The proud and highly magical elves of Lloraelia identify strongly with their clans, who work together under the leadership of of an elder council. This council acts under the the royal family of the Immortal Sun, though historically they were ruled under an elected royal family, selected from the High Houses.
Physiology[]
Quessir divide themselves into selu'quessir (high elves), sy'quessir (wild elves), and sele'quessir (plain elves). This distinction is mostly social, though the types can be identified physically by their ears; the ears curve upwards, downwards, and none at all respectively.
The quessir are marked by their close proximity to the feywilds, manifesting physically as strong, phenotypical differences between clans. Quessir wear their travels in their appearances as their surroundings tinge the colors of their hair and eyes; a vivid example of this can be found in the Arahael, whose connection with the fey is so strong that their coloring changes with the passing seasons.
Another side effect of the fey influence is a heat season occurring when the summer solstice occurs at the same time as the full moon, approximately every three years. Amorous frenzy sweeps Lloraelian-born elves and those mistad and half-elves with particularly potent elvish blood for the week leading up to the solstice and last another week afterward. Medication exists to suppress these compulsions, though it is hard to acquire outside of Lloraelia.
Appearance[]
While many of the noticeable traits of quessir are dictated by their clan, there are some similarities shared by all Anorien elves. Most have lighter skin colors, rarely getting darker than a medium shade even in outdoor workers and those elves living in southern Ferrum. Body builds are taller and slender with little muscle mass. Ears are usually 7-12 inches in length.
Social customs[]
Naming conventions[]
Quessir names have a wide variance in length, meaning, and ornateness, varying from individual to individual. What does not change is that alliteration between the first and last names is a heavily favored facet of elvish naming due to superstitious custom.
Following the relenting of Nethyrus and the fall of House Thalanil due to Phadius Thalanil, it became a mark of bad fortune and the evil eye to have non-matching names, owed to his signature on the Ivory Treaty. Centuries of superstition have compounded and made it into an innately understood rule of true elvish culture. Any elf without this sort of name is assumed to be mistad or a bastard.
Interestingly, House Thalanil is infamously rumored to still give their children non-matching middle names purely out of spite.
Role of hair[]
A minor part of quessir biology is their lack of terminal hair length; if left unchecked, quessir hair will continue to grow at the same rate their whole life. It is common practice to leave this unshorn out of respect to the fae influence said to fuel its growth.
While it might be expected that every Anorien elf is swimming in their own lengthy hair, the opposite is usually true. Ritual haircuts are quite common and are usually related to challenges of combat. It is believed that if one is willing to invoke the ire of the fae, then the cause must be worth the potential fallout, leading elves to really consider what battles are worth fighting. It is considered declaration of war to send this cut length, be it between dignitaries, high houses, or even just feuding friends.
Those with continually short hair are seen as rash and impatient while those with long hair are often peacemakers and mediators.
Sy'quessir hunters often cut their hair before big game hunts or revenge cullings, burning the hair in tribute.
Sun Emperor Amrynn Anormatha famously cut his hair and sent the length to Valdurin Castle in the third year of the city's attempt to hold against elven forces. The Gate fell just a week later.
The longest recorded hair in elvish history belongs to Arryn Arahael, measuring 16 feet, 5 inches long upon her death of natural causes at age 378. She was said to have never cut it her whole life, instead focusing her energies on reaching spiritual wholeness.
High Houses[]
Small clans[]
Several hundreds of clans exist beneath the High Houses of Lloraelia. Smaller in size and lacking in the vast social and economic power, these clans often pledge themselves to one of the high houses to be able to take part in their resources. Those clans that grow powerful are often absorbed by their High House through marriage, consolidating power. Those clans that owe no allegiances are outliers, usually in remote locations where they carve out self-sufficient lives for themselves.
When making a clan, consider the following:
- To which High House does the clan owe allegiance? If there are none, why? How does the clan get by?
- Where is most of the clan situated? Most will be near or within the city-state which their High House rules. If they aren't, why?
- What goods or services does the clan offer their High House? What goods or services does the clan offer to the public?
- What ideals does the clan hold highest?