Llewyrr Forest

Elves

Nearly all elves here are High Elves, with less than 10% Grey Elves, and only 10% Wild Elves, all of whom live in the most southern regions of the forests bordering on the Nylans. Grey Elves also do not rule here, but instead generally act as teachers and guardians of Arcane Lore for their younger brethren. Other than more tolerance for outsiders, the Llewyrr are almost identical to their Silverestri cousins in both appearance and manner.

Half-Elves

These are quite common, as interracial relations are far more common with the Llewyrr than with any other elven race. Half elves are generally embraced, so far fewer face the shame or ridicule as in other elven settlements.

Other Races

While visitors are tolerated, once their reason for being within the Elven Lands is at an end they are still moved on – forcibly if required. As such there are almost no other races living within the elven controlled section of the Llewyrr Forest.

Llantrice

The Llewyrr capital is revered as place of immense beauty, built around a magnificent lake and waterfall. While not so awe-inspiring as Shang-Ri-La, it has been far more widely visited by outsiders, allowing its legend to grow, and it a far more natural beauty, being perfectly attuned to its surroundings.

Fortran

This border-town between the Llewyrr and Klydorian sections of the forest, is a neat blend of the Elven tree village and the hut based settlements of the humans. A large academy here trains all of the Klydorian scouts and rangers in their woodland craft, using the skills and prowess of the Elves.

Sol

Situated at the base of the Nylans, Sol is home to the oldest and most complete libraries of the Llewyrr. It is also famous both for the Arcane Academy based here, and the huge Tower at its centrepoint. Only those “invited” to the Tower may ever join its ranks.

The Guardians

Important matters of elven justice are handled by the Guardians. This order of arcane warriors and truth seekers are investigators, and if required, judges. They use magical mirror masks which conceal their identity, and those that look upon them are shown their true souls, often causing those who have done deeds of great evil to be paralysed with fear and guilt over what they have done.

Ranks

• SeekerLevel 3 guideline
• GuardianLevel 6 guideline
• SentinelLevel 9 guideline
• WatcherNo fixed level listed
• The EyeNo fixed level listed

The Elven Militia

All elves are trained to serve in the militia, a tradition dating back to their time in the Silverestri Forest. As such all Elves receive training with blade, bow and usually arcane magick. Elves are naturally adept at all three of these things, and as such Elven Fighters, Rangers and Wizards are the most common characters encountered, although Druids are also common.

The Warrior Orders

While generally a patient and placid race, there are those that feel a calling to master the arts of war. Trained from a young age to believe in the “greater good”, the Warrior Orders produce some of the most amazing warriors in Driax. The most well known are:

The Lancers of Llewyrr – Specialist light cavalry, the Lancers are incredibly agile horseman, able to ride at speed through the forest, often while firing their bows. It is often suggested that the Elven steeds of the Lancers are amongst the fastest mounts in all of Driax, and horses from this bloodline are highly prized, although seldom sold or gifted.

Ranks

• Aspiring LancerLevel 2 guideline
• LancerLevel 5 guideline
• Lancer CaptainLevel 8 guideline
• Lancer-CommanderNo fixed level listed
• Lord LancerNo fixed level listed

Silverhawks

Using magical winged suits, these elite fighter/mages are amazing scouts, although their suits can be fragile. It takes a mind inclined towards risk-taking to fly these suits between the thick branches of the Llewyrr Forest. The winged suits can be used to trigger flight, detect magick, feather-fall, and shield, but the suits will draw on the magickal reserves of the wearer to power these abilities.

Ranks

• ApplicantLevel 3 guideline
• SilverhawkLevel 6 guideline
• Hawk-CaptainLevel 9 guideline
• Hawk-CommanderNo fixed level listed
• Hawk-LordNo fixed level listed

Wood-Runners

Communications between the Llewyrr is largely the responsibility of the Wood-Runners. Knowing all of the fastest paths through their woods, it is these brave elves who allow the Elves to quickly respond to threats within the forest, and to keep the lines of communication open with neighbouring settlements, including Klydor. There are now half-elf and human Klydorians being trained as Wood-Runners, but this is the only Llewyrr warrior order known to be doing such.

Ranks

• DeepscoutLevel 2 guideline
• Wood-RunnerLevel 5 guideline
• Runner-CaptainLevel 8 guideline
• Runner-CommanderNo fixed level listed
• Lord RunnerNo fixed level listed

Battle-Mages

Llewyrr Battle Mages are either more studious and theortetical, or they have to go looking for opportunities for large scale battle (usually with the Klydorians to somewhere like Silverton Ridge) as the Llewyrr don’t fight real battles that often. But those few have seen them in battle say it is awe-inspiring.

Ranks

• Adept(Lvl 1), WarMage(Lvl 5), WarMage Capt. (Lvl 9), WarMage Commander, Lord WarMage

Blademasters

Each master has spent decades mastering a blade in some way, be that a two handed blade, dual blades, or an individual blade. They fight almost as if it is a dance, but these are rarely warriors who show off, with discipline of thought and logic only just less than their mastery of the blade. Where possible, the final assessment and graduation happens at the home of the Swordmasters, the White Tower in Hyanda’Mar.

