up the soil to be plowed and seeded. It is a celebration of the end of a long winter, and a time that Snow Elves can more easily explore the wilderness beyond their village once more. Single, unwed elves are encouraged to pair up during the festivities so that they can start new families if they haven't got their own already. The second festival happens in the autumn; once all of the fields have been harvested. That festival is called Láibi Borrat. Activities during Láibi Borrat include games, feasting, and making offerings to the gods as a thanks for another successful harvest. The final of the major festival, Idjaguhká is held over the week of the winter solstice, which for the Snows Elves is a time of endless night. Idjaguhká is an event that allows for the Snow Elves to truly unwind in an attempt to stave off the cruelest, darkest part of the year. Drinking, feasting, and partying is a constant feature of the festival, enjoying themselves as if it weren't ever going to be given another opportunity again. Once the festival is over, it is bookended by spiritual reflection, and possibly some embarrassing regrets over what had transpired over the previous week.

## Racial Relations

Coastal Snow Elf villages make frequent raids upon their neighbours. These raids have earned the Snow Elves a terrifying reputation among the humans who make up most of their targets. The goal of these raids is to pillage whatever they can from the undefended villagers, with food, slaves, and valuables being the highest priority of targets. One of the first civilizations to be menaced by the Snow Elves were their neighbours to the south, which were the Kovrobov villages. In their earliest days, when Snow Elves were just a handful of tribes, they were frequent trading partners with the Kovrokov. As time went on, the Snow Elves grew bolder and pushed down into their territory. They'd invade villages and take what they could carry and take it to their homes. Eventually these attacks would draw the ire of the authorities and they'd send a powerful force to wipe out the villages of the Snow Elves, which would result in the elves fleeing north to a safer stronghold. In modern times, this is still a dynamic between the two races... the Snow Elves are always in need of more resources and slaves to fuel their ambitions.

If the winds are favourable, the land of the Nords is reachable in less than a week of sailing. Although they are a more difficult target to sail to and raid, they are another prospective choice for Snow Elves. Much like the Kovrokov, the Nords will counter raids by organizing their own as well. Both the coastal Snow Elves and the Nords have had long rivalries established by centuries of back and forth battles. Due to the narrowness of some of the straits, opposing raiding vessels are a frequent occurrence. The result is a fierce ship-to-ship battle, with the loser either having their boat sunk or captured by the winners.

One group the Snow Elves will not raid is their own kin, the High Elves. Despite resenting the Highs Elves for straying from what the Snow Elves believe to be the true way, they still acknowledge the common bond and shared history to be enough to avoid coming to blows. Only a provocation would ever bring a Snow Elf to raise a weapon against a High Elf, and they'd simply prefer to pick another raiding target than ever harm their cousins. The feeling is more or less mutual. High Elves look down upon their north-dwelling relatives, but they view them as misguided rather than malicious.

Not all elves share the same feelings for each other; should a Dark Elf be encountered then the possibility of violence is very likely. Dark Elves are constantly at war with all of the other elves, including the Snow Elves, who reside the closest to the entrance to the cave systems where the Dark Elves live. Tribes that live in the furthest west portion of Viessana are likely to encounter units of Dark Elves who have come to the surface to engage in warfare. There is little love between the two groups, and the victors of any battle will treat their captives quite brutally. Snow Elves likely will just slay any captive Dark Elves; they have no desire to keep them as slaves as they view their presence as a corrupting influence. Should the Dark Elves be victorious, their prisoners are doomed to suffer for the rest of their lives.

## Religion

Embracing the belief that every living thing in existence shares the same source, Snow Elves understand that all life is interconnected. The name for this pool of spiritual essence is called 'Ki' by the elves. By living an honest life and regularly venerating the gods, Snow Elves feel that they can keep their spirit free of corrupting influences that would otherwise take root in them and lead to great turmoil coming from within. Uniquely to the Snow Elves, they believe that their gods grow restless at times and walk the land as animals. These gods masquerading as animals will appear abnormal or extraordinary in a manner that personifies the god, and when they are found they should be treated with the utmost respect and reverence. A white stag, for example, is believed to be Vesear in the guise of a beast; while Ilmaddara takes the form of a large raven that speaks to anyone willing to listen.

Snow Elves have the belief that their spirits would leave behind their bodies upon death and join in union with all of the other spirits in eternal communion. A loved one's passing is celebrated by their kin. Their remains though, were still viewed with suspicion as Snow Elves believe that once the spirit has left the body, it can be used as a vessel by evil spirits or demons who are desperate to anchor themselves in the physical world. Burial of loved ones involved wrapping the body tightly in linen, and then burying them in the ground during the summer. In the winter months, when the ground was too cold for digging; Snow Elves would simply cover their dead with loose stones. Regardless of the method of burial, the gravesite would be purified with prayers and a ring of salt around the body to ward away any malevolent creatures.

## Geography

### Viessana

The cold homeland of the Snow Elves is situated on the north-easternmost end of the continent. Prior to being settled by the elves, the land was previously thought to be inhabitable for civilized people, particularly the northernmost portion. The original ancestors of what would become the Snow Elves first arrived in the area roughly one hundred and twelve thousand moons ago, when it was an untamed wilderness filled with giant, fantastical beasts that threatened to trample the early villages.

