Elven Society

Elves are widely regarded as the most ancient, free-living and sophisticated of the races living on Casiphon, whose ancestors were the first (and according to some elves, the only) children of the saviour-titans after the creation of the world. Their society is not based on rigid rules or hierarchies, but intricate shared culture, close interpersonal connections and the fact that they live in the exclusive paradise of an elven realm. Elves who choose to live outside of the realms most often mimic the customs of the peoples and places they live among.   At different points during their lives, usually after they have explored their homeland or become the master in another area of skill, elves are affected by a sort of wanderlust and feel compelled to go out into the wider world for a time.  They may spend years or decades abroad, but never lose the connection to their land of birth, eventually feeling the need to return and reconnect with their home realm.  Elves unable to fulfill these needs sometimes become listless and 'bleak', experiencing something similar to depression.   The Realm: An elven realm is the basic state- or nation-level organisation, consisting of a large territory with a few significant central locations, with a mild climate and food provided in abundance by Tryphaetha-trees. Elves in general hold individual rather than communal concerns more highly. There is no fixed leadership, though older and more established community figures tend to hold more sway when decisions are made by a communal discussion and vote. This style of leadership is not effective at making quick executive decisions in a crisis, but seeks to build a unanimous consensus.   Societies: Though they are driven to seek mastery over the things they put their hands to, few elves spend their lives in one pursuit, as they find repetition tedious and are not generally motivated by a vague sense of duty. Most seek out vocations which they find meaningful and interesting, changing their occupations and pursuits numerous times throughout their long lives. Elves who were the unquestioned masters of a particular field attracted a group of elves to them, known as a 'society' (Kοινωνία), the leadership of which passed from individual to individual. These societies act as a mixture of schools, social clubs and even extended families.   Relationships: Relationships among elves are fairly long lasting by human standards, but over the long lifetime of an elf they are as transient as their interests, and often go hand in hand with their current pursuit or passionate interest. A partnership between elves is most often both romantic and vocational, with the pair working together on shared projects or interests. The children from these relationships are raised in concert by entire societies, often becoming attached to adults who are not their biological parents.   Naming conventions: Realm elves gain a number of names at different points in their lives, combining a given name with other names.   Baby names: The parents and the society they associate with choose a ‘baby name’ for their child, which is usually a well-omened name, often referring to light, stars, nature, animals, flowers or some other positive aspect of life. These have a neuter (non-gendered) form ending in -ιδιον early in life, though the name later changes to match the gender of the individual:   Examples: Ἀγλαία (Aglaia, beautiful), Ἀγαυή (Agaue, noble), Aἴγλη (Aigle, sunlight), Xελιδών (Khelidon, Swallow), Δάφνη (Daphne, laurel-tree), Ἀλκυών (Alkyon, kingfisher), Ἀστραία (Astraia, starry), Ἰάνθη (Ianthe, violet flower), Mελίσσα (Melissa, honey-bee), Φαίδρη (Phaidre, brilliant), Φυλλῖτις (Phyllitis, leaf), Nεβρός (Nebros, fawn), Λιγεῖα (Lygeia, clear-voiced), Mαργαρίτης (Margarites, pearl).   Theophoric names: Once a child is old enough, they are given the task of choosing their own name. This is often related to the name of a natural force, animal, place, goddess or god which the individual feels has a connection to their personal circumstances and aims:   Examples: Ἡροδορά (Herodora, Hera’s gift), Ἀπολλοφάνις (Apollophanis, Apollo’s presence), Ἀρτεμιδάμνη (Artemidamne, Artemis’ one), Ἑστιάκλης (Hestiakles, Hestia’s fame), Ποσειδωνιχάρις (Poseidonicharis, Poseidon’s favour), Ἡφαιστιμή (Hephaistime, Hephaestus’ honour), Δημητρομέδα (Demetromeda, Demeter’s wisdom), Ἀφροδίσις (Aphrodisis, Aphrodite’s one), Ἑρμαΐψη (Hermaïpse, Hermes’ swifness), Ἀθηναλέξις (Athenalexis, Athena’s protection), Ἀργόπτης (Argoptes, Argus’ vision).   Demotic name: Outside of their realm, an elf will usually be known by their ‘demotic’ name, which indicates their realm.   Examples: Bορυσθενιώτις (Borystheniotis), 'from Borytheneion'.   Topic names: Within a realm or for formal purposes, an elf will often be known by their ‘topic’ names, which are based on the woodland, water-feature and/or high ground that they feel the greatest connection to:   Examples: ἄλσεος Πηλειοῦ, κρήνης Τηθυείας, λόφου Γερυώνos (of the Peleius grove, of the Tethuia spring, of the Geryon hill).   Social name: Once an elf has been accepted into a society, they take a ‘social’ name based on their standing withing the organisation, which will change as they become more highly regarded:   Examples: an elf who is part of the 'Iron Talons', a society of eagle-riders and thrill-seekers: νεοσιδηρονυχήδιον → σιδηρονυχήδιον → σιδηρονυχής: 'new iron-talonette, iron-talonette, iron talon'. This might later perhaps change to: σιδηρονυχήτερη → σιδηρονυχήτατη: 'greater iron-talon, greatest iron-talon'.   So an elf might be called Ἀγαυή Ἡροβία Bορυσθενιώτης, ἡ ἄλσεος Πηλειοῦ, κρήνης Τηθυείας, λόφου Γερυώνos, ἡ σιδηρονυχήτερη (Agaue Herobia of Borystheneion, of the Peleius grove, Tethuia spring, and Geryon hill, the greater iron-talon).   To her friends and close acquaintances, however, she would be Agaue or Herobia, according to her preference.