The Isilioleth

[Aelesh 540]

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

‘And lo, in the youthful dark of the world when Shadow roamed unchecked,

And Starlight flickered in the chill dark without a home to return to,

When Soul and Sense whereas yet roiling in the unformed deep of the ocean,

When the waters flowed in innocence, and the earth did not yet war against the waves,

There came the Beginning, where all things found their place.'

 

Isilioleth culture’s founding belief is that the Soul has many senses that are unused or untempered by our lives. The most obvious Five manifest regularly and present the world in a stunted, unformed manner that misses much of the deeper nature of life. Prolific use of alchemy in the development of hallucinogenic concoctions and a great appreciation for the symbology of colour are core parts of any clan members life. Tattoos, paintings, patterns, textiles and shrines bright with a hundred colours are all components of a clan members appreciation for their traditional artistry. Homes are gaudy places filled with warmth and the thick scent of spices, gathering places glow with fire and stink of good food, good drink and good people.

 

Life is a stage to paint one's character upon. It is most enjoyed when one gives oneself unto it uncompromisingly and takes pleasure in the myriad sensations of the journey. Love is good for its joy, hate for its power, mercy for its nobility. The Isilioleth band together to appreciate the happiness and the sorrow of the journey and do not shy away from all that entails. They give their brothers a home to return to, a shoulder to cry upon and a voice to console their deepest worries. The long life of an elf can be hard, but they hope to revel in its wonder whilst they can.

 

The Recent History of the Isilioleth

 

When the putrid aura of Orgon had swept into every aspect of the world around them, the Isilioleth knew that only destruction and decay would await those that remained on the doomed continent of Vailor. With this is mind, they made haste toward the boat that the clan had prepared for such instances; for an element made most clear in the clan is one of preparedness, whether it be for life or death.

 

As the gathering of Mali’ker scrambled for their escape, the creatures of rot and destruction began to emerge from the fetid swamps around them, striking the slower of the Isilioleth that were lagging at the back of the crowd.

 

Alas, with little time to spare the clan had no choice but to press on against the swathe of disease and entrapment that sought to ensnare them in their rotting fingers. As the enormous portal at the Docks opened up on the horizon, the Isilioleth knew that they would have to leave as soon as they could; and such little time they had, that they were forced to prematurely depart from the docks, leaving behind a number of Mali’ker that fought to the bitter end against Orgon’s army.

 

Indeed, it appeared as though only the youngest and most agile of the family had made it onboard, as well as a few lingering creatures that had found their way through patches of decayed wood. As the clan fought against the remainder of these beasts, they made their way through the Spirit Realm that presented itself, absorbing the experience with adrenaline fuelled awareness.

 

Yet in their attempt to understand the strange world they found around them, they failed to notice the point at which they emerged in Axios, crashing into a nearby coast and scattering the survivors who woke at different times of the day; if indeed they woke at all.

 

It appeared the Isilioleth were not as prepared for the unknown as they had thought, a notion that would plague them in their desperate search to find one another.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Spoiler

Philosophy and Religion

 

The Importance of Colour

 

Before all other colours, Black and White take precedence. White is the representation of ‘ultimate order’. It is a state of indefinite existence, of reality without form. It is the necessary base of the world from which all other things arise, but in itself it represents nothing at all. It is both Life and Death, and thus it is neither. It is both Movement and Stillness, and thus it is neither. Being all things, it is of no value and represents nothing specific. Black represents the presence of, something. Anything. A shadow is cast only by something with a true presence in the world, a presence possessed of value and substance. If White is the sandbox of reality then Black is the value which arises from the universe; Black is representative of all things possessed of true form and substance.

 

To paint anything with the colour White is to suggest that it has no value or purpose. It is a grave insult, to claim an existence to be of the lowest level. An object blanketed in White exists only because reality permits that it does, and not because it has power or importance. To paint something Black, is to claim quite the opposite; those objects represent ideas which contribute meaning and purpose to Life.

