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THE
MAEVERHIM
ELVES |
The Maeverhim are the ethereal and peaceful inhabitants of the Sharadon Forest of southern Santharia. They live very high in the trees, rarely touching the ground. Oddly, they graciously welcome visitors that wish to visit, though they usually need a Maeverhim guide to escort them. These elves have embraced the element of Wind and have taken Grothar as a focus of their worship. Though few become "EarthBurned", their looks and distinctive speech are easily recognizable by the races. Through their selective isolation, they have advanced their own technology for their benefit.
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Image description. A
Maeverhim elf smiling at a new visitor entering the
Sharadon. Pic by
Eshóh K'ryvvlen. |
Appearance.
The most notable thing about the Maeverhim elves is their aquiline nose. It is
thin and elegant, giving the tribe a bird-like look. The nose increases in
length as the elf ages, though rarely do
they surpass a span in length. The finger- and toenails are naturally black, and
the Maeverhim rarely clip them, furthering the birdlike appearance.
Maeverhim usually have either black or blonde hair, with either green or blue
eyes. Variants are seen among the tribe, but they are not often. The Maeverhim
are fond of streaking their hair with blue and green pigments.
All Maeverhim carry a "fading" color gene within them. As an
elf gets older, the color dissipates from
their hair, eyes, and skin. It is a very eerie thing to see, but as Maeverhim
rarely leave their home, they have little problem with these transformations.
Maeverhim are very tall elves, at over two
peds. With long necks, legs and arms, they seem to be in all places at once in
the earth-bound cities. The Maeverhim are thin and have no awkward bony angles.
They seem supple and elegant; no muscles are seen to move under their skin, and
they have curves and angles in all the proper places. Many claim them to be the
most elegant of all known elves, for their
aerial displays on their invented forms of transportation gives the illusion of
a birdlike grace.
Coat of Arms/Sign.
The Maeverhim use a tapestry of symbols rather than a coat of arms: The tapestry
is a blue triangle, with one point down. The border is of silver and green
entwined, with an elegant white bird, the Thyrindian Eagle, with feet extended painted in the center.
The eye of the bird is that of the rune of Avá.
In one foot is a branch of a willow, and
the other holds a lightning bolt of
Grothar. The Maeverhim enjoy teasing the travellers that visit by asking
them what else the bird holds. When they answer incorrectly (as they usually do)
they laugh cheerfully and explain that the bird holds the wind in its wings.
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Territory.
The Maeverhim live high in the trees of the
Sharadon, north of the
Narfost Plain. The
Sharadon
completely envelops the tree-top town of Seraia, a cheerful place known for its
hospitality and uniqueness. The Maeverhim are very friendly with visitors, but
can easily punish a criminal severely if the time demands it.
People.
The Maeverhim may very well be the oddest tribe of
elves known. They differ from many of their
elven brothers in that they enjoy visitors
and are very open to new experiences. Some think of them as child-like; as they enjoy
games, jokes, stories and are easily amused. However, it is advised to not upset
a Maeverhim. They are known to turn against anyone that angers them.
The Maeverhim have had to adapt to their life above ground, and by discovering
ways to harness the wind, they have made many interesting inventions.
Rope-ladders that carry them without their having to move, zip-lines that allow
them to travel distances they could never jump, and a particular style of
clothes that allow them to slow their descent when they jump from one level of
the town to another.
In fact, thei Maeverhim elaborate form of canopy transportation and way of life
has made their usage of their devices an art form. Devices such as the Shatí'ésh
(translated: "False Winged", also called "Trapease") and the Zip-Line have made
their way of life one that delights travellers to observe.
However, they look down upon Maeverhim that have touched the earth. Calling them
"EarthBurned", these Maeverhim are shunned by the tribe; this usually forces
them to leave. Despite the cold shoulder given by their own, EarthBurned
Maeverhim still have the child-like disposition coupled with a violent rage.
Housing.
The Maeverhim live high among the earth of the
Sharadon.
It is windy there, but the Maeverhim do not mind. Their houses are built around
the trees instead of inside them, and they use bridges, ladders, ropes,
crawl-lines and tree-hopping to move from one tree to another. Communities like
these house about 50 individuals, and all 85 or so communities within the
Sharadon
are interconnected through simple bridges through the treetops. Another
interesting detail is that the Maeverhim do not sit upon chairs; they prefer to
lounge their lanky bodies on mats and pillows.
