Fae, the Mother of Many

Faen and Faren

In long years past, when the elves first awoke upon Great Mountain, they were split between those who chose Faen as their paramount and those who chose Faren. The elves of Faen were those who would kill to eat, but the elves of Faren were those who gathered only, saying, “We shall not gorge ourselves upon flesh and blood as beasts do.”

So Faren led his people into obscurity upon the surface, while the people of Faen prospered and took to the skies.

Now the elves of Faren were few and proud. They wandered the surface, gathering sustenance and shunning the other races, until they came to a great wood, which they named Neirmalas, and sought to make their home.

But a spirit of the old world already dwelled there, and in its wrath forbade them to remain, harrying them at every turn. For the spirit had foreseen that should any dwell in Neirmalas, the wood would be consumed by fire. But Faren entreated the spirit on behalf of his people, saying, “We eat not the flesh of animals and have no need of fire.”

And the spirit relented. So it was that Faren seduced this spirit, and by their union peace was struck and Faren called her Wyld. Thus the elves of Faren were permitted to remain. Therefore the elves of Faren lived out their lives having no offspring, fading slowly from the world, until their numbers were no more.

The Children of Faren in Neirmalas

But Faren sired three offspring by Wyld, and he named them Fae, Falth, and Feere.

Falth and Feere were spirits of mischief, and great harm followed wherever they walked. Even Wyld despaired of their presence and exiled them from Neirmalas. But they had no offspring, and so Erenth was spared from the further harm their seed might have wrought.

But Fae of Wyld was loyal to her mother and gentle to her father. She remained in Neirmalas as a creature of two worlds.

The Children of Faen in Aranelmalas

While the elves of Faren dwindled in Neirmalas, the elves of Faen flourished and became Aranelmalas, the great realm of the air. 

Faen himself was slain by the ignorance of men, and so his line was extinguished in the realm. Of his two sons, who had contended since the womb, one was slain and the other banished for the deed.

Aedrie, wife of Faen, endured as matriarch, and from her later line came many heroes and people of song.

Now Faelon, son of Faen, was the one who was banished for the cruel slaying of his brother. His wings were torn from him, and his wife would not follow into exile. Yet Faelon the Torn took with him his infant son Fidran, and with his own hand cut the child’s wings away. Then in grief, he fled to the Forest of Neirmalas, where the spirits of wood and water laughed and sang though the world on the surface grew dark. There he entrusted Fidran Wingless to a river-spirit who dwelt within the forest and Faelon the Torn himself was slain in the war that then came.

Fidran and Fae

Fidran Wingless grew with no knowledge of his father and when he was grown took Fae of Wyld, daughter of Faren, to wife. She bore him nineteen daughters and only one son.

Her daughters were wild and could not be tamed, nor would they remain in the House of Fidran Wingless. Rather, they found mates across the wideness of Erenth and established houses of their own. From such houses rose the dryads, sylphs, nymphs, sprites, pixies, nixies, atomies, grigs, brownies, kilmoulis, and leprechauns.

Still others of their line were untamed and became like the beasts in form, but bore still the spirit of Fae within them—swanmays, centaurs, and the like.

Ilidor to Idrisier 

But Ilidor, the only son of Fidran Wingless and Fae of Wyld, was unlike his untamed sisters. He was calm and contemplative, and he followed the ways of his father, and he eschewed the passions of his grandfather Faelon the Torn.

He took to wife Herae, a warrior of Aranelmalas who fell into Neirmalas by broken wing. Ilidor nursed her to health, and though her strength returned, her wings would never bear her aloft again. She forsook her people, cut away her wings, and clung thereafter to Ilidor in the forest. There they dwelt until such time as the war consumed Neirmalas with fire, as was first foretold by Wyld.

From the union of Ilidor and Herae came Idrisier.

Idrisier the Elf was proud and noble. He did not speak of Faelon the Torn, nor remember his name. But his people prospered upon Erenth. They traded with mortals and with the elves of Aranelmalas, who recognized him as distant kin and honored him.