 

The Isilioleth thus have a very simple kind of morality; that all things with purpose are of worth. Rage is neither good nor bad, it is simply Rage. The worth of Rage is determined by the experience and the passion of it, the vibrancy it offers to one’s life. Curiosity is much the same, and is neither good nor evil, as is Love, as are all emotions. The world is thought of much like a painting, with each experience or emotion existing as a pigment within the image. What is the purpose of the colour blue? Is it right, or wrong? Quite obviously it is neither. Its value is derived purely from its existence as a part of the composition, and the Isilioleth claim the same of all the world. To be filled with a passion for anything, anything at all, means that one is partaking in the great journey of life. That one is a character walking large across the stage and playing into the plot of the world’s legend. To accomplish that and revel in the glory of life is to be free from all shackles and achieve paradise.

 

-

Black/Gray - the symbol of Unlimited Potential, the Isilioleth associate darkness with adaptability and an acquaintance with the truth of the world. To paint your child black, or to adorn yourself in black is to glorify the value of one's spirit and intimate ties to the course of destiny.

 

White/Silver - the symbol of Order, it suggests a certain restrained nature, a lesser life lived according to rules. To paint a white hand upon the door of your neighbour is to mark him with the greatest of insults. No Isilioleth would willingly adorn themselves in white; the ankles of prisoners are regularly painted with white rings.

 

Yellow/Gold - the symbol of Individualism, it is one of the rarest of metals to come across, and for this reason is associated with being unique. Being painted gold or wearing gold is indicative or someone who considers themselves unique, or wishes to promote a charismatic personality.

 

Blue - the symbol of Cleansing and Purity, it is the colour of the rain and the water, something that will calm the mind and soothe the soul if allowed to. It is completely adaptable to the environment around it and offers a sensation of relaxation. To adorn yourself in blue or to paint your child blue is to wish for a state free of anxiety.

 

Red - the symbol of Power, the Isilioleth believe that their crimson eyes burn so brightly thanks to their blood; a symbol of the strength of their hearts and the purity of their lineage. To paint your child red, or to wear red is to bask in the glorious history of the Isilioleth and warn others of the power that burns within.

 

Orange - the symbol of Ambition and Energy, it is believed that orange represents fire and its ability to both nurture and destroy; the same powers laid upon the mantle of all mortal souls. To paint your child orange or to wear orange is to bless them with direction and conviction.

 

Green - the symbol of the wilds, the home in which all live. For it is not the structures beneath the Mali’ker that are their homes, but the earth beneath their feet. It is the symbol of stability, trust and logic. To paint your child green or to wear green is to call stability and practicality into one’s life.

 

Purple - the symbol of Mystery and the Unknown, it is the rarest but perhaps most important colour. It is rare to find the adornment of purple on buildings or clothing, for it is indicative of a cult or a pursuit of magic. To paint your child purple or to wear purple is to become more self-aware and philosophical, or to indicate a magical affluence.

 

Senses, Spirits and General Philosophy

 

The painting that is the world is not experienced solely through the eyes. Your skin prickles with the chill of ice, your ears marvel at the silence of snowfall, your tongue trembles at the frigid taste of ice-water. The forest fascinates the ears with the calls of a thousand birds and gifts the nose a feast of beautiful scents flowing from the petals of sparkling flowers dancing beneath the sunlight. Sight is a glorious thing, yes, but to rely on it alone is to lose touch with the true fullness of Life. In fact, each of the Five Senses are not truly enough to understand the world in the way that we do. But five channels of information cannot possibly create the intimate relationship we have with the world, and with each other. So how is it that we are so connected to the world around us?

 

For the Isilioleth, the answer is quite simple; there are many, many more than five Senses. The most commonly understood Sense beyond the five, is the Sense of Magic. The Sixth Sense presents itself as an acute awareness of the ways of the world, of the laws of fate, destiny, power, of all things that churn the wheel of Life. The Sixth Sense is a mysterious thing that the Isilioleth praise with the colour Purple for all its wonder and strangeness. The other senses are not numbered as the first Five for there are so many of them. They are instead discovered and named by individuals, appearing and vanishing as those who discovered them age and pass from the living world. Some discover their incredible empathy and rely upon that Sense to aid them in the world. Some discover their lust for battle and innate connection to that art, that way of Life, and thus they devote themselves to the improvement of their warrior skills, discovering more and more about their Sense for Battle. Others give themselves over to the throes of Instinct, living Life as the winds of chance will them to, forever honing their Sense for the winds of Fate and the wiles of Luck. Every Isilioleth searches for the things that they can understand and capitalize upon, the Senses that they can derive from their talents and experiences. The eldest and most praised members of the clan are renowned as nigh supernatural entities, owing to their developed array of Senses.

