Semadra, the First Tinker

an artist's conception of the mythical Semadra

In contrast to their blue and red cousins, silver elves have a much less narrative creation story. Silver elves believe that at the beginning of time, the magickal and mundayne realms were unified, and that their splitting was the result of some unforseen, unknown force. They further believe that when this disconnection is understood and resolved, the two realms will become unified again at the end of time.

Silver elves further beleive that the purest of beings are corporeal magickal ones (like, not surprisingly, elves) - those which unite the magickal and the mundayne in their very essence. When the two planes split from one another, most beings became either wholly magickal or wholly mundayne, but a lucky few retained their forms.

The three elvish sistes, Vinkenti, Athenorkos, and Semadra, fell into this lucky latter category. Myth holds that the three argued amongst themselves about what should be done. Vinkenti argued that the split was for the best, and that they should try to find a way to becom wholly magickal, so she retreated to the forests, a site of vibrant magic to isolate and protect it from mundayne influences. Athenorkoes argued that, trapped as they seemed to be in the mundayne realm, they had better just roll with the punches as best they could, and immersed herself in the lives and traditions of the mundayne creatures around her. And Semadra shook her head at her sisters and quietly explained that nothing could be done unless they understood why the split had occurred in the first place.

Semadra retreated to the solitude of the mountains, a place which fit her so well that she began to resemble the landscape around her: skin the color of cold granite and hair the color of freshly fallen snow. As she sat alone in the mountains, patterns began to reveal themselves all around her. she found that she had become aware of the motivations of those around here, of the growing of things beside her, and the movements of the weather above her.

Knowing she was on the way to unifying the two planes again, Semadra set out to uncover more patterns - effortlessly using all she learned to build gates through the mountains, find trails through the desert, and learn any languages she came across. It is said that she bore children as she travelled - though who sired them remains unclear - and that all of the silver elves in existence owe their strange talents and coloring to this single ancestor.

Today's silver elves, though not a mystical sort, still hold the art and science of tinkering in a regard that is tinged with religiosity. Though none of them realistically assume that Semadra is among the living, even fewer would openly say that she no longer wanders, searching for a way to unite the two realms.

The Woman in the Weeds

the Woman in the Weeds and her dearest friends

As with all powerfully magickal locales, the Pokelocken appears to have a deity (or wholly magickal noncorporeal being) which tends and protects it. As with all her kind, she is an odd sort of creature - Elothninians say that she always seems to be watching travelers from just out of view, tucked in amongst the reeds and undergrowth of the swamp (which is why she is called the Woman in the Weeds).

According to largely unsubstantiated legend, the Woman in the Weeds has a powerful ability to induce life in inanimate objects and substances, and she typically appears in such stories surrounded by odd creatures. Some have speculated that the wildly divergent biological composition and structures of the wee monsters that live in the Pokelocken can be accounted for more easily through the direct influence of the Woman in the Weeds than through magickally-influenced evolutionary forces. If this is the case, she may be the first of her kind to have such an immediate effect on her surrounding ecosystem.

Skillilinilia

the bizarre and inquisitive Skillilinilia

Skillilinilia is the name given to the deity of the Great Land Sea by the red elves, almost 1500 years prior to the First Displacement. The literal translation of the ancient elvish has been lost, but scholars suggest that it is derived from the words for waves (illianin) and guardian (a'skilil).

In contrast to many other deities, Skillilinilia has not been renamed many times. This may be due to her unusually open and social temperament, which leads her to take a more active role in the affairs of corporeal beings than most of her kind. For example, historians suggest that it was she that first contacted King Otellian I after his successful removal of the red elves. As the story goes, Otellian was sitting on a freshly conquered elvish dock pondering how best to organize his mass of cleverly brutish humans, when a strange fish-like woman emerged from the murky depths. As she wound her self around the dock and leaned in to speak with him, Otellian sensed an otherworldliness about her that suggested her nature, and this suspicion was confirmed when she introduced herself (by name, it should be noted) what he was, what he had done with the red elves, and why he was hanging about the sea. Otellian, crafty as ever, agreed to tell her under the condition that she allow his people to fish the seas. After setting limits on when and when he could fish what and how much of it, Skillilinilia succumbed to her burning curiosity and agreed.

