Introduction to the World of Queluria
This is not a chapter in the narrative, but a general introduction to the people, culture and characters of the world of Queluria in which the action of the 'Wandering Bladesinger' series takes place. My brief guide is intended to help those readers who may not be too familiar with D&D and fantasy-based worlds and would like a brief, but comprehensive introduction to the races and people presented in the stories.
Cast of Characters
Sigrid: Aasimar. Born in the vast, cosmopolitan city of Sigil of human parents of moderate means. Nevertheless, her Aasimar (celestial-blooded) features soon became evident, making her appear more Elven/Fae than human and causing her father to renounce her. Thus, she was never granted a surname. Her birth caused her mother's marriage to fail and Sigrid grew up confused, frustrated and unloved. Eventually, she was passed on to the militant Order of the Radiant Path of the Vigilant Maiden, an exclusively female order of paladins. There, her otherworldly heritage and occasionally haughty personality alienated her from her peers. Despite her exceptional dexterity and battlefield intuition, she met with little understanding at the Order. In recognition of her unrealised potential, her commander offered her the opportunity to atone for her failures at the Order by proving herself on another world. Sigrid took up this challenge and so found herself plunged into the sensuality and intrigue of Imej. She is a free-spirited, independent and optimistic young woman who nevertheless remains deeply insecure about her role in the world.
Yssinel of House Ceilanith: Grey Elf. First and only daughter of Elinathanal of House Ceilanith, she was born into a wealthy, noble family of manuscript illustrators. The only stable parent she has known was her mother and has thus always yearned for a full family. Childhood friend of Tahllea and Aerylle, she is renowned in Imej for her radiant beauty and keen intellect. An expert Enchantress and sometime teacher at the School of Arcana, she dedicates most of her time to writing, poetry and social stratagems. Much feared in her schooldays for her uncanny ability to outwit and manipulate her classmates. Currently romantically engaged with Tahllea, she has a close and genuinely affectionate relationship with her Handmaiden, Mjrina. Most experts of the social scene in Imej expect her to enter into a bonded relationship with Tahllea, though some suspect that Yssinel may have other plans. Yssinel's webs of intrigue, though, are notoriously difficult to unravel.
Tahllea of House Ahlirian: High Elf. Adopted daughter of House Ahlirian and a renowned, much-admired mistress Bladesinger. Her biological parentage is uncertain, though it is often whispered that she is the daughter of a famed High Elven heroine who perished in an epic battle against a Green Dragon. Currently the pride of her noble House, she is the only woman in Imej to be the mistress of her own duelling hall and admits only female students. Her style is feared for its deadly mix of speed, unpredictability and precision. Currently romantically involved with Yssinel, though her sensual exploits are infamous and she has an adoring legion of devoted female admirers in Imej. Though she has many lovers, she is possessive of each one and often demands unconditional loyalty. Nevertheless, she is fiercely protective of those whom she claims as her own.
Aravae (Ilmaeria): Grey Elf. A Houseless Grey Elf, born into a comparatively poor family. Her mother is a pastry chef in a modest restaurant. Caught Tahllea's attention with her fierce ambition and dedication and has since been the star pupil of her duelling hall. Aravae is an immensely promising apprentice Bladesinger. When she joined the duelling hall, Tahllea renamed her Ilmaeria, though Aravae prefers her child-name. She feels that she owes Tahllea an enormous debt of gratitude and is obedient and blindly admiring as a result. With Iniila's departure, she lost her only true friend. Although she has many lady-admirers, she has concentrated her romantic attention on Tahllea. Good natured and compassionate, Aravae is, more so than Tahllea, the epitome of Elven chivalry.
Mjrina: Wood Elf. Born in the village of Brook Under Sunlight, her mother was a ranking druid who taught her the healing arts and the language of the spirits. Went to Imej in search of an easier life and was swiftly recruited by House Celensiath to be Aerylle's Handmaiden. Romantic indiscretions with Aerylle caused Almuril to quietly dismiss Mjrina, who fled from the household. Yssinel found her distraught in a civic garden and, upon learning that she had been Aerylle's Handmaiden, offered her the same position in her own service. Outwardly demure and faultlessly obedient, Mjrina loves passionately and has been caught up in a fiery relationship with Sigrid since the Aasimar's arrival in Imej. She also has a very close relationship to Yssinel, who treats her like a friend or a sister, rather than a servant.
Min: Tiefling. Born in Sigil of an unknown mortal and an unknown demon. Survived and prospered as an orphan on the streets of the Hive slum, becoming an expert thief, infamous for her skill with the dagger and lockpick. Widely considered to be the finest skirt-chaser in Sigil, she is infamous for her enigmatic beauty and hypnotic charm. In the unlikeliest of circumstances, she came to be Aerylle's bonded lover and has since done her utmost to make this the first long-term relationship of her life. Although she is fiercely devoted to Aerylle, she remains a hedonist. Elven society frustrates and intrigues her in equal measure. Min has little time for etiquette, insincerity or hypocrisy.
