Elf, Tyran

Summary

The elves of Tyr are the Worldshapers. They are experts at their trades, and craft only the best wares. They often employ magic to get the greatest results, weaving the power into their craft when other elves would choose to embrace the process rather than the result. As such, they are well known for disliking imperfection. A Tyran elf will scrap a project and start over if the result is not what they desired. Their insistence on perfection has turned them into bigots willing to do whatever it takes to maintain their standards. It tends to alienate every other race in Saratta.

Personality

The elves of Tyr are very hard to get along with when you aren't a Tyran elf yourself. Like other elves, they rarely view themselves as greedy, but their standard of living is so high that most perceive that they are. Tyran elves take nothing but the best for themselves, often using slaves to ensure that they reap all the benefits of life. They are aloof to all races except themselves, of whom they take keen interest. They are often up to date on the happenings of the world keeping tabs on what occurs so they can gain the greatest benefit themselves. They are quick to judge and maintain their first impressions of people with steadfast stubbornness.

When engaging in a task they give everything or nothing. A Tyran elf will very rarely start something that they are not already experts at. To gain their expertise they trade skills with other Tyran elves. This trade is a mutual teaching of information to one another for the benefit of both. Young elves are taught what they know by their family (which makes the skill freely available. Large families have great power because of their ability to hold multiple trades. This accomplishment is one of the few that matters in Tyran society. Small families are typically viewed as failed attempts unless a very talented craftsman comes from it), enlist in the military, or join the Temple of Demuen.

Physical Description

Tyran elves are the tallest of the elves, standing between 5 and 6 feet, weighing in around 100 to 120 pounds. Often slimmer than humans, the elves of Tyr are far from the frail image that most imagine them with, often sporting well toned muscles that would make a body builder jealous. This image is maintained through various martial arts (including the elven Haum-ti-Xoun, a style focusing hand-to-hand strength and dance). Elven eye colors cover every spectrum, though orange, violet, and green are most commonly observed.

Years of dabbling in primal magic has left the elves without the ability to grow facial or body hair, and their normal hair color will darken and lighten depending on their mood (some hair colors have been observed to change to different hues in extreme cases). Their clothing is a reflection of societal vanity, often crafted in vibrant colors that stand out and signify status. The higher quality the fabric, the greater the status. They often adorn themselves in ornate jewelery encrusted with bright gemstones. Tyran elves are figures grace and beauty, never marred by blemishes (even scars can be erased with focused thought, once again thanks to the effects of primal magic). Tyran families have physical traits that are passed down their bloodline, making them easier to identify (eye colors, ear tips, etc).

Tyran elves reach maturity of body and mind around the same time as humans, though “adulthood” is not accepted until their 60th year. The average lifespan of a Tyran elf is 700 years.

Relations

Among their own people, the elves of Tyr are a civil people. To say that they are loving and kind to one another would be a falsehood. Their world is one of toleration and underhanded comments directed toward those who are “beneath” them. To those with the Tyran bloodline they are often undying loyal and usually pleasant to socialize with. Greater houses will seek methods for incorporating lesser houses to grow their society. There are exceptions to the rule though.

A house who does not strive to grow the society and build the lesser houses will soon find itself at the bottom and ignored by their fellow elves. Because of their bloodline traits it becomes easier for a house to be identified and ostracized within a society. Due to the importance and competitive nature of crafting within the elven houses, an ostracized house will quickly begin to loose its skilled craftsmen as they are recruited into other families. Without craftsmen to raise house status, the house will eventually be forced to disband.

Another exception lies in fraternizing with other races. A half elf with Tyran blood for instance, will be treated as though he were a Tyran full-blood so long as he is integrated into the society. Should he choose to remain with his other half, then he is no longer considered an elf (an is thus treated with the same scorn that other races receive). The same hold true for full-blooded elves. If they associate with other races for the sake of friendship they are cast out of the society.

Curiously, the elves of Tyr do not war internally. Such strife is considered beneath them; wasted energy better spent on their enemies. This does not end all infighting, but keeps it to a minimum. The elves maintain prisons to keep the lawbreakers contained. A Tyran elf is never made a slave, even if they have been cast from society or named Velderil*.

Tyran elves come across as cold and harsh to other races. They are rarely welcoming, and in the event that they are, it is usually because they are getting something out of the deal that has not become apparent to their “company” yet. Many people from other races tread very lightly around the elves of Tyr because of their unpredictable nature and vindictiveness. Slights, regardless of the severity of the insult are often grounds for the elf to retaliate. Retaliation can be less or equal, but is most often escalated.

