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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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 Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:32 am
Andalian Field Guide. As written by Kieran Silvercrest ( xd I couldn't resist) 
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:38 am
Table of Contents 1. Preamble, Loraste, Odaria, Lucana, Selkor, Daimos, Tidal Pendant/Torea/Requias Peninsula, Moon Elves, Wood Elves, Sea Elves, Arch Elves, Obsidian Elves, Bridge Elves 2. Race Relations, The Andalian Year, The Crest, The Pantheon, The Monarchy, The Crest Brigade, Council, Wedding Ceremony, Andalian Customs
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:35 am
Knowlege. A tool that can be easily crafted to one's own styles and the stones we lay down for our childeren to make a path of, as well as the roots that hold the past in place, and tell others who we are and what our live entailed.
Might as well put my obsessive search for such things down so that I may start leaving those path building stones for those who are to follow after me and may find my ramblings of some use.
Thus I start with my beloved homeland, Andal. What to truly say about her? The land is pleasnt and bountiful, always providing for her people. Though time moves slowly compared to what some may consider an average time flow and the year is measured by seaons rather than actual time standards.
Though her races aren't too varied, elves being the main populace of intelligent life forms, she holds a total of five subraces, six including the Bridge elves. Moon, Wood, Sea, Arch, and Depth. All being represented in the Andal Crest.
The Crest itself is a tree...A life tree if you will...one that encompasses the whole of Andal and unifys it, holding us all together. Even those that feel they don't belong or wish to not belong.
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:21 pm
Loraste
Nation: Loraste
Location: Northern Andal
Terrain: Predominately plains
Distinguishing features: Leara Plains, Rhan Harbor
Trade: Ship building, smithing, horse trade
Main City: Carris
Rule: Arch Elven
Main Worship: Aliah
Loraste...vast land of rolling plains, accented by a single strip of forest and mountain range to it's north western border, encircled by the Tidal Pendant and punctuated by the Rhan Harbor.
Carris, founded by the Arch Elves, more commonly known as High Elves, stands on the north end of the Rhan Harbor and surrounded on it's remaining sides by the Leara plains, where the Zephyr as well as cross breeded horses tend to reside. A prosperous port city done in tan stonework, the style elegantly and undeniable elvish.
Peace and security is assured here with the aid of the Arch Elven army and brigade that protect the city borders, as well as the harbor. (Though in personal opinion I find them a little over bearing at times.)
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:35 pm
Odaria Nation: Odaria
Location: Eastern Andal
Terrain: Dense forest
Distinguishing features: Omina Forest
Trade: Wood craft, fletching, scouting
Main City: Ryliah
Rule: Wood Elven
Main Worship: Faolan
To the eastern arc of the Tidal Pendant, Odaria, land of the eternal Omina forest. A place where the leaves never fall, yet change with the seasons. Blossoms in spring, deep green in summer, fiery colors of autum, and then winter blossoms and leaves. Time locked yet not bridled. A quiet place, some say with many secrets hidden within the dense forest that composes most of the nation. I dare say that I am not one to argue that statement, for indeed, many a secret it holds.
Wood elves lay claim to this land, establishing the tree branch bound city of Ryliah…amazing in itself…twined in the trees as if it was actually part of them and in most cases, the dwellings and what not are. Suspension bridges and zip lines, long cat walks provide the footing needed to traverse the place. Vast as well…well spanning from tree to tree in the canopy of the forest. A sigh I would recommend to any. An interesting security system as well…provided you find the set of stairs that spiral upward around a tree trunk into the city, if you are detected as threat or foe…you’ll fine yourself translocated over a random body of water. It isn’t’ a pleasant experience.
Namely the suppliers of wood, and anything related to it. Also a good trades place to fine a guide, scout, or even a homing bird or animals of sorts. And never will you find a bow or arrow so finely crafted than in Odaria.
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:18 pm
Lucana
Nation: Lucana
Location: Western Andal
Terrain: Mountainous
Distinguishing features: Requias Peninsula
Trade: Mining, smithing/smelting, jewel craft
Main City: Farhian
Rule: Moon Elven
Main Worship: Rinc Kier (Lucana), Kafele (Requias Peninsula)
And to the west arc of the Tidal Pendant, Lucana. High white stoned mountains lined by a thin forest of no particular name, tailed with the infamous Requias Peninsula. What vegetation there is, is mostly creeping vines, and low ground cover...though there are a few unique mountain flowers, and the occassional mountain born waterfall, river or pond is not uncommon and quite a soothing sight.
