The Aldorinnis Elves

The Aldorinnis

  Kept well hidden deep within the Alorenei Forest are the Aldorinnis, one of the most advanced peoples on Asterra. The Aldorinnis have kept to themselves to an extreme degree for thousands of years, even well before the Age of the Green sea. Their city, Zeranas, is camouflaged deep within the effervescent pink-hued birch trees of the forest. Zeranas has remained hidden for thousands of years because of an ancient and powerful illusion spell that disguises the entire city as the surrounding forest. Wanderers who accidentally happen upon Zeranas are often executed or enslaved to keep the city's secrets safe. The Aldorinnis have remained so elusive that most people just assume the Aldorinnis are naught but sneaky forest elves with pink hair, most people don't even know why the elves have any reason to be so secretive. Unknown to the world at large is the great mines below Zeranas that contain an overabundance of Mithril Ore, from which much of the Aldorinnis create a great many things. Indeed, many of their homes and tools require mithril as the metal is far superior to steel for enchantments and magic. If it wasn't for the mithril plated walls that surround the city their illusion could not exist.   Aldorinnis Elves stand taller than the average human, sometimes taller than other elves. They have adapted well to blend in with the surrounding Alorenei forest, due to their Elven metamorphosis their hair is often a light shade of pink or purple and their skin ranges from white to ash grey with the occasional birch-like black splotches. Their city is like nothing else on Asterra; it is powered by magical enchantments throughout creating things such as elevators and magical archives that litter the city. Each house is locked with both mechanical ingenuity as well as a powerful enchantment that generally protects the home from harm. The city itself is seen as a utopia for the Aldorinnis, and an impossible myth for neighboring countries.  

Elven Democracy

  The Aldorinnis cast aside the ancient elven matriarchy traditions ages ago, opting instead for a form of government in which each member of society had an equal say in how things were run in the city. In order to achieve this feat, each Aldorinnis citizen is educated extensively in a great deal of subjects until they reach adulthood where they are given the freedom to pursue a career or specialization of their choice. Each Aldorinnis child is trained extensively with matters concerning both the arcane and martial prowess. Rarely do the Aldorinnis choose to continue their education into the martial fields, but those that do often become elite guards of Zeranas. Once an Aldorinnis has chosen a career for themselves they are given the right to vote on policies and enact petitions to change or suggest new laws. The other races that wind up finding themselves in Zeranas are not so lucky however, if they are neither killed nor made a slave then they are given a job and welcomed into Aldorinnis society as second-class citizens. There is no way to move up the hierarchy if you are not an Aldorinnis or at the very least, half-aldorinnis. The Second Class citizens of Aldorinnis are rarely treated poorly, but they lack the ability to vote and have no voice in the city.   Every decade a new council is elected among the populace in which any Aldorinnis can run to be a member of the council. These positions are rarely won by younger elves however, and much of the council is made up of the eldest and "most wise" members of society. Because of this there has always been a sort of divide between the youngest generation of Aldorinnis and the Eldest, the latter of which generally keeping to the old Aldorinnis Traditions and the former seeking to amend them often. By the time the younger generations do get elected, they grow weary of change and often succumb to the same ideals as their predecessors.  

Hygiene and Etiquette

  Zeranas is one of the cleanest cities in Asterra, its streets cleaned with golems and constructs of all kinds. Littered throughout the city are a great many bathhouses, each free to the public but creating signature perfumes and colognes that pepper the bathhouses. Scented products are often valued highly in Aldorinnis society, as freshness and hygiene are among some of the most important values to members of the city. Incense especially is a very big seller across Zeranas, as well as scented oils and candles. While not common, the wealthier members of Aldorinnis society often theme the rooms of their house around specific scents. For example, many wealthy Aldorinnis theme their bathrooms around Lavender. Many bathhouses even offer Lavender as a common scent, bringing a sense of familiarity to many places one might find themselves in discomfort. Lavender itself is in high abundance in the Alorenei forest, so much so that the Aldorinnis consider it the flower of their people.   Among many things, the Aldorinnis value proper etiquette. Clean drinking and eating habits, washing their hands before every meal and rinsing their mouths after each meal. Greeting others also requires a bit of thoughtfulness, as you could accidentally insult a friend or loved one if you were to use the wrong title when addressing them.   These titles are Jur(Father), Jul(Mother), Jukas(Kin), Juras(Grandfather), Julas(Grandmother), Heska(Acquaintance), Hesras(Comrade), Veeras(Friend), Veesara(Lover/Partner), and Juheska(Superior/Boss).   Each title is used to address or refer to someone in particular, and is often used before addressing them by name. Failure to do so among Aldorinnis is seen as not only uncouth but insulting, making the use of these titles something of a habit.