Since then, she has been a prominent figure in Elothninian history. Fisherman are wary of her fickle and easily offendable nature, and interpret squalls and terrible whirlpools as her retaliations for perceived slights. Nobles and other high-born Elothninians, on the other hand, have often seen Skillilinilia as a strange and exotic form of entertainment. Many young men and women at court often venture to the coastal caves where she is set to reside to converse with her.

Strangely, the weather on the Land Sea has been suspiciously good and the caves markedly silent for the last century or so, leading some to wonder if Skillilinilia has retreated to the depths of the sea for good. Some have even speculated that Skillilinilia may no longer exist - perhaps another rare instance of a dead deity.

The Green Woman

The Green Woman is a confirmed deity associated with the Erkenheld Forest. She has been a mythical figure of the region for virtually all of known history, and appears in the folklore of elves, centaurs, and gnomes. News of the first confirmed sighting of her was brought to Perejin by a herd of centaurs who met her on a long hunt roughly 200 years ago. It should be noted, however, that due to her predilection for dwelling in the deepest heart of the forest, no humans have had direct contact with her.

The Green Woman is said to protect and care for the plant life of the Erkenheld, but what this means and the effects her presence has on the forest remain unknown. Legends have been told for centuries about walking trees which roam the interior of the forest, and of plants with powerful magical attributes. Though no proof has been found of such things, the ancient magic the Green Woman represents suggests they may not be wholly unfounded, and that travelers should be wary.

See Also:
The Sprite Queen

The Web-Footed Elf of Susselfen

an artist's rendering of the Web-Footed Elf - strangely missing the eponymous anatomical mutation

The Web-Footed Elf is a folk figure of the red elves of the Fethil and the surrounding region. Many of his exploits are supposed to have taken place in Susselfen, and many revolve around a common theme of making do with what one has, or the using the inherent cleverness of elves to turn a weakness into a strength. Here is one such tale as told by Jellihondor:

Ah, ye be wishin' for a story, then, do ye? An' one 'bout the Web-Footed Elf, no less, eh? Yeh've come to the righ' place then, have a seat.

Everyt'ing ye should know 'bout the Web-Footed Elf is already in the name - 'twas born wit' long willowy fingers 'n' toes, wit' great flaps o' skin between 'em. Growin' up, they were nothin' he be proud an' ye can be certain he did endure a host o' mean names and mockery. But he ne'er let it get to him as he knew tha' those strange digits could prove more useful than anyone expected. There are many a tale I could tell ye 'bout tha' but I won't, since ye asked me to stick to the point....ye do know tha's a hard, cruel t'ing ta ask o' an elvish storyteller don't ye?

Ah well. We'll skip ta him already bein' in Susselfen fer brevity's sake then. So. The Web-Footed Elf grew up an' settled in Susselfen, in part as it be a town known to be rather acceptin' o' strange folk wit' weird feet. One day, he was havin' a drink in a local tavern an' overheard massive bloke a-weepin' inta his ale. The Web-Footed Elf, suspectin' summat good is always ta be had when big folk be blubberin' so, pops up and sits down next to 'im, an' orders him another drink.

"What ye be a-weepin' fer?" he asked. The big bloke snuffled an' looked at him wi' big weepy eyes and moaned 'bout how he was certain ta be killed as he had lost summat very important in the river. "Well," said Ol' Web-Foot, "were ye to tell me what it was, I could find it for ye."

"Oh no!" said the bloke. "Ye could never find it! Went over the falls, an' anyway, tha' river be treacherous. I t'ink it be lost forever."

Ol' Web-Foot smiled, then, as he was a crafty one. "I'll tell ye a secret...I be a shaman. I can commune wit' the spirits that live in these parts, an' I may be able ta' persuade the spirit o' the river ta give back wha' e'er he took from ye. But, I should warn ye - he's a mean one, ill-tempered as a billy goat, an' he'll be demandin' some fine tribute. Trade's a trade to 'im."

