Gwerin

The elven population is a study in racial divergence. Both descended from the Lightborn via the aelvar common ancestor, they diverged during the Second Age. High elves maintained links to the Aether-filled Astral, leading to near-immortality and strong magical capabilities. The Wood elves gave allegiance to the kami, bonding with the natural elements. Changeable and wild, they gave up their long lives and innate magic for strong ties to nature and wisdom. Still able to interbreed, the two had diverged significantly by the pre-Cataclysm era.

The Cataclysm War accelerated the divergence of these people. Now, the two civilized elven populations barely consider each other as members of the same race. Wood elves consider the high elves a dead end, dying people who are stuck in the past. High elves consider Wood elves barbarous and uncivilized. Both are right. Their languages have diverged to the point that they are mutually unintelligible although they are still written in the same script.

High Elves (Gwerin)

High elves are tall, slender, and graceful. Their hair, skin, and eyes take on tones that are unnatural in most other species--gold or ivory skin, metallic silver, gold, or red hair, and eyes that glitter in jewel tones. They are long-lived, reaching 120 years old on average with the eldest living to about 200 years. Their un-ageing nature died with the Cataclysm, as did the strongest links to the Astral. They want those links back, desperately.

Two groups have developed, divided by how they have chosen to reclaim the past glories of their race. These factions are the Gardeners and the Arcanists' Union. The Gardeners have decided that intentional genetic modification through eugenic breeding programs is their race's best bet. They seek magics and power to breed in traits into the elven lines that will lead toward a new glorious future. Marriages are calculated and decreed by the leadership without regard for emotional compatibility. The Gardeners are more inward looking, disdaining outside influences as disruptive.

The Arcanists' Union is the smaller group, believing that a study of the magic of the past is the way forward. They are less concerned with racial purity and more with magical might. Their leaders are always powerful mages--those who reject the arcane are shunned. They tend to have very little concern for collateral damage.

High elven society (of whichever faction) is hierarchical, aristocratic, and patriarchal. Those of high blood (either genetically or magically) wield tremendous privilege and power over those of lower status. 8 Houses Major form the core of the aristocracy--5 are Gardener-allied and 3 are Arcanist. Each House Major has a stable of Houses Minor as vassals. Houses tend not be be large in size--10-20 full members on average. Women are considered somewhat lesser, but their status depends more on social class than on gender.

Since the breakup of the Council Lands, the gwerin have moved almost entirely to the new Crisial Kingdom. Their queen, the time-lost aelvar woman known as Rānē, has managed to mute the worst of both factions and the gwerin people have entered something of a resurgence. Their population has grown tremendously recently.

With regard to other races, high elves tolerate humans (especially the tiefling and aasimar groups), pity halflings, and disdain dwarves. Their worst feelings are toward the wood elves. Dragonborn are neutral (but considered somewhat lesser like all other races). Hobgoblins and ophidians are actively disdained; the more snobbish high elves won't associate with them or talk to them unless absolutely necessary.

Religiously, High elves venerate ancestors as well as Yogg-Magus, Tor Elan, and Aerielara (mostly). Roel-Kor has a strong following, especially among the higher classes.

Sexual propriety is a weak among the High elves. Since both male and female high elves are in conscious control of their fertility, unauthorized children are rare although marital fidelity is not a major virtue. This sexual licentiousness is a major source of inter-racial tension, especially with the dwarves.

Naming

High elves are named according to the pattern <Given> sur <House>.

Common male given names include: Alwyn, Afon, Arthfael, Berwyn, Brynmor, Cadfael, Derwyn, Emris, Gerallt, Glyndwr, Idris, and Mabyn.

Common female given names include: Aelwyd, Adara, Arwydd, Blodwen, Bronwyn, Caethes, Cerwen, Enid, Gwen, Olwyn, Rhedyn, Rhian, and Saeth.

The Houses Major are: Seren (G), Golau (G), Hawal (G), Iledrith (A), Arlwyd (G), Tywyll (G), Riain (A), and Tuathail (A).