Desert Elves
Swords of the West
Desert Elves are the golden-skinned Elves of the western deserts and plains of Sol. The lands they call home have been largely subsumed and integrated by the Empire of Asvathas. While many elven races are well known for their arcane aptitude, Desert Elves pride themselves on mastery of the sword. Preferring to fight in light, flexible armor and relying on precision and dexterity, they make devastating duelists, twin swordsmen, assassins, and the famous bladesingers. Bladesingers represent an elegant tradition of wizardry, blending peerless swordsmanship with harmonious movements even in the chaos of the battlefield. A quarrelsome people, Desert Elves boast strong traditions of knighthood, knightly orders, and warrior poets. In their culture, violence and veterancy often go hand in hand with art and ceremony.
Imperial Ascent
Historically, Desert Elves were deeply divided into tribes roaming the deserts and plains and urban folk dwelling in cities along the floodplains and oases. While divisions still exist along these lines, their societies were dragged into a single polity, kicking and screaming. Sabah the Conqueror rose to prominence as a local warlord in living memory, unifying her people through war and conquest. The great queen, along with her riders and brothers in arms, subjugated and bloodied her way through the lands of her ancestors, forging in her wake an empire unrivalled in her kin's history. While her conquests brought bloodshed and subjugation, her people now know a prosperity, respect, and prominence on the continental stage they had never known before. Some resent the empire's ascent while others are thankful for the imperial yoke.
By Moonlight and Stars
While it is true that Desert Elves are not known for their magical acumen, they do, however, have a rich history in many scientific and arcane fields. In the great cities of the floodplains, Desert Elven wizards and scientists learned to harvest the power of moonlight. Using a magical device no bigger than a chunk of crystal, Desert Elves can store moonlight and use it both for light as well as raw magical energy to be used for defensive or offensive purposes. As well, these Moonshards act as energy sources throughout the empire. Another discipline they have mastered is navigation by stars. The night sky in the desert is a truly magnificent sight, and the Desert Elven caravanners and herders have learned to navigate by the constellations to great accuracy. As such, whether on land or sea, Desert Elves can travel faster and more accurately than most other cultures.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
They like to consider themselves distinct amongst the elven peoples but still value their ancient elven heritage, keeping closer to it than most surfaces.
Common Dress code
Due to the harsh nature of their homeland, Desert Elves tend to dress in a long garb that covers the body and often the head and face as well. They tailor clothes made of a thin material that is both protective and comfortable. Desert Elves tend to wear long robes, a cloak, a headdress like a veil or turban, and may have several weapons guarded by their sash or girdles. Jewels are common adornments, including gold earrings and an ornate, chained piece of jewelry above the brows known as a khala. Particularly during formal occasions, they also like to wear makeup, especially harsh eyeshadow, lipstick, and kohl.
Art & Architecture
Desert Elven culture values poetry, the written word, oration, and the command of language through song and recitation. In this culture, a good leader is known by their ability to captivate people with their eloquence and rhetorical skill. Someone unable to speak their mind strongly or recite the classics is seen as lacking conviction.
In village and tribal areas, buildings may make significant use of mudbrick, stone, and driftwood. Desert Elf tribes also make great use of yurts and tent structures, able to be taken with them as they migrate around the desert. In general, though, these nomadic groups tend not to build much.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Males of this culture are expected to be tough and able to use weapons effectively. While women are often meant to be as ferocious as the men in battle, in terms of personality, they are expected to be more inquisitive and thoughtful.
Parent ethnicities
Encompassed species