The city of Farhian, crafted by the Moon elves who claim the land as their own is the center focus. Crafted from the same stone as the mountain that surrounds it, quite a magestic sight in its own right, even if a first glance a bit cold seeming. A bit secluded if anything, it's access not the easiest to attain but to those who know the mountains like the back of thier hands, or have a well deatiled map.
Also, the center of mining in Andal...provider of precious metals, as well as precious gemstones. Miners, smiths/smelters, and jewelcrafters in common trade practices.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:33 pm
Selkor
Nation: Selkor
Location: Southeastern Andal, Arilla Sea
Terrain: Aquatic
Distinguishing features: Sea 'roads'
Trade: Mineral/Pearl trades, glass trade
Main City: Selkor
Rule: Sea Elven
Main Worship: Prycstal
Perhaps never a more amazing sight than of the city and 'nation' of Selkor. Under the glassy surface of the Arilla ocean, almost directuly south of the Pendant Isle Torea, lies the sea elven city and nation that they call home.
One could call it a wet Depths like city...made of smoothened coral and lit by phosphorous compounds and rocks. Sometimes even little fish that naturally produce a glow. Surrounded by a kelp and seaweed 'forest' where they do harvest the plant. Amazing crafters, being able to virtually create anything from those plants as well as thier other natural resources. Main harvesters of Terra Bud Drops as well.
Also master glass crafters, sand being abundant...even with the lack of heat they can produce it. Visits down to the city itself are...unique...those of use not being able to breath water being given sea elven crafted breathing devices that also allow for telepathic communication, be you a telepath or not.
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:57 pm
Daimos
Nation: Daimos
Location: Southwestern Andal
Terrain: Mountainous/plains/desert
Distinguishing features: Raska Desert, Armati Oasis, Vrist Outpost
Trade: Weapon smithing, magic components, black market
Main City: Vrist
Rule: Obsidian Elven
Main Worship: Cafell
Daimos...southwestern of the Tidal pendant, almost touching Lucana...about a mile of water between this land and the Requias peninsula. Some call this the dark lands. And that isn't far from the truth. The lanscape is harsh...dry mountians, spare dry plains and a vast desert, the only source of salvation seeming to be an oasis nestled in the heart of that desert.
The dark elves call this land thiers. Though living under the mountians and surface, in The Depths, they have an outpost on the surface, though there care only a number of guesses as to why. Vrist is the city they call home in the dark land they live in.
Oh how I wish I could say more...but I can only speak of what a few kinder drow has dared to pass my way. It's a city of dark stone, obsidian, lit only by phosphrous mosses and glow stones, life made for that enviroment. Cold and dark, perpetually slick with cavernous moisture.
As I hear it, they excell in comabt aspects...and their trade is in that field as well...surprising as it may be that they trade with anyone at all. Though trade would not be the right word...more of raid spoils. Not that I'm speaking badly of them...they are elves after all.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:30 pm
Torea and the Tidal Pendant
The Tidal Pendant, as we call is, is a chain of islands that more or less spans all of andal in all directions. As the island chain curves through out the Arilla, Neros, and Rivoe Seas, the landascapes tend to mimic their surrounding nation terrains. Within this curve is an island bigger than the rest at it's middle toward the south. This island is known as the Pendant Isle, being as is mocks the pendant on the 'necklace' the rest of the chain of islands forms. Or more widely known as, Torea.
Torea is seen as a trade center. This land is occupied by the small city of Sadaai, that doubles as a market. The Sadaai Bazaar, then as it is called, is basically a trade melting pot. Vendors sell thier wares, a general air of community...actually a very relaxing place to be despite all the noise.