The northern region of Viessana is defined by its permanent carpet of snow and ice. There is little biodiversity found, save for what has been able to adapt to extreme cold. It is too cold for trees or grass to grow; as a result, any herbivores brought this far must sustain themselves on lichen and bryophytes growing on exposed rock unless feed is stored somewhere for them to consume. While food sources are scarce in the far north, a few animals still managed to survive. Foxes, hares, bears, reindeer, rodents, seals and walruses can all be found living in bitterly frigid climates. Nestled in caves and among the mountains, the Snow Elves have built castles and strongholds from ice. These bastions serve as a holdout from invaders, and they are designed to shelter the Snow Elves during a siege in the hope the cold will thwart their enemies for them.

Southern Viessana is a much more hospitable area, and it is where the vast majority of Snow Elves reside so that they can use the summer months to be productive. The ground is arable for approximately four months, and the villages make use of that time with a flurry of activity as their occupants make use of their short time. Much of the region is still uncleared forest. A variety of trees can be found, such as junipers, firs, pines, and spruces; the wood of which can be seen in use in the homes of the Snow Elves. Plenty of wildlife can be found in the area during the warm months as well, both migratory and permanent inhabitants.

### Várri Jiekŋa aka The Frozen Spine

Running along the northern territory of Viessana as well as making up a significant portion of the north eastern side of the continent, Várri Jiekŋa is a massive mountain range that spans the entire north. The Snow Elves believe that the mountains were formed by Syris when he pulled the soil from the ground high into the sky to shield the land from the blowing winds of the north. The rocky terrain coupled with the extreme cold makes the mountains impassable. Little is known about what lies within the jagged spires, except that any who has attempted to explore the mountains has never returned from such a venture. They are an effective border that shelters the Snow Elves from any northern incursion.

## Settlements

### Borstuoris

Situated on a large hill and surrounded by multiple rings of walls and trenches, Borstuoris is one of the most successful settlements in Viessana. With a population of nearly a thousand elves and nearly that same number of slaves as well, the village is highly productive. All around the base of the hill are farms that spring to life in the summer, growing plenty of crops that feed the tribe and have enough to send north to be stowed for wintering. Borstuoris is on the southern portion of Viessana, not far away from Kovrokov. As a result, it is frequently targeted by raids from the south, and the occupants have to flee to the north and only to return later can completely rebuild the ruined settlement.

### Dievanjuolla

Dievanjuolla is nestled in the Evdni Valley in southern Viessana. The village is in the middle of fields of beautiful flowers that bloom stunningly in the spring and early summer months. Dievanjuolla is ruled by the Lieđutt tribe and their leader Sáráhkká Lieđutt, who has been the tribe's chieftain for fifty centuries. The settlement is also the seat of power for the Lieđutt tribe, and acts as a social convergence point for the tribe as well as the region. Further away from the border of Kovrokov, it is less likely to be disturbed. The settlement is threatened by Dark Elves from the east, as it is fairly near their territory, but for the most part is one of the more safe settlements.

### Seaidnjiekŋa

A large citadel carved entirely from a wall of glacial ice in northern Viessana. Seaidnjiekŋa was one of the first bastions built by the Snow Elves and has existed for nearly six thousand years. During times of war, many different villages of Snow Elves will evacuate and make the icy venture to Seaidnjiekŋa. Once the tribes are sheltered within its icy walls, they will winter there to outlast any armies that chase them that far north.

## Famous Individuals

### Begá Kråik

A famous noaidi who journeys from settlement to settlement when news is spread to him about the death of any Snow Elves. Begá performs proper burial rites upon the remains and consecrates the ground or stones that will be used to bury the dead to ensure that it wards off any foul, evil spirits that are looking to possess the husk to use for their own purposes. While Begá is not the only noaidi in Snow Elf society, the prestige associated with him often means he is sought after when high-ranking family members perish. In addition to his funeral services, he is also an expert on the supernatural, and is frequently looked to for advice on the matter.

### Heammu Somby

In the early days of the Snow Elves, much of Viessana was still unmapped and unknown. Even at a young age, Heammu was never one to keep still and explored much of the southern lands while making notes of the various landmarks and such. Eventually he'd develop excellent mapmaking skills and ended up charting out all of southern Viessana, as well as much of the northern portion of the region, too. He explored as north as possible, finishing at a frozen north ocean that stretched endlessly onwards without a feature to properly map. Unfortunately for him, he made the attempt to try and explore Várri Jiekŋa, a venture from which he never returned from.

### Sáráhkká Lieđutt

At the young age of two hundred and thirty-eight, Sáráhkká is the youngest chieftain alive to be leading a tribe. She had the positions thrust upon her fifty years ago, when both of her parents had died, crushed by falling ice from a cliff as they were returning south. Lieđutt tribe is one of the largest among the Snow Elves, boasting a size of nearly two thousand members spread across six settlements situated around the Evdni Valley. Although she has been prepared by her parents to lead her people since she was a child, her inexperience shows and she relies on her talents to keep her tribe strong.

## Racial Traits

* **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.

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