Telarith

The Telarith are the proud and noble High Elves of Samhraidh Talamh. They value honor, wisdom, and dignity, holding deep respect for their past while keeping their eyes fixed on the future. Their culture blends tradition with innovation, making them unique among the elven kindreds as the most relaxed and approachable of the High Elves.

The Telarith revere their ancestors and uphold the legacy of their clans through art, magic, and invention. Though graceful and refined, they are not idle: diligence and hard work are seen as virtues, with every elf striving to elevate their kingdom, their clan, and themselves.

Clans are the foundation of Telarith society, providing support, influence, and identity. Every elf belongs to a clan, and loyalty to one’s kin shapes opportunities, expectations, and a sense of belonging.

While Sahraidh Talah does have a broader hierarchical system of power, most elves find their day-to-day lives defined more by their clan ties than by the royal court. For the common Telarith, elevating the family through skill, craft, or achievement is considered a lifelong duty.

Noble clans, or those that have gained prestige through service, artistry, or magical mastery, tend to live under more rigid expectations. These families often emphasize certain professions, schools of magic, or crafts, pressing younger members to follow the established path. For example, a clan long respected for mastery of water magic, plumbing, and arcane engineering may resist when a child chooses instead to pursue light magic or history. Such decisions are not forbidden but may be seen as a betrayal especially if it is the elf’s first chosen path in adulthood. Later career changes are more accepted, but that initial choice carries great symbolic weight.

Most clans have held their social standing for centuries, their roles within society well known and deeply entrenched. However, clans are not static:

Adoption into another clan sometimes occurs when an elf achieves mastery in a craft or art more aligned with a different family’s legacy.

Marriage often strengthens a clan’s reach and prestige, and unions between families can shift influence across generations.

Rising to Found a New Clan is exceptionally rare. Such a feat requires not only extraordinary accomplishment but also the approval of the High Council, making it a nearly unattainable honor.

Deities

The Telarith follow the Sacred Eight, as do many across Elema. Yet within their culture, three deities hold particular prominence: Hikira, Mizu, and Chikyu.   Hikari God of Light. The Telarith’s ancestral patron. Many forebears worshiped Hikira exclusively, crediting his light with guiding them through exile and the founding of Sahraidh Talah. A dedicated Founding Festival honors Hikira’s revelations and the oaths sworn in his name. The honorific “Lum” (used before esteemed clan names and elders over 400 years) derives from Hikira’s light, signifying clarity, truth, and respect.   Mizu Goddess of Water. Sahraidh Talah began as a serene retreat; its lakes and baths shaped Telarith culture. Over time, devotion to Mizu deepened, associating her blessings with rest, renewal, and communal grace.   Chikyu Goddess of Earth. Revered for balance, growth, and stewardship. The Telarith look to Chikyu for guidance in sustaining the land and harmonizing tradition with progress.   Originally, the Telarith placed their devotion in one or two gods at a time, but as their kingdom matured and contact with others deepened, their reverence expanded to include all Eight. This reflects a cultural belief that the gods do not stand in opposition but work in concert, each embodying a facet of the world’s order.

Clothing

The Telarith favor light, elegant garments designed for both comfort and display of fine craftsmanship. Most wear flowing outfits resembling robes or tunics, often paired with an overlayer that reveals intricate elven embroidery and patterns. Shirts may fasten at the side or center with hidden buttons, and are styled with either a V shaped open collar or a half standing collar that rises partway up the neck.  

• Sleeves vary by style and occasion:
• Sleeveless designs for everyday wear.
• Short sleeves or half sleeves ending at the elbow for common use.
• Long bell sleeves, often worn by women, for more formal or ceremonial dress.

For lower garments:

• Men typically wear close fitting pants or shorts, with trousers cuffed at the ankles.
• Women may wear skirts or pants, though their trousers are left open at the hem for a more flowing, graceful silhouette

. The favored colors of the Telarith are light and airy tones such as white, silver, and pale yellow, often accented with details of green, gold, or brighter yellows to reflect both elegance and vitality.

Nobles and wealthier elves wear clothing of similar cut but with tighter, more form fitting tailoring and three tone layered designs. Their garments are distinguished by intricate embroidery, elaborate patterns, and refined elegance, marking status without sacrificing traditional Telarith style.

Jewelry

Both men and women of the Telarith are rarely seen without some form of jewelry. Bracelets and necklaces are the most common, often crafted in the distinctive elven knotted designs that symbolize continuity, unity, and clan heritage.

Telarith jewelry favors silver and pale white metals, chosen for their refined sheen and subtle beauty. Pieces are designed with delicate complexity—intricate patterns worked into slender forms—never gaudy or overbearing. Elegance and understated grace are the hallmarks of their style.

Earrings and rings are more commonly worn by women, while members of higher ranking clans may display the traditional armlet and ring set, a paired design worn together to signify clan identity and social prestige.

Wedding

Weddings among the Telarith are sacred, multi-day celebrations that mark not only the joining of two individuals but the birth of a new soul within the clan. Each stage is tied to the gods and goddesses, creating a journey of beginnings, truth, depth, and love.

Day One Beginnings (Chikyu)
In a forest or grassy place of beauty, a priest or family elder gives the couple their first markings on the legs. These symbolize beginnings and respect to Chikyu, goddess of balance and growth. The day is spent outdoors in quiet celebration.

Day Two Truth (Hikira)
At midday, under the brightest light, the couple ascends to a high point where the second markings are made. These honor Hikira, god of Light and Truth. The couple then shares personal stories with one another, sealing honesty and openness into their bond.

Day Three Depths (Mizu)
On the third day, the couple enters water lake, sea, or sacred pool for the third markings. These represent the depth of their union and the infinite horizon of the future, dedicated to Mizu, goddess of Water. The remainder of the day is filled with feasting, music, and public celebration.

Day Four Completion
The final day is private, shared with family and closest friends. Two sets of markings complete the union:

The Fourth Markings (Clans & Gods): Bestowed by a priest or elder, these designs unite the two clans and may also honor additional gods or goddesses chosen by the couple. They serve as the formal seal of union, witnessed by kin and divinity alike.

The Last Markings (Love): Given by the couple to each other, these designs are unique and personal, symbolizing their true love. Each partner inscribes a mark on the other, creating a bond that cannot be replicated. These are always distinct from the other markings and are considered the most intimate and treasured part of the rite.

Afterward, the couple commissions a crafted anklet bearing the final design, a lifelong emblem of their union.