The Seeds of Caras Eldar

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

The Seeds of the Dominion of Malin

 

A Seed is a wood elven tribe, defined by its worship of the Aspects and practice of old traditions that go back to wood elven antiquity- the Era of the Seeds.  Many wood elves look upon this period of history as an ideal era. It was during this time that the mali’ame were all unianimously devoted to the Aspects. Due to their nomadic lifestyle, the ancient wood elves of the various Seeds knew perfectly how to live in harmony with nature, something modern wood elves are still striving to do to this day.

 

Traditionally, Seeds were mainly nomadic, roaming the mountains, deep forests and coasts of the ancient world. In the modern era, the Seeds are sedentary and live within the Dominion of Elfkind alongside their cousin races. However, many of them are lineal successors or direct continuations of the bloodlines and hereditary continuation of the old Clans.

 

To join a Seed is to partake in the great cultural revival in the eyes of many mali’ame. After centuries of assimilation, destruction, oppression and suffering through the lands of Asulon, Anthos, and Athera, the wood elves lost most of their culture and their religion. It was only after weathering a string of disasters, and the ascension of leaders such as Prince Tristin, Artimec Caerme’onn and later Kairn Ithelanen and Awaiti Aureon that the wood elves finally enjoyed peace long enough to rediscover their history. Lacking in any national identity, they clung to the stories of the old Seeds and their traditions and sought to bring them about into the modern era.

 

Most of the Seeds that exist in the modern era are the successors to these old seeds. Almost all Cheiftains can trace their bloodlines back thousands of years and link them to the various old tribes which roamed the Aegisian forests. This is a point of pride for almost all wood elves, who proudly emulate many of the old traditions and customs their nomadic ancient ancestors lived by.

 

Ilmyumier - Tribal Inking

An Ithelanen Warrior baring the ilmyumier tattoos of his seed.

 

Seeds often lived in isolation, and thus their traditions and lifestyles could diverge vastly. However, one ritual that remained universal among all seeds was the ilmyumier- the tribal tattoo.

 

Each Seed bares its own tribal tattoo with its own unique colour, shape and location on the body. In ancient times they served to identify a mali’ame to whichever tribe he belonged to. In the modern era, the practice of tattooing all adult members of a Seed is a continued tradition. The ilmyumier is iconic to seed culture.

 

Caerme'onn baring an ikurnam'onn blade, seed tattoo on his right arm.

 

At the very heart of it, Seed Markings are dedication. Not all Seeds are born from blood relation, so for an elf to prove lifetime loyalty to one, they permanently decorate their bodies with the Seed’s unique patterns. A bond made to last a lifetime, sealed in ink and blood.

 

Current Seeds

Many of the modern Seeds can trace their bloodlines back to the ancient ones. However, nowadays they are no longer nomadic. They are identified by their worship of the Aspects, the markings on their skin, and their respective traditions that they have preserved over the centuries. They live primarily in elfdom’s capital, Caras Eldar and its surrounding lands, alongside the mali’ker and mali’aheral.

 

Caerme’onn

Spoiler

Seed Ilmyumier: A blood-red tattoo that abstractly resembles a stag’s antlers. Either to be inked along the arm, or under the eyes.

 

Seed Chieftain: Artimec Caerme’onn (LeoWarrior14)

 

Seed Culture: More than other seeds, Caerme’onn are fiercely pious. Nearly all members of this tribe are Druids, and it is an unspoken expectation that a Caerme’onn must devote their life to the Aspects, and to the preservation of mali’ame lore. Both male and female Caerme’onn are expected to be able warriors, adept with the sword, spear, bow and tomahawk.

 

Caerme’onn is a seed of warriors and priests, tied deeply with the Order el’Naelurir and the Dominion of Malin. Spiritual enlightenment, an undying devotion to the Aspectist rite, and a mandate to guide and teach mali’ame kind are the core identities of Caerme’onn.