In look and bearing he was as the elves of old, though wingless. In time, he took Gaera, daughter of Aneri, to wife. And she, too, gave up the sky for love of the land and of him.

And Idrisier is counted in the lineages of Harandir, Silvandir, and Sashelas who were the grandsires of Wood Elves, Wild Elves, High Elves and Aquatic Elves.

Thus are all these the children of Fae.

Faren and Wyld

Back before the cataclysm, when the Elves had first awakened in the world, they had wings upon their backs and could soar as birds. But in soaring above Erenth, they soon felt hunger for the first time. 

There were two among them, Faen and Faren by name. When their hunger turned to pain, the two agreed, saying, “Let us go out and discover what will satisfy that which gnaws at us. We shall meet back here with whatsoever we discover and share it among our people.” 

Thus, Faen flew toward the rising sun and Faren had flown toward the sea.

When Faen had traveled some distance away he grew weak for his effort and lit beside a tree. There he witnessed an owl feeding. In its talons was a rabbit caught and the owl was eating of its flesh. So Faen drove off the owl and ate of the rabbit. Whereupon he found that his hunger was diminished. When he saw a raven tearing at the flesh of a squirrel, he drove it likewise off and took and ate. Then his hunger was no more and seeing that world was full of such creatures, straightaway, he returned to his people.

Faren, meanwhile, had gone away toward the sea and when he had traveled some distance away espied geese eating from the eel grass. Joining them in their supper, he ate of that grass and found his hunger diminished. Later he saw doves eating grains which had grown wild on the stem. So he gathered and ate of those grains until his hunger was no more. Then he gathered grains again until the darkness descended and he returned to his people with his hands full.

When he was joined again to them, Faren discovered that his Faen had returned before him. In his absence all the Elves had learned to eat that which had been slain, and Faren was dismayed. He was made sick by the sight of blood on their faces and the smell of death on their hands. 

Then Faren called out and offered the Elves the grains which he had gathered, though they were yet meager. At seeing this offering, some of them were ashamed, but others were in no way contrite. These latter said, “Why should we bend to the stem and coax from the soil? Why should we work until darkness for our supper? All we have need of may be slain and eaten at once!"

Then many strong words passed between Faren and Faen, but most of the Elves ridiculed the cause of Faren and joined themselves to the cause of Faen. So Faren purposed to go his own way and to live apart from those who killed for meat. While Faen and those who stood by him were glad for his departure.

In time, Faen would repent of his words and seek his brother. He took fire from the bowl of a valley and used it to light beacons so that Faren might follow them and find his way home. The beacons remained lit for many seasons and when they burned low, the Elves kept them piled high with wood and pitch so that they would be kindled again and would be seen by all the world below. 

For many long years the other people of Erenth oft saw the beacons of Faen and wondered at their purpose, but because they were too high for those without wings, they contented themselves with their imaginings. And Faren, too, saw the beacons of Faen and did not, at first, heed them. Rather he took them to be the places he would most avoid. Thus Faren was alone in the world among his kind, and he wandered far with great sorrow. 

When he came at last to a distant wood, Faren found a spirit therein and was alone no longer. Wyld he called it and it was untamed from the beginning. But Faren took Wyld to spouse and had offspring thereby and these were the three called Fae and the twins: Falth and Feere. Much mischief has come of them and their kin. 

The Songmasters of Old

The Llorfiril, or Song Masters of the Elves, are revered among their kind as the original wielders of magic, harnessing the power of ancient melodies that resonate with the very essence of the universe. Through their ethereal voices and intricate harmonies, they evoked transformations in the material world, shaping reality itself. Believed to have discovered the celestial songs that weave through all existence, the Llorfiril held a mystical status akin to cults dedicated to sacred knowledge and cosmic harmony.