Ranks

• Apprentice BladeLevel 2 guideline
• Initiate BladeLevel 4 guideline
• Blade-MasterLevel 7 guideline
• Blade-CaptainLevel 10 guideline
• Blade-CommanderNo fixed level listed
• Lord BladeNo fixed level listed

Seers

The seers are an advisory council of powerful diviners who advise the Elf Queen. Their ability to portend the future guides a lot of the decisions of the elven people although influence with the Llewyrr is much less than the Silverestri. Despite the relative scarcity of Grey Elves, this is one order that is still overwhelmingly made up of Grey Elves. The Seers also train a special candidate to be the Voice of the Woods, who acts as the Queen’s representative in the Klydorian court, and is part diplomat and part Seer.

Ranks

• StudentLevel 3 guideline
• AelumirLevel 7 guideline
• SeerLevel 11 guideline
• ProphetNo fixed level listed
• High SeerNo fixed level listed

Relations

The Llewyrr have formal alliances with the Klydorians, and to a lesser extent the Indians. They will also assist their Silverestri or Cedari brethren, with whom they have magick portals to aid in transporting small numbers. They are however, staunch opponents of the Merlos and the Dark Elves.

Clothing

The Llewyrr favour woodland colours, and most avoid fancy dresses and the like for more practical clothing such as tunics and breeches. Their cloaks and boots in particular are highly desired by travellers for even without enchantment, they are comfortable and sturdy, yet light. Hair is nearly always kept long, but beards are almost unheard of as only elves of mixed racial heritage can grow facial hair (and even then not always).

Women

Elven females are treated identically to Elven men, with the exception that any daughter will be made Queen over any sons. Sons may rule in the absence of a daughter heir however.

Cities

Key settlements: Llantrice, Fortran, Sol.

Trade

The Llewyrr Elves trade with many of their neighbours, although they won’t trade with the Merlos or the Dark Elves.

Exports: Wood crafts (but not timber), crystals, paper, leather, clothing, herbs and fruits, spell components.

Imports: Metals and gemstones, exotic food, spices, books and spell components.

Arms

The Llewyrr, like most Elves, prefer light blades and Bows as their weapons of choice, perhaps as these weapons allow the greatest use of their inherent Dexterity. Conduit or Magickal versions of the above are also highly desired. In general, elves prefer lighter armours such as leathers which do not inhibit their movements or stealth, but many of their warriors will wear heavier metal armours in times of war. Magickal suits of Elven-chain are reknowned for their ability to protect, but not inhibit the actions of a spell-caster.

Language

The Llewyrr speak a derivative of Elven which is very similar to Silverestri. Many also speak Klydorian. The ability to read and write, while certainly not uncommon, is far less prevalent than amongst the Silverestri.

Religion and Magick

The Elves worship the forces of Nature as though it were their God, and they believe in the forces of Good and Evil more so than in any particular God or Faith. They are accepting of other religions provided it is not what they consider “Evil”. The Llewyrr do not have any large magickal orders of their own, for they do not see magick as being particularly special. While many Llewyrr will teach other races about magick, and the dangers inherent in its study, none will ever teach the secrets of high-magick to a non-Elf.

The Elf Queen

Queen Shiar Quin-Tas (translates into Shiar the Moon-Blessed) is the current ruler in the Wood Elf Court. She believes her people must maintain and protect their forest but that they also have a role and responsibility to help the younger races both reach their potential, and to strike down the evils that threaten to overwhelm them. Shiar is considered one of the most beautiful creatures in Driax, and it is not uncommon for lesser races to openly weep in her presence both from her beauty and the power that radiates from her.

Society

The Llewyrr Elves have retained the simplistic social structure of the Silverstri, with most elves living in small settlements which consist of a small number of families. At various points in the year these settlements have larger gatherings which brings the elves together in much larger numbers. Most of these settlements are tree villages, with town elders responsible for the day to day running of the village, and any more important matters are addressed by the Royal Court in Llantrice. Generally the elves are a united race and have no large sub-orders, and only rarely would one Llewyrr take up weapons against another. Each settlement has an independent set of Scouts, Warriors, Mages and commoners that provide any defence from any dangers in the Forest.

High Seer Enovas

The leader of the Seers, Enovas is arrogant and incredibly self assured in his visions and those of the Seers. He tries to show restraint with his attitudes, but in reality he wishes for the power and influence his compatriots have in Silverestri land, and because he considers himself superior to any Silverestri Seer, it irks him they have more power.

The Voice of the Woods – Matrera Quin-Tas

Matrera is a cousin to the Queen, but is young by Elven standards, and has only been in the post for about 5 years. There are rumours she is inappropriately close to one of the Klydor Princes, although the stories vary as to whether its Declan or Lando. She has been vocal about the need for the Kingdom (and the Elves) to support Declan through his injuries and ensure he takes his place on the throne. She is the one who had the Elves make the Prince the very best in Elven prosthetics, although the Prince lacks the magick capabilities to fully utilise them.