Races

Shei (Imarelian Elves) - by T.A. Saunders ©2001 v1.5

Racial Articles The Elves of Today's Imarel

The Elves that originally came from Ishaela originally are a much different people than the different Elvish Clans of today. While the Moon Elves are the most well-adjusted, no Elf, regardless of clan is particularly fond of the Shar`Vaire, despite all that has been done to make amends. The Windsong Republic maintains a cordial relationship with the Sovereignty of Anthalas with a formal alliance, the Territories of the Tallis-Kah are a bit more aloof, allowing only a pact of non-aggression and minimal diplomatic relations, while the Kingdom of Vyss remains outright hostile towards any and all Shar`Vaire.

Of the three clans, the Moon Elves are in the most danger of dying out. Their numbers were so depleted during the War of Eternals that they, as a cultural identity are threatened with extinction. Many Moon Elves have taken Wild Elf mates in hopes of revitalizing their bloodline, but much of the Moon Elf legacy has been interbred with Humans for all that time they lived amongst them during the war. It is not assured that the Moon Elves will fade into the pages of Imarel's history, but as each generation sees fewer and fewer Moon Elves of pure blood, it becomes evident that the cost of war is far greater than land and blood.

The Wild Elves have actually flourished in their exclusion from most of the comings and goings of Imarel. While they do not hold an incredibly vast nation, they make good use of the the land they have. The Tallis-Kah as a people are not particularly industrialized, nor do they require vast amounts of industry to maintain their populous. They hunt, fish, farm and live off the land for all they require. This maintaining of a simple life and a strict code of existence has given the Wild Elves the opportunity to grow as a people.

The Shadow Elves are the largest segment of Elves on Imarel and in the many centuries they spent in the dark cavern-cities they built under the ruins of their former homes, they thrived. When the Tallis-Vyss finally resurfaced on the face of Imarel in 1099 AC they were immediately a force to be reckoned with, having built vast armies, honed their illusionary magics and explored darker sorcery and knowledge, while in the cool embrace of the Underworld. It is also said that the Shadow Elves have forsaken the Old Gods all together and have taken up worship of other deities that insofar have only been referred to as the Risen Gods in recent historical documents (named so, as the Shadow Elves have refused to discuss their religion with outsiders).

Before the Kingdom of Vyss took control of the many ruined Elvish cities across Shalzaar, they had simply been left abandoned and unclaimed, save for a few Jackalare tribes that took residence in the ruins. Driven out swiftly by the surprising and swift might of the Shadow Elf armies, it was not long before the Kingdom of Vyss reclaimed all of the ancient Moon Elf territory as their own and established themselves as a power to be reckoned with on Shalzaar.