Wood Elves
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Female names often end in the vowel a or the consonant m. These sounds are considered very feminine and softly voiced.
Some examples of these names include Yira and Dera.
Masculine names
Male names usually end in vowels o or I and sometimes also the consonants t or r. These sounds are pronounced harshly with a small hiss or growl added to the consonants and as such are considered masculine.
Some examples of these names include Jout and Sori.
Unisex names
Some names can be used for both males and females, these names often have softer starting sounds and harsher ending sounds.
Some of these names are Arel and Muran
Family names
Family names usually come from bastardisations of old elven and dragon names. This means that they are names often associated with trades or rank.
Some examples include Evergreen and Darkfire.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Oeaic is the most commonly used language on Elmawood, closely followed by the Common Tongue. Forest Oeaic is also a very common language to hear Wood Elves speaking.
Shared customary codes and values
Equal treatment of all is a value that all Wood Elves share. As well as respect for the elders and higher-ranked members of society.
Common Etiquette rules
The most common etiquette is polite language for elders and higher ranked officials and bowing to them as well. Punctuality is also valued and lateness is seen as extremely disrespectful.
Common Dress code
All wood elves are allowed to wear anything they want as long as genitalia is covered. Children are expected to cover more skin than adults as they young.
Art & Architecture
Wood Elves live in large tree-houses and living trees called Yior. This means that a lot of their architecture is basic wooden structures.
Coming of Age Rites
When a wood elf comes of age they must travel the Shadow Forest Path, a short trail that goes through the edge of the Shadow Forest. This means that they must be brave enough to survive a night in the forest and hunt their own food that night. After they do this they are considered ready for work.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Wood Elves see beauty as subjective, though most tribes do have specific beauty ideals. Some include the Great Tribe, the tribe of the capitol area, who view tallness as beautiful and lighter skin. The Shadow Tribe, who live in the edge of the Shadow Forest, prefer darker skin and smaller frames.
Gender Ideals
There is no real gender divide in traditional Wood Elf culture. The only tribe with real gender ideals is the Great Tribe, the only ideal they have is that females should never have a relationship before marriage.
Courtship Ideals
Both sets parents will talk through and agree if their children will mary and both the male and female partner must hunt food for the partner and give handmade clothing as gifts. When they come of age at 47 years they may mary or wait until age 50 if they think they need more time.
Relationship Ideals
Relationships must be completely equal and any variation from this must be agreed upon by both partners. Females do not need to have children until they are ready and are able to work as well as males. When they have children females may even continue to work if they wish.
Major organizations
The most important organizations to the Wood Elves are the Hunter's Guild, Warrior's Guild and the Hunters of Oria.