The bloke agreed an' sooner than ye could blink gave the Web-Footed Elf 10 peices o' silver - 10! can ye believe it? - an told him to ask about a crate dwarvish ale. The next day, the Web-Footed Elf swam down through the murky waters, propellin' himself along lightnin' quick wit' his mutated feet, until he found the crate. The crate was caught in the reeds and fronds, but he used his long, ropy fingers to pluck it free and pull it to shore. Then, he grabbed a few bottles o' the ale and stashed them amongst the undergrowth o' the forests afore dryin' himself off and carryin' the crate back to town. After findin' the weepy bloke, he explained that a few o' the bottles must ha' busted on the way down the falls, but that everythin' went accordin' to plan and the river-spirit handed o'er the crate. The big fella, well, he was o'ercome wit' gratitude an' handed the Web-Footed Elf a few more peices o' silver and a couple o' bottles o' wine in thanks.

An' tha's why we remember Ol' Web-Foot: 'tis the way o' elves ta use our cunnin' and charm to keep ourselves well fed an' well kept. An' 'tis our way also ta' remember tha' possessin' such cunnin' means tha' we're resourceful enough to use even summat as strange as webbed feet ta our advantage. Ye sure ye dunna want another story? Like the time the Web-Footed Elf convinced the king o' the mersprites tha' he was the deity o' the Great Land Sea in order ta get revenge on a spiteful fisherman? Ye sure?

Prabil Worthis

Prabil Worthis and Ben the horse

Scholars believe that Prabil Worthis was born in Helletiern City around Otellian calendrical year 835, roughly 10 years before the beginning of Lilhelndine's reign began. At that time, much of Perejin had been claimed by Gimmelthorpe's expansionist campaigns, but the northwestern areas remained wild and untamed. Helletiern City, positioned as it is at the fork of the Quentalno and Athenorkos Rivers, represented the last Elothninian settlement of any size on the northern frontier.

Prabil, like most who grew up the farthest reaches of the empire at that time, live the rough life of a pioneer. His childhood homestead was a small farm about 10 miles past the edge of town, where his family grew crops and bred livestock. Historians speculate that the early life of Prabil Worthis was uneventful, but that he, along with many other young men, got swept up in Lilhelndine's call to fulfill Elothnin's Manifest Destiny. Prabil struck out along the Athenorkos River with little more than a rucksack, a good hat, and Ben the horse.

From Prabil's letters home, may of which have survived and are preserved in the Historical Wing of the Royal University of Neerhemhind, describe the many strange discoveries he made on his journey: the elvish ruins, the magical fields of untamed wheat, and the elvish natives (see right). Prabil is credited with the gradual settling of the area and the establishment of good relations with red elves.

By the beginning of the Border Wars, Prabil was a major figure in Fethilian politics. He often spoke against the Border Wars, beliveing them to unnecessary and unfruitful. For much of his lifetime, the Border Wars were tempered by his forthright and rustic diplomatic strategies. He was especially integral in dealing with elves, as he had by then become fluent in several elvish dialects and had taken an elvish bride. soon after his marriage, Prabil strengthened the Elothninian hold over the Fethil by winning the northen reaches of it from elvish control through a traditional elvish drinking contest - a feat that drew Prabil respect from the elves and allowed them to retreat to the Klevarcht Mountains with dignity.

The true nature of the relationship between Drinella, the elf-bride, and Prabil is a debated: some scholars propose that it was nothing more than a nominal marriage, meant to bridge a diplomatic gap, while others contend that it was a love-match and the coupling was a happy one. These scholars point to the large, good-natured (and suspiciously red-haired) Worthis clan as proof of romantic chemistry.

