Mystic Wood Elf Culture for Izendorn (HF)

I. Overview:

The Mystic Wood Elves of Izendorn are much like those that you would find in other countries throughout Tyrra. They avoid any spell, potion or skill that would take away the will of another. They are excellent craftsmen who consider barter and a promise kept as good or better than gold. However, there are some customs that vary from place to place.

II. History and Legends

A. History:

Mystic Wood Elves have been in Izendorn in only small numbers until quite recently. Over the past hundred years, families slowly came into Izendorn, as a wild place still to explore. Due to this, there are very few purely mystic wood elf villages in Izendorn. In the few that due exist, there seems to be a palpable feel of slow, yet ancient, growth and custom.

B. Legends:

While a promise kept is valued among mystic wood elves, so is the ability to trick an enemy. Thus, the greatest, and currently only, legendary figure among the Izendorn mystic wood elves, is Jathar of the Ahora Clan. He is the only mystic wood elf that was able to talk a small group of Galadeen Raiders out of their treasure…or so the story goes.

III. Life

A. Childhood:

Children are generally raised by the whole group of mystic wood elves living in that area who are of the same clan as the mother of the child. At 40-60 years of age, the child is considered ready for the rite of passage, after which he or she will be tattooed to show adult membership in the clan of his mother. The child will also choose his or her road name (the name of introduction to non-mystic wood elves).

B. Marriage:

Marriage is somewhat unusual among the mystic wood elves of Izendorn. Each person is allowed, and in some cases expected, to have three mates during their lifetime, even at once. The first spouse would be older, the Teacher. The second would be of roughly the same age, the Companion. The third would be young, the Student. There are no gender restrictions on these spouses. There are also few restrictions upon extra-marital activities. (Largely, the latter restrictions would be determined by all involved parties at the time of marriage.)

C. Government:

Each clan has a Council of Elders which, in turn, reports to the Great Council. The Great Council meets four times a year, at the Solstice and Equinox festivals. The Council of Elders consists of six elder members of a tribe. The Great Council consists of two elders from each of the three clans: Ahora, Jongleur and Daemonae.

IV. Outlook:

The mystic wood elves, as a whole, enjoy good craftsmanship, good stories and good wine. They also abhor all forms of slavery. Among the mystic wood elves, the clan is family and should be respected. Their views of members of other races are generally made on a case-by-case basis. Each sentient being is worthy of respect and courtesy until that person proves otherwise. This does not, however, mean that the mystic wood elves are fools. Being fond of playing tricks, they will often recognize another who is playing one.

V. Role-playing an Izendorn Mystic Wood Elf:

Remember to have fun. Enjoy the wine, the crafts, the other people, the stories and the occasional trick. Ingenuity is key. Life is hard. To make it more enjoyable, you have to be “smarter than the average bear.”

 

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