Additionally, slaves are a huge part of the Tyran society. They accept any and all into “service” and do not take kindly to any maladjustment that a slave might have. Unruly slaves will have tongues removed for speaking out against a master, and will be killed outright if they strike at them. Slaves are expected to blend in with the walls, never be underfoot, and maintain the masters affairs for maximum pleasure. Slaves of high value or those that a master does not wish to kill are given a Brasein Mark. This slave mark is about the size of a quarter and is pressed onto the slaves forehead. A needle at the center of the mark pierces into the skull and injects the brain with basilisk blood. The blood makes the slave much more susceptible to the master's influence.

Homeland

The Worldshaper's made their home in the southern portions of Thistol Narod. They shaped the land and forests using the primal magic within the Feylus, perfecting every aspect of it. Very little undergrowth fills the forests, making it a lush garden of life, ordered and without blemish. The elves group together to form massive city spreads holding between 500 to 1600 elves. Large vines are raised among the trees to help support the buildings. Entering a city can feel lonesome due to its size, but the elves of Tyr prefer it that way.

Unlike other elves, the cities of the Tyran elves are made up of great spires inlaid with silver and topped with gold. Nature exists within the realm that the Tyran elves have created, not the other way around. They hunt and gather for the pleasure of interacting with their “natural” world. The elven houses each have their own farms for food; sustained by magic and gathered by slaves. Magic is always used to transform the land to fit their needs.

Elven cities are broken into three tiers. Each marks greater family status. The lower class make their home within the Prim'isla (the first tier). The citizens of Prim'isla are a far cry from the poor and despondent though. Many of the homes in these sections are well furnished multi-level homes. Houses are often very large in Tyr as they serve as the gathering place for the whole family. As a families house grows to incorporate others, their abode grows as well, typically moving them into the upper tiers.

The Prim'ilsa is the only tier of a city that usually has room for expansion, and therefore houses the bulk of elven citizens. It is also home for most trade goods that circulate through the city. Goods are typically of elven make, but the trade goods of other races are also allowed inside. Traders, with the exception of Wayward Ephryn (thanks to slave trade) are sequestered to the Obos. Slave sales are made in the first tier, and Recruitment / Training centers for the elven military are found here as well.

The second tier is called the Prim'Ata. High nobility and highly skilled trade families make their home in these parts. Large extravagant houses are built in this section and show off the true wealth of the Noble classes. Only Tyran elves are allowed inside the Prim'Ara, and only the most finely crafted goods are sold here. Most higher grade magical items can be found here as well. This section of the city is reserved solely for trade and nobility.

The third tier is the Prim'Ara. The full glory of Tyran culture is kept with this section. At the center of the Prim'Ara is the Temple of Demuen and houses all the clerics and priests dedicated to the god. Their training takes place within the halls of the temple as well. Tyran Astromancers also have observatories in this section, and the highest grade of magics and healing take place here. Rituals and elven marriages are also conducted within the temple grounds of the Prim'Ara.

The final section of a Tyran city is also the least mentioned but most active. It is called the Obos (a term literally meaning Shit Town or Place of the Worthlessness). An Obos is a section land placed outside the walls of the Prim'isla, well hidden from the sight of the Tyran populous. Non-tyran peoples are allowed to stay and trade at an Obos. Tyran humanitarian efforts (or the vanity patrol depending on who you talk to) have made efforts to keep each Obos clean and in good shape. An Obos usually looks as good as a middle class district in a human city and is overseen by Tyran guard. Laws are strongly upheld in these districts and punishment is dealt out severely.

Religion

The elves of Tyr are dedicated to Demuen, the god of Fire and Inspiration. Tyran legends proclaim that during the ancient days while the world was being made, the god of Fire decided to create the perfect race. This race would be the first to grace the world that the gods had so lovingly made.

Demuen searched the world for the most beautiful creations. He began with clay, working it into the perfect shape and layered it with a bounty of white lilies. He placed emeralds in their eyes, and the sun's fire in their hair, glowing with the radiance of angels. He took the molded form and cupped it in his hands, blowing waves of heat over it until the lilies had burned into the clay but still retained their splendor. Gently, the god dipped them into a great pool ringed with stone, said to be the tears of hard work and joy. When he lifted them out of the water, he pinched their ears to awaken them to their home. They reveled and sang praises. They were the high elves, the firstborn. The lord of Flame granted them dominion over their world and they were glad.

