Grass Elves

Elves of the Plains

The grass elves are a smaller ethnic group in Enyanin, a mostly wood-elven nation, and they are related to the wood elves. These elves now mostly reside in the Enyanian plain in the northeast of the country and constitute the primary ethnicity in the city of Aenyth, which lies at the mouth of the Marn River.

They once roamed as far as the Yavin River, and the memory of a time when elves ruled much more of the world still lingers strongly among these people. However, they have since been replaced by humans in the lands further north, and they are now relegated to a comparatively small area of land in the southernmost parts of the greater Yavinian plain.

Physical Appearance

These elves are much lighter-skinned than their woodland kin, and their hair is often a lighter shade of brown, even dark blond, with yellow being a rare color seen only occasionally. Their facial features resemble those of the island elves—long and serious—and their hair is mostly curly.

The Plain and Sea

Their section of plains is quite lush, the grass growing tall, and with the occasional tree mixed in. It sits on the Marn River delta and is very flat, with rolling hills and endless flower fields, occasional lakes surrounded by patches of woods breaking up the landscape. The lands closer to the forest are less uneven, but they are still far removed from anything resembling a mountain. Their coasts are sandy and uneven, with many natural inlets, making it easy to come ashore anywhere. The gentle waves of Isich Bay ever beat the shores, and its open waters are most friendly to those wishing to sail or row here.
It is a quiet place, home to animals such as the Yavinian brown-tail deer, the most common grazing animal, and the wolf to hunt it. But other than that, there are not many large animals here.

Cuisine

Because these plains offer not many domesticable cattle, the grass elves have long adopted those from the forest. Marnen pigs, in particular, are a common part of their diet. However, they also remember their past as hunters of the plains, and any decent grass elf male will frequently go on a hunt for brown tail, rabbit, hare, or any of the other critters that roam these plains. Those living by the coast might also choose to go fishing in the bay. These fresh fish are a significant part of the grass elven diet, especially in Aenyth.

Besides meat and fish, these plains are known for their agricultural potential. Various varieties of grains, as well as potatoes, onions, and many vegetables, are grown here. This makes them especially distinct from their wood elven kin, who consider eating bread a thing for humans. However, anyone walking along the streets of Aenyth in the mornings, or any grass elven town for that matter, will find the scent of freshly baked sourdough bread welcoming them.

Culture

The grass elves used to run these plains until humans gained the horse from the island elves. They themselves gained horses not much later, but the damage had already been done—the humans had mastered horse-based warfare much faster and better than these elven foot soldiers. As a result, the grass elves were driven into the south, leaving a permanent mark of scorn and lost glory on their history.

Even though this is now one of Enyanin's wealthier provinces, with a unique and thriving cultural society, they can't help but remember the days when they were the masters of the plains. Of all the elves, these are the ones that harbor the most resentment towards humans. While they live with them, trade, and deal with them on a daily basis, there's always an air of contempt and dislike. They will consistently offer better prices to fellow elves or even dwarves than to humans.

Despite this historical bitterness, they are generally a calm people, living on the serene green hills of the southern plains. Great wealth flows through their port on a daily basis, and life is good.

Ethnicities

There once were many subdivisions of this culture, but they have since been reduced to a mere two.

Aethrian

These are the people living in Enyanin. They are the only ones left living under elven rulers. They are the most hopeful, the most industrious, and the most passionate. Aenyth is their last bastion, the last truly grass elven settlement, and they defend it with all their might.

Krennish

These are the elves living in the Krenland province of Westingham. They have been reduced to second-class citizens, most living in rural areas, farming their crops, and herding their livestock, under a very heavy tax burden.
Many have since fled to Enyanin, either in Aenyth itself or to the Capital Ynan Yllith. Those who have stayed do so out of hope that one day, these lands will be returned to the hands of the elves.