Vilnerian
We have lost much since our ancestors came to these lands, but we shall reclaim our legacy and reforge it to the pinnacle of what we once achieved. - Fervalin Deshar, Archon of the Kingdom of VilneriaThe Elves are no strangers to the loss legacy and the decline of their civilization since their arrival on the Continent of Dageth. Yet even then, the High Elves seek to rebuild what was lost with the most ambitious among being that of the Vilnerians of the Kingdom of Vilneria who have since forged a new civilization from the ashes. Often being the pinnacle of Elven culture, despite setbacks and being under constant threat by the various races and the mistakes of their own past in the name of legacy.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Alanis, Penelo, Selphie, Sillavana, Sionia, Nueleth.
Masculine names
Glarald, Paeral, Druindar, Elwin, Ascal, Ellisar.
Unisex names
Elisen, Vulwin, Sharian, Faelyn, Isilynor, Khiiral.
Family names
Each High Elf is put in a house and has their own unique name, so there are no common last names.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Ancient Legacy: The Vilnerians often see themselves as the torchbearers of their ancestors and all of their achievements that they were able to achieve, with most of them now lost. This has led them to seek out knowledge in the ruins found beyond their borders, in the hope of reclaiming it and building it into their own civilization. This is in the hopes of restoring their people to be the most dominant race in the world, like they were so long ago.
Magically Attuned: High Elves have always been known for their strong connection to magic, with much of their population being able to use it, yet Vilnerians have found ways to master the arcane arts fully. In doing so, they can utilize it to enhance their way of life by applying its infrastructure and technology.
Faithful Followers: To the Vilnerian, the belief in their gods is something worth admiring, as they have a firm conviction in following their ways, like their ancestors. Leading them to be highly religious and keeping to the faith, and renouncing all others that have come after it.
Average technological level
The Vilnerians have long since been known for being one of the most advanced among the elven races, combining what knowledge their ancestors had and applying new methods along with their mastery over magic to advance them even further. This has led to the construction of magnificent cities that shine across the land, blending in with the landscape without the need to remove the surrounding nature entirely.
Common Etiquette rules
Greeting: As highly social people who often take it to another level with Friends, they usually embrace one another with a hug, regardless of gender, when meeting each other, with spouses, they place their foreheads together as a sign of love. They say Ferna stori to one another, meaning hello, my dear friend, and spouses say Fenri vusi, meaning hello, my love.
Dining: It is customary to have a drink with one another and wish them good health. As for sharing a meal, they often sing a song of faith to thank the gods for what they have.
Common Dress code
Many elves wear extravagant clothing made by great seamstresses and seamsters who create it from wool and do it in a way to make it light and smooth. However, these colors are often worn in cities, as fashion and clothing colors are typically white, blue, red, orange, and black. But out in the forests and plains, they often wear tan or green clothing that leaves no exposed skin. They use it to blend in with their surroundings and easily reach safety; exposed skin in severe weather conditions can be pretty dangerous. Some militarists of the High Elves even have armor sewn into their clothing with shoulder pads and silver mail underneath to be prepared for battle.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
The birth of a child is meant to be a time of grand celebration within a family, for it is a remarkable achievement, taking many years to conceive and bring to life. Everything is done to ensure that the child is healthy, with healer and magic being used to examine and heal anything harmful to them to the best of their abilities. Once the child is considered safe, it will be time to allow them to be blessed by the gods, with the priesthood holding the ceremony. Both genders will remain indoors where they are born until the proper celestial body is present. When it finally happens, the child will be brought outside to receive the favors into their faith, with boys gaining theirs from the sun god and girls from the moon goddess. It is only then that they will receive their name and be welcomed into the world to be cherished by their family.
Funerary and Memorial customs
While Elves by nature are known to live for centuries, death will one day take them, whether it may be old age or otherwise. It is from here that their bodies are given the rights to allow them into the afterlife. The body is for display on a funeral altar, to be displayed for all who knew them to pay their respects to them, which will often take many days, as the entire community will learn most. Once that comes to an end, the priests will begin the process of freeing the soul from the body to send it on their journey among the stars. It is from here that, at dawn or dusk, where the dead crossover into the sky, their bodies will be burned to allow the god of death to guide them to their ancestors who make up the stars in the night sky.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Hair: Vilnerians are known to take great care of their hair and ensure that it is kept in pristine condition at all times. Both varying in style and length, women generally have longer hair, and men have shorter versions. Some will often braid their hair and tie it into a ponytail to have it out of the way.
Jewlery Wear jewelry is often a sign of rank and status within their culture, yet limits the amount of jewelry they wear to avoid looking prideful or emphasizing their material wealth.
Gender Ideals
While High Elves care little about gender roles in society, since both men and women can do the same things, Vilnerians, however, hold some reservations about certain things for women, which often leads them to have traditionally been responsible for tasks such as childcare and arbitrators of peace. Women are highly valued for their fertility, as most elves take longer to reproduce, meaning in times of war and hardship, females are often relocated to safe areas to protect them and future generations. Sexuality does not matter in their culture, with High Elves having same sex marriages and bathing with one another, which is common, regardless of gender. Revealing clothing does not matter either, since it is natural to them, and exposed skin will not harm anyone so long as it's not too revealing.
Courtship Ideals
Vilnerian culture for courtship is a complex dance of charm and civility between both participants. As they are not just trying to impress one another, but also their families, seeking their approval, asking for permission from both their families to court one another. Once that is achieved, they give one another an amulet known as Tevon'shi, or the Union Amulet, to begin the process. They would live together to bond, known as the Test of Union, to see how each of their lifestyles can be adjusted for the sake of their love. This can take time, with some individuals taking years to reach the marriage stage. Sex is allowed since it is unlikely to produce a child unless it is done constantly. It is usually practiced to be better prepared for the chances of pregnancy when married. Often, when they are ready, they will both sing together the song "My Affections" for all to hear, solidify their union, and be married soon after. Should it be a same sex marriage, it often goes much quicker for a marriage to happen, as the burden of childbearing is not an issue.
Relationship Ideals
The bond between a pair of Vilnerian High Elves has been known for lasting a lifetime for one another, many being the center of their world to one another. Whenever they have the time to be together, they spend as much of it with each other as possible and rarely leave each other’s side. Those that do not live household lives will travel often having adventurous spirits that can never be tamed. It is a team effort for both of them to maintain a sustainable life, bringing prosperity to their family and children, and to place love and devotion into it as much as possible. You can tell them apart in the sense that they always have their hands intertwined with one another as they walk side by side. But some are forced to leave one another’s side, depending on their job. This can cause depression after long periods of time apart and sometimes lead to death if it is not handled correctly.
Major organizations
Kingdom of Vilneria: A vast and advanced elven nation that seeks to regain all that their ancestors had lost to what they deem as their birthright.
Parent ethnicities
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