Mvaserine

Overview:
A lush, green continent, with rolling hills gently accented with forests and mountain ranges, is the current home to the Elven population that makes up the world of Vaelthea. It is situated as the northeastern continent. Temperatures are mostly mild, though the eastern half of the continent experiences harsher winters while the west is far more temperate. The southernmost portion has a more tropical feel, and a touch warmer than the rest of the continent. The elven people have a deep relationship with nature, and as such, much of their architecture portrays this. Their buildings are both tall and multi-level, with large archways, steepled roofs, intricate wooden doors, and long windows to filter in natural light.

The western province, O'aenasari, is home to the Avariel Elves primarily and the beautiful, tree-and-flower lined Nalore Mountain range. It is perpetually green year-round, even in the cooler months, and its architecture tends to complement the nature surrounding it. Amvabel, the capital city, is known for its strikingly beautiful and incredibly tall buildings. Most notably, the Inyhathyr Hall, where the Senate meets monthly, is an unmatched work of art—imparted with crystal formations and metalwork made to look like trees, it is a sight to behold that brings visitors from far and wide.

The southern province, Yllmlone, is home to the Ēkvāṭika—the aquatic dwelling elven populous. It sits just above sea level, and its residents reside in homes built both on land within the province as well as in the Pontmont Gulf or below its surface. It houses beautiful beaches, and the Osyelqua Mountain range which is known for its bountiful waterfalls and caverns which, at some point, spill into the Itutara Ocean southeast of Mvaserine. The capital city of Ulleluna is a point of reverence to the gods.

The eastern province, Mmalenor, is comprised mainly of the Myrkálfar, or dark, elves. Known more for its flatter lands and richer forestry, it is home to two smaller mountain ranges. The Ashlil Mountains, to the North, maintain a snowy top all year, while the Inhethemar Mountains to the south are rockier and only accumulate snow during the winter months. It is an eerie place of beauty during the winter, when the leaves fall from the vegetation.

Government:
Comprised predominantly of Elves, this continent is governed by the Senate. There are six elves representing the various groups (2 per) that reside within Mvaserine: Avariels, Myrkálfar, and Ēkvāṭika. While these are the three subgroups of the elves that are represented, there are other types that exist; however, they are typically grouped with the larger groups in their immediate region. Members of the Senate are elected and serve a 10-year term, at the end of which they may be re-elected, if chosen, or retire as they see fit.

Continent Lore:

If you ask the three oldest families of each area, the stories are all the same. The twin cities, Wannaes and Affnaes, along with the island city of Effnaes, are fabled to have been founded due to a falling out amongst triplet brothers of the same name. Each brother went their separate ways, and after several days’ worth of travel, they built their homes wherever they stopped. No one alive today knows what started the feud nor does it seem to matter in the present time beyond a historical value.

There are rumored sightings of unicorns within the Milamelle Forest in the O'aenasari province, though these claims have yet to be proven.

Exports:

 * Silk
 * Gemstones
 * Gold

Cultural Norms:

 * Elven children are born with one name. There are no familial names, but second names are earned.
 * Ex. Valindra Astaldo -- in Elvish, Astaldo is translated to valiant, given after the sacrifices she made and heroic actions she took in the Battle of Efthelin.

Magick:

 * All elves are capable of being magickborne.
 * Elves borne with magickal abilities are expected to attend one of the two Academies for Magus training.
 * Once training is complete, these Elves are expected to pass the Exam of Spellworking at the Inyhathyr Hall in Amvabel, graded by a Senate-chosen panel of magick users.
 * Elves who earn their magickal abilities through other means rather than being born of the innate sense are considered witches or sorcerers and often not recognized by the Senate.
 * Magickborne Elves not recognized by the Senate who use their abilities in public are subject to punishment by law.

Avariels [ ah·vah·ree·elle ] Winged Elves.

 * Capital City
 * Amvabel

Physical Traits

 * Primarily light-to-tan skinned, though darker skin is not an unheard-of trait.
 * Light colored eyes, including blues, greens, purples, and other unusual but vibrant shades. Brown is very rare. Black has never been seen, but not impossible. Sclera is white only.
 * Hair color is not limited, though highly unnatural colors (such as green or hot pink) are far less commonly seen.
 * Culturally, hair is longer more often than it is short, but this is up to the individual.
 * Rarely shorter than 5’0”, upwards of 6’5” tall. Average 5’5”-6’0”.
 * Typically thin but not frail. Lithe and winsome.

Religion

 * Once devoted disciples of the Wildmother herself and their creator, Imneluna, though worship has fallen to the wayside. There are small sects throughout the entirety of Mvaserine that are devoted to them both, but they are few and far between.
 * The lesser goddess, Gwilith, and god, Skui, are of the air and sky respectively, and quite prevalent within Avariel society. Often, they are revered habitually or in passing, though many Avariel bear their sigil in some way.

Ēkvāṭika [ ee·vah·tree·kah ] Aquatic Elves.

 * Capital City
 * Ulleluna

Physical Traits

 * Primarily shades of tan, green, blue, grey, or purple. All colors look very muted.
 * Skin is smooth and slick to touch. Very cool.
 * Eyes are large and very fish-like.
 * Hair color can be any shade, but tends to be much darker.
 * Rarely shorter than 5’5”, upwards of 7’0” tall. Average 5’5”-6’5”.
 * Relatively muscled with swimmer’s builds.
 * Ears elongated like the typical elf’s, but fin out slightly.
 * Webbed fingers and toes.

Religion

 * All elves were once devoted disciples of the Wildmother herself and their creator, Imneluna, though worship for many has fallen to the wayside. The Ēkvāṭika are the primary exception here, with shrines to both centrally located.
 * Gaer and Aear, the lesser twin gods of the ocean and sea, are prominently worshipped by the Ēkvāṭika. Smaller shrines are devoted to both.

Myrkálfar [ meer·kahl·fahr ] Dark Elves.

 * Capital City
 * Caelora

Physical Traits

 * Capable of obtaining and maintaining more stocky (by Elven standards) builds than their warmer-climate kin.
 * Much deeper overall tones of tan, grey, black, purple, or navy.
 * Light colored eyes are less common but not unheard-of, including blues, greens, purples, and other unusual but vibrant shades; however, deeper shades of the aforementioned colors, including brown, are more prevalent.
 * Sclera can be white or black.

Religion

 * Like the Avariel, the Myrkálfar were once devoted disciples of the Wildmother herself and their creator, Imneluna, though worship has fallen to the wayside. There are small sects throughout the entirety of Mvaserine that are devoted to them both, but they are few and far between.
 * Fuin and Tovon of the Depths and Darkness.