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Race Relations

Across Andal, there is a saying..."Good together, but better apart, yet let us never seperate."

The nations are pretty much keep to themselves, taking care of thier own businesses, and only involving others and that's by invitation only, when they desperately feel the need to. Or what they are going to do will directly involve one another.

Law of the Crest keeps things in balance between them, and plan wide treaties foster further hospitable notions.

And by the Crest Law, the Crest Brigade is the only group that is actively always involved with every nation at once. Well...more of just keeping watch over each one. Benevolent occupation if you will.

Of course the one exception to this, as much as it pains me to say, are the Vrist elves. They don't tend to get along with any of the others, though they have been known to strike a deal.

The Andalian Crest

The Andalian Crest is simple in it's design. A tree with five spheres that accompany it at different intervals. Thus I will refer to it in the terms of trees.

In the canopy, rests the symbols of Moon and Arch. In the branches rest the symbols of Wood and Sea. And in it's roots, is the symbol of the Depths. Where do the Bridge elves sit on the tree? Well, they like to think they are encompasses by all of the branches, and indeed they are.

Now I'm sure you wonder how each earned their spot on the branches. Yes, there is a little bit of arrogance involved, but also a bit of logic. No one seems unhappy with their position at all either.

Arch elves ear canopy for their lofty vision of self, and assert themselves as the 'overseers' of the other races, watching over them and keeping an order of sorts. Moon elves earn equal level for our affinity to the skies as well as our attitudes to want to observe as is our curious nature.

Wood elves do not question their position on the tree, for where do they feel more at home than in the branches and under the protection of the canopy? Sea elves see themselves as the link between the tree and the earth, figuratively the water that provides the tree with life.

And Obsidian, are more than happy nestled in the roots. They do no see this as oppression or disrespect. They see it as empowerment. If you wish to kill a tree, you should go for the roots...being in those roots symbolizes power for them. They are all to happy to accept.

Bridge elves, while having no crest of their own on the tree, claim to be the trunk...a place where all the branches and roots come to and meet, mix and meld.

In Andal, the nations are ruled by a monarchy system. Of course each has it’s own specific style but they will all adhere to a set of common practices as well between them all. There is no set hierarchy among them as each holds it’s own importance and place upon the plane. Considering order means nothing but the systematic processing of my thoughts, they are listed as follows:

I myself, Kieran Silvercrest, am Lord to the Moon Elves, holding rule over Lucana in Farhian.

Fianna Swiftfeather is Lady of the Wood elves, holding rule over Odaria in Ryliah.

Draewen and Talithia Soultide are Lord and Lady to the Sea elves, holding rule over Selkor.

Calyeer and Shylihn Brightguard, are Lord and Lady to the Arch elves, holding rule over Loraste in Carris.

Mahlari Ardulaste, Lady of the Obsidian elves in Daimos, ruling the Depths city of Vrist.

Seasons change every three years and a quarter month as previously stated. The change of the season signals the time for Council. Royals begin preparing three to six months in advance to bring the current issues to light at this meeting. All royals must attend though it is open to selected guests and past rulers. As for most things, exceptions to the attendance rule do apply for the Obsidian elves. Because of their unpredictable natures, one can never predict when the Obsidians will attend and their disregard for surface customs and matters. There are seats for the Obsidian elf ruler(s) should they choose to attend though they are rarely filled.

The location varies as each race hosts the council alternately in the specialized Council Hall found within each nation. A ceremonial room with a mosaic of the Andallian Crest on the floor, the room is circular in shape and when empty is merely for decoration though the circle of chairs always remains.

Also present at this meeting are select members of the Crest Brigrade though the amount varies. The general rule is two members for each royal and one additional for each guest. Past rulers fall under the “guest” label so they only need one in attendance. The Brigade is notified well in advance how many members are needed and it is entirely their choice and plan how these members will be chosen. The Brigade stands just outside the ring of chairs, keeping watch over the proceedings and diffusing any potential conflicts among the attendees. It is uncommon though not unheard of for a member of the Brigade to bring forth a concern of their own at this meeting.

The purpose of Council is not just to inform one another of the happenings within our own nations but also to discuss and plan for the new season (the next three human measured years and a quarter month). Due to the abundance of concerns rulers tend to have governing their nations, Council usually lasts for a minimum of two days. The first is to discuss both positive and negative aspects of the season just past, and plan for the season new. The second is to bring forth plans and ideas as well as discussions regarding these plans and input from all parties. However, Council, much to my dismay, rarely if ever, lasts only two days. Generally it runs for almost a week though the longest on record was two and a half weeks.

An official ceremony, it is opened with a speech from the hosting royal which never really changes and is concluded with another speech given by the royal to host the next Council.

As is common for most races, the positions of high power are marked with a symbol showing their loyalties. Ours is the crest of Andal, found on the right cheekbone of any who have held power in the past and those who are currently reigning.

Colors vary depending on subrace: silver for Moon elves, gold for Arch elves, green for Wood, blue for Sea, and white for Obsidian.

Due to their sensitive place in Andal as well as their extreme loyalty to the plane, the Crest Brigade, while not royalty also bear a tattoo of this sort. It is easy to tell who is in this honored position by the placement of the Crest. Whereas royals have theirs located on the cheek, the Brigade has twin bronze marks on the backs of their hands.



Those females who have undergone the acknowledging ceremony proving the existence of a true bond between elves, show their status of being “married” by wearing a special garment. This garment, made by the female herself, is worn at all times appropriate though many are seen in them continuously. It is a matter of preference when these robes are worn though more and more commonly they appear at ceremonies and celebrations. Royalty fall under these same guidelines.

Made of specially spun silk created with the thread taken from the tails and manes of our cherished Zephyrs, this garment is surcoat in style and has a translucent, flowing appearance. Because it is a purely female undertaking, it is also the choice of the wearer as to the overall appearance. Each woman prepares her robes before her “wedding” date, choosing the cut, style, and other decoration. She can put anything she chooses on it but most maintain an air of simple elegance in both design and decorations.

The robes are worn for the first time on the woman’s wedding day, a symbol to all that she is acknowledging the true bond that has to be proven. After this moment, it is a matter of preference when they are worn outside of the public eye. Like most things nothing is written in stone so the style and adornments often vary from generation to generation.



To keep a fresh outlook in the ruling community and because of the longevity of elves, there is a time limit placed on the throne. To date the limit is five hundred years. When a royal has ruled for the allotted time the throne passes, usually to the offspring next in line.

Circumstances (mainly the low fertility in surface females) sometimes call for a slight variation to this rule. Either the rule of one is extended or the throne is sometimes passed to an entirely different bloodline. Each ruler chooses for himself the guidelines to go by when choosing an heir. The main guideline all races share is that of making sure the elf selected will do what is best for both their own race and be a positive influence on Andal herself.



Once the closing speech has been given and Council is officially dismissed, planning for the seasonal festivities begins. On the night of the official season change, a great festival takes place heralding the rollover of the seasons.

Food, activities and costuming varies depending on the season coming. An official festival is held in the capital city of the nation but some choose to hold less formal with their House. It is a great time of celebration, praising Safiya for the prosperous season past and expressing our great hopes for the season just delivered. Valen is honored with dancing and great quantities of wine.

It is begun with a great bonfire just after sunset and continues in all it’s merriment until the sun rises on the new season.