Raava
The Raava have lived on the continent for thousands of years. There way of life is very nature-centric, living with nature instead of using it. They are a people with a long memory who have known more year of war than peace. This has left them constantly on edge, waiting for the next war. They live within The Wilds.
Structure
The Circle of Speakers is comprised of 7 elves, each a leader in their area of expertise.
Yaarea (The Eldest)
The Yaarea speaks for the past. The Eldest is not necessarily the oldest elf, but the one who has the greatest knowledge of history and the world itself. The current leader became Yaarea just a few years before the humans begin to settle in Praiwind, around 240 years ago. However he is growing old and his apprentice has begun to take on more of the responsibilities of the position in the last decades. Traditionally, the Yaarea abstains from voting on decisions made by The Circle, only contributing when a tie needs to be broken.Amil (The Home-Speaker)
The Amil speaks for the elven people. He or she relates the words of the masses and of those who continue to work in the cities and towns. Widely respected, the Amil is often considered second to the Yaarea, though there is officially no hierarchy. The current Amil is a woman who has served on The Circle for 150 years.Hosse (The Battle-Speaker)
The Hosse speaks of war. The fights with the Orcs have gone on for longer than even The Eldest can remember and the Hosse leads these battles. This is the only position that passes hereditarily as the Hosse always wields a greatsword, known as Ristaha (Ragereaver). This sentient blade is very particular about its bearer and will only bond with a certain bloodline. The current Hosse has held the blade for 200 years.Ingole (The Magic-Speaker)
The Ingole speaks of the magic that imbues the world and those who wield it. The Ingole must have knowledge of all types of magic, from traditional natural magic to the newly introduced arcane magic. While most Raava are capable of some level of magic, the Ingole is only responsible for the training and utilization of the fell-fledged druids and mages. The current Ingole is a man who took over the position from his predecessor only 115 years ago.Kelva (The Wilds-Speaker)
The Kelva speaks for the land itself and all the other creatures that call it home. The Kelva is the closest thing the Raava have to a religious leader as they do not worship any gods, but the land and sky and sea itself. The murder of the previous Kelva, when he went to speak to the Humans on behalf of their forest, was the final straw before war was declared upon the humans. The current Kelva is the youngest member of the circle and has held the position for 130 years.Atan (The Human-Speaker)
The Atan is an unofficial member of the Circle. They serve as an ambassador to the humans and to the elves who have relocated to the cities. They are allowed to join the Circle meetings and speak of what they know, but cannot vote on any decisions being made. The current Atan is a half-elf that was given the position 105 years ago.Nulla (The One Who Does Not Speak)
Few people know of the existence of the Nulla. They gather and know all of the secrets of their people and share that information with the Circle. For this reason, they are often also the leader of the Halda. They almost never speak during Circle meetings and have no vote, but are always present to listen in. The current Nulla has held the position for 115 years after the previous Nulla retired.History
Ohta Santossi (The Orc Wars)
The war with the orcs was a constant in the life of the Raava. The size and ferocity of the orcs made them and even match for the Raava’s speed and longevity. The hordes of the orcs seemed to be endless, so even seemingly devastating losses were easily overcome. Head-on battles began to be avoided at all costs. Instead ambush style fighting and strategic targeting of less defended encampments, especially those containing the young and the female orcs were used. And even these tactics only slowed the orcs’ steady progression. The tide turned when Mokod Recker was born. A gifted orcish battlemaster, he led orcs in dozens of confrontations and won most of them. It was catastrophic for the Raava, leading to the destruction of miles of forest and the loss of hundreds of lives. The Halda training was created as a response to his reign of terror and their first mission was to assassinate him. It took many attempts and cost many lives but eventually an arrow found its mark and Mokod fell. But to this day his name is used as a curse amongst the Raava. The arrival of the blade Ristaha was a turning point for the elves and they began to make slow but steady progress, pushing the orcs back toward the sea. Some of the forest that had been destroyed began to regrow with the aid and guidance of the druids.Tulie (The Arrival)
The initial arrival of the humans meant little to nothing to the Raava as they continued in their fight against the Orcs. They did not anticipate the humans’ ability to spread as they did. As the humans began to move toward the forests, the Raava paid them more mind, sending some representatives to learn their ways and their intentions. But when the humans began to infringe upon the forest, the Raava greeted them the same way they had greeted the orcs for centuries, with arrows and blades. In response, Emperor Alaric Deroland came to their largest city of Marosta, sat with the Circle of Speakers, and a deal was made; The humans would contribute to the war against the orcs and in exchange the Raava would share the wealth of their forests with the humans. With the humans to bolster their ranks, the Raava pushed the orcs back to the sea and they were forced to retreat to the Isles of Savagery.Seere Sinta (The Short Peace)
For 20 years, the Raava experienced peace for the first time in their memory. It was a surprisingly difficult time as they adapted to life without war. Some elves left the forests to join the humans in their way of life. The Makar and Pilin continued their training, but in lesser numbers. The Halda accepted no more members. A few weak attempts to invade were made by the orcs, but with a harsh strait to cross before they could even face the elves they failed every time. Foalooke, more of a fortress than a city, was built to overlook the strait and defend against any attempted invasions. The trees and plants began to return to the land that had for centuries been nothing but a battlefield and everything seemed to be prospering. But the humans began to take advantage of the access they had been granted to the forest, and the trees and wildlife near their cities began to fall to their hands. The Kelva traveled to the human capital of Valtower to appeal to their new Empress. In response, she sent back his head. And war was upon the Raava once again.Ohta’an Raava (The War for Home)
