The Ancestors

[Dakirennis 959]

 

 

The Ancestors

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An in-depth look at the dark elven belief system

 

 

 

The Ancestral Plane

 

 

The fabled afterlife of the mali’ker. The Ancestral Plane is where honourable dark elves pass on and begin their eternal watch over the living. It is here, through their vigilant eyes, that the Ancestors judge the mali’ker that still breathe and deem whether or not their actions are worthy of allowing them to pass onto an eternal paradise amongst their kin. Those that are judged as dishonourable and unworthy and condemned to an eternal darkness, blinded and alone. For to a people who thrive amongst family, there can be no worse hell than being away from those you love.

 

 

Shrines And Offerings

 

There are three ways a dark elf may honour their Ancestors: through the creation of shrines in their honour, offerings, and how one carries themselves.

 

Shrines are where a mali'ker would go to place offerings and offer words to those above. When constructing a shrine, a dark elf must keep in mind which type of shrine they're making. There are three types of shrines: general shrines, usually found in public places and not dedicated to any specific ancestor. These shrines can be made from any material and in any sort of fashion. Clan shrines, which can be found in any common household to honour any fallen of that clan. A clan shrine is usually constructed out of materials that reflect that clan. For example, a clan whose history is rooted in the way of hunting may build a shrine from bones of animals or a clan known for their jewel work may make a shrine out of elaborately carved stone, inlaid with precious gems.  Lastly, Greater Ancestral shrines. These shrines are always fashioned in a manner specific to the Ancestor it devotes. A shrine that devotes Khel The Zealous may find itself carved with various imagery of great battles or adorned with weapons.

 

A basic example of a shrine.

 

Upon each and every shrine one would find a stone or metal bowl, these bowls are for the offerings a mali’ker would place to their Ancestors. Offerings of food, water, and carved idols being the most common. However, the same as with shrines, offerings must have some form of importance when being dedicated to clan’s fallen or a Greater Ancestor. As said previously, an offering upon a clan shrine depends on the clan’s origin and history while a Greater Ancestor’s offering depends upon who they’re bestowing their offer to. When one may honour Kaldo The Father, wine may be a common item. However, one would not offer wine to Delilah The Mother due to her distaste for it in life. After one presents their offering, usually words of praise are spoken or simply the reason why the offering was being presented. After which, the offerings are burnt within the offering bowl. Flames being place either directly into the bowl or below it to boil any liquid that was offered. It’s believe that when these offerings are burnt, the smoke and steam from these offerings rise up into the Ancestral Plane and into the hands of those that have passed on.

 

 

Veneration

 

The third method in honouring the Ancestors is how one venerates the fallen. Veneration is relies on how one presents and carries themselves. Dressing like a harlot, killing your kin or others without good reason, even what you say. The Ancestors observe all.

 

For personal presentation, lacking covering for carnal reasons or dying your hair an outlandish colour would be considered dishonourable. However, revealing part of one's body to display scars or clan markings (tattoos, body paints, etc) would be acceptable provided it’s within reason. Even dying hair can be fine when taking clan traditions into account. Such as Uuthlini and their trademark blue hair or Oussana and their tattoos.

 

Examples of an honourable dark elf, painted face clothing reasonable. And a barbarian dark elf, skin uncovered, uses the dark arts.

 

When it comes to combat, the dark elves are no stranger to conflict. But there’s a time and place for everything. When conflict arises amongst kin honour duels are quite common as they provide an outlet for their anger and sometimes improve relationships. During such duels a few things are expected, such as not striking at your opponent's back and the use of magic or trickery. Honour duels between mali’ker are meant to settle disputes, not instigate them further. These same rules apply when dueling those outside of the race as well. For a long time the world has seen the dark elves as nothing more than thieves, cultists, and bandits and we must work to to change that. Knowing when to spare a life or when to even engage in conflict is paramount as well. For jumping into a frenzy at the lightest insult does no service to your own honour and especially not of your Ancestors. During war time skirmishes, it is not uncommon to hear mali’ker call the names of particular Ancestors, Khel being the most common.

 

Even choice of magic reflects upon the Ancestors. While magic is widely known amongst the dark elves, there are those that delve into it’s darker side. While all dark magic is widely disapproved of necromancy is above all the most dishonourable. For it defiles the dead and bends them to the will of their user when they should be laid to rest.

