Contents
Description
Sun Elves in Ilisara live mainly in their massive forts spread strategically around Hellan, or the sprawling metropolis of Vestia. There are very few small sun elf settlements, although some sun elves live scattered in human towns. Sun elves are governed by the Dawnwalker family, a monarchy that has ruled since Year 0.
Sun elves tend to be intelligent, knowledgable people. While they are a tad arrogant (and the more traditional sun elves believe themselves superior to other races), they are renown for their skill with magic, inherent grace, and striking beauty. They excel at most activities they train in, and tend to pick just one or two to specialize in. Due to their long lifespans sun elves tend to gain an intense depth of knowledge and understanding of whatever subject or activity they devote their lives to.
Racial Passive — Long-Lived: +1 Knowledge
History
Varos was the prime deity who orchestrated the creation of elves. Elves became the second race to live on Ilisara. In their infancy, the race of elves organized themselves around rigid traditions and religious zealotry — namely, the belief that they were the favorite race of the gods. The elves were decisive, strong-willed, and bold. They called themselves Sun Elves after Varos, the sun god who created them.
When sun elves first encountered dwarves, they fought bitterly. The dwarves did not pay homage to the customs the elves held dear, and the elves scorned the homely earthen practices the dwarves upheld. Both races felt they were the gods’ favorite. Every part of the other’s culture, religion, and people were abhorrent. A long unending war was waged until the gods created humankind to broker a truce between the two different races.
Through a long and unsteady peace, different elven factions arose: Wood Elves, who were pleased with the new alliance, Dark Elves who splintered away from Sun Elf society completely, and the general population of Sun Elves who begrudgingly tolerated the alliance.
Under the guidance of the Dawnwalker monarchy, the sun elf empire flourished and grew until the sun elves became a world power. While their animosity towards dwarves has slowly tempered, they are still a prideful race.
Personality
Sun elves are bureaucratic, noble, and ambitious. Almost all worship Varos and treat sun priests and priestesses with the utmost respect. Some elves are playful and carefree, others more stoic and duty-driven. All elves are unique and are difficult to generalize except for their great dedication. With such long lifespans, elves’ devotion is unrivaled by any of the other races, whether it be to their kingdom, their family, or anything else.
The greater goals of elven society tend to be prosperity, personal honor, and pride.
Appearance
With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear strikingly beautiful to humans and members of many other races. They are more slender than humans, but just as tall. Sun elves’ coloration encompasses pale white that is bright as the sun, to bronze and copper tones reminiscent of solar flares. Sun elves favor elegant robes and tunics, and they enjoy intricate jewelry. Elaborate hairstyles, delicate and subtle makeup, and other accessories are commonly worn.
Society
The Dawnwalkers, known informally as “the crown”, are the rulers of the Kingdom of the Sun. The Sun Kingdom encompasses all sun elf forts and patches of territory all over Hellan, particularly on the western coast. Queen Veladriel and King Ahellion are public figures with celebrity status and so are their children. The Queen is revered and loved for being Varos’ Angel. Rumors speak of her ability to commune with the gods themselves. The King is regarded as one of the best swordsmen in Ilisara. His fervor and prowess on the battlefield is unmatched. Many join the sun elves’ military aspiring to learn bladedancing, a fighting style King Ahellion created.
The Dawnwalkers encourage a very strong nationalist sentiment that permeates every aspect of sun elf society. Those who oppose the crown swiftly disappear. Those who gain the crown’s favor seem to be blessed by fortunate legislation. Sometimes, prominent households receive gifts. The most loyal households are given titles and land. This has resulted in many noble Lords, Ladies, Dukes, Duchesses, and all manner of other “esteemed” Houses arising. These wealthy households are an upper caste that is starkly separate from the poor.
Less fortunate sun elves are given aid. Food, simple clothing, and opportunities for work are abundant. Sun elf society has long evolved past not having enough resources. Now, the crown sits on its extensive treasure troves of wealth and uses it to become more prosperous while providing basic needs to all. The Dawnwalker family does all it can to keep its power and influence over the masses. To read more about the Dawnwalker family’s strict control over the sun elf empire, visit the Dawnwalker page.