 

Just as the house prizes its senses and connection to the world, the clan has a developed philosophy relating to the importance of the world and its construction. Order is the only thing which allows the universe to flourish and Life to proceed in a positive fashion. The elements are upheld as the founding basis of the world and the embodiment of this order, each commanded by the natural laws and systems that preside over the universe. This has bred deep admiration and worship for the Spirits of the Spiritual Realm, a facet of Isilioleth culture they have incorporated from the various spirit worshipping cults of the dark elven tribes. Whilst the house has yet to procure any of its own shaman, there have been several great spiritual leaders whose knowledge of alchemy and the arcane marked them as authorities on all that is mystical and supernatural. However, whilst the Isilioleth admire the pursuit of magic, they detest the Void in its entirety. It represents an unbound chaos that diverges from the natural order of things, making a mockery of the world that they attempt to understand. The practise of Voidal magic is frowned upon much as their Aspect-loving cousins frown upon it, viewing it as an abhorrent thing that damages the unity and structure of the world. Such magic is sure to breed a lust for power that drives good elves to bad deeds.

 

The Isilioleth Relationship with Sight

 

Elder Isilioleth are known to paint their eyelids white as a proud declaration of their detachment from their eyesight. This signifies that they place sight as the lowest of their senses, something that is so little a part of them that they would happily give it up should the need arise. The most extreme are known to cut their eyes from their head entirely, a show of utter commitment to the beliefs of the clan, and their ascension into true power. This is by no means a must; indeed, many frown upon the practise as barbaric and uncontrolled, an act of hate against the body one has been blessed with. Some go as far as to say that the destruction of a Sense is counterproductive and a form of sacrilege against the ways of the tribe. Sight may be held as a lower sense than the rest, but every Sense is of incredible importance for the understanding of the world, no matter how high or low.  The topic is rarely spoken of openly thanks to it being a point of heated contention between the various branches of the family.

 

There have been some disputes over the topic in the distant past of the clan when the original siblings were still living. None of them took part in the conflicts, but they were known to have chosen sides. Though they have now been lost, some written records did attest to the fact that Hethyna and Kalthia both swore allegiance to the protection of eyesight as a valuable Sense and integral pathway to the soul. This very fact has prompted many a debate in of itself. Now that the records have been lost, it is once again up for debate as to which of the ancestors chose what side. Whose wisdom should be followed? What wisdom is even available? With no way to directly contact their ancestors the Isilioleth have been relegated to blind debate based on inaccurate information. For many, it has become obvious that having any worthwhile debate on the subject is impossible without first reclaiming the required knowledge.

Spirits and Spiritual Worship

 

The Spirits are most commonly worshipped by way of public altars, as opposed to the private altars of the Isilioleth ancestors. These shrines are normally heaped with offerings and given a bowl for libations (alcoholic beverages) to be poured as extra offerings, for what more could a spirit enjoy than some of the clan’s finest brews. It is common to see Isilioleth gather at these shrines to sing their praises in unison with a long, guttural hymn in their ancient tongue. Given that it is derived at least in part from Old Blah, it is believed that the words carry to the Spirit and that they enjoy the music they make.

-

Lesser of Skathach - Tolzgh, Spirit of Embers, Inspiration and Understanding: When Devral still walked the earth, it was Tolzgh that offered him the beginnings of his boundless wisdom. Devral birthed in him a keen intellect and a wondrous curiosity that offered him in his early years, a terribly sharp mind that could slice through many a problem. From this intellect was born his wisdom and good nature in later life, and through all his years he layed great praised upon the name of his benefactor. His descendants continue to honour Tolzgh for his part in the great life of Devral, asking that he might again bless one of their own with a legend as brilliant as his.