 

Seed History: Caerme’onn originated in the ancient era of the nomadic seeds, out of a marriage between a seed whose name is lost to time, and a clan of elves from far away. In their union, they took the name “Caerme’onn”, meaning ‘born of destiny’. The Caerme’onn were one of many seeds who fought alongside the Green Dragon Taynei in her war against Garthon, the Draoi usurper.

 

 

Torena

 

Spoiler

Seed Ilmyumier: A sea-blue tattoo shaped like ocean waves. Can be found on the shoulders and under the eyes of all Torena. Sometimes down their arms and back.

 

Seed Chieftain: Damai Torena (_DropKoala)

 

Seed Culture: The Torena seed has a heavy focus on the ocean and the lands around and within it. Torena’s believe they must live as a wave does, powerful, fearsome and on a strict course which ends in inevitable death, the seed has its roots wrapped firmly around Aspectism with many of their rituals, primal in nature as they are, to the Aspects. All Torenas are required to make a sacrifice to the Aspects and complete a set of tasks in honour to them

 

Torena seed is made up of many fearsome warriors who tend to follow the bronze path. They use this to protect the mali’ame race and if any is to stray from this strict, Aspectist path they are generally dealt with harshly displaying how serious the seed takes its core morals and values.

 

Seed History: Nor’ehya, ancient, Varhn. The Torena seed derives its culture almost wholly from the ancient Nor’ehya seed. This group of mali believed the establishment of settlements lead to chaos and destruction of the balance, they left Malins city on only two boats. Unified by the same beliefs and connection to the ocean and coast they ventured out, hopping from island to island and returning once eaches resources had replenished, they became hardened warriors of the Aspects and the sea.

 

 

Reithel

Spoiler

 

Seed Ilmyumier: A bronze or amber tattoo that resemble the branches of the Elder Tree. Whilst tattooing anywhere on the body is common, under or over the eyes is certain.

 

Seed Chieftain: Calen Reithel (Nolan_)

 

Seed Culture: Akin to other seeds, Reithel have their roots in nomadic seeds. However, Reithel are more inclined to live by these values more than most and as a result their intense focus and closeness with other members of their seed as opposed to those who are not can be misconstrued as them being self-contained and distant.

 

Reithel is a seed of hunters, gatherers, warriors, and on the off chance healers as well. Though devout Aspectists, for a Reithel to be a druid is exceedingly rare, instead finding comfort simply in the teachings of the Naelurir and offers from their hunts. Reithels often fit the mold of soldiers in the Virarim or expert hunters, as well as the occasional healer who find their expertise useful in the Caras Eldar clinic.

 

Seed History: Originating when the Mali’ame were beginning to exodus into the woods, Reithel is an ancient nomadic seed but relatively unknown, finding pleasure in meaningful but unpraised work. The earliest member of the seed known to date is the elfess, Reitha, who was an adept huntswoman and faith healer. She was revered for her skill and leadership of the seed as its Chieftain. To this day, the majority of Reithels can trace their lineage back to Reitha and follow so much in her stead that the seed is named in her honour.

Only recently have the Reithels reconnnected with their Mali’ame kin in Caras Eldar and are struggling to find their place. Reithels from across the realm have been encouraged to re-enter Elven society for a new beginning under Chieftain Calen.

 

Csarathaire

 

Spoiler

Seed Ilmyumier: Rising Phoenix in red, with the head of a serpent. Usually inked on the arm in a spiraling pattern.

 

Seed Chieftain: Khaine Csarathaire (iMattyz)

 

Seed Culture: The full customs inherited by the current Csarathaire’s might seem primally brutal and barbaric, but this is merely a function of their history. They involve blood pacts between those close to oneself, fire sacrifices, and sacrifice by burning criminals alive are surviving Csarathaire customs. Growing from its harsh formative time separate from the other elves, the seed has acquired a somewhat severe streak and has developed a more primitive and simple offshoot of Aspectism.