Other aspects of sun elf culture are informed by the capital city of Vestia. Vestia sits at the forefront of fashion and lifestyle. Whatever is popular in the capital, tends to be popular everywhere else. Sun elves view Vestia as the most auspicious place to live. New foods, clothing, and sayings circle through the sun elf empire and it is important to most sun elves to “keep up with the times”.
Sun elf architecture is a mixture of marble and white stone buildings with tall spires and columns. Domed roofs painted in various colors are popular, as are stained glass windows and golden accents.
Language
All sun elves speak Elvish, and Common is taught to schoolchildren. Common is spoken by every race in Hellan. Notably, all elven racial variants have a particular “flair” to their language, whether it be an accent or differing pronunciations. Wood Elves and Sun Elves can still understand each other with ease. However, Dark Elves and Star Elves’ variant on Elvish is near-impossible to distinguish from the lilting notes of Elvish — their language is more guttural and sharp-edged.
A few sample Elvish words are vanthir (truth), felas (way), iriel (light). A few sample Elvish names are Daerin, Callum, Talvira, Ravielle, and Aeothir.
Religion
Sun elves primarily worship Varos, the sun god who created them. Though religion is not forced upon sun elves, respect for the gods and devotion to Varos is taught from an early age.
Scattered throughout Vestia and sun elf forts are temples dedicated to Varos. It is common practice to visit these temples and pray. Varos’ temples are light, airy structures. Temples in richer areas have glass roofs, and those in poorer areas are simply open to the sky. Anyone is welcome in a temple of Varos. The temples provide shelter to travelers and free healing for the sick. Because of this, the priests and priestesses who tend to Varos’ temples are well-respected figures in society. It is customary to donate to Varos’ temples and it is believed prosperity comes to those who do. The notion of “karma”, while not officially sanctioned, is one that most elves believe in.
Queen Veladriel Dawnwalker is the highest-ranking religious official in the Kingdom, followed by her High Priestess Amara, followed by her personal retinue of warpriestesses. Below the royal priestesses fall all other priests and priestesses. Some are higher in status than others.
Because religion is so important to sun elves, high ranking priests and priestesses are often consulted in trials and judicial functions. They are also called upon as consultants when laws are made in sun elf forts. In Vestia, the King and Queen oversee all legislation themselves.
Common phrases heard in sun elf forts are “praise the sun”, “thanks to his Radiance” (indicating Varos), “sun’s blessings upon you”, “light guide you”, and other intonations to this effect.
Interracial Relations
Sun elves are seen as allies by every race in Hellan, save for the dwarves. Dwarves have a very tentative “alliance” with the sun elves and tend not to interact with them unless forced to do so. On the individual-level, some traditional dwarves and elves are xenophobic towards each other. Others simply don’t care. Seldom few get along as friends, but those that do have strong bonds.
The Orcish Warlords would slaughter sun elves given the chance as would every hostile Isandorian race.
As far as compatibility cross-species goes, elves can have children with any other humanoid race. They pass along an unnaturally long life to their offspring, no matter who the other parent is, but little else. The features of a half-elf might skew towards either parent or simply be a mixture.
Threats
The sun elves face the threat of orcs attempting to approach their forts on the north and southern borders. However, the sun elves boast a fine Vestian Navy whose ships are more than capable of patrolling and keeping their waters clear of any hostile craft.
At one point, the Dark Elves were a threat but as of Year 700 have ceased to be one.
Perhaps more pressing is internal subterfuge. The political climate rewards wealthy households who can get ahead and stay ahead of their competition. Therefore, assassinations, smear campaigns, and other “social wargames” are common as households vie for the crown’s attention and blessings. Even the crown is not immune; anyone can supplant the ruler of Vestia at any time, for it is whoever has power that rules — not whoever is in the good graces of the people.
Notable Sun Elves
“Vestia is the greatest nation that is, or ever will be, on Ilisara. What else do you need to know?” — King Ahellion Dawnwalker. Ahellion has ruled from Year 2 to Year 700, and will probably continue to do so long into the future.