Seraia is not a part of the
Sharadon,
but she is connected to the closest towns to her by the bridges. It is elevated
about 15 peds off the ground by stilts; to keep its Maeverhim visitors
comfortable. Seraia is the gateway to the high canopy levels of the Maeverhim.
Whistling beetles give an odd yet cheery sound to their towns, and butterflies
of all colors are in great abundance.
Rubits are less seen, but they are very
cherished and colorful residents.
The Homes of the Maeverhim are slightly monochromatic; beautiful murals in
greens, whites and blues dominate the interiors. They do enjoy light, however,
they despise fire. They use
nightshimmer vines, the tribe
seems unaffected by the vine's trance-like powers. The glowing
quílly'efér live naturally in this enviornment. They also cultivate the
dalor; a glow-creature they received in
trading at Seraia. These
elves enjoy the company of birds as well,
and many of these creatures can be seen roosting among the trees bewteen
Maeverhim homes.
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Picture description: The location of the Shardon Forest, home of the Maeverhim Elves. Map by Artimidor Federkiel. |
Clothing.
The tribe is unique in their attire. They like to wear very loose, baggy
clothing, with special winglike appendages made from silk that extend from the
side seams. These large clothes and their extra material help them to glide
through the air when they hop from tree to tree, and when the garments are hit
by the wind and move, it is a reminder of
Grothar's presence.
They enjoy glittery and colorful things. They attach strings, ribbons and sashes
to their clothes, so that they may flutter in the breeze. They love buttons and
feathers, and some like to paint pictures on their clothing. The dominant colors
are blue, green, white and black, but yellow and purple are becoming more
familiar.
Diet. The
Maeverhim are for the most part, Herbivores. they enjoy nuts and berries,
grasses and leaves, and they eat bugs and
rubits from time to time. They do not eat birds or any other flesh. Some of
the elder Maeverhim will eat a small stone to aid their stomachs as they break
down food.
Weapons.
The Maeverhim have no reason to fight among their high-slung home. Their weapons
are rarely needed for fighting. Most weapons are now used to cut wood, branches
and cord. Some people consider this a weakness. Their closeness with
Grothar gives them the ability to use
his powers if they require it.
Though the Maeverhim are also amazing with a
bow, they do not like to shoot living creatures with it; they prefer
friendly competition.
Occupations.
All Maeverhim are cultivators. They grow the trees around them and nurture the
birds and insects. The beauty of one's home and the area around it greatly turns
on how well a Maeverhim takes care of his tree and its residents.
Some Maeverhim enjoy trading, they will focus on trading a bit more than
cultivation. These traders are not so blessed with the presence of the residents
as others are, but they stand out just as well with their unique items garnered
in trading.
Government.
The Maverhim tribe is ruled by the Rónn or Ránn, much like other tribes. The
Rónn/Ránn resides in his chosen town; but other than the title and the power,
the Rónn/Ránn is the same as any other Maeverhim. Their homes are cared for by
the town members, they are meant to be the most beautiful.
Production/Trade.
The Maeverhim's friendly dispostion make them great traders. They are easily
traded to, and they like to make deals. As long as everyone comes away happy
from a deal, then all is well for the Maeverhim.
They trade rubits, fabric, beads, and
sometimes birds. Their hospitality is well-known, and many visitors will play
Maeverhim for a few day's stay in their home to experience the Maeverhim way of
life.
Natural Resources.
The trees around the Maeverhim are abundant with bird and insect life. They
obtain silk from the lu'an moth, and
spin it into a fine yet strong fabric. Many plants are cultivated in the
treetops, plants that do not normally grown at that area, but with careful
nurturing by the Maeverhim, thrive very well. This creates another unique
predicament; tourism.
Holidays, Festivals
and Observances.
There are mainly two festivals the Maeverhim celebrate:
Mummer's
Moon
Mummer's Moon is a playful festival to the Maeverhim, as they delight in
creating a game by pretending to suffer. They act out and have great fun; as
Grothar blesses them through all their
days.
Winter
Solstice
The Winter Solstice is another festival they delight in, and this is the prime
time for visitors to arrive. The Solsitce makes the Maeverhim more giddy and
"childish" than usual. No cow is used in
this sacrifice, they prefer not to.
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Information provided by
Viresse
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