Crafting Culture

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If you have already joined our Facebook group please take the time to snicker at the folks in the corner. Yes, we did just shame you non-facebook fans. Shame shame. Now we know your name and your are familiar with our game. So let's get serious shall we?

This quarter was focused on developing the Elven people in Epimetheus. There were seven separate areas where we accomplished this. Well, if researching the RL lore behind elves is to weigh in, than eight areas. Stumbling back to the topic: there were seven areas of Elves that saw attention this quarter: Armory, Maps, Wildlife, Types, Wonders/Attractions, Holidays and NPCs.

Armory

In the armory we have remastered the Elven weapons and unit banners. Those that follow our progress closely will notice that there are two weapons that stand out in contrast to the lore of the Elves. The first is the 2-handed Sword and the second is the Truder. Both of these items were crafted by the Dwarves. Remember that the Elves abhor common metals and so they carry silver weapons for the most part. However, other precious metals, such as mithril, adamantium and titanium, are used in their crafting.

This preference in materials makes their gear highly expensive. A fact that is balanced by these same items being handed down from generation to generation. On each weapon you will find a family crest stamped labeling the house with which it belongs. While gear predating the "Great Scourge" is commonly found free of family identifiers, modern elven weaponry and armor will display family crests in aesthetic locations.

In addition, due to the softer nature of many precious metals, elemental magic is used to 'harden' items of war. This magic imbues the wielder with some natural resistances to elemental magic while making them more susceptible to others. Nonetheless, one cannot argue the beauty of Elven made products, and they are therefore a great commodity.

Cartography

 Detailing maps is a grueling and somewhat unrewarding task. It is a necessity though and thus there has been some progress there as well. The biome map for the Elven Nation, Quiyarus, has been completed. Individual territories are being worked on, bodies of water are being added, elevation is being determined, resources are being scattered, and details are developing rapidly. There is just so much that goes into world building that it is a painstakingly laborious task.

At this time we are adding elevation to  the territorial maps. Elevation will be tweaked several times over as the world is crafted, but we need a starting point. Additional tools are being developed to aide in producing detailed maps. Those tools will eventually find there ways on to the highly underdeveloped Mechanics page.

Wildlife

Three pieces of artwork have been remastered to add wildlife to the region's depth. These three unique creatures were created by the Director Producer. Color has not been added and that creativity might get handed off to our followers. Who knows, maybe we will print a bunch of coloring pages and drop them off at local libraries for a color-off! How cool would that be?

The Bizzen is a subterranean mammal. It's head is unique in that it has an exoskeleton whereas the rest of it has a normal, internal skeletal system. These creatures are relatively docile feeding on grubs, slugs and snails. They will become violent if they are agitated. Some cultures prize their horns, tusks and skulls.

While the Rogsha has a body very similar to a canine it is actually feline. It preys upon large birds and rodents and is extremely wary of strangers. Interestingly, the creature's third eye allows it to see through illusions, spot magic generation, and reveals the spiritual nature of other lifeforms as well. These abilities have long aided in its ability to survive hostility as well as capture its prey.

Our very own dino-creation is the Newpolis. It is reptilian with a unique jump and glide skill similar to grasshoppers. It is an herbivore and docile in nature. It flees at the first sight of danger and is considered highly intelligent. While there have been rumors of some being domesticated there is no real use in doing so as they are too small to mount, have no real combat prowess and do not hunt and fetch.

Types of Elf

One of the coolest additions to the Elven lore is the introduction of five separate types of elf. This approach has allowed us to make distinct groups and provides an opportunity for back story, conflict, and additional lore. It will also alter a players starting location when they create an avatar.

The Venvyre are those elves that congregate along the rivers of Quiyarus. They vary greatly in skin and hair color and are widely known as the most versatile of the Elven people. With towns and villages dotted all along the fertile river banks. The river-folk also make up the bulk of Elven traders and merchants. They peddle Elven wares from Kanjin to Stenocia and have established relations with some of the most allusive races in Aborlon. It should come as no surprise that river Elves are also known for their diplomacy and mercantile skills.

Rambunctious, fun-loving people, darker skinned and fair-haired the Venalli are fishers and farmers for the most part. These Elves have established themselves as the finest builders among their people, building the most well known structures in all of Quiyarus. Their talent for earth magic is balanced by their love for the sea. These coastal dwelling Elves are most known for their ability to breed Kenther, a highly sought after pet.

By far the most allusive of the Elven people, the Ruehnar enjoy their privacy and are distrustful of most outsiders. Their capital city, Ziaster, is considered a safe haven by all elves, save the Iarro. During the ages of old, when the Great Scourge infected hearts and minds many Elves fled to the safety of the great tree city. The Ruehnar live deep in the forests and practice a wide variety of elemental magic. They are also nearly unmatched in the art of earth magic in Aborlon and their healing salves are highly sought after. In addition, they have the largest variety of earth familiars available.

