Æleans
Ælic: Æleúþeið /aiːlɛuːθeiːð/
The æleans are Þjaric Elves (þjaríþeið) inhabiting the northeastern part of Þjaris in northern Jælondis, with their country of Ælea ruling over parts of the western Þjan Tundra as well as the northeastern part of Iðlía Forest. They are the northernmost sedentary people of Borgalor, aided by the use of Star Oats and other hardy crops as well as domesticated reindeers and muskoxen, the lattermost which provide the people with Muskox Wool for warm clothing for surviving the cold winds and freezing winters there.
Their autonym means People of the Lights, referring to the aurora so clearly visible on the night sky over the tundra during winter. This is reflected in their clothing, which is decorated with intricate designs in green, red and blue.
Meat, fish, fat and dairy features much more in ælean cusine than in Jolþ and Æjala due to the short summers and abundance of wild game on the tundra, and the long winters make growing millet difficult but conversely are ideal for growing star oats along the tundra's edge2.
Other traditional þjaric crops such as beans, acorns and lily bulbs are generally imported and only commonly eaten by the wealthy.
The æleans are Þjaric Elves (þjaríþeið) inhabiting the northeastern part of Þjaris in northern Jælondis, with their country of Ælea ruling over parts of the western Þjan Tundra as well as the northeastern part of Iðlía Forest. They are the northernmost sedentary people of Borgalor, aided by the use of Star Oats and other hardy crops as well as domesticated reindeers and muskoxen, the lattermost which provide the people with Muskox Wool for warm clothing for surviving the cold winds and freezing winters there.
Their autonym means People of the Lights, referring to the aurora so clearly visible on the night sky over the tundra during winter. This is reflected in their clothing, which is decorated with intricate designs in green, red and blue.
Culture
Apparel
The clothes worn by æleans are much the same as those worn by their neighbours, consisting of long-sleeved tunic made from muskox wool, trousers and reindeer leather shoes, though its overall thicker and cloaks are more common due to the cold climate. One key difference is that the æleans -particularly those living on the tundra- are not nearly as adverse to wearing clothing made of animal skins as other þjaric elves, and traditionally switch to reindeer skin trousers during winter.Cuisine
Ælean cuisine is primarily based on reindeer meat- and cheese, fish and wild game, fat, star oats, fiddlehead ferns and angelica roots. Like elsewhere in Þjaris, meat is often dried, salted or smoked and usually only served fresh at festivals, and most dishes are some form of stews, soups or porridge flavoured with berries, fat or fish oil. Muskoxen, while plentiful to the north, are generally not slaughtered unless they are mortally wounded or sick.Meat, fish, fat and dairy features much more in ælean cusine than in Jolþ and Æjala due to the short summers and abundance of wild game on the tundra, and the long winters make growing millet difficult but conversely are ideal for growing star oats along the tundra's edge2.
Other traditional þjaric crops such as beans, acorns and lily bulbs are generally imported and only commonly eaten by the wealthy.
Language
The ælean language is an isolate within the larger elven language family, though due to close contact with the other þjaric elves, Jolþi and Æjalans over the centuries it shares a number of features and vocabulary with them, forming a sprachbund. It contains a number of words for various flora, fauna and phenomena found on the tundra.1Original icelandic: Ælíar, singular: Ælíi.
2Star oats need the light of moon, stars or aurora to grow rather than sunlight.
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