 

Lesser of Arwa - Nakryh, Spirit of Bounty and Family: Perhaps the spirit that has been hailed the longest by the Isilioleth, it was Nakryh who looked upon the original Matriarch and blessed her with the children that she so desired. Her faith and piety are still considered the greatest among all the Isilioleth, and through her connection with the spirit Nakryh the Isilioleth bloodline was born through her four children. Nakryh is commonly invoked at Isilioleth weddings, recalling the original ceremonies held for the children of Aryhna.

 

Lesser of Dazkur - Ogkad, Spirit of Loyalty and Brotherhood: The early years of the clan were peaceful. Yet, disagreements as to the importance of eyesight soon began to tear at what bonds of brotherhood had been formed beneath the guidance of the original clan elders. Honour duels were fought regularly as various family factions sought to establish their dominance over the others. When strife seemed set to destroy all that had been built, the great Ogkad emerged in the flames of the clan’s great fire. His council brought the conflict to an end, and slowly the clan’s bonds regrew.

 

Lesser of Eathruz - Ryak, Spirit of Dawn, Hope and Good Will: A spirit who has emerged time and time again in the darkest hours of the clan. Most recently, it was Ryak who helped shepherd the remaining Isilioleth after the horror of Orgon’s plague, speeding their escape and ensuring that they reached a safe destination. Ryak is commonly invoked at the birth of a new member of the Isilioleth clan - should Ryak be pleased with the clan’s offerings, it is believed that the child shall have an easier time in life, and that no matter the challenge they shall have the courage to rise to it.

 

Lesser of Akezo - Adrumz, Spirit of Survival, Endurance and Struggle: Many years ago, the great Isilioleth hunter Tariin fell afoul of a bear in the deep jungles of ancient Aegis. Having lost the strength needed to wield his weapons thanks to a wound struck by the bear after it had come charging out of the brush, the hunter put all his effort into losing the beast. Vanishing behind bushes, climbing trees, leaping over rivers and weaving his way through the woodland as best he could, the chase lasted for what seemed like hours. Collapsing in a stream, Tariin raised his hands to the heavens and prayed for aid. As his blood tainted the chill waters all around him, Tariin suddenly felt his strength returning to him as the wounds ceased their bleeding. Though they remained to dirty his flesh, he could feel the waters’ power working within him as a name rushed passed on the breeze. Adrumz has since been revered as a guardian of hunters and a keeper of the Isilioleth people.

 

Ancestors and approach to Ancestral Worship

 

The ancestors of the Isilioleth lay like scars upon the spiritual body of the clan. Marks of greatness or shame that tell the story of the families history throughout the ages. As the world continues to turn, and time continues to march onward, the Isilioleth have taken to remembering the influence of their most impactful forebears by gathering beneath the setting sun for a moment of solemn prayer. These gatherings are normally conducted by a wiseman of the clan who leads the group in a song of the Isiliolaam, an old language spoken by the clan’s most esteemed members.

 

Personal shrines kept in the home of the Isilioleth are used for most regular worship; where the shrines of the other Spirits are made public, ancestral shrines are normally kept privately so as to treasure the legends of the ancestors. Should a particular ancestor have performed some great deed worthy of recognition, and the clan feels that they deserve a public shrine, a variety of rituals are performed to discern if the Spirits favour such an action. They are normally seen heaped with various offerings that would please the ancestor associated with the shrine, recalling the deeds of their life and the legend of their time in the mortal realm. Unlike the other Spirits, a bowl is never placed upon these shrines, for to do so would be to insult the Ancestral Realm. Surely in the afterlife, the great heroes of the Isilioleth have enough to drink in their great, shadowy halls? To offer them our meager offerings would be nothing but a disgrace to the Spirits and to the glory of the clans forebears. Prayers are normally offered here to glorify the ancestor and praise them for their achievements. Should the ancestor be remembered for any negative reason, the prayer is instead a thing filled with pity as the clan member recalls their deeds and prays that others never fall to such errant ways again.

-

Aryhna - founding Matriarch of the Isilioleth, associated with the colour Black: So great was Aryhna that all who married her children willingly forsook their names and took on the mantle of the Isilioleth. Her red eyes, raven hair and beautifully ashen skin are still hailed as the example by which the Isilioleth determine the beauty of a mali’ker woman. She is a figure associated with wealth, authority, wisdom, spirituality and above all else, the glory of the Isilioleth people.

