The Elf of Inalta

An elf traveller found way out in the frozen expanse of Eiri alone and seeming a wood elf. Their origin is still not known today.

The discovery of the Elf of Inalta stands as one of the most enigmatic events in the history of Eiri, offering both a tantalizing glimpse into the past and a deep well of unanswered questions. This historic moment began during an exploration of the treacherous Inalta Pass, a series of frozen cliffs notorious for their perilous conditions and harsh weather. While surveying the area to improve passage through the icy expanse, a group of elven workers stumbled upon a peculiar shape embedded in a sheer cliff of ice, revealed by the force of an avalanche that had dislodged its snowy covering.   Curious and determined, the workers excavated the site, revealing the remarkably preserved remains of a wood elf. At first, it seemed plausible that this unfortunate figure was a traveler lost to the unforgiving elements. However, as the excavation continued, the mystery deepened. The elf's attire and equipment were unmistakably ancient, identified as designs dating back to around 7000 BDR (Before Dragonrise) or even earlier. The discovery left scholars and historians both awestruck and puzzled. How could this lone wood elf, clad in clothing and bearing tools from such a distant era, find his final rest in the frozen wilderness of Inalta?   Theories about the Elf of Inalta abound, but none have yet offered a definitive answer. Some scholars suggest he may have been an early pioneer of the northern wood elves, venturing into uncharted territories as part of the broader migrations occurring during that time. These migrations saw wood elves pushing further through Suna, and some posit that daring voyages across treacherous seas might have brought explorers to the icy reaches of Eiri. This hypothesis is bolstered by the ancient elf’s belongings, which include jewelry crafted from the claws of metallic dragons—a hallmark of early Eren craftsmanship—and navigational tools that predate known Eirilysian exploration records.   Even the oral traditions of Eirilys, which span millennia, offer no clues to this mysterious figure’s fate. Whether he was an explorer, a lost sailor, or a lone adventurer seeking something beyond the known world, his presence in Inalta Pass continues to captivate imaginations. Historians have dated his arrival to a period roughly aligning with the early waves of elven exploration into northern territories, yet the circumstances of his death and isolation remain shrouded in uncertainty.