Elves Overview
Posted by Hawkeat February 13. 2013
Originally posted November 22. 2012
Some overview information on Elves in the World of Beru.
All Elves have a quasi-latin-like approach to their language, but it is not the vulgar Latin of the Arthurian humans calling themselves the "Latiniatus".
Sylvan/Wood Elves, "Sylvantiatus"
Tribal. Fights between other wood Elf tribes. Usually one tribe per major forest, but sometimes fights between 2 or more tribes for control of one forest do occur.
Just because you are wood elf in one forest, does not mean you are liked by other wood elves of another forest.
Other than fights over resources and woodlands, sylvan elves keep to themselves. They protect their borders, but usually allow established multi-cultural roads to pass through unmolested, as long as those passing through are respectful of the woods they pass through.
Even if from an opposing tribe,unless an opposing military force, will be left alone as long as those passing through “behave”. This is an unwritten rule of most wood elves.
Sylvan elves are very tribal and live off the land. This means they are rarely in very large groups.
One tribe can span many villages, but are usually contained within a single forest body.
High Elves, the “Ascentiatus”
High Elves have a richly developed society. With incredible architecture, inventions, magics, and well developed cities.
There are several Ascentiatus kingdoms throughout the World of Beru.
They are largely a feudal system within each kingdom. Some kingdoms may have a treaty with others, but they are not united in general.
Though large in numbers and land, they are not warmongering, nor generally expansionist.
If they have recurring troubles on one of their borders, they will eventually become “fed up” with the annoyance, gather an overwhelming military force (and magic), and then drive out the trouble makers from that surrounding area, creating a buffer zone, and claiming the lands in victory, to be settled by military outposts.
All the borders of the Ascentiatus are well guarded by military units. No civilian settlements are every found outside of the militarized borders.
High Elves are welcome to freely come and go through these borders, but non-High-Elves must endure lengthy bureaucratic procedures for admittance within the kingdom. This includes other elves, though there is preference given to other elves, even from rival kingdoms.
Sea Elves, "Aquariatus"
The Sea Elves, or “Aquariatus”, are the “gypsies” of the Elven race. They can be found anywhere that large or flowing bodies of water can be found. Oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, if it can be sailed or swum, then it is their homeland.
In general, they are solitary or in small family groups. They have no established kingdom (now, long ago they, did, but were destroyed), and are not tribal. If you are Sea Elf, you are welcomed by all Sea Elves.
They are a friendly and mischievous lot. They are very self-sufficient and talented in many areas. They make excellent rogues and bards, in addition to seamen of course.
Though all Elves despise the Drow, none hate them more than the Sea Elves. It was though the machinations and contributions of the Drow that the Sea Elves' glorious undersea kingdoms were destroyed Aeons ago. The Sea Elves continue their traditions through song and story, and have excellent memories.
Dark/Drow Elves,
Despised by all the “good” races, especially other non-Drow Elves, the Drow were not always “evil”. They have a complex history that most do not know. Though most elves now are under pressure to take acts that others consider “evil”, there are the rare few that rebel against the teachings of Lolth and the priestesses. Usually just rare individuals, sometimes they slowly cluster in hidden underground towns, or above ground. Unfortunately, these rarely last more than a few decades before Lolth finds out and orders their complete annihilation of their kind.
Some Drow take the chance of going abroad among other races. Unfortunately most of the ”good” races will generally attempt to capture and kill a Drow on sight.