The Ideals of the High Elves
The High Elves do not have a typical religion that worships deities. Instead, High Elf society is based around particular ideals that are split in to one of three categories: The Sun, The Moon and The Stars. The Sun and The Moon are typically direct opposites of each other, and the High Elves balance their lives around these two paths of life. The Stars are any other aspects of life that do not fit in to The Sun or The Moon.
Ideals, emotions and even different jobs and arts of the High Elves are categorised in to one of the main ideals. It is the High Elves belief that there must be balance between The sun and The Moon. Due to their long life, need for little rest and the advanced culture of Laheria providing everything the Elves need, an Elf is expected to choose a particular path to walk for a considerate amount of time. Once the Elf has learnt all they wish from this path, they must choose another, but it must be associated with the opposite path, to keep the balance.
An example of this is if an Elf chooses to study smithing, associated with The Sun. They may spend years perfecting their craft, until they no longer wish to do so anymore. The next Path they must choose is that of The Moon, so they may wish to study a more passive field, such as philosophy, art or linguistics.
The Stars are often a less studious path to follow, and are more of a philosophical outlook upon the world. Due to the nature of aspects of The Stars, these paths are often followed alongside that of The Sun or The Moon. Many High Elves do not even consider The Stars in their life choices, seeing it as a lesser distraction from their learnings.
The Sun
The Path of the Sun has a more physical domain, including within it many crafts and trades. The creation of practical goods and resources such as food often falls under the Path of the Sun. It also encompasses most of the agriculture, husbandry and forestry of the High Elves, although this is a much smaller field on the Isle of Laheria due to the extensive knowledge of Magic used for such things. Some of the domains of magic are exclusive to the Path of the Sun: Evocation, Abjuration and Transmutation.
Most of the High Elven military is associated with the Path of the Sun, with the most famous being The Sunguard. These act as the upholders of the High Elven laws and the guards and soldiers of the High Elven lands, and those inducted in to The Sunguard typically stick to following the Path of the Sun for their entire life, despite High Elven customs.
Some common jobs related to the Sun include: Farmer, Horse Trainer, Architect, Blacksmith, Fletcher, Tailor, Baker, Chemist, Guard, Sailor, Navigator, Archer, Innkeeper
The Moon
Being of a more passive nature, the Path of the Moon deals in more knowledgeable and artistic ways. Musicians, writers and artists are found under the guidance of the Moon, as well as diplomats, astronomers, librarians and other such scholarly pursuits. Within the city of Lalderis, the Great Library of the Moon is named because of its association with the Path, although it is not uncommon for those on the Path of the Sun to also use it. The magical domains of Illusion, Divination and Enchantment are all studied under the Path of the Moon. The major organisation recognised for its dedication to the Path of the Moon are known as The Moonsisters. This group of religious Priestesses are the closest that High Elven society has to an official religion, and the members will follow the pursuits of the Path of the Moon for their entire lives. Many of the High Elven healers will be from the ranks of The Moonsisters.
Some common jobs associated with the Moon are: Historian, Scholar, Orator, Diplomat, Linguist, Merchant, Accountant, Painter, Poet, Actor, Musician
The Stars
Being outside of the typical duality of the main Paths, the Path of the Stars represents ideals and philosophies that High Elves may wish to live by. This could be as simple as pursuing a particular knowledge above all else, or the dedication to aid others in their tasks. For most High Elves, the Path of the Stars is a very personal choice, and its less formal and free nature can provide a respite from that of The sun and The Moon.
Some of the more widely known philosophies include:
Ideals, emotions and even different jobs and arts of the High Elves are categorised in to one of the main ideals. It is the High Elves belief that there must be balance between The sun and The Moon. Due to their long life, need for little rest and the advanced culture of Laheria providing everything the Elves need, an Elf is expected to choose a particular path to walk for a considerate amount of time. Once the Elf has learnt all they wish from this path, they must choose another, but it must be associated with the opposite path, to keep the balance.
An example of this is if an Elf chooses to study smithing, associated with The Sun. They may spend years perfecting their craft, until they no longer wish to do so anymore. The next Path they must choose is that of The Moon, so they may wish to study a more passive field, such as philosophy, art or linguistics.
The Stars are often a less studious path to follow, and are more of a philosophical outlook upon the world. Due to the nature of aspects of The Stars, these paths are often followed alongside that of The Sun or The Moon. Many High Elves do not even consider The Stars in their life choices, seeing it as a lesser distraction from their learnings.
The Sun
The Path of the Sun has a more physical domain, including within it many crafts and trades. The creation of practical goods and resources such as food often falls under the Path of the Sun. It also encompasses most of the agriculture, husbandry and forestry of the High Elves, although this is a much smaller field on the Isle of Laheria due to the extensive knowledge of Magic used for such things. Some of the domains of magic are exclusive to the Path of the Sun: Evocation, Abjuration and Transmutation.
Most of the High Elven military is associated with the Path of the Sun, with the most famous being The Sunguard. These act as the upholders of the High Elven laws and the guards and soldiers of the High Elven lands, and those inducted in to The Sunguard typically stick to following the Path of the Sun for their entire life, despite High Elven customs.
Some common jobs related to the Sun include: Farmer, Horse Trainer, Architect, Blacksmith, Fletcher, Tailor, Baker, Chemist, Guard, Sailor, Navigator, Archer, Innkeeper
The Moon
Being of a more passive nature, the Path of the Moon deals in more knowledgeable and artistic ways. Musicians, writers and artists are found under the guidance of the Moon, as well as diplomats, astronomers, librarians and other such scholarly pursuits. Within the city of Lalderis, the Great Library of the Moon is named because of its association with the Path, although it is not uncommon for those on the Path of the Sun to also use it. The magical domains of Illusion, Divination and Enchantment are all studied under the Path of the Moon. The major organisation recognised for its dedication to the Path of the Moon are known as The Moonsisters. This group of religious Priestesses are the closest that High Elven society has to an official religion, and the members will follow the pursuits of the Path of the Moon for their entire lives. Many of the High Elven healers will be from the ranks of The Moonsisters.
Some common jobs associated with the Moon are: Historian, Scholar, Orator, Diplomat, Linguist, Merchant, Accountant, Painter, Poet, Actor, Musician
The Stars
Being outside of the typical duality of the main Paths, the Path of the Stars represents ideals and philosophies that High Elves may wish to live by. This could be as simple as pursuing a particular knowledge above all else, or the dedication to aid others in their tasks. For most High Elves, the Path of the Stars is a very personal choice, and its less formal and free nature can provide a respite from that of The sun and The Moon.
Some of the more widely known philosophies include:
- Care for nature above all else
- Accept that the past cannot change and the future cannot be predicted
- Fulfil your duties to others
- Acquire all the knowledge you can
- Be dispassionate; pursue perfection through reason
- Work to make life easier for all
Type
Religious, Other
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