Among Elven societies, these masters were not just skilled singers but revered as keepers of profound secrets, passed down through generations in sacred rituals and secluded sanctuaries. Their belief mirrors the notion that celestial music, an unseen symphony of cosmic vibrations, maintains the delicate balance of creation -- a harmony of spheres governing the cosmos. The Llorfiril perceive their songs as keys to understanding and influencing the natural order.

Within their cults, disciples study under rigorous tutelage, learning not only the melodies but also the deep philosophical underpinnings that govern their use. The Llorfiril teach that mastery of these songs requires spiritual attunement, a profound connection to the rhythms of nature and the celestial realms. Thus, they are not only practitioners of magic but guardians of a sacred tradition that bridges the mundane with the transcendent, echoing the cosmic symphony that binds all things together in harmony.

Alas the Llorfiril are no more. Since they unleashed horror upon the world during the Fifth Age, their art has been lost. Now the wizards of Erenth are the inheritors of the Llorfiril tradition. No longer understanding the musical component of their arcane arts, mere wizards are reduced to chanting spells and resorting to crude formulas for spell casting. 

Holy Symbol of the Elven People

The Wardens of the Underdark

A True History of the Wardens of the Underdark

being the third tome of Hodryl the Sage

When the evil of the fairy was finally revealed, and their foul machinations were at last thrown down, the good peoples of Erenth pledged that it would never be allowed again. By the Proclamation of Celede, the Drow faction was imprisoned in their home of Dravomalas. The Lords Continuous appointed three races to watch over them: Vyrum, Gnummor and Stoneborn. The Vyrum selected the faction of the Altom (also called the Deep Ones); the Gnummor chose the Svirfneblin faction; and among the Stoneborn the Derro were assigned the task of Alfwarden. 

On a high peak near Dravomalas, the Vyrum built the Ebon Citadel to watch over them. The Gnummor established Neblodi in the hills to the North; and the Derro foundedt Dun Dalurdig in the mountain pass. Of these, only the Svirfneblin remained true to their task. What happened to the Altom, none can say, for they disappeared in the darkness. As for the Derro, they were corrupt. Both the Ebon Citadel and the Dun are windswept and abandoned to this day. Only dread things reside there. It is said that the Derro relocated their Dun to the Underdark and the Vyrum are gone completely from the face of Erenth.

As for the Derro faction, much has been written, but little is known for sure. It is certain that they are a degenerate people. Wherever they reside, all trace of being true Stoneborn has been driven from them. It is assumed that many of their numbers are depleted and those who remain have made common cause with the Drow they once meant to warden. Some claim that their   that they have been skulking in the Underdark. It is said that a Derro lives for just two things: to witness the slow, humiliating death of surface demihumans, and especially humans; and the perversion of knowledge to their own dark ends.

Elvish Civil War

The bloodiest of the recorded wars, lasting from 3498ey to 3565ey, the Elf factions seem bent on mutual self-destruction as their internal debate over man descends into violence. The aquatic and winged elves eventually become non-combatants. Their factions leave the Elf Council and vow to never again walk the face of Erenth. The war wages on with the Drow faction and Wood faction battling the High faction and Grey faction. 

Truce of Selazzyne

In 3480 and for the next seven years, the charismatic Drow monarch, Selazzyne manages to seat the Elven Council of old and then calls the remaining Elder Races to once again discuss "The Question of Man". 


This grand diplomacy devolves into eventual civil war among the Elves, while the other races retreat.

Celede Proclamation

The end of the Elvish Civil War, the Wood Elves are forced to accept the terms of peace offered them, but the Drow are defiant and face near annihilation. They are banished forevermore to the Under Dark.  When hostilities end, the High Elves arrange for a Gnome and Dwarf contingent to be sent to watch over the Drow.  The Dwarf tribe is eventually corrupted by their proximity, but the Gnomes remain pure and dedicated to their commission. This Proclamation sits poorly with the Wood Elves to this day.

Gnome-Giant War

From 3472ey to 3475ey Erenth was torn by a global war waged by a league of the giant kind and the gnomes. No more fearful alliance was ever forged. With great weapons of war, the Giants descended upon the habitations of the other races. They razed cities and set civilizations to flight. Their ambitions were eventually thwarted by the Alliance of the Elder Races in name, but primarily the Elves and Dwarves.