Aerylle of House Celensiath: Grey Elf. Born in Imej into a well-to-do middle class family, her father is a master bookbinder and her mother is the House's business administrator. Childhood friend of Tahllea and Yssinel, she studied at the School of Arcana and the Academy of Divination. At the School of Arcana, she was often teased by her classmates for being demurely obedient to both her teachers and her mother. Mjrina's arrival as her Handmaiden during her last year at the Academy of Divination brought a brief idyll of passion, but Almuril's interference caused Aerylle to leave Imej to take up a job as an assistant librarian in Sigil, where she met Min. After their bonding ceremony, Aerylle finally decided to return to Imej to introduce Min to her family and make her peace with the past. Despite, or perhaps because of, her great intellectual curiosity, she is a starry-eyed romantic and a perpetual optimist. She is less tolerant than most Elves of romantic dalliances outside bonded relationships.
Dzelha of House Tarsellis: Star Elf. Born in Eltheless into a priestly family. Much to her mother's chagrin, she trained as a Spellsword and travelled widely with her sister, Jylzaela. A frequent visitor to Imej, she is a protégée of Tahllea's, who stayed at House Tarsellis as a guest each time she visited Eltheless. Enjoys escaping from the stifling confines of Star Elven society. Prim, cold and serious as a Star Elf woman should be in her home city, she eagerly allows the more playful, sensual side of her character shine through in Imej. Despite her budding talent as a warrior, she is surprisingly adept at aesthetic and cosmetic treatments and enjoys indulging her feminine side in Imej.
Jylzaela of House Tarsellis: Star Elf. Dzelha's twin sister. Their bond is extremely strong and they are inseparable on their travels. Jylzaela followed the family tradition and is training as a priestess of the Pole Star Queen. She is more distant and reserved than Dzelha, but enjoys the social and erotic horizons Imej offers. She very much admires Tahllea.
Aulatha of House Tarsellis: Nymph. Warden of House Tarsellis and personal assistant of its Matron, her essence was bound to the House's frozen garden. Culturally Star Elven, she is a lethal blademistress and was Dzelha's mentor and tutor. She is responsible for all scions of House Tarsellis and travels Queluria to ensure each is in good health and spirits before reporting back to her mistress. Both physically and psychologically, she is far from the traditional conceptions of a nymph. Renowned for her brisk, direct demeanour and stern, angular beauty.
Erieanal: Avariel Elf. Orphaned at an early age, she became a promising Bladesinger whose success in her native city of Teahiluoral-aerie brought her to Tahllea's attention. In Imej, she soon fell for Dzelha's charms (or Dzelha fell for hers, depending on whom is asked). Gentle and good natured, she is also aloof and a demanding lover, as is usually the case with Avariel. Fiercely proud of her heritage, she enjoys sharing the Avariel arts of Sundered Heavens-style Bladesong, poetry and ritual wing-painting with Dzelha.
Jander of House Ahlirian: Grey Elf. Tahllea's adoptive brother and a Griffon Knight in the Civic Guard of Imej. An infamous aesthete and socialite, he has a vast collection of subservient boys to serve his every sensual whim. Has admitted the only woman he ever lusted for was Tahllea, though his advances were always firmly rebuffed. He is cynical, manipulative and calculating, with a sophisticated, but jaded, artistic sense.
Neraisa: Aquatic Elf. Born into a moderately successful merchant family, she is an expert diver and appraiser. Frequently travels from her home city of Ourmathenith by the Sea of Golden Radiance to Imej to trade luxury Aquatic Elven wares. Currently dealing with the repercussions of a failed romance, so that she is often lonely during her voyages.
Senythina: Grey Elf. Junior priestess of Hanali Celanil, the Elven Goddess of love and romance. Born into a Houseless family, she became the bonded lover of Ehlanna, a mage from an impoverished but noble House, the moment she became a novitiate of Hanali. Due to her youth, naïveté and inexperience, she is easily controlled by the domineering Ehlanna. A simple, trusting girl, she is swiftly becoming established as an outstanding harpist and a singer. Recently gave birth to a daughter, Sehynneth.
Iniila: Wood Elf. Ranger of the Wood Elven village Brook Under Sunshine. Born into a family of rangers, she was sent to Imej as a young girl where she became scullery maid in the kitchen where Aravae's mother works. Claims the only person who showed her kindness in Imej was Aravae and they soon became infatuated with one another. Following a disagreement with Aravae's mother, she fled and returned to Brook Under Sunshine where she excelled in tracking, archery and stealth, becoming one of the most promising rangers in her village. As a result of her experience in Imej, she dislikes Grey Elves and loathes the materialism of cities.
