Ikonesti

These elves are found in the more extreme and cold climates of Urth from the Seas of Glass and Crystal to the lands that border them. Some of the ikonesti may be found in areas of elemental water such as the frost heaves that erupt with liquid so cold that it freezes all it touches. Because of their climate, the Icebrands are generally aloof and insular in their outlook and must contend for limited resources with other creatures.   Much like the jann, the ikonesti bear a mark of elemental power, specifically that of elemental water which they call an Ikonenech. This mark may be small or cover much of the ikonesti’s body. It is widely believed by those outside of the ice elves, that the size of the mark represents its power, but the ikonesti know that this is not entirely true. All ikonenech have a manifestation on the face of the ice elf. Some markings even manifest with patterns much like a snowflake or texture like ice.   The bond to the power of water within an ikonesti long ago fractured and favors the form of cold and ice. This link can alter the tissues of an ikonesti, infusing them with a white, blue, or purple tint to various areas of their skin. This coloring is usually a mirror of their Ikonenech. This tinting rarely touches the entire body of the ikonesti and many never see more than a touch in their eyes, hair, and nails. Exposure to intense water energy can advance the condition known as the Sioca carrying the tint across the body of the Ikonesti.   The travails of the ikonesti are many. It is said that they may only be born when there is a surge in elemental power, great cold weather storms or in places of great significance to the power of water on Urth. Ikonesti are born with their ikonenech and often given a name that harkens to the event that sparked their life in addition to their name given to outsiders, sometimes if many children are born of the same event, they will be given a title common to all of them. When ikonesti come of age, they undergo the Glacen where they are taken out and encased in ice. The ikonesti must free themselves and return to the community to be welcomed as an adult.