Auri
Auri are the other sect of high elves on Nakûn. The Auri believe that they are superior to all other races, and in order to reach heaven through enlightenment, they must isolate themselves from the “impure” other races and the rest of the world, so their contemplation is not disturbed. They live in small enclaves throughout the world governed through meritocracy, with the most educated and enlightened leading an enclave. Auri are associated with gold, and their culture reflects that. They ride gold dragons over their enclaves of golden spires, and even their coloring shows it. Auri appear as slim elves with golden or copper skin, golden or gold-streaked brown hair, and amber or gold eyes.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Aurani, Naïsha, Huarila
Masculine names
Goūkō, Raurifaen, Daurūlo
Family names
Auri family names often mean something related to the sun, gold, or the spirit. The family name always comes before the given name.
Examples: Aurumelle (Goldspire), Sauraimil (Sun Dragon), Irrilithaura (Enlightened One)
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Auri will often speak High Elvish, however most speak normally in High Eilathorian, the language of the ancient empire of the high elves in the southeast of Nakun, and their sacred texts and songs are written in the even older language of Ancient Solaniera, or "language of the sun", befitting their coloring and emphasis on the sun.
Shared customary codes and values
They prize solitude, contemplation, and mind over matter. A great gold elf is one that has reached enlightenment through years of meditation, solitary contemplation, discipline, and practice. Even the chaotic influence of the elven gods cannot convince them to leave their enclaves for exploration or discovery. Auri are not patriarchal or matriarchal, as these things are believed to obstruct the path to their heaven.
Common Dress code
They traditionally dress in robes of green or black decorated with designs of dragons, flowers, clouds, and intricate abstract patterns. Many wear circlets of gold around their heads, but no other jewelry except earrings is permitted by their monastic code. The scales of gold dragons are fashioned into elaborate belt clasps and beads that are hung from the belt of their robes. During rituals and ceremonies, the leader of the activity wears a crown making rays of gold extend from their head.
Art & Architecture
Auri art is heavily focused on very traditional things, like flowers, suns, dragons, clouds, and of course the golden elves themselves. Only a few colors are permitted, and the designs are often heavily stylized to represent cultural ideals. In terms of architecture, their cities reach high into the sky with graceful golden spires, carved intricately with scenes of peace and heaven.
Common Taboos
Not many taboos exist among the Auri, but there are some things that are definitely off-limits to the gold elves. They are not allowed to disobey any of their ancient traditions, consort with other races, wish to leave their enclave, wear non-Auri clothes or jewelry other than circlets and earrings, get tattoos or piercings other their ears, object to arranged matrimony, or gamble.
Major organizations
The Auri ethnicity is completely intertwined with their organization of monastic tradition. However, some Auri reject the life of contemplation and ritual and try to leave, forming the Sunset Liberation.
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