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Follow Path to:
Darkwood
Aris
Nexus
Sphere Specific:
Houseless Template
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Vel’A
A mirror of Vel’Dorath, Vel’A seemed to be a heavenly plane
to the first elves to cross the golden path. Since then the High Elves
have made it their home. The lands of Vel’A are under constant care
by its elven inhabitants. Where the orcs tore and despoiled Vel’Dorath,
the elves nurtured and shaped the lands of Vel’A to their will.
Currently Vel’A is governed by a confederation of elvish houses.
These houses can trace their lineage to the original Darkwood Clan they
grew from. All houses have a seat on the Council of Illasta, on Darkwood.
Each primarch sends a representative of their house every decade. The
Council meets for two years then dissolves for eight, unless a mater of
dire urgency arises. There are 87 elven houses, of varying importance
and power. Five of the houses are noble houses. They are Zadethavel (Tradition
Keepers), Dharzi (Tradelords), Straasha (Pale Lords), Fera Rathah (Magelords),
and Kohe’Lua (Landspeakers).
Each house has an ancestral manor somewhere on the sphere. Some are secluded
retreats while others form the center of a town or city. The Primarch
is absolute ruler of the ancestral manor and its surroundings. He/she
is also directly responsible for the actions of members of his House.
A houseless elf exists outside of elven culture, ignored and shunned by
the majority of elves few remain on Vel’A. Some travel to Darkwood
in an attempt to regain their honor and possibly prove their worthiness
to reenter their house. More turn their back on elven society and make
their way to Nexus or Aris, where the other races are unaware or uncaring
of elven social structure. Half elves are frowned upon, if born on Vel’A
and accepted by the Primach, are integrated into the house, but they are
limited in how high they can rise in elven society, their mixed blood
a minor social stigma.
There are alliances and hierarchies between the houses. Vel’a
is separated into four “nations”. The Kingdom of Diamonds
is controlled by House Straasha. It controls 8 major houses and 10 minor
houses.
The Yari Federation is led by the Dharzi House and contains 4 major houses,
12 minor houses and 5 trade houses. The Federation occasionally wars (every
2-500 years) with the Kingdom of Diamonds over control of the golden paths.
While this is primarily political and economic combat, open warfare is
not unheard of.
Naichas lands are a lose republic of Houses, none of which control the
others. 4 major houses 15 minor houses and 2 trade houses operate under
their banner, as well as the noble House Kohe’Lua. They have their
own council of primarchs to decide matters that effect two or more Houses.
They have numerous trade dealings with the Yari Federation. Naichas produces
a majority of the elven trade goods found in Nexus and elsewhere.
Finally, there is Ruasae, the homeland of all high elves. Ruasae traditionally
controlled all of Vel’A, however their control over the sphere was
broken over 5,000 years ago with the Bes’Ha (an ancient accord created
after a civil war that broke the elven line of kings). Currently 6 major
houses rally under Ruasae as well as 11 minor houses, and 2 trade houses.
Only three Elven houses exist outside of any of these “nations”.
One exists on Nexus and holds extensive lands there and another on Aris.
A final house exists, Ha’alil, on Vel’A not aligned with any
of the elven “nations”. A minor house on the outskirts of
elven society, Ha’alil controls a harbor town east of the Aris Golden
Path. It is a haven for those without a place in elven society. It harbors
half elves, houseless, and any who come to its gates. Because of this
it is the most chaotic and lawless of all elven settlements on Vel’A.
Only the Noble house Fera Rathah does not hold sway over any other house.
They only control their Isle and the massive bridges that lead to it from
either continent.
Houses
The houses of the elves extend to include many family lines. Intermarriage
between families within the House is most common. However, elves do strive
to intermarry between the Houses, but will typically marry to a member
of a House of similar stature. A member of a major house will marry to
a member of a major house. It is rare, but not openly forbidden for marriage
across social strata.
Often an elven House will create walled complexes in another town or city
to house their members. These complexes recreate aspects of the House’s
ancestral manor. The headman or headwoman of a complex is typically appointed
by the primarch. He/she is directly responsible to the primach for those
within its walls.
Noble
These houses are the major players in elven politics. Each has their
own zone of influence on Vel’A.
Zadethavel (Tradition Keepers)
Dharzi (Tradelords)
Straasha (Pale Lords)
Fera Rathah (Magelords)
Kohe’Lua (Landspeakers).
Major
Not as influential as the noble houses, but still not to be trifled
with. Often they control extensive lands and resources, as well as the
fealty of the minor houses.
Minor
Often tradesmen and farmers, the minor houses function similarly to
guilds and unions on the other spheres. These houses have the laxest of
traditions, and expulsion from them is rare.
Trade
These Houses typically do not have towns or cities they control. The
majority of their population is transient, moving where the markets take
them. Their walled complexes are usually made up of a market square and
roadhouses.
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