Elinathanal of House Ceilanith: Grey Elf. The matron of house Ceilanith and Yssinel's mother. An exceedingly talented Enchantress and manuscript illustrator, she restored the flagging fortunes of her House through judicious diplomacy, subterfuge and seduction. Now an affirmed artist, she no longer seeks out clients, but waits for anxious mages, writers and poets to come to her. Infamously discriminating and fickle in her relationships: most of the fairest beauties in Imej have shared her bed. Her endless procession of ephemeral lovers frustrated Yssinel, who always secretly desired a stable family like Aerylle's.
Almuril of House Celensiath: Grey Elf. Matron of House Celensiath and Aerylle's mother, her bonded lover, Aerylle's father, is a master bookbinder. Has two daughters. A competent businesswoman, she is renowned for her precision, flawless manners and stern discipline. Although she was always very exacting with her daughters, she is a deeply devoted mother whose careful economising ensured that Aerylle could attend the Academy of Divination. Was responsible for sending Mjrina away, though she always maintained it was in the best interests of Aerylle and Mjrina. Her prejudices are typical of middle class Grey Elves.
Ljra: Dryad. Guardian of a vast, primordial tree around which the tower of House Ceilanith was built, she has watched over Yssinel's family since the founding of Imej. She can only be summoned by a druid, a profession now rare in Imej, but relatively common amongst Wood Elves. When summoned, she bestows favours such as unique insights, healing, fertility and sublime sensual experiences.
People:
Grey Elves
Origin: Children of Sehanine Moonbow, they are the most cultured and artistic of the Elven sub-races and dwell in the Northern highlands and mountains of Queluria, primarily in cities.
Appearance:
Build: slender, generally slight physique; pale skin.
Hair: golden-blonde or silver - occasionally a mixture of both - or, very rarely, bronze-copper.
Eyes: often dark blue, silver or gold.
Government: Primarily organised by very loosely ruled city-states, all of which were, according to legend, founded by the direct descendants of the mythical heroine Tyrithina. Rule is exercised by Arcane Councils of mages and priests and is supported by civic militias of professional warriors and Bladesingers. Government is mainly ceremonial and the average citizen is accorded a great degree of freedom. Belonging to an established House is the best way to attain social status and influence. Houses normally specialise in a hereditary profession, which is passed on from parent to child and thus perfected throughout the millennia.
Society: Although egalitarian in name, Grey Elven society is riddled with class-consciousness and social manoeuvering. Grey Elven mages, poets, artists and musicians are widely reputed to be the finest, a factor that has only served to cultivate the race's legendary arrogance. Magic is the highest form of attainment and most high-born Grey Elves, especially women, specialise in a particular school, making them by far the most talented mages in the world. Most Grey Elves live highly privileged lives, the wealth of their cities allowing them to attract migrants to perform less desirable tasks. The bulk of this underclass is constitued by Wood Elves and, a few rungs higher on the social ladder, High Elves and Houseless Grey Elves. Although there is no social distinction between males and females, almost all Grey Elven mages are female and almost all their warriors are male, with priests more evenly divided. In practice, this means that civic councils are dominated by women, just as civic militias are dominated by men.
High Elves
Origin: Children of Corellon Larethian, they are most widespread and influential Elves and dwell in lowland, temperate forests - both in cities and in smaller settlements.
Appearance:
Build: more muscle tone than Grey Elves; pale to golden skin, depending on region. Considered the Elven "standard", though phenotypes vary much more widely than is the case with the other sub-races.
Hair: raven-black, dark blue, honey-blonde or, more rarely, chestnut-brown.
Eyes: blue, green, golden, amber .
Government: Most High Elven states are hereditary kingdoms with powerful aristocracies. A greater emphasis is placed on warriors and priests, so High Elven kingdoms are far less magocratic than Grey Elven city-states. The size of High Elven kingdoms requires mobile forces of archers, often staffed by commoners, and of sword-infantry and cavalry, more often composed of nobles or professional fighters. Bladesingers and Spellswords therefore have a central role. Class structures are similar to those of the Grey Elves, but less rigid. Generally, High Elven noble Houses do not have a fixed vocation and engage in many activities.
Society: Just as Grey Elves dominate academia and magical research, High Elven culture is the most widespread and influential on a more popular level, especially when it comes to literature, language and fashion. Society is freer and more fluid than in Grey Elven cities. High Elves tend to be open-minded and approachable. High Elven metallurgy is the finest in the world and many of the best enchanted blades and suits of armour are produced by their craftsfolk. There is no distinction of any kind between male and female roles.
