Mountain Elves

Mountain elves are a subspecie of elves created by Xylian Dominion to serve as guardians of eastern, mainly mountainous border, and as main worker (and entertainment) specie for mountainous areas, where their special characteristics could be exploited the most. They were also one of the few subspecies considered as 'military' ones, thus influencing heavily their culture.
It is believed that they were also tasked with 'hunting' other elves trying to flee from Dominion to the areas east, which only helped them develop their surprisingly potent xenophobia targeted at most of other races. Which was, in a way mutual, since their loyalty to the Xyls (enforced by their generally better treatment due to being the ones who could flee or rebel the easiest) made them an object of general disdain. While most of the elves were loyal - not like they have any other options - mountain elves, especially from the east, tended to add a real fervour and ititiative to their servitude, which was... disliked.
Following the general collapse of Confederation of 40 Tribes and elven states as a whole, majority of their eastern states ceased to exist as organized states. Those in Markar and Hellana generally fell into barbarism, reverting back to a xenophobiac tribes, with only few of them accepting some sort of cooperation with Imperium of Karadia. During general chaos after the human invasions, some of these tribes travelled east, reaching mountains of Kasytia, being one of the very few elves that can be met there.[
Those from the Dragonbone Mountains generally underwent similar proccess of collapsing into warring tribes, with surprisingly many cultural similarities between then and their southern cousins, including forms of dragon and ancestor worship, female caste of shaman-priestesses having real political power, and with men generally being considered secondary in importance. Over time most of northern mountain elves were beaten into submission by either Draam city-states from Labirynth or visenian kings.
Despite this, many of the mountain elves from those tribes seeks their luck elsewhere, forming a small communities of mountain elves in many areas of Imperium.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Typical humanoids. Two hands, two legs, one head. The changes xyls made to them can be found beneath their skin. Reinforced bones and more elastic (while strong) joints and tendons, the labirynth in their ear much improved and with mountain elves practically never losing balance.
They were also made mentally incapable of feeling fear of heights, and thus can never gain it, no matter what would happen to them. Xyls also modified their respiratory system, making them more resistant for altitude sickness. Tend to feel better in colder than in warmer environments, but the difference is rather abysmal.

Biological Traits

As all elves, they are very dependant on level of their blood purity. Mixing with other elven subspecies makest heir offsprings genetically inferior, slowly degenerating into low elves, making special traits of their subspecies much weaker with every generation, and lowering their lifespan.

Genetics and Reproduction

Their reproduction is typical for elves. Can have children only with other elves, ogres, and very magical beings like shapeshifters and @high dragons. Pregnancy ranges from 9 to 10 months, depending on level of blood purity.

Ecology and Habitats

Prefer mountains, the higher the better, since noone can dictate them how they live if noone can really reach them. With their excellent - and very mobile - archers and lightly armed warriors they are capable of repelling even militarily superior enemies as long as they can fight in mountainous areas. Beside it, however, tend to be nothing more than disorganised rabble, simply due to the fact that there is no place to drill training in mountains.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Lack of facial hair with exception of eyebrows. Their skin tends to feel and look rather soft and delicate. Skin tends to be light or swarthy, with dark hair.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Can be divided in three main groups - southern in Markar, Hellana and Kasytia, northern in Dragonbone Mountains, and western in Seretia and Kaletia. Most of them have their own offspring groups. Northern spread to Eastern Wall and Scavian Mountains, southern to Iron Mountains, Kasytian Mountains, Hezraian Mountains, and even to Southern Wall where their numbers swelled over centuries. Western, most civilized, has moved to Vestirian Isles, and White Mountains.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Slightly improved sight and hearing, the rest wasn't really touched.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Southern and northern groups tend to form matriarchal societies, with a ruling caste of female shaman-priestessess called dragonbrides (ceremonially 'married' to local dragon deity), that tend to have at least few husbands. Beneath the situation is more typical, with males waging wars and hunting, while females forage and take care of their houses.

Relationship Ideals

Dragonbrides (internally divided into several innercastes) tend to have whole harems of men, mostly subservient to them. Warlords - males - tend to have harems of their own. The rest is overwhelmingly monogamous.

Common Taboos

As in case of most elves, they have a taboo about mixed relationships with other elven subspecies, although its actually more of a general xenophobia towards pretty much everyone other than they.

Created by: Xylian Dominion.
IC: Occurence: Common
IC: Danger: Not Threatened

Lifespan

80-400

Average Height

1.8-2.0m.

Average Weight

50-80kg.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their rather primitive societies tend to use a wide variety of tattoos, with quite many meanings, including ones religious, magical and societal.