Elethari

The Elethari, towering elephantine humanoids, are embodiments of wisdom, strength, and serenity. Originating from Seerth's lush jungles and ancient forests, they are revered as guardians of nature and the keepers of ancient wisdom. With their distinct elephant-like features, including tusks and trunks, they command a majestic presence that speaks to their deep connection with the earth and its ancient magic.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Their skin, thick and textured, ranges in color from gray to brown. Elethari faces feature long, muscular trunks and large, empathetic eyes. Their large ears, capable of flapping, aid in temperature regulation. Each Elethari has a pair of tusks, which are considered symbols of wisdom and status.

Genetics and Reproduction

Elethari reproduce sexually, with pregnancies lasting significantly longer than most humanoid races, which is reflective of their extended lifespans. They typically give birth to one offspring at a time, emphasizing the importance of each new life within their communities.

Growth Rate & Stages

The development of an Elethari is a slow and deliberate process, symbolizing their patient nature. They spend decades in youth, learning from their elders before reaching maturity around 60 years of age. Elethari can live for up to 450 years.

Ecology and Habitats

Primarily dwelling in dense jungles and ancient forests, Elethari have a symbiotic relationship with their environment. They act as its stewards, nurturing the flora and fauna while ensuring the balance of the ecosystem is maintained.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Elethari are herbivores, feeding on a diet that includes leaves, fruits, and nuts. They are known for their extensive knowledge of plant life, cultivating gardens that are both functional and sacred.

Behaviour

Known for their calm demeanor and contemplative nature, Elethari society values community, wisdom, and the balance of life. Decisions are made collectively, often after much deliberation, with a deep respect for all living beings.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Elethari societies are matriarchal, led by the eldest and wisest females. They live in tight-knit family groups or clans, each responsible for the stewardship of their ancestral lands and the protection of sacred sites.

Facial characteristics

Their faces feature long, prehensile trunks and large, expressive eyes, flanked by wide, flapping ears and majestic tusks that signify age and wisdom.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

While their primary habitats are the ancient forests and jungles, nomadic tribes roam savannas or settle near large river systems, always in places of deep natural significance. Those who have ventured out to the realms of man are generally very welcomed and often praised for their wisdom.

Average Intelligence

The Elethari language is complex, incorporating both vocalizations and non-verbal cues facilitated by their trunks. It is rich in sounds that mimic the natural world, allowing them to convey a broad range of emotions and ideas.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Equipped with keen senses, Elethari excel in hearing and smell, thanks to their large ears and versatile trunks. They are adept at interpreting subtle environmental cues, making them exceptional trackers. Some are even believed to possess abilities that allow them to commune with nature on a spiritual level, sensing disturbances in the natural order and communicating with the spirits of the land.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Names are deeply meaningful within Elethari culture, often reflecting the individual's connection to nature. They are given by the clan's matriarch in a sacred ceremony that acknowledges the individual's role within the community and the broader ecosystem

Major Organizations

Elethari do not form organizations in the human sense but are structured into clans. Each clan is bonded to a specific territory or sacred site, which they protect according to ancient rites and traditions.

Average Technological Level

Their understanding of technology is deeply intertwined with magic and the natural world, using biological and magical means to interact with their environment rather than conventional technology when in their own settlement.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Common Etiquette Rules

Etiquette is rooted in a mutual respect for life and nature. Social interactions often involve exchanges symbolizing this respect, such as the sharing of leaves or the touching of trunks.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Their culture celebrates the spiritual and the natural, with art, music, and literature that venerates the cycles of life and the mysteries of the natural world. Seasonal festivals and ceremonies are central to Elethari life, marking significant natural and life events.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The Treebonding Ceremony is a pivotal rite of passage, signifying an Elethari's lifelong commitment to protecting a specific tree or forest area, symbolizing their bond with nature.

Common Taboos

Violating the natural balance or causing unnecessary harm to living beings is strictly taboo, seen as a grave violation of their most sacred principles.

History

The history of the Elethari is one of harmony with the natural world, filled with tales of their ancestors walking alongside nature spirits and protecting the land from corruption. They have always served as mediators between the wild and the civilized, guiding other races towards a deeper understanding of nature's delicate balance.

Historical Figures

Thalendra Whisperleaf, a revered healer who saved a forest from blight. Goromth Thunderfoot, a warrior of legend who single-handedly protected a sacred grove during the human expansionist era.

Common Myths and Legends

Legends abound of the Great Spirits who walked among the Elethari in ancient times, and of legendary protectors who defended the land from corruption.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

While generally peaceful and open to other races, Elethari are wary of those who disrespect or threaten the natural world. Their relations are governed by a principle of mutual respect and the shared value of protecting nature.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

Beastkind

Origin/Ancestry

Legend holds that the Elethari were first born from the heart of the world's oldest forests, a gift from the spirits of nature to serve as protectors of the wild.

Lifespan

Elethari can live up to 450 years, with their long lifespans allowing them to accumulate vast knowledge and wisdom.

Average Height

2.5 to 3 meters tall

Average Weight

Ranges from 300 to 500 kilograms

Average Physique

Elethari are muscular and robust, built for strength and endurance, their thick skin serving as natural armor against predators and environmental hazards.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their skin ranges from dark gray to brown, occasionally marked with lighter or darker patches or distinctive lineage-specific patterns.