Wood Elf Exiles

OVERVIEW: The Exiled Elves

While once the proud race of Reveia, the Exiled Elves (or Exiles) are the branch of wood elves that found themselves, rather than protecting their ancestral homeland, volunteered to leave it in hopes of finding a better future. Despite the rather ruggard nature of their departure - with a significant portion of wood elves being genocided on the mainline, this branch holds generally no ill will towards humanity or any race. Seeking a respectable life in harmony with nature and in peace and quiet in foreign lands, they find themselves in diaspora in communes within many lands.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

The Exiles possess distinctive features reflective of their heritage. They tend to be shorter in stature compared to humans, with an average height ranging from 5’0” to 5’8”, with Exiled women often on the shorter end of that spectrum, though not always. They tend to have a skinner frame, more adept for movement than strength. Their complexion is typically dusky or olive-toned, in contrast with their high elven counterparts and even some of the Sulemtarsylnin

elves. Dark hair is prevalent among Exiles, ranging from deep browns to black, to more reddish or auburn colors. Their eyes, reminiscent of the enchanting depths of the forest, commonly come in shades of green, brown, or hazel, exuding a sense of mystery and wisdom.

SOCIETY

The Exiled Elves tend to have no governmental structure at all, with most living in communes. The commune is led by a leadership usually consisting of three, though sometimes more than nine, exiled elves elected to terms ranging from one year to one hundred years, depending on the commune. Elections are generally conducted according to obscure ancient customs of tribes, where all members of the commune, even babes held by their mothers, are able to vote for their council members. The commune’s council then proceeds to decide on the necessities for the commune, both physically and spiritually. It is not unheard of for the commune’s council to have clergy elected who refuse to participate in material matters, focusing only on the well-being of their commune.

While the needs of the commune come before that of the individual, there are gender specific roles within exiled society. It is strictly the belief of Exiled society that the Mandate placed on men to be spiritual leaders was lost during the genocide. Instead, the Pantheon had entrusted women to lead the spiritual health of elvendom. However, on the material side, more physically demanding roles are still expected to be fulfilled by men. Though, the diaspora still creates a need for women to fill some of the roles of men, such as rangers, when the commune requires it. Slaves are notably left out of this new way of life, being seen as a product of the past.

For some instances on the communes in Arthuria, the belief of killing is strictly prohibited. In referencing back towards the genocide, a figure known as Sirion, pushed a doctrine of pacifism that pushed that embracing killing is to put yourself in a way of sin, so you must forever abstain and rather than fight, to flee.

There is an idyllic paradise somewhat attributed to them, with most living in general bliss across uninhabited lands parts of Arthuria, Sadafeia, and among other places. An idea that the way of the ancestors should be followed instead of the forest, in the rural plains. Agriculture and sound living is a new way for people to follow.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

Even though artistic expression has lessened over the past two hundred years due to the nomadic living and distance network of communes, the making of elaborate tapestries has emerged. Drawing inspiration from natural beauty and this new ideal of peaceful living, the vibrant imagery in tapestries depict all kinds of scenes from everyday life. One household may have a tapestry of a unicorn down with many various colors such as purple, blue, gold, white, and more. Another household may have a vibrant portrayal of a tight-knight community gathering such as the times of the Winter Solstice. Another household still might have tapestries depicting a revered council member or ancestor that had done good work but has long since passed.

The architecture of the Exiled Elves is something that has been left to be desired unlike most of their elven counterparts however. The Exiled Elves find themselves usually in one of two places. The first is within the ruins of whatever society they live in. Arthuria’s diaspora finds Neufel ruins quite capable and they place blankets as coverings with tapestries acting as insulation from the harsh winter days. The more sophisticated communes focus on establishing less temporary settlements, utilizing sustainable building materials from the forest and crafting houses according to the specifications of those humans who have a merciful attitude towards the elves. Though critics of this architecture would remark they seem more like a primitive would make, with some houses quite literally using primitive methods of making buildings that have not been seen since before the Elven Empire.

DRESS

Unlike the other branch of wood elves, the Exiled Elves have embraced a more modern approach to clothing. Drawing influence from Primean and Arthurian cultures depending on the location of their commune, they reject the more liberal open-clothing attire of their ancestors. The Exiled Elves generally favor garments that reflect a blend of floral and colorful flair. For men, the once traditional robes that revealed much of their body have been replaced by clothing like Primean-style tunics adorned with intricate embroidery and vibrant colors, or Arthurian-style attire bearing more noble clothing with tailored trousers and fine leather boots. The Exiled Elf men also opt for more elaborate collars with the addition of elegant scarves to enhance their attire. Even some more foreign communes adopt a style of wearing feathered hats. The Women of the Exiled Elves have likewise discarded their more modest dresses in favor of flowing Primean-inspired chitons and Arthurian-style gowns with pleated skirts in a myriad of colors, adorned with delicate lace and intricate beadwork. Rich fabrics such as silk and velvet easily found their way into Exiled Elf clothing due to the close influence with Sadaf and Sadafeia offerings, the Exiled Elves favoring any sort of luxurious feel and vibrant hues. Elaborate hairstyles reminiscent of the Arthurian nobility have also become prevalent, with Exiled Elf women adorning their hair with jewels, ribbons, and floral arrangements, which have become symbols of beauty for their culture.