The Millenial Truce

In 3201 after more than a century of hostilities, a peace treaty was signed by four of the Elf families and all of the Dwarves (except the Duergar) and since then has been renewed every 1000 years.

The Hundred Year War

From 3090ey to 3190ey, the long-nursed grievances from the previous age erupts between the faction of Drow Elves and the faction of Duergar Dwarves. The two declare open hostilities. What begins as a minor conflict eventually pulls all the Elf and Dwarf factions into the fray until there is global war between the two races.

The Fracturing

In 3066 ey, the Ancient Council of Elves is officially dissolved over their disputation over their importance of man. While many Elf scholars recognized that man is the promised race of creation, some feel he is too weak and unimpressive to be what was foretold.

Others believe he is an accident of nature or else some cast off portion of the Aenire, perhaps even akin to the Twisted Ones. Henceforth, each of the six Elf families will have its own king and keep its own counsel.  In time, all the elder races will follow suit and face the same arguments.

Withirest

Withirest is among the most hated of the afflictions that can befall elves. In fact, its only recorded sufferers are elves.

The disease causes the complete disruption of dark vision and a pronounced aging effect on the afflicted. In just ten days, the patient may have aged the equivalent of ten years. Patients will also have a pronounced susceptibility to sleep and charm-based attacks.

Withirest is the scourge of elves and is highly infectious. It will last between 2 and 5 weeks. Patients who have suffered Withirest will find themselves susceptible to a non-contagious outbreak each time they are severely wounded.

Lineages of the Elves

A History of the Elfish Speaking People s.I

In the distant past, during a time now lost to mists of history, the folk were born with wings and soared across all the heavens. They were the Avariel. By day they flew among the clouds and by night they moved among the stars. All the folk were as one and they lived above a great green valley which they called Teranis and kept to the skies of it, which they called Aeranis. None of the folk knew natural death at that time, and each was immortal and could not die, save by violence.

Aerdrie Faenya was the Ranaa of them during that Age. She was noble and just, a true daughter of the Master of Song and not easily swayed away from the concern of her people. Under Aedrie, the Avariel lived apart and did not concern themselves with matters of the Teranis below.

In the skies, the Avariel were keepers of the Faestone and of the sacred flame that it produced. It was they that built fires upon the heights of the Tablelands in emulation of the stars of the sky. They did this to honor Corellon Larethian their Lord, and to reflect the majesty of the Ere of All.

Now there were things stirring on the surface of Teranis and the curiosity of some of the folk caused them to watch and wonder and leave aside their duties with the sacred flame. So Aerdrie decreed that her children should leave those people to themselves and not in any way interfere.

Aerdrie warned, "The way of Teranis is not like the way of Aeranis. There every person fights over land and the creatures that cross over it. The way of Teranis will always be one of war. If we interfere now, we must interfere forever. For one person claims what another person wants and so it will be forever until the end of time. Their way is not our way, for we are Skyborne and they are Landbound."

So it was that throughout the First Age the Avariel watched. Over and over they saw the depredation of the Urok against the Holbyt and Gnummor and Dwenir and Vyrum, but they did not involve themselves. At long last, they were able to witness the coming of the Tytanos to bring the justice upon the Urok and restore peace to all Teranis.

Many of the people had been slain and the plants of the ground grew tall and took over all that had been. The Entwe were rulers then and they were masters of plants and other creatures of Teranis that did not move, and that time between times belonged to them.

A History of the Elfish Speaking People s.II

Throughout the First Age, all the Avariel were witness to the raging of the Urok, but they were forbidden by their Ranaa, Aerdrie Faenya, to interfere. After the dawning of the Second Age, when the Holbyt were given the rule of Teranis, the folk were once again forced to watch as the Urok returned in their numbers to lay waste, to destroy and to steal.

