The Homekeeper Elves

This article is one of a series providing basic information for someone choosing to role-play an Elf of the Homekeeper Culture in a TTRPG based in the World of Cartyrion. The series is designed to encourage preparation of a Player Character by focusing on the nature of the character without focusing on the game statistics.

You have been told about the special place in Elf society that your people have, and have had since the first Elves drew breath beneath the Awakening Tree in the Elvenhome Forest. Your people are the keepers of tradition, the historians, the preservers, the custodians of everything it means to be an Elf on Cartyrion. Your people defend the most sacred places from defilement by foul creatures and other Folk as well. Your kin teach not only their own children, but the children of the other Elves what it means to be an Elf, and you demonstrate by example in everything you do.

Cultural History

Not long after the Elves first appeared, a small group took it upon themselves to begin making a record of everything the Elves accomplished. In those first years, there was no need to defend the Elven homelands as there was nothing or nobody to defend them from. Until the Orokar arrived and Awakened the Orcs, there was nothing on Cartyrion except the creatures Berdea put there, and all these lived in peace and harmony. The arrival of the first Orcs changed that. These creatures were Awakened in the plains near the great forest, and they learned from their gods how to use forest resources, but they did not have respect for them. The Elves were appalled, and the Lorekeepers decided they needed to not only preserve history, but their very homes. Thus the Lorekeepers became the Homekeepers, and families have passed down the duties of Homekeeping ever since.

When the Elves began to range beyond the Elvenhome forest, to discover and inhabit the other of the Seven Great Forests, some of the Homekeepers traveled with them. This was to ensure these Elves did not forget their history, but these displaced Homekeepers were soon defending their new homes with the same fervor as they had their own.

Geographic Distribution

Almost all Homekeeper Elves are found living in the main Elven enclaves at the centers of the seven Great Forests. Unless on a mission of critical import, it is rare for a dedicated Homekeeper to venture far from home. There are always some Elves who decide that their calling is elsewhere, but these cease to be considered Homekeepers and are usually numbered among the Free Elves.

Roleplaying a Homekeeper Elf

Interacting with Other Elves

You have been taught since an early age that the service you perform - defending the home enclave, preserving Elven history, and passing that history along - is of critical importance to all Elves, and thus you are important to all Elves. Elves of other cultures have varying views on you and your kin. The Forest Elves look upon you as "big brothers and sisters"... protectors of a sort. But the Free Elves may think of you as stuck in the past - too focused on old ways to realize that the world changes. To the Snow and Cave Elves that have abandoned the forests entirely, you are relics of their past; sometimes revered, sometimes ridiculed. And to the Sea Elves, you might as well be a different species. In short, your best friends and closest companions are most likely other Homekeepers.

Interacting with Folk of Other Races

You have been taught to represent the Elves in their best light when dealing with other Folk. Often, this means that you are more aloof, more condescending, and more dismissive of others than another Elven culture might be. To the others, the Homekeepers are the consummate "stuffy Elves who have lived in their trees for too long."

Interacting with Your Adventuring Party

The fact that you are adventuring at all means one of two things: either there is something terrible going on that requires a Homekeeper to work with outsiders to preserve the enclave or the good name of Elves, or you are on your way toward abandoning the Homekeeper culture and becoming a Free Elf. If the former, you will try to take command of whatever it is you are doing since, after all, the very heart of Elfdom is at stake. If the latter, your will be far more supportive and curious about how others live than if the former is true.

Naming Conventions

Elven names tend to be long and melodic. Four or five syllable names are not uncommon, and "t" and "l" sounds are frequent. That said, though, there are few strict conventions for naming. Names may honor a long-fallen relative or hero, or may be made up of syllables that simply sound nice when strung together. Regardless of how the name is derived, though, you are fiercely proud and protective of the name you were given. All Elves feel this way to some extent, but you will always correct any mispronunciation of your name, or even the names of other Elves in your acquaintance - especially when dealing with non-Elf Folk.

Traditions and Taboos

You are one of the keepers of Elf Traditions; in fact there is very little in your life that is not goverend by one tradition or another. How and when food is served, and in what order. Which implements are used to eat different types of foods. Where are guests seated at table? Every meal can be a ritual that must be planned. Every meeting with outsiders is also a formal event that should be scripted to ensure "properness".

You will never partake of any food or drink without a brief, possibly silent prayer to Berdea to thank him for his bounty. If you should find yourself traveling with outsiders, you will not tolerate any misuse of the Forest or its resources or denizens.

Likely Professions

Most Homekeepers tend to take scholarly or academic career paths. Many end up as Acolytes or Clerics, Still others as Scholars, Sages, and Wizards or, less likely, Alchemists. Some focus on the "defending" part of their charge; these train martial skills and may become Fighters or, more likely Rangers.

Preferred Gear

Homekeepers are more particular than other Elves about the origin of the gear they use. All Elves prefer light, leather armors that do not limit their agility and movement. They disdain heavy metal armor, but make extensive use of Elvensteel - also called Mithral - because of its light weight, strength, and beauty. Weapons likewise tend to be slender, light, and easy to wield. Elves are renowm for their bowmanship, and Homekeepers are renown among Elves. Homekeepers dress in colors that allow them to blend into the forest - greens and browns, mostly. Ornamentation is minimal.

Credits

Banner background by ahmadreza heidaripoor from Pixabay
Banner portrait and other character images by RPGDinosaurBob on Heroforge