 

Xiiroun - founding Patriarch of the Isilioleth, associated with the colour Black: A warrior. A father. A giant whose name means strength, faith and union to his descendants. Xiiroun’s great legend marked the Isilioleth as a people in touch with the world, in touch with the primal essences of nature. His wise words laid the path for the spiritual worship that would later blossom amongst his descendants, just as his prowess in battle sparked the war teachings of later Isilioleth warriors.

 

 

Tariin - the Hunt, Destiny and Victory, associated with the colour Green: Not only is Tariin famous for his part in the tale of Adrumz, but for his part in many tales of the hunt. His home was lavishly furnished by skull, horns, hides and other demonstrations of his incredibly capabilities. The stories he had to tell his clan were legendary things filled with many a great deed to be honoured.

 

 

Sunth - Witchcraft, Communion with Spirits, the Wilds, associated with the colours Green and Purple: Equal in piety with her sister Vetli, Sunth is remembered for her wisdom and knowledge of the ways of the forest. Her capability with herbal remedies was second to none. The miracles she performed with but a few roots taken from her garden, the lives she saved and souls she cleansed of their ills, are all remembered well by the oldest of the clan.

 

 

Vetli - Fertility, Beauty, Bounty, and the Harvest, associated with the colours Red and Green: Hailed as the return of the great Aryhna’s piety, Vetli was an incredibly devout worshipper of the spiritual whose connection with the spirits was said to have broken the chains of Iblees curse. Having four children to her name over a life of perhaps four hundred years, she was recognized as one of the greatest mothers and wives to have ever graced the halls of the Isilioleth. Her council was sort after by many a clansmen, for her role as mother extended to many a young Isilioleth looking for guidance in the world.

 

 

Dundos - Chaos, Insult and Destruction, associated with the colour Purple and White: A magician of the Void remembered for his terrible seduction. Delving into the madness of the Void quickly tainted his mind with a desire for power and domination, leading him to harm many of his brethren in masterful but ultimately reckless spells. He is remembered not with hate, but instead with pity as the clan heaps their sorrow upon him. His shrines are icons of humility before the mysteries of the unknown and call for the Isilioleth to remain vigilant in the face of chaos’ allure.

 

 

Nileh - the Unknown, Curiosity and Solitude, associated with the colour Gold: A wanderer who travelled over the length and breadth of many a continent, Nileh is remembered for her incredibly journeys. Her maps were used by the clan for many years and are still used as a reference when new maps are drawn. The knowledge of the land communicated by these maps is truly astonishing; such a thirst for adventure, such a passion for life and a love of the world. With all those things heaped upon her shoulders it is no wonder she is remembered as one of the brightest of the Isilioleth.

 

 

Bevia - Spirituality, Progress, and the Environment, associated with the colours Blue and Green: Nicknamed ‘the Shrine Maiden’ during her life, Bevia took a great interest in the development and decoration of shrines within the Isilioleth households. She was the first to suggest the best placement and the right offerings to give when pleasing a spirit, and readily espoused the benefits of consistent and regular prayer to the spirits. She was also associated with the practise of meditation, and helped to develop at least three distinct schools within the clan that were very popular for a time.

 

 

Devral - Knowledge, Education and Safety, associated with the colours Black and Orange: A sagely figure who grew to the age of nine hundred and eleven before being struck down during a particularly bloody dispute with a neighbouring elven tribe. Many looked to him for guidance and understanding on nearly any subject imaginable. With so many years behind him he had tried his hand at swordsmanship, drug-craft, cloth making, writing, oration, music, philosophy and many other subjects. His death was a terribly sad occasion, marked by the ritual burning of a forest; the passing of such an inspiring flame should not afterall, go unnoticed. The spirits of fire are believed to have readily accepted that offering, blessing Devral with their favour in the spirit realm that he might walk wherever he wished to further develop his understanding of the universe.