Many of the Avariel again petitioned Aerdrie to be allowed to descend to the floor of Teranis, but she would not grant it. Among her children, though, were five daughters who did not heed her, and neither did the many sons that were born unto them. Instead these unfaithful children went down to the surface to help the dwindling races. There they joined the wars on the side of the Holbyt who had been like Ranes over all Teranis. Now Aerdrie was not pleased by the disobedience, but she was even more angered by the gift the defectors took with them. For the Avariel that busied themselves in the affairs of those below took with them the Faestone which could be chipped from the heights of the Tablelands above Teranis. The Faestone held the secret of fire.

The Faestone was easy to shape and knapp. When it broke it could be made into many sharp points, which could cut and pierce easier than the weapons that Teranis had known until that time. For hardrock, antler, bone and stick, that which had been their weapons, became useless after breaking. But it is a property of the Faestone that even the smaller fragments become useful in the manufacture of darts and knives. And, even more importantly, are still useful for the building of fires.

Aerdrie was filled with wrath and sent a host against her own children. This host tried to take hold of them which departed and bid them return to their place in the sky. But they would not return and strove bitterly against those who would bear them off. So they were left alone. Now the five daughters of Aerdrie and all their sons knew that their Ranaa was angered, but they believed that if they acquitted themselves well on Teranis, that they would be permitted to return to what they viewed as their rightful home.

So it was that a long war was fought against the Urok and many of the folk did acquit themselves well and proudly. Many also died in that war, including four of the five daughters of Aerdrie, and many more of their sons. So when the wars were at last ended and the Urok were sent to whatever refuge they could find, the unfaithful children grew tired of war and desired to return home. They were not well received. For though they returned with the honors of the people that lived on the ground, they had disobeyed their Ranaa and she held them in contempt. So too, the sacred fire had been misused. For the people below had used it to set fire to the world below and scorch all of Teranis, which was like a wasteland from one end of the valley to the other. What had been lush and green was now reduced to cinder and ash.

"You have abandoned our home and our way of life," she said. "And you have shown all of the people down below the secret of the sacred fire which was our charge alone. Though you return as heroes to the people of Teranis, you are as strangers to us."

Then Aerdrie sent her unfaithful children away and pronounced them Teraniel -- Landbound. She swore then that those which used their wings thereafter to return to Aeranis would be punished. Then she cursed those which had left, saying that even their children would be born Landbound and wingless in every generation until Corellon Larethian himself intervene. "As you fought to win Teranis, so will you strive to live upon it."

So the Teraniel left her presence with great regret. For Aeranis was a place of exceeding beauty, but they would now only know it from afar. They could only gaze up into the sky by day and night with deep longing. On the ruined landscape of Teranis they would eventually become known as homeless wanderers and relentless pursuers of the Urok. They would have to content themselves to live for the glory heaped on them by the other people. This glory they did receive in songs without number and they became well-reckoned in the hearts of many. Regardless of their acclaim, however, deep in the hearts of most Teraniel was a sadness that did not pass.

Gadhelyn, the son of Aerdrie was not one of those filled with sadness, but rather with anger. It was he who took his Faestone knife in full view of Aerdrie and her court and cut the wings from his back saying, "As the Avariel shun me, so I now shun the Avariel." Gadhelyn lived for many ages upon Teranis and became a person of great renown. As a champion of six ages he lived and he did not know a natural death. Many children had he and from them are counted the folk now called Harandir. For until the Sixth Age and the coming of the Vyrum princes he lived, and his life was celebrated in every generation, but the tale of his end is told later.

Meanwhile, among the Teraniel,  Gilmad the Singer became the first Rane. He too was a great warrior and he was the husband of Vandria, last living daughter of Aerdrie. Together they had been champions of many battles and only a few ever lived which could match their prowess -- he with the spear and knife, she with her hammer of stone.

Gilmad was he who defeated the Warbands of Darkblood and was slain in single combat, though he also slew Nolek the Chieftain and personally ran 600 through with his spear. And Vandria is remembered for keeping her word, and honoring her husband, but avenging him all the same. Together they were the parents of the folk called Erandir.

