Kailo'ri Elves of Sushoya

Family names are passed down following the matriarchal line and the Kailo'ri maintain strong links between central and extended branches of their families. Family names will always be double barreled, with the secondary name indicating the individual's position in relation to the wider family. For example the name Savea'lua indicates the individual is from the main branch of the Savea family. Whereas Savea'uri indicates a person is also of the Savea family, but this one is a cousin and not of the main branch.

On occasions of marriage one party will retain their family name without change, whereas the other person will take on an adjusted version of their new spouse's family name. The addition of the term "ko" is added after the branch name to denote that they have married into and are not born into that particular family branch. For example a person marrying into the Savea'lua family would gain the surname Savea'lua'ko.

The decision over which person gives up their family name can be a contentious topic at times and is often debated as part of marriage contract planning by the heads of families.

Fore and Middle Names

The main tradition around the naming of a child is in the choice of their forename. The forename of the first born child is always named after one of their parents, with some families even choosing to extend this to a second child being given the name of the other parent. Due to this practice there are often multiple people with the same fore and family names.

To remedy the potential confusion of having people with the same names, a child is also given a middle name at birth. This is the name they are more commonly known as and their forename remains unused, outside of formal occasions, until that parent passes. At this point the child will be expected to use their forename from then onwards.

Whilst some names are more commonly used as masculine or feminine choice, a vast majority of names are considered unisex and can be used interchangeably. There are no strict naming traditions surrounding gendering of names.

The most regularly spoken languages among the Kailo'Ri are a combination of Elvish and Common, particularly in the more metropolitan upper portions of Kailo'Mara. However the traditional Mara Sushoyan is still used intermittently in the cities, and more so in the further reaching caverns and isolated areas.

The Kailo'ri can appear a secretive culture to people from outside their borders and even those who live in the upper Mahi'mara region can find it difficult to feel fully accepted into life in the underground. This secrecy is born of the deep connection the Kailo'ri feel to the dark underground they dwell in, and the incredibly unique flora and fauna that exists there. There is a strong sense of duty to protect and conserve life in the depths, and of guardianship of the secrets held where only the Kailo'ri have been able to reach.

The shared belief in protection through secrecy results in a respect for the privacy of others found across all Kailo'ri. Although this can result in the appearance of being outwardly closed off or even emotionless in public, this is not the case once you are taken into their confidence. Once given the trust of the Kailo'ri nothing will be held back from you.

As a byproduct of their secretive nature, it is considered very rude to heavily pry or push for information not freely given out to you. There is wide understanding of the use of phrasing and paralanguage when communicating and recognising what is being said, even without words.

The architecture of the Kailo'ri shows a combination of their respect for the integrity of the stone caverns they live in, alongside their appreciation for the fine craftsmanship of stonework carving. Decorative carving is commonplace on nearly all buildings, with even the simplest structures built into the rock face showing evidence of decoration to the front walls. Where large natural formations of minerals and stone can be fully incorporated into the structure of a building this is done with minimal disruption to the original placement of the formation.

In the far reaches of the Kailo'mara is the vast underground lake known as Umikai Hekil’oshi, or the Sea of Dying Thunder. The high vaulted ceiling of the cavern is covered in scattered bioluminescent flowers which are reflected on the lake, whose waters are so still they appear as mirrored glass. This is where the traditional funerary rites of the Kailo'ri are undertaken.

After death, the body of the person is cleaned and tightly wrapped in a large decorative shroud. This is typically undertaken by the close relations or friends of the individual and native plants of the Kailo'mara and small gifts of offering will be included into the wrappings. These gifts are thought to be vital in ensuring the Soul of the individual is accepted into the afterlife where they can then be judged and reincarnated. To have nothing to offer the Solioshi in payment for the passage of the Soul is considered a terrible fate as the Souls may then simply be consumed instead and never return to the Material Plane again.

Following the wrapping of the body, it is then transported to the shores of Umikai Hekil’oshi where there is a ceremonial procession and final goodbyes to the deceased. The body is then placed onto a raft and set out into the waters of the lake. The raft is often covered in the petals of various bioluminescent plants and candles, and as it is set adrift the mourners sing the final deathsong for their lost. Once fully out from the shore a horn is sounded into the vast echoing chamber, the sound seeming to reverberate within the space for long after it was initially blown.

The expected hope is that following a moment of silence after the horn, there is then an answering rumble from deep within the invisible depths of the cave. This sound indicates the acknowledgement of the Solioshi of the Soul waiting for them and shortly after the raft will be pulled beneath the waters.

Should a Kailo'ri pass away when far from Kailo'mara it is still tradition to try to return them to Umikai Hekil’oshi in some way. Those observing this tradition for a Kailo'ri while too far to transport the whole body, it is still requested that they be laid to rest in a large body of water. Something personal of the deceased is then returned to Kailo'mara and offered to the Solioshi. During the winter solstice there is an annual memorial for those lost which takes place on the shores of Umikai Hekil’oshi, where small floating lanterns are set adrift into the waters. This is often when tokens to represent those who died without being able to be fully returned to the waters will be offered.

Kailo'ri Elves tend towards skin tones in various shades of blue, grey and purple, and they favour features that contrast highly with this. Individuals with darker toned skin alongside bright or pale coloured hair, markings and eyes are considered particularly striking. It is not unusual for those who do not develop overly noticeable markings when they come of age to use make-up to try and create more contrast where they can.

There are very few parts of society in which a person's gender identity is a factor and there are no roles that people of certain genders are prohibited from taking part in. The only situation in which there is any form of gender preference is in relation to inheritance. The inheritance of wealth, belongings and familial responsibility is automatically passed down the matriarchal line, unless otherwise specified. This often results in the heads of families being female, however this is not a strict constant.

Whilst marriage for love is not unheard of nor discouraged, arranged and political matches are equally common. It is still preferred that even in an arranged match the couple should have a level of compatibility, both parties have the opportunity to get to know one another, and even decline the match should they so choose. Courtship and marriage is acceptable between any gender and same-sex marriages are not prohibited.
In all instances it would be considered proper for a couple who have an interest in marriage to formally enter a phase of courtship known as Ekoana, which typically lasts anywhere from 1-5 years. During this time they will be expected to get to know one another and each other's families. Ekoana starts with formal contact from the interested party to the family of the other person with the offering of a small gift, and then the reciprocal acceptance of this gift. The gifted item is typically something simple, however should show a level of understanding of their intended persons preferences. A person may receive multiple offers of Ekoana but they are not obliged to accept if they do not wish to. It is possible at any time for Ekoana to be ended should a couple decide they are not compatible and no longer wish to marry, without any sort of societal repercussions.

After an acceptable period of Ekoana a couple who then decide to marry will undertake a formal engagement. This is a small ceremony typically performed in front of the family and friends of the couple and involves the heads of the families formally requesting marriage between their families. Compared to Ekoana, the engagement period is relatively short, and often less than a year. This is not the time to get to know each other but the time for the formal drawing up of marriage contracts and planning of the wedding itself. Part of the negotiations of the marriage contract involves the decision about which Family Name will be used by the couple.