Island Elves, or Iarro, are the largest purveyors of water familiars. They practice powerful water magic which aides in their crafting of sea-faring ships.Their Schooners are unmatched in speed and stealth. These islanders spend most of their life at sea, making them natural fishermen.

There is a smaller group of Elves known as the Caeda. They live among the Iarro. They are protectors of the sacred circle, an enchanted glade that is believed to be the birthplace of all Elves. There is little known about the Caeda but they have all white hair, are very pale skinned and their eyes are brilliant blue. Caeda are masters of the elemental magics earth, air, and water.

Wonders and Monuments

What culture doesn't have monuments and wonders? Creating these is like opening the flood doors of crazy inspiration. Already we have funny, tragic and horrific ideas pouring from our imaginations. Simultaneously the need for a timeline is becoming more pressing. Where one idea sprouts up dozens of hurdles come gushing to the surface. Clearly, we must take care so as not to drown in the vastness of new challenges. Here is a list of what we have accumulated thus far:

• Memorial of the Great Scourge
• Fields of Isilynor
• Bridge of Bones
• Kriswarin Elas [Tree of Dreams] 
• Tragic Valley
• Glimmering Palace
  
  

Descriptions will be found in the Races lair shortly.

Holidays

While drunken, merry Elves might be something that does, or does not, come to mind when thinking of a toy workshop at the north-pole, we thought it would be nice to enliven our Elves with some seasonal celebrations. Given this race's natural affinity toward nature it seems only fitting to coincide their holidays with the natural phenomena of seasonal solstices.

Every year the Festival of Divos is celebrated with great participation. It's a holiday with time-honored roots, but today it is mostly associated with homemade holiday decorations, meals, traditional hair styling and fireworks. It is officially celebrated for an entire moon cycle. However, decorations are often seen weeks before the actual celebrations. Divos takes place during the Spring Solstice.

The honoring of the summer solstice, or Smulder, is a time of rest and recuperation for the people of Quiyarus. They gather together in their immediate family units, comforting and sharing of the year's struggles and achievements. They reflect on the personal growth they have acquired as a result of the challenges of life and encourage one another for the year to come. An ornament called a Urican is hung on the entrance door to signify that that house is observing Smulder.

Exalos is a bustling holiday filled with feasts, competitions, decorations, poetry, theatrical exhibitions, and worship. It is said that even the gods frequent the festivities of Exalos. It is a time of recreation and entertainment, cooks from around the world gather at the Elven capital to flaunt their talents and share their recipes. 

Every winter Glayze is celebrated with a lot of anticipation. It's a holiday with time-honored roots, but today it is mostly associated with love and romance, telling of stories, playing pranks and holiday related drinks. It is officially celebrated for ten days, but the periods before and after that time are so festive it may as well be 4 weeks long.

NPC's

The last area that has been developed to expand on the race of elves has been NPC's (non-playable characters). The greatest challenge is coming up with names. This of course applies to towns cities and memorials as well. A quick nod must go to the creator of the Fantasy Name Generator website. It has been a life saver, head ache reducer, anxiety minimizer and complaint muffler. So thank you guys and gals over there at FNG. Here is a quick list of what we have so far.

• First Elder Reluraun Preseveris of House Presever
• Second Elder Khuumal Waeslynn of House Waes
• Second Elder Orym Gennerlis of House Genner
• Second Elder Klaeryn Fartumlynn of House Fartum
• Second Elder Zinthrya Pamaris of House Pamar
• Second Elder Osonia Lufirynn of House Lufir
• Second Elder Vestele Krisfinis of House Krisfin
  
• Second Elder Elyonia Ellagwynn of House Ellag
• Second Elder Grathgor Waesris of House Waes
• Grand Elder Kellee Helewynn of House Hele
• Grand Elder Ilphas Luhanis of House Luhan
• Grand Elder Merellien Sarcarynn of House Sarcar
• Grand Elder Rathiain Zintoris of House Zintor
• Grand Elder Mathildian Valjorynn of House Valjor
• Grand Elder Riluaneth Luhanis of House Luhan
• Grand Elder Sumina Preseverynn of House Presever
• Grand Elder Elaith Oloris of House Olor
• Grand Elder Nhamash Zintorynn of House Zintor
• Grand Elder Eaven Gaerradis of House Gaerrad
• Grand Elder Shalana Valorynn of House Valor
• Grand Elder Tolith Xyrrosis of House Xyrro
• Grand Elder Mormoira Raevalynn of House Raeval
• Grand Elder Luthias Krisfinis of House Krisfin
• Grand Elder Jhandra Helewynn of House Hele
  
• Grand Elder Vaerill Preseveris of House Presever
• Elandorr Valoris of House Valor