Wood Elves
Origin: Children of the Forest Mother, they are, along with Sylvan Elves, the Elven sub-race which is closest to nature and live in treetop villages situated in both the deciduous and coniferous forests of the world.
Appearance:
Build: more muscular and slightly shorter than High Elves. Women are more voluptuous. Dusky, woodland-tan skin is the norm.
Hair: verdant-green, chestnut to dark brown, dark blonde, autumn-red. Often a mixture of two or more shades/colours.
Eyes: deep green, hazelnut-brown, amber.
Government: Druids are both the spiritual and temporal leaders of society. Rangers are also held in high esteem and ensure the community's security. Family bonds are generally much more important than political structures, though the two often overlap, since Wood Elf villages usually consist of a set of allied kinship groups.
Society: Egalitarian in the extreme to the point of being anarchic. Wood Elves, however, generally defer to their elders and druids on spiritual matters. Wood Elves are highly religious and have excellent relations with all woodland spirits, which they hold in high esteem. Family is matrilineal. Wood Elven villages tend to be primitive, especially by Grey Elven standards and most do not use metal of any sort. Life can consequently be difficult, leading many to seek opportunities in Grey or High Elven cities. Wood Elves are said to make the finest bows and leather armour in the world.
Sylvan Elves
Origin: Children of the Forest Mother and closely related to Wood Elves, they inhabit the tropical and equatorial areas of the world. Like Wood Elves, they live in treetop villages, though some settlements are built on swamps or wetlands.
Appearance:
Build: as Wood Elves, more muscular than civilised Elves. Skin tone is generally tan, olive or iodine-brown.
Hair: raven-black, dark brown, ember-red, silver.
Eyes: brown, black, olive-green.
Government: Egalitarian society, led by shamans. Family links are more authoritative than amongst Wood Elves and the eldest member of the kinship group, usually a matron-priestess, is the foremost source of authority. Informal councils of family chiefs, advised by shamans who consult omens and spirits, act as a decisionmaking body. Hunters are held in high regard. The shaman-hunter relationship is analogous to the druid-ranger division of duties amongst the Wood Elves.
Society: More reclusive and secretive than Wood Elves, many Sylvan Elves spend as much time amongst the spirits as they amongst mortals. Some groups are xenophobic and insular, others - especially nomadic tribes - devoted to trade. They have an especially strong system of taboos and prohibitions. More so than Wood Elves, Sylvan Elves express themselves through body painting and elaborate costumes.
Aquatic Elves
Origin: Children of Mother Ocean, they inhabit the subtropical and tropical shorelines and shallow seas. Can breathe water. Aquatic Elven cities straddle the beach and the shallows. Most buildings are made of coral and compacted sand, with canals and waterways in the place of streets.
Appearance:
Build: relatively tall, with a lithe, but dense musculature, especially around the thighs and chest. Skin tone is light blue, but more towards azure or turquoise in some regions.
Hair: light to dark green, dark blue.
Eyes: dark blue to indigo, light do dark green.
Government: Merchant thalassocracies. Aquatic Elf states are centred on a large, mother city governed by commercial guilds. Mother cities control smaller settlements - colonies - which are either further inland or out at sea. The guilds maintain subsidiary enterprises in colonies, which send money and goods back to the mother city in exchange for guaranteed trade and security.
Society: Aquatic Elves are famed for their commercial and social skills. Most are highly sociable and hedonistic. Family and religious ties are less important than in other Elven cultures and Aquatic Elves have a strong individualistic streak. Many enjoy travelling, either by sea or inland, often to sell their wares which are in high demand in Grey and High Elven cities. Their textiles and jewellery are widely regarded as the finest in the world. Aquatic Elves have little interest in setting class hierarchies or gender roles, rather preferring to focus on creating social and business networks.
Star Elves
Origin: Children of the Pole Star Queen, they inhabit the icy taiga and tundra of the deep north. Star Elves live in small kingdoms centred on cities of crystal and ice carved from glaciers or permafrost.
Appearance:
Build: slender, but athletically muscular. Skin tone is very pale to pristine white.
Hair: light to dark blue, violet. Almost always entirely braided in women.
Eyes: silver, violet, dark blue.
Government: Theocratic monarchy. The ruler of a kingdom is always the high priestess of the Pole Star Queen. She is advised by a council of nobles who, as is the case with High Elves and Grey Elves, belong to established Houses. Hierarchy is surprisingly strict for surface Elves and, as a rule, only senior members of a House have a say in its administration and can officially use its name. Administrators are primarily mages and priestesses, while Spellswords are the elite warriors of the Star Elves.