 

 

Spoiler

The Life of an Isilioleth

 

Drugs and their Cultural Use

 

The use of drugs for relaxation and meditation is a common practise amongst the Isilioleth. The art of concocting various combinations of herbs for the purpose of smoking, inhaling or simply eating is a prized skill carefully taught by many parents to their children. Pipeweed is normally used as the base for any particular cut, being easy to smoke; cactus green is regularly combined with pipeweed in varying amounts for different strengths and kinds of highs. Zawabate is also used rather frequently, being collected from the deserts and grown in the warm, dry homes of the clan. The different combinations of herbs each have personal names relating to their lineage and usage. There are far too many to count, but the most common are those combining pipeweed and cactus green for purely recreational use. Zawabate is more regularly used by shaman either looking to walk through the spirit realm or help their other family members with spiritual advice.

 

It is commonly believed that what one experiences during a high is a kind of message that relates to either the individual or the world around them. Clan wisemen are regularly called upon to decipher these messages and give council to those who have just come off of a high as they search for answers in whatever strange dream world they experienced. Animals are believed to represent a repressed desire lurking within the individual that needs to either be released or addressed. Some instinct or primal emotion is at odds with the individual and it falls to the wiseman to plan what must be done to help their clan member. The appearance of other descendants is believed to speak to a damaged connection that must be fixed or re-examined; perhaps a lover, perhaps simply a friend, perhaps a distant acquaintance. Locations are perhaps the most varied; natural vistas call for the contemplation of some subject that the individual must examine to help them move forward in life, whilst urban scenes can suggest a need to connect with society and do some important work. Each experience is vague at best, and will require much thought to decipher.

Education and Learning

 

The children of the Isilioleth are most often taught by their parents how best to lead their lives. Just as the parents are expected to test their child with various trials to ready them for their ascension into adulthood, they are expected to help them develop the knowledge they will need to thrive. There is no formal structure as to how a parent chooses to teach their child, or what it is that they choose to teach them. Some lineages prefer the forge and the anvil, some prefer the trades of the forest, others the cerebral tasks of the thinkers and philosophers, and others bring up their children in the traditions of the great ‘Aouxh’, the wisemen of the Isilioleth who guide them in regards to the spiritual. Thus, the Isilioleth are as varied in their talents as the colours are varied from each other - not a one amongst them will have the same temperament, or the same wisdom as another. This is but another reason that the Isilioleth rely on each other so much for their training and growth. The Isilioleth only become truly rounded individuals by willingly partaking in the tutelage of their peers in later life. It is common to hear an Isilioleth note that one never truly finishes learning about the world around them, and their place in it. The life of a descendant is constantly beset by the unknown. Where others may see that as one of the troubles of life, the Isilioleth see it as one of the greatest and most exciting parts of the life they have been blessed with.

Tattoos and Body Markings

 

Pain is a prevalent theme throughout the life of a mortal; pain exists to scar the soul and teach the mind of its mistakes, punishing the body for failure. Sometimes pain is simply a necessity, a path to progress as one learns of their failures and is forced to recognize them. Whatever the case may be, pain is a teacher of infinite wisdom, one to be feared above all else. Throughout the life of an Isilioleth, a great deal of importance is placed on the sensation of pain, and the reward that comes through its endurance. Nowhere is this more visually evident than in the case of tattoos, markings that etch into the flesh and serve as reminders of the past, of ideologies, or as warnings. For some, you must wear your heart on your sleeve- quite literally. Those of particular standing in the clan will adorn themselves in many symbols indicative of their position, a physical embodiment of their life path.

 

White, Semi-Chain: This symbol is indicative of one who has has been branded an individual of particularly low (or detestable) standing. The binds of these chains serve to represent the unflinching history of the individual, and to show that they have damaged themselves or others of the clan in some way.

 

White and Black Chain: This series of chains shows someone who is repenting for their past mistakes, and is undergoing trials in order to redeem themselves in the eyes of the Elders.

 

Black Chain: When an individual is redeemed following the consideration of their Elders, their previous white markings are instead made black with a thick swathe of ink. This is to show that they have proven their personal growth, but the tattoo remains to remind them of their past mistakes - for when a time may come when they must judge another, it is worth noting the mercy that fell upon them.

 

Black Anvil: A symbol taken up by craftsmen of all kinds, be them painters, tailors, carpenters or smiths. It attributes worth to the items they make and to their place as a maker, and is normally painted on the back of the dominant hand.