As the years went by they grew their homes, building their families up and incorporating others to reach their fullest potential. Each new craft was dedicated to the god of Inspiration and all things were good. But it is the nature of evil to twist and pervert. It tempts and tries to draw one away from the path of Inner Fire. Evil fell from the heavens upon a distant island. Many of Demuen's children were faithful and would not be swayed from crafting their praises, but there were some who abandoned their posts and ignored the call of their brothers. They set out to find the Heaven Stone, called Feylus.

The recovery of the Heaven Stone was the catalyst for Shaom'Laurill; the great dividing. The elves who recovered the evil stone lost the blessing of Demuen. Their lovingly pinched ears shriveled and rounded. They had become inferior and cursed. The elves knew something had to be done, and they gathered to examine the Heaven Stone and decide what would be done with it.

One group grew leery of its power, and the further they examined it, the more they knew it could change them, and the damage was already apparent in their transformed kin. But they too were drawn in by the power of the Stone, and decided to use it to travel far from the changes that were occurring around them. Using the Feylus, they were transported far beyond the realm of elves and were swallowed by the orb.

Those remaining decided something had to be done but the others wanted to be greedy and keep the stone secreted away where it could be coveted. The others took the orb instead and took the cursed ones with them in the darkness of night. They decided to use the Heaven Stone for good and set about shaping the world to suit their needs, wiping away blemishes. With their cursed kin they employed the same strategy. If they had been cursed by Demuen, only by working for his greater good could they overcome their curse and join him in the heavens.

For ages they used the power of the orb, crafting it into a tool for the good of the world rather than the evil it tried to represent, but their greedy kin returned, seeking it for themselves. They rallied the cursed, proving they were just as disloyal to the lord of Flames and proceeded to steal to Heaven Stone from the elves of Tyr. Even though the stone was gone, the lord of Flame still bestowed his blessing upon the elves, giving them the power to continue to shape the world so that it would be formed in his blessed image.

The Tyran elves give high praise to Demuen, and dispise the gods counterpart Zamikeye. They believe she continues to try to undo all that is good in the world, taking whatever opportunities to drown elves and submerge their cities under waters. They do not acknowledge the goddess by name (with the exception of scholars whose responsibilities require them to maintain records that focus on the gods).

Elven children are given the Rite of Flame immediately after birth to verify how pure they are in the eyes of Demuen. The child is brought before a ceremonial fire and placed near the flames. If they do not wail at the heat they are moved closer (those children who wail when brought near the heat will be the least obedient to Demuen and must be watched and guided with great vigilance for the rest of their years). If the child gets a burn it indicates that their lives will be marred by sin, and they too must be watched so they do not stray from their god. A child who does not burn is placed within the flames to receive the blessing of Demuen. These children become Fireguard or High Clerics in the service of their god as they are the most pure. An elf who does not burn is call Nena'llif (pronounce Ney-na-leaf), or blessed one. Their families will be raised to the top tier of elven culture.

Service to Demuen requires elves to en-role in clerical studies during their early years so they can better learn of the gods, and how Demuen wishes for them to view each other. These years also develop a Tyran elf's sense of worth toward other races. Elves who grow up near an Obos are usually more responsive to interaction with other races.

Language

Tyran elves speak the elven language in Tyran dialect. Their speech takes hard tones and are often sharp and concise unlike the usual graceful flow of speech known to other elves. Tyran is often considered to be simplified elven with a mix of earthen.

Racial Traits

+2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution: Tyran Elves are quick, nimble, and hardy.

- Medium: Elves are Medium creatures and receive no bonuses or penalties due to their size.

- Normal Speed: Elves have a base speed of 30 feet.

- Low-Light Vision: Elves can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.

- Keen Senses: Elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.

- Elven Immunities: Elves are immune to magical sleep effects and gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.

- Elven Magic: Elves gain a +2 bonus on caster level checks made to overcome spell resistance. In addition, they also receive a +2 racial bonus on Spellcraft checks made to identify properties of magic items.

- Natural Creator: Tyran Elves gain a +2 racial bonus on all Craft or Profession checks to create objects from clay, metal, and wood.

- Worldshapers Boon: Tyran Elves can use Purify Food and Water as an at-will supernatural ability.

Languages: Tyran Elves begin play speaking Common and Elven. Elves with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Celestial, Draconic, Dwarven, Ephryn, Orc, and Sylvan.