Society: Highly formal, with an extremely complex system of politeness, forms of address and ritualised social interaction. The same sentence spoken to one's sister will often sound completely different when spoken to one's mother. Women traditionally braid all their hair in symbolic patterns. Star Elves are renowned for the quality of their sculpture and architecture. Most Star Elves are reserved and standoffish and are infamous for being very vain. They are, however, fiercely loyal. Males and females are strictly segregated for most of their lives. Those with means often travel to other lands in order to explore more permissive societies.
Avariel (Winged) Elves
Origin: Children of Faenya and Lady Sky. They inhabit the cool, temperate areas in the southern hemisphere of the world. Most live in city-states built on mountain-peaks called aeries.
Apperance:
Build: relatively tall, but slim with well-developed chest muscles. Avariel have feathery wings which allow them to fly with ease. Wing colours ranger from pure white, to light brown and are often flecked with silver, gold or coppery accents. Skin tone is creamy white to golden.
Hair: light to dark brown, golden to honey blonde or, rarely, sky-blue.
Eyes: very dark blue, bronze, amber.
Government: Democratic communes are the norm. Kinship groups are usually led by an expert Skywarden or, more rarely, mage. Each kinship group is equally represented in civic government and decisions are normally taken by consensus. There is little hierarchy and the emphasis is on ensuring that every member of the community fully uses her rights and responsibilities.
Society: Fluid and open-minded. Many Avariel travel, often because their powers of flight make it easy to do so. Avariel are great lovers of the arts and are very well regarded for their poetry - both epic and erotic - and painting. Gift-giving is an essential component of Avariel culture and is expected at every social exchange. Avaeriel are suspicious of social strictures, though they are frequently aloof and convinced that flight provides them with a unique perspective of the world.
Dark (Drow) Elves
Origin: Children of Lloth (Lolth) the Spider Goddess. Banished from the surface world after the Demonweb Wars dozens of millennia ago, the Drow now live in city-states situated in sunless, underground caverns.
Appearance:
Build: relatively short. Males are fine-boned and slender, females are heavier and voluptuous. Skin tone is obsidian-black.
Hair: silver, white.
Eyes: dark red, deep purple, violet.
Government: Theocratic matriarchy. Cities are governed by a ruling council of matron-mothers who are also priestesses of Lloth. Society is divided between nobles and commoners. Commoners, though the majority of the population, have virtually no political power and perform menial or undesirable tasks. Nobles and, in particular, priestesses have complete control over the city but, in practice, prefer not to exercise it too openly unless absolutely necessary, as Drow society is violent, fickle and chaotic. To be a priestess of Lloth is the only genuine criterion for high status.
Society: Highly matriarchal, the genders are kept separate in all their social functions. Only males can become warriors - viewed as the lowliest of occupations - or mages. Only females can become priestesses. Commoner women of talent usually become assassins and/or private guards/lovers of noble priestesses. Drow are unique amongst Elves as they do not have the institution of bonded lovers. As a general rule, genuine emotional attachment - as opposed to reproduction - only occurs between Drow of the same gender. Despite the cruelty and ruthlessness of their society, the Drow are highly cultured, with a particular reputation for excellent textiles (spider-silk), metallurgy (sacrificial daggers and chainmail) and disturbing theatre (of the cruel, obscene and perversely sensual variety).
Deities (Seldarine):
Corellon Larethian:
Sun God and mythical creator of the Elven people. Worshipped by all elves, except for Drow, though his cult is especially popular amongst High Elves. He is, according to interpretation, a great warrior, king, thinker or mage. He is the patron of warriors, regents, fathers and the Elven concept of masculine power. Aside from his passionate affection for Sehanine, he claims most lesser male Elven deities as his lovers. His temples are usually found in large cities. His priesthood is exclusively male and is, especially in High Elf kingdoms, particularly prominent in administrative and military circles.
He is portrayed as a radiantly handsome Elven man of any given sub-race, though he generally bears a longsword and longbow and wears regal chainmail.
Sehanine Moonbow:
Moon Goddess and mythical mother Goddess of the Elven people. Corellon's bonded lover. She is identified with the largest moon in the night sky. Worshipped by all Elves, except for Drow, her cult is especially popular amongst Grey Elves. She is also the Goddess of death, time and night and is reputed to be both a fearsome warrior, especially when portrayed as an archer or a Bladesinger, and a powerful mage. She is the patron of Bladesingers, Spellswords, regents, mothers and the bereaved and embodies the Elven concept of feminine power. Like Corellon, most Elven cities have at least one temple dedicated to her. Her priesthood is exclusively female and, especially in Grey Elven cities, is especially prominent in administrative circles.
She is portrayed as a serenely beautiful Elven woman, often High or Grey Elven, and she wears a Bladesinger's tunic, chainmail or a breastplate and always bears a longsword, dagger and bow.