 

It is not a family of quantity anymore, but quality. The seed chieftain is always encouraged to be incredibly picky if asked by a fellow ‘ame to be inducted, and does not mass recruit at any opportunity like other seeds, as this would pollute the gene pool. As an elite seed, only the most proficient warriors, the most competent leaders and the most precise hunters are brought into the fold, giving the seed a distinctly martial aura. In addition, the current chieftain’s significant time warring with the sons of Horen have given him and the seed characteristics which are perhaps alien to many fellow Elves.

 

Seed History: In one of the many exoduses by ship from one continent to another, a portion of the Wood Elven contingent was lost after a brief stop, and had to travel by itself in the direction the ships had gone. Their experiences in those years shaped the Csarathaire seed.

 

 

Terin

 

Spoiler

Seed Ilmyumier: A green spiralling shape typically located upon the left shoulder and looping around to the lower back.

 

Seed Chieftain: Calius Terin (ShadowedOblivion)

 

Seed Culture: A true seed of stewardship, either for that of the land or the people. Many Terins have found themselves through their lives as either Druids or Caretakers of the wild, or as domestic administrators within elven lands. The seed is often known for considering everyone to be family in some sort of way. Despite the seed itself being rather small, members prefer to value actions louder than words.

 

Members of the Terin Seed value selflessness and family over all else, with community following shortly behind those. While not quite known for being warriors, the Terin seed has always been known to defend the place it calls home tooth and nail before they let something take over.

 

Seed History: The Terin Seed was never known for its size or power like other notable seeds, rather sticking to a small nomadic living in the trees of great forests. The Seed being known for following rivers and only recently returning to civilization as of Athera.

 

 

Silma

 

Spoiler

Seed Ilmyumier: A large oak tree that encompasses the entirety of the upper back and some of the shoulders, as well as the center and lower back. The oak itself is aflame, signifying the importance of fire and rebirth of the forests.

 

Seed Chieftain: Loriens Silma (Loriens)

 

Seed Culture: Silma features a blend between old Malinorian customs and traits adopted from the mali’ame Seeds. The result is a blend of Valleinor tradition with old Wood elf customs. Silma is tied more to the legacy of Malin’s Kingdom than the wood elven seeds that exodused from it. However they adhere to the Aspectist faith and participate in public Aspectist rituals.

 

Seed History: Silma was a prominent family line during the days of the first Elven Kingdom, and fiercely loyal to the father Malin, whom many members served directly. Silma was shaken to its foundations following Malin’s dissapearance and the slow exodus of the newly split elven subraces into their respective new homelands. Silma had been exceptionally loyal to Malin, and were to his memory as well, remaining as true to the culture of the old Kingdom as possible even after its collapse, and kept the lighter complexion of the proto-elves as a result, as opposed to the dark skinned shorter stature of the new wood elves.

 

However, during this era they came into contact with various wood elven seeds, and the culture of the new world order transfused onto them. They adopted some tribal seed customs as well as an ilmyumier, a clan tattoo. Their old elven blood became gradually mixed with mali’ame. As a result, Silma became a blend of Old Malinorian and mali’ame Seed tradition and culture, a trend that carries on today, differentiating it from many purely mali’ame Seeds.

 

 

Aureon

Spoiler

Seed Ilmyumier: Dark greek ink, in the shape of an ame’lie tree. Traditionally the trunk tattooed on the back, and branches spread out over the body. Placing your Ame’lie on a part of the body that shows it to others is considered amongst many members of the seed as a show of immense pride for the family, and is highly encouraged.

 

Seed Chieftain: Awaiti Aureon

 

Seed Culture: After many years of delving into the ways of the seeds and teaching her dedicants the Balance and Aspectism, Lady Steward and Naelurir Archdruid Arahaelth Aureon created a structured manuscript detailing the key values of the seed, along with how aspiring members would prove these values to the Aureons. These values are as follows:

Faith

Kinship

Honor

Cohesion

Self Worth

Knowledge

 

Seed History:

The Aureon lived for centuries under their grand Chieftain and seed mother Elenwë. In a time when most Seeds were nomadic, they lived in permanent settlements, cultivating Ame’lie, specifically bred trees that could produce bark as hard as iron. Elenwë would be slain in a war with an orcish tribe, and the Aureons would die out as a result, becoming obscure for centuries.  Until Prince Artimec Camoryn called upon the mali’ame people to remember their Seeds and rebuild them in the modern era. The Aureon people were one of the first to answer the call. They strove to bring back the life the forest sustained them with and to this day, continue to do so.