His efforts in the Fethil, both the expansion into it and his even-handed maintenance of it, were recognized by Queen Lilhelndine in the year 885. On Prabil's 50th birthday, the Queen bestowed upon his lineage a vassalship (see left) over the area, an act which brought the Worthis line from common standing into the Elothninian elite. As Prabil paid little attention to such social delicacies, he abdicated the vassalship, passing it instead to his firstborn son. His later years were marked by contemplative seclusion. Drinella and Prabil remained in a charming thatch-roofed house on the outermost edge of the Fethil, and Prabil spent the rest of his days translating elvish folktales into the Common Tongue for the enjoyment of his grandchildren. On his death, Drinella joined her elvish kindred in the mountains

The Sprite Queen

The Sprite Queen is a deity associated with the Erkenheld Forest. Specifically, she is one of two confirmed deities residing in the ancient forest: the Green Woman lives deep within the forest and is said to be the guardian of the flora of the Erkenheld. The Sprite Queen, equally ancient and powerful, lives closer to the outer edge of the forest. According to the lore of the region, the Sprite Queen cares for the animals and sentient races that make their home in the Erkenheld. Many have speculated that perhaps these two deities are sisters, born, as they are, of the same magical font. This would make them unique among their kind, but this claim has yet to be substantiated.

Her relative nearness to the Fethil and open, amiable personality make the Sprite Queen one of the most easily accessible deities to reach. Many adventurers and travelers, from all of the races indigenous to the region, have come across her in their wanderings, and all report that she is pleasant and helpful. Some also say that she has a slightly distracted, almost spacy air about her that is at once endearing and uncanny.

The Sprite Queen, like most other wholly magical beings, has acquired a number of names through the ages. Her current moniker is a reference to the psuedo-sentient magical species of sprites, common to the less mountainous areas of the forest, who have adopted her as their reigning monarch. According to the eminent magicologist Phinneas Flumpert, who sought out the magic being and interviewed her while researching the various classes of magic, the Sprite Queen is a very affectionate and indulgent queen to the sprites. "Indeed," he writes, "despite her otherwordliness and ancient regality, at times during our talk the Sprite Queen seemed not so unlike my Aunt Minnie, who finds it delightfully amusing when her yappy spaniel humps the legs of her visitors."

See Also:
Shrine in the Forest

The Old Man

The Old Man fidgeting in the Great Erkenheld Forest

This kindly old mage tells Jarthen the true tale of Elothnin, its wicked queen, and her deadly mission to bring all the land under her dominion. The Old Man is something of a legendary figure among the rebels, having been a being of immense power in his younger days. No one is entirely sure of his age, though he was well-past middle age when Lilhelndine's reign began. He, along with many other members of the magi community, supported the Queen in the early days of both her rule and magical experimentations. However, when the Queen's power had grown to exceed that of all other magical beings, he was forced to flee to the remote northern reaches of the kingdom. The stress of the journey, and subsequent trials and tribulations significantly weakened his powers, leaving him a shell of his former self. Nevertheless the Old Man continued to provide whatever support he could for the rebel cause.

In one famous instance, the Old Man singlehandedly fended off several hundred imperial soldiers for a matter of hours, while a small contingent of rebel soldiers escaped to fight another day: he never fully recovered from his exertions. Lately, he has taken to recuperating in and around the blue elvish city of Norsa. On his most recent stay there, the Old Man served as the third, impartial judge during the duel between Jellihondor and Svava.

Queen Lilhelndine

Perception in Elothnin

Lilhelndine the Fair

Lilhelndine the Fair, the revered ruler of Elothnin, has reigned over her domain for far longer than any natural human's lifetime: indeed, no living person can bear witness to her rise to power firsthand. Despite her exceptionally long life, Lilhelndine has retained her youthful visage, and stunning figure, which most have attributed to her allegedly extensive mastery of the magical arts, all the more impressive given that she is a member of a mundane species. History holds that the Queen has been on the throne for approximately 200 years, during which time her domains have spread considerably at the expense of the beast of the north and their fiendish allies. However, the extent of her actual control is, as with any regime in the throes of an insurgency, in a state of some uncertainty.

Perception in the Northern Lands

Lihelndine the Destructeress, or, the Evil Queen for short

As with any story, there are two sides to the tale of Lilhelndine, a fact which Jarthen learns upon being captured by the rebel army. Indeed, the free peoples of the North have a vastly different view of Elothnin's Queen. In their eyes, she is a wicked witch, bent on the destruction of that which she cannot control.

See also:
Imperial Army
Border Wars