Aqui Elf
This article is still WIP!
They are the lost elves, the ones that were enslaved and forgotten by their gods. Do not pity them, but fear their wrath.The Aqui elves are descendants of the Sylvan elves that were enslaved during the War of the Gods. Over the centuries that followed, they changed to what they are today. Many say that the Aqui elves have lost the blessings of their gods due to their dark skin, while others say they were cursed by the land itself. Naturally, their skin became darker due to the regions they call home and their view of beauty. Outsiders often see their dark skin as a sign of being forsaken nevertheless, especially after the fall of Holy Garden of Aqui. Aqui elves are of average height for an elf and have blue or green eyes like the Blessed Elves. They live in the desert regions of Atlanesis, mostly in the Aqui Desert and the Sahiri Desert. Most of them live as nomads, merchants, and mercenaries.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Aqui elves are desert dwellers. They know how to survive in the harsh dry areas of Atlanesis and know the routes that allow them to restock their supplies along the way.
They are known to place supply drops on their routes and mark them in ways that only their people can identify easily. Most of these drops contain water, dry food, or weapons and equipment. Aqui elves mostly follow a nomadic lifestyle without a home and always wandering through the world. They carry all their belongings on their bodies. This lifestyle lets them form tight bonds with their kin and makes them wrathful if they are done unjustice by others. Forgiving others is not part of their culture.
Most of them are skilled warriors, mostly using knives and short swords, and have the knowledge that plants can be used to create potent poisons of many kinds. Especially young Aqui elves often work for a while as mercenaries to prove themselves, learn more about the world, and earn themselves respect.
Due to their history with humans and the people of Westby, they have a strong dislike towards them.
Shared customary codes and values
Nomads
Why should I invest so much work into a house, only to see some bandits burn it down, or knights or nobles coming along and taxing me and my built home? I go where I please and where I can gain benefit for me and my clan.Aqui elves live a nomadic lifestyle. They rarely stay long in one place and travel through the world in small groups, often called clans. Depending on the clan and their reputation, towns and nations that they travel through may welcome their exotic wares or information that they brought with them, or fear their kleptomaniac or aggressive ways of handling conflicts. Most clans do not belong to any nation and often go where it benefits them most. A typical Aqui elf only possesses the things they carry with themselves. Typically they carry with them:
- Robust clothes, which they often repair themselves when damaged
- A sharp one-edged knife, often used for self-defense but also daily activities like hunting
- Two weapons of choice, often one for range and one for close combat. Most Aqui elves chose small and easy-to-transport weapons like light hand crossbows or additional daggers
- Water bag and food for their incoming travel
Loyality
You helped us after our long travel, took us in, and sheltered us. As a friend of our clan, we will help you when you need help.Loyalty is an important part of the culture of the Aqui elves. The bonds that they share in their clans, but also towards those who helped them in the past, are important for them. Surviving in the harsh lands they often travel through requires the support of others and a small denial of support or missing trust can mean your doom. This binds the Aqui Elves together and lets them form a strong unity together. If you act against one of them, you make them all your enemies. They are also not known for their mercy if their trust is misused.
Whatever it costs
A person is only as good as you allow them to be. We do have not enough to be good people.Most Aqui elves have their loose morality and unspoken laws inside their clan structure but are merciless towards outsiders. They do care little for the morals and laws of others and live by a "whatever it costs" mentality. They will steal if they are hungry. They will take jobs hurting their pride. They will cooperate with their enemies. They will do anything if they can fulfill their goal by doing so. This rather flexible moral makes it hard to predict on which side an Aqui elf truly is.
Parent ethnicities
Encompassed species