Aerdrie Faenya:
Sehanine's younger sister and Goddess of hunting, travel and epic poetry. Worshipped by all Elves, except Drow, as the second moon in the night sky. She is less grave than her sister and is considered a more approachable deity by Elven hunters, bards and travellers. Her shrines and temples are traditionally found at crossroads or in forest clearings. Her priesthood is mixed and her clergy often act as guides, court poets and tutors. She is, along with Lady Sky, the primary deity of the Avariel Elves and is often portrayed as benevolent winged Elf, with multichrome feathers.
She is portrayed as a smiling, young Elven woman clad in a simple tunic or leather armour, with a bow or scroll in hand.
Hanali Celanil:
Popular Goddess of love, romance, sensuality and beauty. Worshipped by all Elves, except Drow, she is often referred to as Lady Goldheart and is the favoured Goddess of Elven lovers, poets and expectant mothers. She is thought to bring beauty, fertility and love to her worshipers. Her clergy is often prominent in the arts, especially music. Most Elven cities have at least one temple dedicated to her, with the building often distinguished by fanciful architecture. Her priesthood is mixed and her clergy is crucial in advising Elven families at all stages.
She is portrayed as a sensually beautiful Elven woman and is always bare-legged and barefoot.
Amistaarathal (Forest Mother):
Popular Goddess of the earth, life and the cycle of creation, she is worshipped especially by Wood and Sylvan Elves, though her cult is popular with all surface elves except for the Avariel. Considered a primordial Goddess, according to most accounts, she spontaneously generated Corellon Larethian. She has no organised priesthood and grants her divine powers to druids alone. She is considered the patron of rangers, druids and of surface Elves in general. Often worshipped in forest shrines, both at the roots or in the canopy of trees. Her priesthood is mixed.
She is portrayed as a voluptuous, often pregnant, dryad with moss, flowers and plants frequently spontaneously budding from her wooden statues.
Iumathiashae (Mother Ocean):
Patron Goddess of the Aquatic Elves and worshipped by seafaring High Elves and coastal dwelling Sylvan Elves. A powerful, but fickle Goddess she is thought to preside over fate, wealth and fortune. She is the patron of merchants, seafarers and those who play games of chance or skill. Like the Forest Mother, she is a primordial Goddess and her temples are usually situated underwater. Her priesthood is mixed.
She is portrayed as either a stylised dolphin, or a mysterious Aquatic Elven woman with an ambiguous smile and wielding a fishing spear.
Atrasial Saeruathasa (Pole Star Queen):
Patron Goddess of the Star Elves, but worshipped by High Elves and Avariel as well, she is identified as the brightest star in the night sky. She is the stern Goddess of order, harmony and justice. She is Sehanine Moonbow's second bonded lover. Often worshipped in icy temples made of mirrors and crystals. Her priestesses are exclusively female and are the judges and queens of Star Elven society.
She is portrayed as a stern, coldly beautiful Star Elven woman wearing a breastplate and either wielding a curved sword or holding a magical stave.
Laranlasamenela (Lady Sky):
Patron Goddess of the Avariel, but worshipped by Star Elves and Grey Elves as well. She is the Goddess of wind, change, magic and fate. Often worshipped on mountain-peak aeries or on magically solidified clouds. Like Mother Ocean and the Forest Mother, she is considered a primordial deity, though most identify her as Sehanine's mother. She is the patron of mages and adventurers. Her priesthood is mixed and, in Avariel society, occupies a central role in government.
She is portrayed an idealised Avariel woman, with her wings either spread - in which case she wields an Avariel scimitar - or at rest - in which case she wields a hunting bow.
Lloth (Lolth):
Patron Goddess of the Drow and not usually worshipped by any other Elven sub-race. She is the Goddess of power, revenge, cruelty and obsession. Often worshipped in blood-stained temples deep underground, she demands the sacrifice of sentient beings. Exiled to the Underdark by Corellon and Sehanine following a vicious war between her children and a coalition of surface Elves, she plots revenge and awaits the time when her children will extinguish the sun and turn the sky into permanent, starless night. All Drow cities have a temple dedicated to her. Her clergy is exclusively female and her priestesses dominate all aspects of political and cultural life of Drow society.
She is portrayed either as a bloated spider with the head of a demonic Drow female, or as a voluptuous, dangerously beautiful Dark Elf woman engaged in an act of wanton brutality or eroticism.
Eilistraee:
Patron Goddess of reformed Drow, she is identified with the milky ether that streams across the stars in the night sky. Worshipped by Drow who have fled to the surface, as well as by Star Elves and some High Elves, she is the Goddess of repentance, redemption, magic and dance. She is Lloth's daughter who objected to the violent ways of the Drow and sought her way back into the Seldarine. Her temples are situated in twilit places. Her priesthood is exclusively female and renowned for its musical skills and intricate, ecstatic dances.