 

 

Funerals

 

The passing of a loved one is always a saddening time. For dark elves, funerals must be attended to in a particular fashion. It’s believe that the Ancestral Plane resides in the skies above, so in order to release the soul of the fallen mali’ker cremation is how dark elves are sent into the afterlife. Through this method it is believed that the fallen’s soul is released. Burying a dark elf is considered sacrilegious as it denies their soul from ascending into the Ancestral Plane. If a body is lost, whether it be at sea or the person has gone missing and is believed dead. Then burning something that was dear to them is thought to work as well as if the item was close enough to them that it be considered part of that person.

 

A funeral pyre burning bright

 

 

Greater Ancestors

 

These status of Greater Ancestors is bestowed upon those that have done great deeds in life or left a lasting impression on their people. The current Ancestral Pantheon are: Khel the Zealous, Kaldo the Father, Delilah the Mother, Lenden the Joyful, Arganos the Festive, and Jiub the Strong. Each of these dark elves once walked among us and after their deaths were raised to a higher state of honour. These Ancestors are given particular praise, shrines in their honour, even celebrations held in their name. However, honouring them is not the sole purpose of raising them to this honour. One would also look them them for guidance, for their actions in life are not only to be praised but also to serve as teachers to the mali’ker.

 

 

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Spoiler

Meme provided by Baconthief

 

If you'd like for your character to learn these facts at all or in more detail, look me up in game! Dak is always up for spreading the darkie belief and teachin the youngins about their culture. 

 

[Dakirennis 959]

Malin the All-Father

 

There isn't an elf alive that does not know the name Malin. The shining pillar and founder of our people, he who deserves the title of Ancestor above any. Through still shrouded ways, he gave our people form and that is more reason than any to honour the All-Father.
 

 

Delilah The Mother

In life, Delilah was a kind and gentle soul. She came to our people in Thales and comforted all within our halls. Whether it be with her baking, her sweet words, or a shoulder to cry on, Della was there. But like a mother, she was protective of her kin. She'd on more than one occasion picked up her frying pan and bash a few well deserved heads in, only to scold them after. To us that knew her in life, she represented a mother in all regards. In both her kindness and her watchfulness of her flock.

 

 

Arganos The Festive

If there was ever a man who enjoyed celebration, it was Arganos Uuthilni. He could turn any small party into a several day long gala. Versed in many instruments and with a wide array of songs in his mind, celebration were his savvy. From out drinking dwarves to preforming acrobatic feats. We remember Arganos as the Jester of Joy, the Spirt of Spirts, the Ancestor of Celebration.

 

 

Khel The Zealous

Khel Oussana. One of the most influential mali'ker to have ever lived. A leader whose cunning was only matched by his viciousness. He led our people into prosperity and cut down those who threatened it, even if they were his own people. His ferocity would earn him much renown among many other factions of Anthos. To Khel, his people were the superior elves and we deserved to be seen in a better light.

 

 

Koltira The Father

A kind man who assisted Khel in overseeing Darkhaven. Koltira Ravexi was seen by many of us as a father figure. Taking in all dark elves without homes and guiding them into a better light. His care was so great that he was even referred to as Maln by those who inhabited Darkhaven. However he was unafraid to punish those who went astray. He led our people with kind words and a firm hand.

 

 

Jiub the Strong

 

The original founder of the Div'cruan, Jiub was a giant by elven standards and nearly rivaled uruks in stature. He was bound by a strong sense of honor which formed the basis for the Onyx culture. During the strife of the Fringe wars, he led the small mali'ker force headlong into the enemy ranks with sometimes reckless abandon. But we will always remember Jiub for what he was, a pinnacle of strength and honor. Something we should always strive towards.

 

 

The Dalmakia Brothers

 

An ancient trio of Mali'ker brothers from a primordial age. These three founded the precursors to what is now known as the Dalma clan. Each of the three brothers specialized in their own field to maximize their trade and profits. The first and eldest brother Bandadar had the knowledge of the market, when best to buy and sell. It was him that led the Dalmakia clan to the human lands where he believed they could best manipulate the market. The second brother Falsals contributed to his clans fortune with his silk trade. Fine materials and finer wines were what helped this cunning 'Ker make his riches. And finally the youngest brother Dolyni. Best described as flamboyant, Dolyni was a skilled jewel crafter. His cuts were precise and flawless which made his jewelry highly sought after. However with time and change, these three brother eventually faded away into history. Old Mali'ker myths tell of their hoard of gold and jewels hidden deep within the earth of the elven homeland.

 

 

 

To learn how to properly honour and praise these Ancestors, speak with Dak'ir.

Edited February 5, 2019 by Dakirennis

[someome 2053]

Topic archived on accident, has been moved and restored, have a nice day.