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[edit] Description
High Elves are a playable race of elf located on Thestra. High Elves are traditionally considered the most supercilious of the elven races. The home city of the High Elves is Leth Nurae.
A young High Elf Paladin
It appears that some disaster struck the High Elf race many years ago, before the
Orc War. From the ceremony described by
Thelus Duron, this event may have involved the city of
Leth Verael falling into the sea around the
Bay of Despair. The elves were involved in the construction of Leth Nurae when
Orcs and
Goblins attacked the city.
[edit] Official Description
Noble, beautiful, haughty and arrogant, for thousands of years the majestic elves defined Thestran civilization. Though after the great breaking nearly a thousand years ago, they were hurt perhaps the most of all the races. With their cities destroyed and much of their population gone the elves of Thestra were crippled. The ensuring wars have made the rebuilding process slow and it is only now that the high elves are rediscovering the knowledge that had been so long ago lost.
A typical High Elf is of a slender build, they are pale and slightly taller than humans. They prefer to keep to themselves but realize that alone, they cannot hope to defeat the invading armies of undead and thus have made an effort to ally themselves with the rest of the Thestran races, putting aside even their legendary hatred of the wolf-like Vulmane.
They make their home in the forest city of Leth Nurae. Without walls, it would seem a susceptible target to attacks but few have had the courage to try.
[edit] Relevant Lore
'On the fifth day of the week, at sundown, I followed a procession of elves through Leth Nurae. As we moved through the city, more elves joined the march until we reached the bank of the river. In unison, the elves knelt and began to sing. It was the most beautiful of sights to behold. Later, I asked Velereth what this occasion meant. He replied that Leth Nurae mourns and remember the memory of its ancestors that were lost in Leth Verael as well as those who perished in the battles with the Orcs and Goblins.'
The Peoples of Thestra and Its Environs
A Novice High Elf Sorcerer
'I witnessed a unique rite of passage while in Leth Nurae. When a youth of Leth Nurae decides on a career path, they are asked to make a journey to the Bay of Despair. The trip is made alone and with minimal supples. The only required item is a cermonial water urn. Upon reaching the bay, they fill the urn with the water of the sea that claimed their ancestors. The urn is then emptied into the pool in Leth Nurae. It is believed that this will enable the spirits of their ancestors to dwell in the elven home.'
The Peoples of Thestra and Its Environs
'On my second night in Leth Nurae, I happened upon a group of young elves sitting in a circle around one of their elders. The elf, probably the oldest elf I had seen, was telling a story that enraptured the younger elves. I asked Velereth to translate for me and was fortunate to hear a wondrous and fanciful take about a land, far to the south, with a sea of sand, scheming advisors, and the war that their ambition started. Although Velereth faltered in his translation at times, I was able to determine this story is used similarly as instruction tales in New Targonor are used. The truth of the story matters less than the lesson it imparted of unchecked ambition and its consequences.'
The Peoples of Thestra and Its Environs
'Most believe the elves of Leth Nurae to be aloof to outsiders. However, my experience has been that they are more elitist and arrogant than aloof. Perhaps their long lives lead them to disdain other races. Whatever the reason, it was clear to me upon my visit that I was tolerated but not necessarily welcome into their city.'
Travels Through the Kingdom
'Velereth, the elf assigned to guide us through Leth Nurae, stood 6 feet but was slender in comparison to a human of the same height. He had very fair hair, almost white under certain light, and his chiseled facial features were more pronounced by his lack of facial hair. During one conversation I asked him his age to which he replied he was still a young elf at the age of 83.'
Travels Through the Kingdom
[edit] Famous High Elves
[edit] Faction Information
The following starting cities will be KoS to High Elves upon creation.
[edit] Official Sources
'Some of the inspiration for the High Elves came not so much from Tolkien but from Elric/Melnibonean.'
- Aradune Mithara [1]
[edit] Early High Elf Image
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