Ilaan

At A Glance

The Ilaan have faced a hundreds of years of discriminationTo be Ilaan is to be seen as half human and half elf, forever driven to prove oneself; just as much to an outsiders as to each other. Lighter and slightly taller than humans, but slightly stockier and shorter than elves although bearing a slight point to the ear tips. Ilaan are extremely adaptable and find themselves as equally able to master martial, divine, or magical arts.  

Ilaan

Eons past, the Crommerian Empire, controlled much of what is now the Savage Lands. Their empire was vast and incredibly strong, relying on their non-elven allies to add to their strength and infrastructure. It was the Rei'Ka who first accepted the new race of man, teaching and guiding them out of their savage darkness and tribal roots. The first Half-Elves where born of this early intermixing of cultures, and while the Commerian Empire held power the race, now know as the Ilaan, held a powerful and respected place in the eyes of booth elves and men. However The Temptation of Lady Serena sealed the fate of the "half-elf" and the Commerian Empire. By the end of the First Vampiric War Crommer had been shattered, the Rei'Ka almost eradicated, and the humans and half-elves scattered and hunted almost to extinction. Many half-elves fell to the Temptation, becoming some of the first Vampire Warlords that reduced what was left of the Empire to nothing but scattered ruins.   Elves have retained their fascination with human cultures and have always taken an extra interest in their destiny. For their part humans have always seen elves as creatures of immense beauty and perfection, and often this shared fascination still leads to a romantic intermingling. An Ilaan is born from the union of a human and an elf, their blood making them in essence "half-elves". Ilaan have struggled with prejudice and their lost place in Galdor's empires for centuries, often stemming from old stereotypes about their lack of ability to sustain self versus the Temptation. Elven Nobles often referring to it as a "weakness of the blood", even while ignoring the fact that Lady Serena, one of the few known Vampire Lords, was herself once an Elf. This negative association and ancient prejudice is what largely led to the Ilaan claiming their own place in Galdor, taking their new name from a Half-Elf hero of the First Vampiric War, Ilanis Delvern. Who along with a small garrison of half-elf and human warriors held the walls of Crommer long enough for Lady Lotharia and her court to escape. Ilanis and his garrison paid for their heroics with their lives, and it is not uncommon for Ilaan children to be named for of those heroes. The Ilaan have since shed the name of half-elf and claimed the name of Ilaan, taking back their heritage, and striving to make their own future. The term half-elf has become a grave racial insult to these proud people.   There are still Ilaan born to the passionate and often extremely short-lived romances between humans and elves, but the majority of modern Ilaan are born to two Ilaan parents. These Ilaan consider themselves "pure-blooded" and often hold higher ranks and places inside Ilaan social circles. Ilaan families often keep and take great pride in tracking genealogical heritage, and the farther back and closer to the line of Ilanis a family can trace it's roots the higher in society they can find themselves. Although the struggle has been hard, and is far from over, the Ilaan have begun to distinguish themselves in the cultures of Galdor. Often attempting to live up to the heroics of their forefathers. Due mainly to their perceived and biased history, Elves tend to treat Ilaan as miscreants and outcasts, often banishing the Mother and Child. Although at times Elven Nobles will keep a "half-elf" at court as a curiosity or as a blunt tool for assassinations and espionage, when the task requires someone else's hands to be dirtied. Human society is often times more forgiving, and it is not uncommon to see a young elf and human couple with Ilaan children working in some of Galdor's larger cities. As they age much slower, at times an Elven Matriarch will still be attached to an Ilaan line, often caring for her young great great great grandchildren. Generally Elves who father Ilaan on human women, don't stay around long enough to even see the child born, or seek to magically erase their 'passionate' mistakes.     Physical Description: As the derogatory moniker suggests, ilaan look a cross between the best features of elves and humans. Average height ranges between the two, with the taller Ilaan standing close to or as tall as elves but the majority of the race falling closer to humans in height. They normally appear just a bit taller than humans based on the wiry and lean frames they inherited from there elven ancestors. They retain a hint of the lithe and almost fragile grace of the elves, without appearing as thin or fragile. Ilaan hair and skin tones normally trend closer to their human side, but at times elven genetics creep back into the mix and it is not uncommon to find a ilaan with orange tinted skin or forest green hair. Eye color and facial features generally trend much closer to the elven side, the graceful and prefect nature of their facial features often making it easy for accomplished ilaan con-person to pass themselves off as an elf. They also retain the elongated ear of their elven heritage, although ilaan ears are often a bit shorter, and normally more rounded at the tip.     