This is also where the Crest Brigade has it's base.Requias Peninsula
This is the southern tail end of Lucana. Rocky thought bearing vegetations more ground friendly, trees and shrubs. Quite the little land of controversy. This is where the 'good' Obsidian elves make thier home. Far enough from Vrist to feel out of it's reach, but close enough to Daimos to not feel far from what they know. A mile long stretch of fifty foot deep water is all that seperates this peninsula, and thus by assocaition Lucana, from the Daimos land.[
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:49 pm
Moon Elves
Moon elves of Andal. Pale compextioned, maybe a little more so than other surface elves. Though the distingusishing feature is the blue tinging that occurs in thier skin. This coloring can be full body in a light hue, and in some rare cases a dark blue hue. But most times, this tinging can be found at ear tips, finger and toe tips, predominately. Tinging in other places can indeed occur, mostly happening at pronounced joints or points of anatomy.
Thier hair is pale as well. Mostly coming in white, silver, or platinum blond. However it is common practice for a moon elf to dye a color into thier hair, be it over all or in a design or pattern of some sort. Often vibrant colors to make up for perhaps a 'lack of natural color'.
Though thier eyes contrast this mostly. The common moon elf can be found to have thier eyes in shades of blues and greens, though rarer colors exist such as grays and ambers or gold. And every moon elf has some form of gold flecking, speckling, ringing, striping, or other form in thier eyes. These gold parts lend to a trait found in the moon elven subrace. That trait being the ability to 'capture' light within the gold in thier eyes. This enables vision to be clear in the dark, giving a noonday look to even the darkest place one may be in. Though a tricky ability to master that can even cause harm.
Clothing styles vary, most match to the colors they put in thier hair. Over all there is a perferred sense of whites, creams, blues, grays, silvers and golds. Jewelry is usually relatively simple as is armors perferred to be light, though that is dependant on personal perferance. Usually such things are enlaid with gemstones of some sort.
Attitude wise...a rather openminded group, more so when compaired to thier kin. Generally pleasant, if not at times a little reclusive and hide away seeming. Usually, they take up as rangers and warriors in profession, excelling at swordplay as well as with the whip. A few become mages as well as rune mages from time to time.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:32 pm
Wood Elves
Wood elves of Andal. A bit of a varied race, thier complexions ranging from rather pale to a tawny shade and everything in between. Some are known to even sport skin in tree bark shades. Akin to the trees that they call home as ever these elves.
Hair pigmentation comes in a spread variety, browns, reds, in some cases ashens/blacks/blonde though very rare. Some may even have a green tint to thier hair that occurs naturally.
However varied as some features, thier eye colors seem restricted. Mostly greens and browns, honey in some cases.
Thier sense of fashion is another story. They dress with teh change of the Andalian seasons. In Spring, various greens and more pastel and light colors of the spring blooms. Summer they break into various greens, and a few other colors that are reminicent of some of the summering tree fruits or blossoms, mostly darker colors. Autum is a display of traditional reds, oranges, yellows, browns and others inbetween. And winter for them is a scheme of deep greens, browns, whites and blues.
Not the most unique elves to look at but they make up for that in thier unique ability to comprehend trees...that is to say they can run branch to branch without faulter, run through the forest and dodge tree and root without a glance, as well as practically climb up anytree, no matter how unscaleable it may look. Fascinating to watch.
Wood elves are a cautious people...secretive almost if you will. Always safe, they prefer to look before they leap at all times, and only leap if they knwo they won't break thier ankles on impact. Archers, animal trainers, and scouts tend to be the staple professions. None excell the wood elves in bow shots.
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Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:18 pm
Sea Elves
Sea elves of Andal. Now here is a subrace truley unique. Skin tones vary from murky green greay to brilliant blues, greens and various shades of all inbetween...usually they have an irridecent shimmer to thier skin as well. Hands and feet are slightly webbed.
Unique as they may be, they are still a bit stoic in some aspects. Thier hair varietes are mostly found in varying shades of blues or green, like sunlight on ocean water, mostly dark with the lighter shades acting as highlights. The very occassional black being found. Also an irridesecent quality to the strands.
Eye colors are in the blue and green ranges as well, some though have been known to have gray or pearlescent eyes...again with an irridecent quality to them as the rest of thier bodies have.
Clothing is usually little to none for them. What they do wear is sheer, just thick enough to obscure direct sight of thier skin. Whispy fabrics that flow easily in water and don't hinder movements. Usually accented with pearls, or shells, beads made of colorful coral. They also aren't fond of shoes.
