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Estirian

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Although most names are unisex for Estirians, there are a few that sound more destinctly feminine. However, that doesn't meant that only women can bear these names.
Some Examples:
Eshtahy, Neshayen, Seshaya, Isahy

Masculine names

The same goes for masculine names. There are some that sound more distinctly masculine, but they're not exclusively masculine names.
Some Examples:
Siarth, Shian, Terfahyeth, Kierfahyeth, Shedzarth

Unisex names

The vast majority of Estirian names are unisex. They are supposedly derived from the whispers of the trees and from the wind blowing through the forest. Therefore, Estirian names are full of sibilants like "sh", "f", "s" and "h". There are also names that sound a bit more "grounded". These names were made by and given to those who hear the earth speak, which is a rare occurence.
Some Examples:
Kishay, Ishra, Eshiy, Eshen, Neshay, Sishen, Nay, Siy, Kin, Fahyen, Fayeth, Terfayen, Eshtahyeth, Syeth, Tashy, Tsiyê, Naˑshẗaˑ, Saˑshri

Family names

Estirian family names all relate to nature in some way. Most of them have something to do with trees.
Some Examples:
Talukhin (Windchild), Kuikhẗuiz (Treeroot), Feorthsetsu (Oakbark), Zerthseiz (Pinewood), Kakhsia (Hawthorne), Cheianehuijui (Willowbranch), Naiedzsyeji (Mapleleaf), Tsathsetiz (Blackwood), Fiantsechirth (Acornheart), Ezrêntuiz (Elderroot), Tirfin-Funechesḧisḧ (Stormwhisper), Tirfinsaˑsḧ (Stormweather), Eshrikhoyê (Earthborn), Tsehirthnai (Stonefoot), Zaˑshuneshrikh (Greenearth), Kutseirth (Nightstone), Saˑshẗusḧ-Serfin (Clayhand), Zejitaoa (Ambereye), Narfênteosa (Deerhorn), Tsishishsya (Redbirch), Taodzizsahsh (Greyash), Shanseiz (Beechwood)

Other names

Here are some of these rare Earth sound names. They are mainly found in the upper north regions of Estira.
Some Examples:
Siaorn, Rugorn, Terfahrn, Ruyeth, Rorn, Terforn, Ruyen, Sifaorn, Ruyorn, Terth, Kagrirn, Reth, Lishreˑorth, Turth, Egrung, Nokhrorn, Légrorn, Rukhsech, Sarfush, Lirth
  Again, these names are only given to those who can hear the earth speak. These Estirians are only few in number and live differently from the other folk who mainly hear the trees. The Earth people don't live in trees but on the ground and they also speak a local dialect that almost sounds like a different language. They also put more emphasis on the Lady in their worship and tend to be very devoted to her.
These names are names to be earned. Everyone who bears an Earth name has had a different name at birth and was given an earth name by the Lady of the Soil herself.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Khuikh Nashta and Rernnang

Average technological level

As the place of origin of voluntary magic, Estira runs mainly on magic and doesn't use much technology.

Common Dress code

Estirians are usually clothed in simple, practical garments that are great for tree climbing and hunting. They wear light tunics that end on mid thigh length, tight suede pants with reinforced knees and inner thighs for tree climbing, leather boots with good soles and arm protectors as well as elbow protectors are worn often as it helps climbing.
They do wear long capes occasionally but it is considered more formal wear or travel wear that leads out of the woods.
As far as outer wear goes, shoulder length, close fit hooded capes are a lot more common as it doesn't hinder climbing and running through the woods.
Clothes that mimick the leaves of the trees are also popular, especially as armour or cloaks/capes. Estirians also use horns of deer, teeth of wolves, boars, bears and other animals they hunted to make jewellery.

Art & Architecture

Pop Culture:

There are a few famous playwrights who write plays that get broadcasted all across the kingdom and in recent years a musical trio of elves has gained fame and critical acclaim for their fresh lyrics and unconventional sound achieved by leaving out harps and flutes and focusing on wooden drums. The wood elves aren't big on literature, except for your standard poems about how great trees are (most acclaimed is the work 'tree encounters', a 600 page collection of poems about trees by Trinnya Zerthseiz (pseudonym))   Music:
The musical trio 'something something in the trees', commonly shortened to SSITT pronounced 'sit', (khuikh nāshta: Fey Fey Oshā-ikh-ekh -> FFO) has been very successful with their experimental wooden sound and lyrics. Apparently the band's leader is a former storyteller who now converts their stories into songs that together with the drumming sound make for an entrancing experience to listen to. Other than that there is a lot of harp and flute heavy music with a more choral type of vocals. The lyrics are rather sparse and mainly about nature or the god and goddess.  
Visual Arts:

Wood carvings are the major artform. Estirians have perfected the art of fine detailing in wood carvings and produce great sculptures and pictures. Some also carve their paintings first and then use some type of water colour to bring the picture even more to live. The colours are made from natural pigments with plants and berries found in the woods and tree resin used as a binding medium.  
Architecture:

Most things are made from wood and most buildings are built on trees. A few buildings, mainly important ones, are made from stone and earth and tree roots. Wood elves love intricate, filigree patterns and architectural styles.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

When an elf gets born in Estira, a tree is planted for them. The kind of tree is divined by a priest or priestess who asks the God of the Trees for the kind of tree that should be planted and the lady of the soil for where the tree should be planted. Name trees as they are called - tey are given the same name as the person that is born- are sacred and cannot be touched except by the elf the tree was planted for. These trees are marked with runes on their bark and ribbons in their branches.
The name of the child is chosen and given by the parents.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Every estirian who dies is burried under their name tree in the hopes of them becoming one with the tree and being reborn as an offspring of that tree.
Once 50 years have passed the name tree becomes a regular tree again and can be used in any which way is needed. Otherwise the woods would be filled with nothing but name trees by now.

Common Taboos

Touching name trees and other sacred trees is strictly forbidden.

Historical figures

Estishya Kutseirth, the founder of Estira and the first person to bend magic to her will, creator of the Estirian runes.
Shian Talukhin, reunitor of the Estirian Realm and finder of Estishya's long lost great sword and sacred relic Tilestras

Major organizations

The Kingdom of Estira is the biggest, and only, estirian organisation. The kingdom spans the entirety of the estirian woods and is the biggest realm in Arregeas. The only other place Estirian Woodelves can be found outside of Estira is in Tilvin.
Estirians also practice an exclusive religion, Nature Dualism (nat. Sirfeth Etsezi), that is only practiced in the estirian woods. There are two major reasons for this: a) there aren't many estirians who live outside of Estira and b) it's a very locally bound religion because the environment is an essential part of the worship.
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Languages spoken
Related Locations

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