The Ælves are an insular people with a fierce territorial imperative. Almost deifying both themselves and
Ældrassil, they are a culture focused around elevating themselves above all others in a sort of twisted rebellion against the Fae who once spurned them. Though it is perhaps an impossible task, the nebulous goal of 'surpassing' them is what motivates many within Ælven culture.
The primary language spoken is Ælvish. Some actively refuse to learn any other tongue, believing theirs to be superior, while others take advantage of their long lifespans to pick up numerous languages either for fun or practical purposes. Regardless, no specific additional language is particularly common.
Magic is ubiquitous– with their innate gifts and the influence of
Ældrassil's
Grist, the Ælves do not know life without it. Most bias towards magic that is centered around nature, but one could likely find traces of any arcane art if they knew where to look. Though they do have robust safety measures, Ælvenkind readily accepts what unavoidable risks come with their magical endeavors. The pursuit of magic is culturally considered mandatory. While not officially enforced, to abstain, or be unable to, practice magic entirely would result in being socially outcast.
The Ælheimar also boast having two unique variants of magic courtesy of their bond with Ældrassil.
The first is
Æcturnis, a nocturnal form of Draoidh. For details, see
Draoidh.
The second is
Vitæ, a flora-based variant of Nekros. For details, see
Vitæ.
Given their immortality, the death of an Ælf is either a beautiful, melancholic moment or a tragedy– but it is never natural. Some of the oldest Æld'Norai describe a feeling of 'readiness' or 'completeness' overcome them before they make the decision to pass on. Some describe it as having 'fulfilled their purpose.' Nonetheless, the deliberate choice to die is done through a ritual called
Skogsavsked. More details about that may be found in the 'rituals' section.
Unlike most other races, however, when an Æld'Norai passes on, their soul does not leave Ældrassil's Grove. Instead, they linger as a Wisp their minds reduced to a dreamy, restful state; a pseudo-slumber not unlike what Ældrassil himself experiences. For additional details on Wisps and their properties, see
Wisp.
The Ælves respect divine entities for their innate power but do not worship any in particular. Some may admire the divine on an individual level, but there aren't any churches or the like devoted to them. The Ælves do not seek divine attention, but they will not ignore it should it be given to them, if only for the possibility of personal gain. They are, however, a spiritual people and have great reverence to the dead of their kind.
With long lives, low fertility, and enough magic to keep disease at bay, the Ælves are an epicurean, hedonistic people. While both monogamy and polyamory are socially accepted, the latter is more common. Their ideas around sex and gender are loose and free-flowing, leaving consenting adults with little stigmatization when it comes to choosing partners that are other consenting adults. There are some that might encourage heterosexual relations in a bid to raise the overall birth rate, but very few would pass judgment upon those who do otherwise.
Ælves are omnivores and while they don't prioritize consuming flora over fauna, they don't believe in farming animals for food– all of their meat is hunted, and therefore there is less of it available than vegetation. Most who consume meat hunt it themselves, and those who do this are respected. Overall, most Ælves have extremely varied diets due to the flexible and fertile nature of the land they live on and within. In current culture, people are enjoying fairly elaborate, decadent meals more often than not.
Art is celebrated and encouraged. Many Ælves dedicate their entire lives to the pursuit of particular artistic crafts of all types, from luthiers to painters to poets to performers. In current culture, maximalist designs prioritizing a graceful, organic decadence are popular, though some of the more common motifs might be considered macabre by outsiders. There are numerous museums throughout Ælven territories, with the most notable being the Antikkens Museum in the Forgylt district and the Luminans and Rødt museums in the Hekseved district of Ælfiríki. There is also the Stein Museum in the cavernous city of Sværlys among many others of lesser notoriety.
Athletic endeavors of all stripes are popular forms of entertainment and competition, and while there are many varieties from swimming to team sports to mountaineering, the most popular sport by far is hunting. Ælves engage plenty in the hunting of animals, but they are far more fond of hunting sentient races, for they provide much more of an engaging experience, and, sometimes, the individuals slain carry valuables on their persons. This is not always the case, however, as the most popular subject of such sport hunts are wayward humans of their very own vassal territories, most of which are destitute and lacking in anything of use– they are killed solely to hone one's skill or for personal pleasure. There are also organized hunts, where individuals are gathered and released in cordoned off areas for hunters to take down one by one as onlookers place bets and enjoy the competition. Several hunters will partake, and the winner is decided based upon kill count though there are additional honors given for creativity and brutality.
Though they live in a climate that is largely temperate but often cold, the Ælves themselves tend to dress scantily, yet with a graceful sort of elegance– icier temperatures bother them little. What they do choose to adorn themselves in, however, is lovingly crafted and spun out of finer fabrics, a common favorite being silk. Metal adornments and jewelry are also common with resources spelunked from the mountains, but one thing you won't ever see an Æld'Norai without are accessories– or sometimes entire outfits– crafted out of flora of all types, with many opting for fungi, too.
To be expanded over time.
Förengsrit: In lieu of a tradition like marriages, the closest thing Ælves have is Förengsrit, and it is more than simply a social and legal contract. For more details, see
Förengsrit.
Skogsavsked: Ælven funery rite, death ritual.
To be expanded over time.
Jul: Jul is a 12 day festival beginning on December 15th and ending on the 27th, wherein participants engage in copious drinking, feasting, songs, games, banquets, and acceptance of sacrifices from their Fælniri vassals.
Sacrifices are usually animals, though Fælniri criminals sentenced to death will meet their fate during Jul.
Æld'Norai names are listed as follows:
Title, Forename fyn'Surname Epithet
If an Æld'Norai lacks any special title, then their social caste will be used within Ælheim instead.
The forename is a standard given name.
Surname is one's family name.
Lastly, the epithet is more of a tradition than anything, and is meant to pay homage to the Æld'Norai's roots as faefolk.
Examples:
Dommær, Æstrid fyn'Åström Isolt
Jegær, Nyyrikki fyn'Bergvist Amyas
Odoln'i, Vrítræ fyn'Byrne Eunæ
Vænir, Velho fyn'Seiðr Hespæros
Sindar'i, Volund fyn'Kjær Valan
{It is common to use the 'æ' symbol in place of other vowels.
The forename is typically going to be of old Norse origin, though names of Scandinavian origin in general work. Slavic or Bavarian nomenclature, as well as Latin and Greek, would not be unwelcome as an 'ælvish' name.
The surname ought to be old Norse, Celtic, Scandinavian, Slavic, Bavarian, Latin or Greek or any combination thereof. In-universe location names are also acceptable.
The epithet should be of Celtic or Greek origin.}