She is portrayed as a radiantly beautiful naked, young Drow woman surrounded by floating ribbons of silk and eldritch energy.
Culture:
Bladesinger:
Masters of the deadly, but beautiful art of the sword, the practice and nature of Bladesinging varies wildly between Elven cultures, but there are some common elements. Generally speaking, only High, Grey and Avariel Elves have established traditions of Bladesingers. Only the finest warriors have the discipline and natural talent to pursue this calling and the true rank of Bladesinger is only attained after years of single-minded study and dedication. Expertise with the blade - often a longsword, scimitar, rapier or shortsword - is essential and so, too, is a strong practical knowledge of magic. Bladesinging is so-called because of the melodious humming sound the swords of expert practitioners emit when they are swung through the air.
Expert Bladesingers develop their own, distinct styles and propagate their techniques in so-called ‘duelling halls' where a mistress or master imparts a given technique onto apprentices of various levels of expertise. Only through the declaration of a recognised duelling hall can an apprentice be formally called a Bladesinger.
In Avariel and High Elven culture, Bladesingers are the considered elite warriors and often accede to posts of great power and influence. Amongst Grey Elves, the warrior arts are considered secondary to magical study and, thus, Bladesingers have a lower profile. Study as a Bladesinger is, nevertheless, much cheaper than a magical education and, as a consequence, taking up the sword is one of the best roads to upwards mobility amongst Grey Elves. Nevertheless, much Elven literature, poetry and art Bladesingers are famed for their legendary lives, loves and exploits.
Family:
Elves are a long-lived race and, as a consequence, family values are central to Elven cultures, even amongst the Drow. There is no set family pattern, but, as a rule a bonded pair of lovers is at the centre of the family unit. Elves are more flexible than other races in this respect and many bonded pairs are of the same gender. Except for Dark Elves, all Elves consider the rights and responsibilities of males and females both within and outside the family to be equal in every sense. Drow, on the other hand, give absolute predominance to females and do not, strictly speaking, have bonded relationships. Bonded relationships are not exclusive; Aquatic and Avariel Elves, as well as some High Elven sub-cultures, encourage multiple bonded lovers, creating vast social and relationship networks. Family dynamics and the experience of children varies widely. In the more formalistic cultures - Grey, Drow and Star Elves in particular - parents, or in the Drow case mothers, require obedience and deference to varying degrees. Since siblings are generally few or - in the case of the Drow, in constant competition - peer group relationships are important and close friends often become surrogates.
Life-phases are celebrated with elaborate ceremonies. The most notable of these are: birth, naming, womanhood (first cycle)/manhood (arbitrary age), full adulthood (graduation from schools or apprenticeships amongst civilised Elves; first successful hunt amongst Wood and Sylvan Elves), bonding (except amongst Drow), death.
Handmaiden:
Widespread practice amongst wealthy and bourgeois High, Grey and Star Elves. A Handmaiden typically serves the mistress of the House or her eldest daughter as an aide, adviser and confidante. Handmaidens are usually highly skilled in the arts of healing, herbalism, household management and social maneuvering. Far more than common servants, their work often involves supporting their mistresses in their social and professional lives. The bond between Handmaiden and mistress is usually for life, though it can, under exceptional circumstances, be severed. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. Capable Handmaidens often live lives only marginally less privileged than their mistresses. Traditionally, the best Handmaidens are High Elves and Star Elves, though, in recent times, Wood Elves have become highly fashionable because of their druidic and herbalist skills, as well as their exotic appearance and excellent intuition.
House:
For High, Grey, Star and Drow Elves, the basic social institution of aristocracy and government. Membership is hereditary, but, in practice, promising commoners (Houseless) Elves affiliated with a given House are often formally adopted. The nature and power of houses varies widely across Elven cultures, ranging from absolute (Drow) to very loose (Grey Elves). Nevertheless, there is always great prestige associated with bearing a House's name. Grey Elves are unique, as they do not acknowledge Houses by status, but by the mastery of a specific art. Hence, a High Elven house may simply be a very wealthy and well-connected family, but a Grey Elven House could be a family of master painters, with their attendants, assistants and apprentices. Thus, Grey Elven Houses are more numerous and smaller than is the case in other Elven cultures and there are many which are more properly speaking middle-class than aristocratic.
