Blood Elves

Arrendal, Lorendal, Assaldir, Usshir, Morinai

Nnatalic, Alanan, Arratac, Surron, Tonoshin

Orrut, Nnatal, Alara, Coronda, Uresar

Atar'alal, Malataran, Arranatal, Iresshanen, Susshiren, Calatar, Malataca, Curossir, Palanar, Ucorundin

Though obviously militaristic, Blood Elves are by no means bloodthirsty, seeing warfare as a necessary evil and combat as an eventuality to be avoided as possible, and often as a failing in tactics or politics. To prolong any possible peace, it is their ethos to constantly prepare for war.   However, military games are sometimes orchestrated, and seen by younger soldiers as opportunities to show their merit and ability, winning monetary rewards and occasional promotions. The ultimate purpose of these is to test the quality of the army's training regimens, as well as the discipline and morale of the soldiers.

A soldier meeting a superior will bow at a depth proportional to the difference in rank between them, generally between 30 and 90 degrees. Additionally, if they have a weapon in hand, they will place its point against the ground; if carrying a shield but no weapon, their free hand will be placed on the face of the shield, palm inward; if both hands are free, they will be held together at the chest, fingers open, palms inward.

The basic garment for all soldiers is a tunic made of compressed silk, which also serves as their primary armor. Helmets are bronze, sometimes accented with other metals, and have open faces to aid communication and sensory intake. By standard design, it leaves the arms and legs exposed; when preparing for battle, bracers and greaves are worn, but these are generally eschewed when not needed. In formal situations, the tunic is covered by a surcoat of ordinary silk which is embroidered with designs and colors indicating the person's rank and position of service within the army.   Rank is indicated by metallic decorations of varying shapes and materials, which are worn both on the helmet and the chest of the tunic. These are usually made of bronze, those of higher esteem being silver or gold, and made to symbolically represent animal features such as wings, antlers, and fangs.

The Ehranian army has only a few dedicated forts spread across its domain, with most soldiers being quartered in cities and towns, usually on a temporary or semi-permanent basis. Regardless of scale, all fortifications are made of stone or earth, with trees forming interior structures, arranged and grown in the local style.

Single members of the army are given ample downtime in order to pursue relationships. Marriages by preference take place inside the largest fort available, unless an individual is marrying a person of high status outside the tribe. After this, they settle within their preferred fort or barracks for up to five years, long enough to sire at least one child. After this point one member of the union will return to normal duty, while the other raises the child with help from others in the same situation. The parent who remains active will periodically take time for holidays and special occasions to visit the family.

A newborn undergoes a ritual wherein they receive a very small cut to the skin, usually on the arm. The wound is given by a parent, usually the father, and accompanied with the phrase, "May this bloodletting be your last." A few drops of the blood are smeared on the infant's face, with which they are given a name.

In order to prove their value as an adult, a Blood Elf engages in a ritual sparring match against another of similar age who has already achieved the status. This is overseen by a small panel of authorities, including elder members of their own family (at least three places removed) and a local Nymph or government official. They are not required to win, but expected to show skill and emotional self control; to test the latter part, observers are encouraged to shout distracting or mildly insulting comments at the testee during the match. The parents are present but do not involve themselves with any part of the proceedings.   If the person is deemed worthy, they are given a weapon, usually a sidearm, which they are expected to keep until death, and to have repaired if it breaks. The nature and quality of the weapon depends on the focus of their training, as well as their overall level of skill. Having a fine weapon is no guarantee of achieving high rank, but can draw the attention of superiors and make it easier to progress within the military.

Regardless of the nature of their death, a Blood Elf is buried with great ceremony, their peers and superiors officiating and espousing all honors and great deeds for which they are known. They are buried with their namesake-weapon clasped in-hand and resting on the chest, and it is considered a great tragedy if either the body or the weapon cannot be recovered. In the latter case, the burial is carried out in full as if the body was present.

Blood Elves are under great pressure to maintain high standards of hygiene and neatness in their attire and presentation. Any deviation from this will be met with scorn if not immediate punishment from a superior. This is true even in social situations and outside of active duty, the difference being the adoption of clothing that is more aesthetic and less practical in design.

While forming romantic relationships with members of one's legion is almost always forbidden, Blood Elves are generally expected to marry others of their same tribe. For this reason, singles are given approximately two months per year of downtime, which they spend at a local barracks or fort, performing only minor tasks such as maintenance and cooking while searching for a mate. It is not discouraged for a Blood Elf to marry an Elf from another tribe, though there can be disputes as to how the child should be raised.