 

 

Winterleaf

 

 

Spoiler

Seed Ilmyumier: The ilmyumier of the Winterleaf is simple compared to most, but highly symbolic of their heritage. It is a frosty blue leaf tattooed onto the flesh, with a center stem of gold, and veins of forest green.

 

Seed Chieftain: Kyral Winterleaf (Arkelos)

 

Seed Culture: The culture of the Winterleaf Family revolves around nature, faith, compassion, and love. The family is deeply rooted and loyal, and will jump to the aid of even the most distant relatives in times of need. Faith is recognized as a central tenet to the lives of most descendants, and though what you have faith in is up to you, the Aspects are the primary deities praised in the modern iteration of the Seed, due to the heavy druidic influence of its current members.

 

Festivals, feasts, and large cooperative projects are common in the Winterleaf seed, coming together for common purpose and cause. The celebration of life and death leads to a regular gathering of the family, honoring those who have come before, and seeing the new additions to the family, through either births or adoptions. Much of the family tends to work towards having a communal ‘grove’ in druidic tradition, which every family member is welcome to have a room or home within. It may not be their primary residence, but it gives a known location of safety and family to rely on, and makes social gatherings all the simpler.

 

Seed History: The Winterleaf Family was originally many families spread throughout ancient elven culture, all sharing blood relations at some point and maintaining contact as a larger family unit. In time, over a dozen of these families came together and chose to unite fully under the Winterleaf name, one of the more known of their family names at the time. In the time of Aegis, this family was nearly wiped out, down to only two members, Lillith and Vailoen Winterleaf. From their survival, they sought from Asulon onwards to rebuild their shattered legacy, and eventually the family became large and thriving once more, sticking to the traditions that had been taught to them and passing them onwards.

 

 

Ithelanen

Spoiler

Seed Ilmyumier: The ilmyumier of the Ithelanen differ from that of other elven seeds in their meaning. Esalathe’lan are full body markings that wind across the skin of the clansmen like tapestries. Patterns of blue and grey woven into their flesh, they are not uniform in their appearance and are made up of a variety of tribal patterns and symbols which correlate with each fallen member of their clan.

 

Seed Chieftain(s): Din’laselan

 

Seed Culture: The Ithelanen value their traditions, age-old practices that they have carried throughout their isolation. Forced to integrate into the wider elven society, they are taciturn and reluctant to part with customs that might be considered to be cruel and barbaric by their Wood Elven contemporaries, such as the killing of feeble children. Clansmen of the Ithelanen take up the bow and spear, much the same as their female counterparts, though the seed is dominated by a patriarchal hierarchy in which women have little to no say regarding the affairs of the clan.

 

They share a special relationship with the mani Morea, Prince of Wolves. For in their isolation, they diverged from the mainstream faith of their forebears to uphold more primal beliefs. And while they still do offer praise to the Aspects, Morea is regarded just as highly. Because of this, the Ithelanen often keep kennels of domesticated wolfhounds, using them for the hunt and in war.

 

Seed History: The Ithelanen traces their roots back to before the fall of Malin's kingdom and the era of seeds. They rejected the agrarian, sedentary lifestyle that Malin adopted and turned their backs on the firstborn of the Elves, retreating into the deep woods of the world to live as isolationist nomads. However, the scourging of the isles of Axios forced them from their hiding, creating reluctant members of modern Elven society.

 

 

((Some of the seed subtitles are links to their dedicated threads. Click for more info on specific Seeds!))

((Character art done by Numirya was used in this thread!))