CUISINE

The culinary preferences of the Exiled Elves have largely changed since the Elven Empire’s collapse with a heavy influence on vegetarian foods taking in its place. Unlike the Elven Empire’s reliance on exotic goods, meat, and excessive use of foreign spices, the Exiled Elves prioritize locally sourced ingredients and dishes from their rural endeavors. Their diet consists of a wide variety of plant-based foods, with an emphasis on fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Some staple foods in the diet of the Exiled Elves include wild mushroom risotto, herb-roasted root vegetables, lentil stew, grilled vegetable skewers, quinoa salad with citrus vinaigrette, stuffed bell peppers, butternut squash soup, savory chickpea curry, roasted eggplant with tahini sauce, spinach and feta stuffed phyllo pastry, roasted cauliflower with za'atar seasoning, and creamy pumpkin risotto. These dishes reflect the Exiled Elves' reverence for nature and their commitment to a more rural, communal life of agriculture.

RELIGION

The Selarian Pantheon remains largely intact, although some communes favor certain gods over others. Coastal settlements often venerate the coastal deity, while more rural communities lean towards deities associated with nature. Worship preferences often align with the choices of female-only clerics within each commune, with private worship being uncommon. Interestingly, the Trium have experienced a surge in popularity in certain communes that maintain close ties with humanity, often blending their worship practices in a syncretic manner with Triumites and, on occasion, even Unitarians, despite their usual reluctance to disclose details about their clerics.

While many traditions remain broad and localized, there is a notable absence of major religious events imported from the Elven Empire. It is believed by some that human influence has tainted traditional worship, leading to the disregard of such rituals.

LANGUAGE

The language of modern Wood Elven, aptly named ‘Meldir Nîn’ or simply ‘Our Tongue’, is a continuation of the Imperial Elven spoken during the Elven Empire. While highly gender-specific, resulting in very similar-sounding names, the names are flowing and almost poetic in their pronunciation.

The naming tradition of the Exiled Elves is also sacred. Due to the collapse of the Elven Empire, firstborn sons and daughters are bestowed names drawn from the annals of their paternal lineage (or maternal lineage, should the mother be a famous cleric or come from a renowned clerical family). Second-borns often find their names echoing their maternal kin, though some are named after places or express a longing for home. Subsequent children are often named in honor of revered aunts, uncles, or other esteemed figures from their heritage.

Surnames among the Exiled Elves carry histories and meanings dating back to ancient days, possibly even predating the creation of the Elven Empire, although the meanings are not always known. These names can range from the landscapes they once roamed, to the professions they mastered, to tales of friendship. The only recent addition, besides the inclusion of maternal lineages for firstborns, is the fact that Exiled Elves have sometimes begun creating new surnames for themselves to distance themselves from their ‘past selves’. There are even a few Arthurian-based exiled families known to adopt human surnames, though this has not gone without controversy in their communities.

Examples of names in Meldir Nîn include:

Male Names:

Bronwechanar (Bronwe (Endurance/Faith) + hanar (Brother))

Cugunir (Cugu (Dove) + dir (Man))

Remlasdir (Remlas (Joy Net) + dir (Man))

Ferion (Feria (To Prepare) + on (Male))

Leithon (Leitha (To Set Free) + on (Male))

Female Names:

Esgarhel (Esgar (Shore) + sell (Girl))

Nimhel (Nimp (White) + sell (Girl))

Rîneth (Rîn (Remembrance) + eth (Female))

Feirriel (Feira (To Suffice) + iell (Daughter of))

Gallil (Gal (To Shine Clear) + ril (Female))

(The Language employed by the Exiled Elves is Sindarin for all rp-purposes. You can find language building here: https://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/index.html and a list of names through here: https://www.tolkiendil.com/langues/english/i-lam_arth/compound_sindarin_names

Should you wish to learn more.)

THE PILGRIMAGE

After the severance of their ancestral homeland, the Green Ways that all Wood Elves have embarked upon have largely been severed in foreign lands. In an effort to reconcile this belief, the majority of commune leaderships have created a rite known as “The Pilgrimage,” which all Exiled Elves are expected to embark upon at least once in their life. This pilgrimage could last anywhere from six months to most of the Wood Elven life, with some having departed for the Pilgrimage right after the genocide and still not having returned to commune life. This effort was originally undertaken so that the Exiled Elves could reflect on the destruction of their civilization, yet understand that such devastation is not worth being forever bitter about. Pacifism is strictly promoted during this venture, though not always adhered to. While that was the main purpose of the rite, the addition of cultural exchange has been heavily advantageous for their society as well. Showing their peace-loving nature and acceptance of human cultures, elements such as more adept farming techniques and human-inspired clothing have come to take effect.