Ithyrian Elves (if-FEER-ee-An)

The Ithyrian Elves (Also known as the First Elves or, occasionally, "Aetherian" Elves) were a group of Elves found throughout the lands of the ancient Ithyrian Empire, and are the common ancestors of the various modern Elf subgroups. Blessed with an innate connection with magic, these Elves produced many of the finest mages and warriors in the world, carving out a mighty empire that covered much of southern Imera. Though their empire had long fallen, the legacy the Ithyrian Elves left behind influenced many of the nations that followed in their wake, including their architecture, art, martial traditions, and especially their approach to magic.

General Appearance

While their physical traits would become more varied over time as the modern Elvish subgroups began to rise, the original Ithyrian Elves had light skin (though those with considerable magical ability often had light blue skin), with blue, green, and silver eyes, and white or black hair. Like many of their descendants, the Ithyrian Elves had a slender physique.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

The Ithyrian Elves placed tremendous value on magic, with it being a central pillar of their culture. Magic was incorporated into much of their art and architecture, their military made extensive use of mages and/or magically enhanced martial techniques, and the ability to use magic was just as great a factor in determining your social class as your ancestry or occupation (In fact, all members of nobility and royalty were required to possess great skill with magic to be considered legitimate). The Ithyrian Elves were also extremely keen on furthering their understanding of magic, and are credited with much of what is known of the inner workings of magic today.

Another facet of Ithyrian Elf culture is the various noble Houses that made up the upper echelons of Ithyrian society. Made up of the most powerful noble families in Ithyrian society, the Houses served as regional rulers of the empire whose authority was second only to the Emperor. While many of these Houses were lost during the Ithyrian War of Succession that fractured the empire, a number of them still exist in Elvish society today, though they've either significantly decreased in size, or fractured into several smaller houses.

Average technological level

The Ithyrian Elves are credited with the creation of Aetheric Architecture, and made wide usage of it in the infrastructure of their largest cities. Additionally, the Ithyrian Elves also had the means to construct Guardians, constructs made from stone, metal, and Aetherite that were meant to protect areas of great significance.

Art & Architecture

Ithyrian Elf art and architecture frequently made use of flowing, graceful shapes, traits that can still be seen in the majority of Elvish architecture today. Additionally, magic was frequently used in Ithyrian Elf art, often to provide it with a more dreamlike quality (ancient sources on the subject claimed such works of art inspired a sense of tranquillity, and often looked as though you could step into it).

Funerary and Memorial customs

The Ithyrian Elves buried their dead, though they also laid especially noteworthy individuals (particularly their archmages and kings/queens) to rest in ornate tombs, a practice still maintained to a degree among their High and Sun Elf descendants.

Major organizations

Ithyria

Diverged ethnicities

• Dark Elves
• Frost Elves
• High Elves
• Moon Elves
• Sun Elves
• Wood Elves

Encompassed species

• Elves

Related Organizations

• Ithyria

Dress Code

Ithyrian Elf clothing was made from blue and purple cloth, with a gracefully flowing aesthetic and numerous embellishments, especially among the upper class.

Foods & Cuisine

Ithyrian Elf cuisine mainly consisted of grains, vegetables, and meats. However, as the borders of their empire expanded, they also began incorporating various fruits, fishes, and spices into their cuisine.