Terranesti

Terranesti are found in the more extreme and barren climates of Urth on islands, mountains, deserts, caverns, canyons, and the like. Some of the terranesti may be found in areas of elemental stone that tend to generate earthquakes. Terranesti have a reputation for being among the most practical of the elves.   Much like the jann, the terranesti bear a mark of elemental power, specifically that of elemental stone which they call a lithenech. This mark may be small or cover much of the terranesti’s body. It is widely believed by those outside of the stone elves, that the size of the mark represents its power, but the terranesti know that this is not entirely true. All terranesti have a manifestation on the face of the stone elf. Some markings even manifest with angular lines or texture like rocks, metal or even crystals.   The Lithenech is a private and personal thing for a terranesti. The stone elves go to great lengths to cover their Lithenech save for the part that appears on their face. Sharing one’s mark with another is something only done with family, either born or chosen. This link can alter the tissues of a terranesti, infusing them with a brown or metallic tint to various areas of their skin. This coloring is usually a mirror of their Lithenech. This tinting rarely touches the entire body of the terranesti and many never see more than a touch in their eyes, hair, and nails. Exposure to intense wind energy can advance the condition known as the Setting where the marking become progressively harder and more rigid.   It is said that terranesti may only be born when there is a surge in elemental power, great quakes, the formation of ktholes or in places of great significance to the power of stone on Urth. Terranesti are born with their Lithenech 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. Many often bear the name of the landmark that is found near their homes. When terranesti come of age, they must undergo the Stand where the terranesti must go to a place chosen by their community and endure on their own without assistance for a period or until a task is completed. Some families, communities and lines have specific requirements to meet, others use the ceremony as an excuse to party. Those that fail the test are banished from the group and become known as the Shattered.