After Gilmad was slain, Labelas the son of Enoreth the slain daughter of Aerdrie became Rane of the Teraniel. Labelas lived through all five ages and at the dawning of the 6th Age took the Mantle of White to become the Curate of his people. He is the father of the Silvandir through Celanil the Mother of Forests and daughter to Gadhelyn.

The Realms of Southrun and their Recognized Monarchs

An index for the use of all Royal and Noble Houses.

• Dun Dalurdig: (King Sudurtal Dururthur) Hearth of the Bright Black Watch; ancestral place of the Derro Dwarves
  
• Dun Duergara: (King Druna Garentega) Hearth of the Angry Souls; ancestral place of the Duergar Dwarves
  
• Dravomalas: (Queen Galnathra Ararsda) The Drowood; ancestral place of the Drow Elves
  
• Neblodi: (King Perid Nebnofz) Stronghold of the Pure ; ancestral place of the Svirfneblin Gnomes
  
• Ridgedale: (King Dafe Spearfling) ancestral place of Renegade Halflings
  
• Karkkarthkarag: (King Agalgaash) The Red Fang Den; ancestral place the Urok
• Bhrenherjhot: (unknown) Grandhold of the Flames; ancestral place of the Fire Giants
  

The Realms of Northrun and their Recognized Monarchs

An index for the use of all Royal and Noble Houses.

• Dun Balnolmor: (King Nordri Fesginhak)Hearth of the Barren Lords; ancestral place of the Mountain Dwarves
• Darmalas: (King Altarion Dardereian) The Darkwood; ancestral place of Wood Elves
• Snowrift: (King Diran Firefoot) ancestral place of Tallfellow Halflings
• Graetosselodi: (King Rodi Eltheast) Graetheim a.k.a Stronghold of the Master Makers a.k.a The Hearth of the Chosen; ancestral place of the Tinker Gnomes
• Dhagherjhot: (unknown) Grandhold of Sunrise; ancestral place of the Frost Giants
• Nhelherjhot: (unknown) Grandhold of Sunset; ancestral place of the Ice Giants

The Realms of Eastrun and their Recognized Monarchs

An index for the use of all Royal and Noble Houses.

• Dun Usega: (King Thorgren Mithralri) Hearth of the Eternal Night; ancestral place of the Deep Dwarves
  
• Fingolfmalas: (King Uruvien Daerdaes) The Southwood; ancestral place of Wood Elves
  
• Lochdale: (King Wilstan Watergarden) ancestral place of Stout Halflings
  
• Merrydale: (King Fredo Fieldshanks) ancestral place of Tallfellow Halflings
  
• Vinlinlodi: (King Garin Rullanti) The Ice Star Stronghold; ancestral place of Rock Gnomes
  
• Kuttiqiakarag: (King Sekulfumsh)The Fighting Slave Den; ancestral place of Urok

The Realms of Westrun and their Recognized Monarchs

An index for the use of all Royal and Noble Houses.

• Dynkyr: (King Daen Bannahr) ancestral home of the Sundered Dwarves
  
• Oromir: (King Urthomm Mirauth) ancestral home of Hill Dwarves
  
• Festog: (King Vestri Naknolmbir) ancestral home of Hill Dwarves
  
• The Mistwood: (King Elralad Farofir) ancestral home of High Elves
  
• The Deepwood: (Queen Iseri Sephyaren) ancestral home of High Elves
  
• The Greywood: (King Esadrel Urilmar) ancestral home of Grey Elves
  
• The Forest Hills: (King Crolo Vindvelf) ancestral home of Rock Gnomes
  
• The Curwood: (Queen Taro Gnipjarin) ancestral home of Forest Gnomes
  
• Hilldale: (King Bolond Halechest) ancestral place of Hairfoot Halflings
  
• Rakagkarag: (King Karkbrahl) ancestral place of Urok