The Tethinhrim Tribe

Here is what I've been working on. A lot of this has just be rephrasing things and expanding on some of the ideas, as well as tying in to what other entries have mentioned. I will add in the other sections as I complete revisions of them.

Overview

Appearance

Coat of Arms/Sign

Territory
The Tethinrhim tribe is found throughout the Auturian Woods which is located north-east of the Gulf of Maraya, and in the mid to lower regions of the Southern Sarvonian Continent. To the east of the woods is the Manthrian province capital, Marcogg.

People
At birth every Tethinrhim child has a tattoo placed on the left arm. Each tattoo has a symbol that is unique to the child, but the tattoo always includes the Eye of Avá. The Spiritual Guider looks into the soul of the child and describes the design of the symbolic tattoo to the artist based on the infant’s soul name. Besides the Spiritual Guider, it is said that only dragons and other highly developed spiritual leaders are capable of reading the symbols. This tattoo is a source of great pride for many of the Tethinhrim, and the soul name associated with it is a more intimate name that is shared only with loved ones.

Children are raised by the tribe, allowing every child an even “playing field” and an opportunity to interact with almost everything the tribe has to offer. Children can be found playing around the Ria on most days or being taught by various adult in all the different occupations that interest them. In general, once a tribe member reaches adolescence they begin to focus on just a few skills in order to become a specialist.

Affection is kept to a minimum within the Tethinhrim tribe. Public displays of emotions have been discouraged ever since the horrible death of Ar'leiná. For the Kaierian Warriors, this is especially true. In fact, theses skilled fighters are trained to have very few emotions at all. Spiritual Guiders and the sovereign are the few known to express their emotions due the extreme burden placed upon them. However, it is only when in private company that they show these emotions and never in public.

Following the Rónn or Ava’ránn, the Kaierian Warriors are the next most respected people amongst the tribe. They are highly trained warriors, exceptionally skillful in battle. Spending many years training, the elves who strive to become Kaierians must go out and complete a quest of self-learning in order to be finally classed as a Kaierian Warrior. Each test is different, and many last several months.

The Spiritual Guider (Avár'Soórn) is another highly respected tribe member. He/she is often very gifted in the magical ways. There is never more than 3 at a time, training is harsh and generally starts from childhood when the child is seen to have the gift.

Other than the Rónn or Ava’ránn, the Kaierian Warriors and the Spiritual Guider there exist no other high-ranking tribe-people. This keeps the Tethinrhim's social and governing system simple, as there are clear cut leaders to look to for guidance.

Language
Because of their continued contact with the other elven tribes, the Tethinrhim language is much the same as other normal elven tribes. However, it is noted that vowels are pronounced with more of a growl than usual.

Housing
Typically tribe members live in small structures high in the tops of urban trees. Living in the trees lessens the impact upon nature as well as creates easily defendable and concealable housing. Large trees may be hollowed out to form a more permanent shelter, or housing can be constructed outward from the tree on platforms supported by the large branches. Houses are connected to one another with ladders or small bridges, which are often just logs that have begun to flatten over time.

In the heart of the Auturian woods is the largest Tethinrhim structure called the Ria. The Ria serves as the home of the sovereign, as well as functions as a communal center for the tribe. While very large compared to other Tethinhrim structures, it is small when compared to other houses of Royalty. This is not to say it is less grand than other houses of Royalty, as it is still an awe inspiring structure.

Clothing

Diet
The Tethinrhim diet mainly consists of vegetation foraged from within the Auturian Woods. Seeds, nuts, roots, and fruits are all commonplace with some of the most notable staples being Doch Nuts and Truphulls. The Tethinrhim are also known to have acquired a taste for cheese and sweet bread from trading with the Darian natives in the past. Meat is consumed on occasion, but has played a much smaller role in the tribe’s diet since the Third Great Flood when the Ylfferhim herds were contaminated with the Mór'cárlth virus, prompting a general avoidance of meat within the Tethinhrim.

Weapons

Occupations
Occupations are not defined by gender within the Tethinhrim tribe. For example, a male can look after the family while the female is out working or vice versa. The main goal of any occupation is to become skilled and provide their services to the tribe.

Some notable professions that the Tethinhrim focus on are: bowyer, armourer, weapon smith, leather worker, hunter, carpenter, and mapmaker. There are also more common skills that almost all Tethinhrim have some training in such as: forestry, herbal lore, climbing, telepathy, basic fighting, and other general survival skills. The most skilled members of the tribe are proficient in several of these areas, and the sovereign as well as their family are all educated in every single area so that they are able to lead the tribe in any direction required.

There is also the highly respected Kaierian Warriors that some of the Tethinhrim train to become from a young age. The Rónn or Ava’ránn is often trained as one of these warriors to ensure the strength of the tribe leaders.

Government

Production/Trade

Natural Resources

Festivals