These are the only sub race on Andal that can process water in their lungs and thus more or less 'breath' water, living off of it. Though they can equally breath air and exist on land without trouble. They also have sonar, much like a dolphin, but it impliments thier ears.
Perhaps the most...deceptive...of the surface elves. Known as fun loving tricksters at times, but also fierce in thier protection to no end, and at times difficult to deal with. Agile warriors and powerful mages, mostly water manipulators, are born of thier kind.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:48 pm
Arch Elves
Arch elves of Andal. More commonly known as High elves to others. Fair skinned race, either pale as a general moon elf's, sans blue, or a little darker. A fact in which they seem to take extreme pride in...and it's not uncommon to think them moon elves at first glance.
Perhaps more stoic than the Sea elves, the hair of Arch elves is usually flaxen, being platinum blond at it's lightest shade and a sandy or dirty blond at it's darkest.
Thier eyes have a particular look to them, usually amber in color, or a dark yellow green. Pale shades of blues, greens, and even violets and browns are known to penetrae into the gene pool as well, but the colors are never dark in shades.
Arch elves have a taste for stanards of dress that are even high in elven society. Never leaving houses without thier finest on, nobility that is. Those of a more, armada, mentality and orientation, are known to always venture out with some form of thier armor on, marking them as such. Nothing is spared, jewelry always worn as well as weapons.
Though not a true abilitym, it is uncanny how the Arch elves are in thier orders and defenses. The Arch Elven Army and Brigade is well known in Andal. Highly trained and determined. Fiercely loyal. Some say that they even rival the armies and ways of Vrist itself.
Cynical at times, a bit more race oriented and less tolerable of changes. They prefer tradition and ceremony over rather less formal affairs. Though a good Arch elf if known to loosen up from time to time and show some lighthearted nature. Warriors are born and bred of these elves, as well as mages of various sorts.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:39 pm
Obsidian Elves
Obsidian elves of Andal. Or more commonly called dark elves, or drow to others if you will. As true to the form of any elf living under the surface layers, their skin is dark deep grey or black in color, akin to ebony or obsidian. Though there are some who claim a more extreme dark shade of blue or indigo. All a matter of preference.
Thier hair is always in contrast to thier deep colored skin, the color rivaling the moon elves. Most commonly found to be white, though there is a variant of grey or silver.
Eye color consists of various reds, purples and yellows, always in color and often in dark shades, though have a certain glowing quality almost in the right light.
Dress is high class, even for those considered 'lowly'. I was once told by one (on the Requias Peninsula, mind you) that even the males, treated as poorly as they are, are dressed in the fashion of nobles. No woman wanted to be seen with a bedraggled male following in her footsteps. Silver and gemmed jewelry, hait often worn long and in elaborate fashion.
Masters in physical and magical types of combats as well as weapons, excelling in more unsavory professions...assassians, thiefs. But mostly warriors and mages that are trained to high degrees.
Though one note must be said: There are two types of Obsidian elves. The Vrist Cafell ruled, and the Requias Peninsula Kafele rules. Often they are referred to as the 'evil' and 'good' drow respectively. Though the real difference is the ideals between them. Proof that these dark elves could indeed survive just as well on the surface as in The Depths.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:00 pm
Bridge Elves
Bridge elves. A subrace of subraces, one may call them, the term coined in Andal and what we use to describe an elf who is not of one subrace specific blood. A dual or more blooded elf. In looks, they will favor the race specifications of one of thier parents. A bridge elf of say...moon and wood, would either look like a moon elf or a would elf. They never look like a mix of the two. However, they do have traits and abilities that will mix and can be expressed.
They are not an uncommon occurance...among those that are not of the 'nobility' or of the royalty settings. These Bridge elves tend to either try to blend with those they look like, or merely don't pay any mind to it. Most engage in becoming members of the Crest Brigade...feeling perhaps no loyalty to any one nation, for they are not of just one. And thus, feel they need to pass thier loyalty to Andal herself.
Once upon a time, they were looked down on some or just ignored. Then something special happened...a special Bridge elf was born, and well things changed. But of course, thankfully, for the better.
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