High Elves - Empire of the Rose

[Admin]

High elves (Eldarin)

The power center of High Elven power is the city state of Krys. The grand city sits on the edge of the Fey woods, in lands just south of the sunken lost kingdom. Krys is is unmistakably elven in design; tall spires and shrines dominate the city-scape. Krys is a city of political intrigue with each clan jockeying for the emperor's favor. The current Emperor Ejlatian has lost his son and only full blooded heir and the city is becoming a dangerous place for those elves unversed in politics.

The high Elven empire (The Empire or Throne of Roses) had once ruled much of the near realms. In just three of their generations the elves have lost much of their political power. The elves have been unable to maintain their control over the shorter lived races after the devastation of the hordes in the dark invasion. Although bitter, the elves have not entirely withdrawn from politics. Still, they take a far less active role. The seven major clans (and numerous less significant ones) bicker and jostle for position within the court.

The major clans and their current goals are listed below.



Dragon (Ka'Athem)

The current emperor Ejlatian belongs to the Dragon clan. As his son was somewhat of an adventurer and was slain in a battle with a demonic spider (thus preventing his resurrection) The dragon Clan is currently in turmoil. Several minor clan lords are attempting to curry favor and perhaps supplant the clan by offering their daughters to the emperor (who seems to remains uninterested.)

Lion (Ry'lia)

The lion clan is known for its fierce warriors. The iconic Lion warrior shuns the Katana for the Naga maki (Tahl'ael.) The Lion clan currently is the muscle behind what power remains with the Dragon clan. While the old nobles of the clan hold this honored place in high esteem some of the younger clansmen wonder why the lion Clan itself is not the rulers of the Empire. Many of the younger nobles envision a day when the Eldarin once again rule all the near realms and await the ascension of the Ry'lia to the throne.

Crane (Sum' Elea)

The Clan of the Crane are unwilling subjects of the Dragon Clan though they recognize their authority begrudgingly. Some twelve generations ago the Crane clan were the rulers of the Eladrin. Due to political maneuvering and some mark on the honor of the clan, The Dragon clan ascended to the throne and ushered in the Throne of roses. Crane strongholds were in the now sunken kingdom and they previously controlled many key trade routes. Crane lands are now mostly confined to the Feywild though they refuse to abandon all of the prime as a prophesy once told to children of the Crane that in fifteen generations a “lost blood” (a term for a member of the noble caste who form some reason lost their station) of the Crane will rise to the throne. It is commonly believed by Clan oracles that the only place where the prophesy may come to fruition is on the prime and so several families of the clan retain (or try to expand) their holdings in the near realm.



Phoenix (Khan'eyant)

Although they maintain a small presence in the city of Krys (as do all clans out of necessity) the Clan of the Phoenix in concentrated in a few lonely citadels in the west on the foothills of the Worldspine mountains. The phoenix clan maintains trade relationships with the Sultans land across the desert which lies to the west of the World-spine. The travel route is lengthy and difficult which minimizes its trade impact. Still the Phoenix clan has access to all manner of goods rarely seen in the east.

Mantis (Ky'erma liante)

The Champions of the commoners is the unofficial motto of the Mantis clan or “Ky'erma liante” While all each clan is divided among castes the Mantis treat all commoners (even commoners of other peaceful races) with respect and in this way have come to be regarded as wise councilors to throne. Still other clans regard their attitude with disdain believing it weakens the legitimacy of the emperor or at least the caste system. The Mantis are also employed as ambassadors to other governments and even tribes of the plainsmen. Some members of the Mantis clan are said to be dabblers in the shamanistic practices of the barbarians themselves though this is considered by most to be an unrefined attack on the integrity of the clan.

Lotus ( Serin'lote)

The great philosophers of the clans come from the lotus clan. While many clans look to the past greatness of the empire, the Lotus clan believes that they will prosper only by embracing all just races. The ancestor's of the lotus clan are said to be the most powerful of all the spirits though they are also the most disinterested in restoring the greatness of the empire. The lotus are close allies of the Crane clan. The Lotus clan are the oracles among the Eladrin and their position as a major clan of nobles is unquestioned even though they maintain few strongholds and have almost no commoners to conscript in times of war.



Fox (Rusco)

Renown of their horsemanship, the fox clan aspires to be more than a clan of tax collectors and bandit catchers. The Fox clan is jealous of the position of the Lion clan though their arrogance is too great to admit it. The leaders of the clan are shrewd bargainers and though they would never be merchants (or salesmen) themselves they have been made wealthy “protecting” caravans to and from Krys.



High Elven society is feudal in nature and roughly parallels certain aspects of feudal Asian society. Eldarin live in a caste system separated into nobility and commoners. Few avenues other than the priesthood exist for commoners to advance in social standing. Monks and clerics are afforded a position almost outside their castes. Eldarin live following the tenants of frugality, loyalty, mastery of vocation and honor to the death. Family and clan relationships are viewed as sacred.

Eldarian clans revere their ancestors and other Zantith (primal)spirits. Upon their death, most clan members join the pantheon of clan ancestors and slowly fade into the clan's totem becoming essentially an aspect of the clan's totem Zantith. Significant personalities have been able to translate great deeds in life into the status of becoming independent Zantith spirits. Those who bring shame or dishonor to their clan face an eternity apart from their clan ancestors, a terrifying concept to most Eldarin.