Elves - High Elves

What remained of the elven civilisation after the Fall of the Elven Empire is now considered to be 'high elven' in ethnicity. They still follow the old empiral traditions, use the same language and pray to the same gods. They considered the fall of the empire as a personal loss.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The high elven still speak the very traditional elvish form the old continent. The several thousand years have not been long enough in the elven lifetime to change the language or develop very different dialects and they don't mix their language with other (less developed) races.

Culture and cultural heritage

Elves see themselves as keeper of the natural order of the world. Their lost empire is a dark spot in their history were they failed to protect the lower races from themselves. All the chaos and wars that happened afterwards are the result of them not controlling the world, which is their duty for the greater good.

Shared customary codes and values

While religion is respected and part of their culture, they regard it as less important than magic. For high elves magic is a way to achieve the same things gods did thus giving them a way to not have to ask for godly intervention instead do it themselves.

The Duchy of Merryldin though follows primarily the teaching Sereandia and thus religion has a higher standing than on the Moon Isle and among other high elves.

Art & Architecture

Elven art stands out as pinacle of what can be achieved and other races might just try to aspire to it. Due to their long lifetime though the mastery can't be reached by other races. Also elves don't shy from using magic. Overall their are has a simplistic elangance that is hard to mimic.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Elves appear lethargic to other races as their longer life spans give them significantly more time to deal with something. Though they are not inactive or slow, on the contrary they use the time to analize and think through all options, but don't feel pressured by time as much as others.

Elves living in other races' societies tend to adopt a quicker pace in their own life and be more decisive. Something is frowned upon especially by the elses from the Moon Isle as rash and reckless behaivor.

Coming of Age Rites

Once elves stop experiencing the memories of their former lifes in trance they start to feel the urge for new experiences. This is alsothe time they are regarded as matured.

They usually begin traveling, adventuring or mastering arts.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Simple elvish elegance. Skin tones going into blueish or greenish. Bright hair natural hair, except for the Duchy of Merryldin where blueish or purpurl hair colors are in fashion.

Courtship Ideals

They have long courtships before they join a partnership often lasting years. Anything shorter than that is just for fun.

Relationship Ideals

Relationship last usually for 200 years, rarely longer and in those cases is usually related to raising children. Beyond that they typically switch partners to experience more deverse relationships.

Relationships with other races are not seen as serious due to their shorter lifespans.

Related Organizations

• Duchy of Merryldin