The elven tactics of ambush and sabotage have been devastatingly effective against the humans who have never fought a war against such ferocity and brutality. What the Raava did not anticipate was their tenacity and resolve. Even the common folk are not afraid to pick up the nearest sharp object and fight back. Over the years, the humans have begun to adapt to the Raava’s style of fighting and are slowly beginning to gain back ground they lost early on.Seere Anda (The Long Peace)
A new emperor in the human kingdom negotiated for a ceasefire and peace talks which eventually led to the end of the war. And although the advisor that had encouraged the Emperor to make the peace disappeared, he and his heirs maintained their bargain, replacing any trees they took. The Raava have even allowed a mixed race settlement on the western edge of the forest and a road for travel to the new coastal city. Mostly to prevent people from wandering into their hunting grounds or disturbing the forest. The orcs have kept to their islands though, in the last couple decades, scouts have reported large gatherings of the normally anti-social creatures. And more worrying, they have heard reports of dragons meeting with the orcs. To make matters worse, the local wise-woman, a great silver wyrm called Parma and her library have vanished without a trace. These events have left the Raava wary and tense as they wait for the invasion they feel is inevitably coming. Full TimelineMilitary
Hosseri
Makar (Soldiers)
Makar train for combat for 80 years before they are allowed to see their first battle. And not everyone who begins the training it finishes it and becomes a full-fledged Makar. They are more traditional fighters, excelling in one-on-one melee combat with swords, shields, and spears. Strategically, Makar are the second wave, following after volleys of arrows to finish off crippled enemies, and to crush anything that managed to avoid becoming a pincushion. They are the most honored and celebrated branch of the Hosseri, respected for their bravery and prowess. It is said that every Makar is worth three of the Orcs’ best fighters or a dozen humans.Pilin (Rangers)
Fighters adapted from hunters, Pilin specialize in archery and speed. With some of natural magic at their call and an intimate familiarity with the forest itself, the Pilin are ambush fighters, often ending the fight before their opponents have even realized they are there. When they are not running ambushes, Pilin clear the way for Makar with volleys of arrows to thin the enemies ranks before the soldiers dive in. Most Raava can be good Pilin if they want to be and so it is the most populous branch of the Hosseri.Halda (Shadow-Walkers)
The training to become Halda is even more strenuous than that to become Makar. Only a handful of elves every generation have the discipline and strength to excel with the Halda’s unusual weapons and to master the strange magic they pull from the Shadowfell. Because of their connection to the darker plane, they are spoken of in the whispered tones of fear and superstition. Halda handle the most delicate of missions, the ones that rely on total silence and stealth and sometimes the ones that the Raava do not want to take responsibility for. They are often compared to vipers, moving with near silent invisibility before striking with lethal accuracy. While they may not be able to outmatch an armed Makar, in a weaponless battle, a Halda will win every time. In the last century, the Halda have become the hub of innovation and invention within the Raava and they have introduced many technologies and magics that have greatly affected the Raava’s way of life.Technological Level
The Raavan artificer, Laian Telkontarhui, has revolutionized the alchemy, magic, and technology of the Raava, making them one of the most technologically advanced civilications.
Arcane Magic
Very few Raava study the arcane. They’re knowledge of it has increased since the arrival of the humans, but there is some debate as to whether it is a natural or unnatural force and thus whether it should or should not be used.Natural Magic
Most Raava have some small gift for natural magics. Those that excel become druids and they serve as healers, gardeners, and sometimes scouts.Divine Magic
As the Raava do not worship gods, they do not use any traditionally divine magics. However, they view natural magic as a nearly divine gift to their people from the land itself.Religion
The Raava do not worship any gods, preferring to put their faith in the land, sky, and sea. To them, each life is sacred and those who do not respect that are soulless and not worthy of any respect or kindness.
Mythology & Lore
Sanka (The Split)
Many millennia ago, the elves, dragons, mountain children, and the little ones lived together peacefully in one land. The elves in the forests, the dragons in the grasslands, the mountain children in the highest peaks and the little ones in the hills. Each race kept to itself and each race grew in number and variety.The dragons were the first to split, those with chromatic scales turning against their metallic brethren. But the dragons had great wings and flew to opposite corners of the land.
The little ones were the next to split, the crafty gnomes disapproving of their simpler Halfling cousins. But the littles ones had many hills and established separate homesteads.
And the elves told themselves that they would not fight, they would not split, for there was only one forest for all of them.
And then the mountain children split, and the short sturdy dwarves exiled their larger blood-thirsty cousins from the mountains.
The orcs moved into the forest.
The elves were the fourth to split, some wanting to fight against the invaders and some wanting to maintain their carefully crafted peace. But they would not fight each other.
So, for one last time, the elves came together and together they asked the land to solve their dispute.
The land was the last to split, dividing the dwarves and dragons and halflings from the orcs and gnomes. And the elves were split from each other, some to live peacefully and some to fight for what was right.
Style
- Leather based
- Practicality before style
- Everyday Armor
Founding Date
2849 B.A.
Type
Geopolitical, Clan
Alternative Names
Wild Elves
Demonym
Raavan
Neighboring Nations
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