Erethil Silhîr

Erethil Silhîr, which means Gathering of the Silver Arrow in Elvish, is a series of athletic archery competitions held by Arwil of High-Sehan with the intent of uniting the varying Eldar and foster a sense of unity among them. The location is dependent upon the winner; if it was won by contestents on behalf of a state or a kingdom, then usually the ruler of that kingdom chooses the location. Regardless, the contest is held in an ancient and designated forested valley, whose exact location is a highly guarded secret.

Execution

An archery contest among the is an extraordinary and deeply symbolic event, uniting factions that often stand apart by celebrating a skill all elves traditionally revere: archery. This contest would be held once every 20 years, a rare occasion where all elven kin — Wood Elves, High Elves, Avariel, and Sehan Elves — gather. The contest represents a chance for kinship, to honor their shared heritage, and to rekindle ancient bonds that span generations.

The Rules of the Erethil Silhîr

The contest is both a test of skill and a display of elven culture, with each Eldar's culture showcasing their unique style of archery and approach to precision. The event is not merely about winning; it is designed to honor each culture distinct strengths while encouraging mutual respect.

Opening Ceremonies

Each culture's represntatives opens the contest with an offering or ritual that reflects their heritage, for example:

Or-Quessiri - Might present a special wood statue or art.
Silvendal - Might perform a dance of the hunt.
Sel-Quessiri - Could offer a spellbound arrow crafted with elegance and arcane Skill.
Ethil-Quessiri - Could soar above the Silver Tree, marking the highest point on the tree as a symbol of Sky's Protection.
Alu-Quessiri - Might perform an enchanted synchronized swimming.
Daoin Quessir - Could offer an enchanted piece of helm or suit of armor, one that no one can know.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The Erethil Silhîr becomes a central event in the collective memory of elven society. Even those unable to attend view it as a moment of pride and shared identity, regardless of which sub-race they belong to. Across the centuries, the Gathering has quelled simmering conflicts, fostered alliances, and solidified the commonality of all elven kin. Young elves dream of attending, and seasoned archers train tirelessly for the honor of representing their people. With each Gathering, this legendary competition forges new alliances and inspires a renewed commitment to elven unity, ensuring the Silver Arrow’s legacy endures across generations. Ultimately, the Gathering represents both an ideal and a challenge — a reminder that despite their differences, elven kind is strongest when united by purpose and respect, as symbolized by the Silver Arrow lodged in the Silver Tree, waiting for the one who can truly unite them all.

Related Organizations

Related Ethnicities

The Competitions

The Archery Rounds - Single Challenge


Precision Trial: Archers must shoot a full quiver at a single target, that gradually increase in difficulty. For the final challenge, archers must cut off a branch of the Silver Tree, only with repeated arrow shots.	Accuracy Trial: Archers must shoot at increasingly smaller targets. The difficulty also increases with the introduction of moving targets, also gradually getting smaller and smaller.	Range and Power: Arrows must be shot from an extreme distance, testing both the archer’s strength and bow-crafting skill. High Elves and Avariel frequently excel here, channeling magic into their arrows to achieve great distances.
Speed Challenge: This round tests speed and accuracy. Archers are faced with a series of rapid targets in succession and must hit as many as possible within a set time. Here, Wood Elves often shine, with their keen natural instincts and honed agility.	Endurance Test: The Archers do run for great miles and shot relentlessly at targets approaching them; Sometimes this round is called the 'Goblin Round'.	The Shadow Round: This round involves targets that blend into a darkened environment, requiring archers to track and shoot under limited or shifting light. It’s a challenging test of elven night vision and focus, paying tribute to Drow archery traditions.
	The Final Challenge - The Silver Arrow: The last challenge is unique and deeply symbolic. The top archer from each sub-race is granted a single shot at the Silver Tree, aiming to dislodge the legendary silver arrow from its trunk. Only one arrow is allowed, and only the most skilled archer in the group may make the attempt. This trial emphasizes unity; even though each archer competes individually, their focus is on the shared honor of their people.

The Archery Rounds - Group Challenge

[td]The Challenge of the Silver Wind The final challenge takes place at dusk. Teams face moving targets that dart between the trees at unpredictable speeds and in fading light, enhancing the difficulty. Each target carries an illusion that disguises its true location, making it harder to pinpoint. This stage reflects the legendary elven skill of “seeing without seeing” and calls upon each team’s collective intuition, calmness, and mastery of their surroundings.

Teams of Four	Stages of the Competition	Scoring and Honorary Titles
Each elven sub-race sends a team of four archers to represent their people. The selection process for team members varies by sub-race; some may hold smaller contests, while others might handpick their finest archers based on reputation and skill. The team is typically composed of various roles, such as the Sharpshooter, Windrunner (known for agility), Hawkeye (spotter with exceptional vision), and Pathfinder (for strategic and environmental awareness).	The Trials of Precision A test of pinpoint accuracy, this stage requires each team member to hit tiny, distant targets—some as small as acorns or leaves hanging on moving branches. This challenge represents the elven value of precision. Each team accumulates points based on how close each arrow lands to the center of the target. The highest score is awarded to the teams with the most consistent accuracy.	Each team’s total points are tallied at the end of all trials. Apart from crowning the winning team with the Silver Arrow artifact, honorary titles are awarded to individuals based on performance in specific areas, like True Shot for precision, Fleetfoot for agility, and Heart of the Wind for teamwork and unity.
	The Gauntlet of Endurance This trial simulates a high-stakes hunt, with teams racing through a dense forest while evading magical obstacles. Traps, illusions, and enchanted creatures lurk along the way, and each team must reach designated waypoints to shoot moving targets while on the run. Archers must navigate the course with agility and awareness, avoiding traps and maintaining their pace. This stage rewards coordination and stamina, as each team member’s performance affects the group’s success.
	The Bonds of Unity Teams must work together to take down a series of increasingly difficult targets that can only be hit through synchronized shots. For example, some targets may require three arrows to strike at the same moment or one powerful enchanted arrow that takes all members’ energy to shoot. The Bonds of Unity symbolize elven harmony, and this stage tests each team's ability to communicate, strategize, and coordinate flawlessly.

Meaning and Rewards for the single matches

Single Contests

The Erethil Silhîr carries weight far beyond the contest itself. It is a rare opportunity to bridge centuries-old divides, remind each sub-race of their shared roots, and honor the artistry of elven archery. The champion receives the title Bearer of the Silver Arrow, signifying not only their skill but also the blessing of unity. They are given a silver arrowhead to carry back to their people as a token of shared heritage, to be returned at the next Gathering. In addition, the winning sub-race is permitted to make a pilgrimage to the Silver Tree at any time up until the next competition. This is a sacred privilege, as the Silver Tree is said to grant visions, prophetic insights, and renewal to those who approach it with respect.

Team Contests

The victorious team is given the Silver Arrow, a beautifully crafted arrow imbued with ancient magic that symbolizes elven unity and prowess. They carry it as a symbol of honor for their sub-race, inspiring pride among their people. Legends say that the Silver Arrow grants a blessing to its holders, enhancing their vision and reflexes in times of need. Additionally, each sub-race gains increased recognition for their unique strengths, fostering respect and camaraderie among the elven nations. While there can only be one victor, the gathering promotes goodwill and shared experience, uniting the elven people even as they celebrate their diversity.