Society: Ilaan play by their own rules, preferring to set and make their own place in Galdor's tapestry of cultures. They have successfully shed the title half-elf, embracing their own cultural identity even as they still often borrow from their mixed heritage. Several ilaan townships exist and for at time they even toyed with the idea of setting up their own empire, however their population is much smaller than even that of Elves. Most ilaan prefer to stay fully integrated into city lifestyle, taking jobs that any citizen might, from baker to nightwatchman. Even in an ilaan formed and governed towns, the population is largely a mix of the races of Galdor.     Relations: Ilaan, much like their racial cousins the j'tar, often carry a chip on their shoulder. Sometimes quick to anger, and seeing racial slurs where this is none. However unlike their j'tarian cousins, ilaan are more prone to resolve a difference through non-violent, passive aggressive means. Due to their own mixed heritage it is not uncommon to find a smooth talking ilaan as a charismatic civic leader, or an incredibly revered street fighter. War-heroes and generals, thugs and ruffians, an ilaan will find herself in a gambit of situations. Most modern ilaan are born to two ilaan parents, although it is uncommon sometime a true 'Half-elf' is born from the traditional pairing of elf and human, these ilaan often consider themselves to be "pure-blooded" and tend to gravitate towards higher places inside ilaan society. Ilaan, due mainly to their own struggles, have a very open and forgiving stance towards all other races. At times an ilaan will even find himself in a romantic relationship with another race as well. In larger cities it is not uncommon to see unions between ilaan and lithani.     Alignment and Religion: The Ilaan forever walk a line between open rebellion and strict adherence to rules and discipline. Just as the received gifts of appearance from their genetic parents, they also received the mix of the calm collected nature of elves, and the swift often impatient attitudes of humans. This mix often distills down to quite chaotic individuals, but many Ilaan follow very structured and strict regimes in either martial arts, traditional arts or music. Not many Ilaan pursue the more scientific walks of life in Galdor, but it has happened. Most Ilaan follow either one of the Elemental Gods, The Crystalline Lady or The Sister. Most Ilaan range between Chaotic Good and True Neutral.     Adventurers: An Ilaan takes up the role of adventurer for many reasons, sometime it is simply to prove to themselves and their peers that they are worth of the name-sake of Ilanis. Other times an Ilaan will quest to find a wayward elven or human parent, either to seek understanding or exact revenge. Some Ilaan even become adventurers simple to hone or train their minds and bodies for the conflicts of life on Galdor, or to prepare for the eventual rise of the Vampires once again. Ilaan find roles in every walk of Galdor, and as such do not have a favored class.   Male Names: Antal, Corden, Ergis, Ilanis, Garris, Riven   Female Names: Atalli, Elnesa, Isola, Jennesa   Tribes     Arden Wardens: No single race embraced the concept of a Half-Elf and later an Ilaan independent society faster or more completely than the Ent's of The Elderwoode. These enigmatic creatures embracing the first signs of the fledgling 'race' and helping to guide them as them became the Ilaan. As a result of this early stewardship several early Ilaan bloodlines swore their allegiance to the ancient tree lords, and began to serve as wardens and scouts in their great tree herds. Favored Classes: Druid and Ranger. Perks: +2 Knowledge(Nature), +2 Survival.     The Favored Children: Just as the hero Ilanis Delvern gave his life the assure the safe escape of Lady Lotharia during the final moments of the siege of Crommer, some Ilaan have kept closer ties to their Elven ancestors. Often either choosing to live on the edge of Elven society or serving in Elven Kingdoms or families. In rare cases they are accepted children, who can even claim titles and even grow within their houses. Favored Classes: Fighter and Sorcerer. Perks: +2 Knowledge(Nobility), Elven Language.     Children of the Dragon: For those born in the fires of war, and tested on the knives edge of conflict the call and thrill of battle is never far off. Some say the blood of Ilanis Delvern still courses too strong through their blood, or that a touch of The Knight tainted them as children. Whatever the reason these Ilaan have become know as the Children of the Dragon, serving first in the armies of the Wilderlands under the banners of Deavonworth. Renown for their tactical skills and battle prowess they are often sought after for roles in military command. Favored Classes: Paladin and Battlemage. Perks: +2 Diplomacy, +2 Ride.     Sylvan: Deep in the untamed forests and dark places of the Savage Lands, where the lawless wilds crouch on all sides, can you find the Sylvan. Much more in touch with their more primal and Elven sides these Ilaan can often be found still living in and about the ruins left by the Commerian Empire or side by side with the tribes and war bands of the Savage Men and other more tribal Elvenborne, the Children of the Dragon are often seen as not much more than savages. Favored Classes: Barbarian. Perks: +2 Intimidate, +2 Survival.     City Dweller: The vast majority of Ilaan in Galdor spend their entire lives in, around or in support of the cities and castles that dot the landscape. City Dweller's are not technically a tribe, but more of a blanket term used to describe the Ilaani that have grown up under direct rule of a monarch or within easy range of centers of commerce. Favored Class: Any. Perks: +2 to Any One Skill, and 1 Extra Language at character creation.