Lainteran Elves

Once, Laintera was but on nation of many, and it's culture the same. But for thousands of years now Laintera has ruled over all of the elven peoples and enforced its culture over all others. To those outside the Empire, Lainteran elves are the stereotype. They are the majority and the ruling class, and they do not let anyone forget it. But even before the Empire Laintera saw itself as above its neighbors; wiser, more prosperous, and favored of the gods. It's likely this attitude was part of what inspired Queen Shouri Malora to lead her conquest of the other nations and name herself Empress of all elves.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Lainterans are a proud people, sometimes bordering on arrogant, but this pride is not without cause. Laintera has an incredibly rich culture, having made great strides in the arts, philosophy, and magic, among other fields. Their culture values wisdom, philosophy, and creativity, not the war-like attitude some of their subject nations associate with them. Unfortunately, it is their pride and philosophy, however well-meaning, that produced a nobility that looks down on other cultures as inferior and needing guidance.

Common Dress code

Upper class Lainteran elves use dress as but one way to show their superiority over their subjects. Fashion favors layers of flowing silks and thin cottons, often lavishly embellished. The many layers provide a canvas on which the wealthy can display their status through rare dyes, gold and silver thread, and jeweled beading. But the lavish fashion of the upper class can be cumbersome and difficult to move in, with the most heavily embellished of garments weighing several pounds. So members of the military or working class wear much simpler garments, though often following the same lines and styles.

Historical figures

Shouri Malora
Empress Shieren

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Lainterans value beauty in all genders, and an ideal beauty would be at least somewhat androgynous. This means that long, well-kept hair is considered one of the hallmarks of beauty, as well as a slender frame lacking in obvious curves. Lainteran fashion has developed to also encourage an androgynous appearance, with long, layered robes the standard for all.