Kithela:
Ancient social custom which originated in Grey Elven culture but then spread to High and Avariel Elves. In past millennia, life amongst Elves was more violent and many powerful Grey Elven sorceresses found that their magic was insufficient to defend them in close quarters. Thus, they recruited promising young blademistresses, often from more modest social backgrounds, offering them wealth and advancement in exchange for their services as personal guards, advisers and, often, lovers. Although originally a relationship of convenience, over the millennia, the institution of the loyal Kithela defending her mistress was much romanticised, becoming a favourite topic of erotic poetry. As most Elven realms are currently at peace, the practice of appointing a Kithela has fallen out of fashion, a fact that has only added to its mystique.
Language:
All Elven languages stem from the same archaic root which ceased being spoken at least two hundred thousand years ago. Nevertheless, all Elven languages share similar features: namely, they are all agglutinative, analytical languages which inflect quite heavily for mood and voice. Elven languages are often difficult to learn for outsiders because of the complex system of allegory, symbolism and the vast repertoire of idioms, each with a specific function and significance.
Old Elven is an important ritual language and basic knowledge is require for most mages. Middle Elven is the language of much High and Grey Elven poetry and literature. Aquatic Elven is influenced by Aquan, the language of Naiads and Sirens, whereas Druidic is influenced by Sylvan, the language of dryads, nymphs and satyrs. It is relatively easy for a speaker of any given Elven language to learn another, except for Drow, which retains many archaic features alien to an Elf unfamiliar with Old Elven, as well as extensive borrowings from Underdark languages. Grey Elven and some northern High Elven dialects are mutually intelligible.
Ex. (Grey Elven):
Almuril haith eatarain, asarh mithileenethil.
Almuril (proper name) is (INDICATIVE+AFFECTIONATE+CERTAIN) mother (POSSESSIVE+AFFECTIONATE), strict (ADJECTIVE) but devoted (ADJECTIVE+CERTAIN; EUPHONY REQUIREMENT; 'BUT' PARTICLE)
Translation: Almuril is my strict, but devoted mother OR Almuril is my mother, she is strict, but devoted
Elven grammar is thus less concerned with regularity (syntax is perfectly flexible and word placement is important only for determining emphasis) than it is with conveying a specific state of mind. One can also note the presence of ‘euphony requirements' which strongly suggest the speaker is female. Such requirements are stressed, elongated vowels which link the components of certain compound words. This tonal stress is most frequently used in the formal and female idiolects. Star Elven, in particular, has an extremely complex and extensive system of euphony requirements. Drow replaces elongated vowels with sibilant consonants, notably the common 'ii' and 'ee' particles are replaced by 'ss' 'sshe'.
Magic:
Sorcery is at the centre of Elven societies, from the complex and stunning enchantments of the Grey Elves to the ancient druidic incantations of Wood Elves. Elven societies revolve around magic and, as a consequence, its practitioners are often held in very high regard. Elves are able to maintain a long and generally comfortable life because of the benefits of the arcane arts, but forms of magic vary widely. Civilised Elf families of status send their children who have an aptitude for magic to Schools from late childhood all the way to full adulthood where they learn the rudiments of spellcraft. Then, the more talented pupils can accede into Academies which offer specialised training. This system is at its most refined amongst the Grey Elves, who boast a world-renowned Academy for each major School of Magic (Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Illusion, Song).
Naming Conventions:
All Elven cultures except for Wood, Sylvan and Drow Elves distinguish between child-names and full names. Child names are given soon after birth in a naming ceremony and are kept until womanhood/manhood, whereupon the Elf chooses a second, full, name which supplants the child-name. The second naming ceremony coincides with the womanhood/manhood celebrations which are often, means permitting, long and lavish affairs. In Grey and High Elven culture, the use of a child-name amongst adults expresses deep and intimate affection and is normally only used in private.
Romance:
Elven courtship ranges from the subtle and complex, to the sensual and spontaneous. No two relationships are alike. Lovemaking outside bonded relationships is frequent and rarely implies a commitment, though Grey and Star Elves normally expect that intimacy to imply a lasting friendship. Less formal cultures understand lovemaking to be an expression of admiration, devotion, affection or exploration and there is no single meaning attached to Elven eroticism. Bonded pairs often establish their own rules of conduct for relationships outside the pair and Elven societies are, as a rule, polyamorous. Only the Drow openly commodify eroticism.
Spellsword:
Spellswords are, like Bladesingers, elite warriors who, however, draw a finer balance between magic and melee. In the Star Elven and Aquatic Elven cultures, where there is no tradition of Bladesingers, Spellswords take their social and symbolic place. Spellswords are less concentrated on offense and use their more profound knowledge of magic to turn the tide of the battle in their favour. Amongst Star Elves, most Spellswords are under the strict supervision of the priestesses of the Pole Star Queen, whom they serve much as Kithela would serve her mistress. Amongst Aquatic Elves, Spellswords are lightly armed and, often, do not fight with swords at all, preferring javelins, spears and machetes.