 

Blue Chain: Placed inside the mouth, often on the lower lip, this symbol indicates the one who bears it speaks only truth for only words of clarity and purity leave their lips and they are bound by the tenant of veracity.

 

Red Flames: Normally painted over the heart, this tattoo has been used to signify the courageous and the bold. Many an Isilioleth warrior has happily accepted the mark, normally painted by one of their brother warriors in a show of companionship and trust.

 

Purple Hand: This tattoo is exceedingly rare, and is found only on those who have a considerable propensity for the Spiritual.

 

Black Bear: A symbol of ferocity and strength, the Bear has been used to designate the hunters of the clan since the great Tariin slew a Bear with nothing but his bare hands. Bringing the carcass of the beast into the clan hall, he displayed it before all his comrades - that night was filled with drink, dance and merriment at his success. His bear-hide cloak has since been lost, but it was once kept as a family relic of great value, both material and spiritual.

 

Purple Owl: A symbol of wisdom most often associated with the elderly, it relates to the Senses and to one’s keen insight into the nature of the world. It is most often painted upon one’s upper back such that the Owl’s talons sit on the shoulder blades.

 

Green Leaf: Commonly painted over the right eye, it is a demonstration of practicality and solidarity. To see the world through a leaf, through the natural, is it to welcome the calm, guiding whispers of the forest.

 

Emerald Serpent: The presence of a green snake upon an Isilioleth denotes a past betrayal; this means they were either greatly deceived or deeply wronged before and via dramatic change have both made peace with their past and learned from the experience.

 

Blue Ocean: More of a motif than a single tattoo, images of the ocean relate to one who has experienced some great emotional distress in their life, and who have overcome it - or, it can related to those who have helped to cleanse the pain of others. Either way, the Ocean recalls thoughts of empathy in a time of strife.

Gatherings, Festivals and Rites of Passage

 

Isilioleth Welcomings are held at sunset whenever a new child of pure Isilioleth blood has been born. They are lively occasions filled with colour, song and feasting that last the entirety of the night until the following sunrise, welcoming the new child to the realm by commemorating its first night under a beautifully dark sky. The eldest living Isilioleth will bless the child, painting the newborn’s features with designs of the parents’ chosen colours, wishing for prosperity and fortitude during their lifetime. This event begins with a large feast provided by the child’s family.

 

Throughout their early life, a child of the Isilioleth is exposed to the world and allowed to develop through the use of various trials. They are discretely introduced, a parent suddenly vanishing in the wilderness, or insisting that they attempt something they would usually shelter them from. Once the child reaches the age of thirty, they are formally given their last trial before an audience of the gathered family. This trial normally manifests itself in the form of a blindfolded duel using the combatant's weapons of choice. The child is normally made to battle their father, as their teacher and guide; should they overcome them, it is believed that the child has developed some keen inner Sense that allowed them to overcome the teachings of their elder.

 

Weddings are colourful affairs attended by all and presided over by the parents of the groom and bride. Black, orange and green are regularly used to symbolize the important characteristics of a marriage, blessing the couple with a bright future. Responsibility for funding the endeavour falls upon their shoulders, for it is their blood that is to be tested in the bond of this marriage, and thus it is they who must offer their wealth and effort in the running of the joining ceremony. The mothers of the bride and groom attend the pair as they make their to the front of the hall, a demonstration of the care and protection they have offered them both all their lives. The fathers address the congregation and the couple to be, acting both as the parents of the respective children, and representatives of both bloodlines.

 

The Isilioleth have always been happy to welcome others under their banner should they prove themselves to resonate with their way of life. The Rite of Blooding has been performed many times as new mali’ker pledge their allegiance to the clan and take its name as their own. This has muddied the bloodlines of the Isilioleth, but for them, all that truly matters is that their brethren have a fire burning in their eyes, and in their hearts. Once the ritual has been completed, the newly annointed Isilioleth will take a member as their spiritual father, and their wife as their mother. This ties their bloodline to that of their ‘parents’, bonding their blood to the clan’s through their chosen mentors. The Rite of Blooding is most usually performed in two parts. First, the clan member to-be is asked to recite a short but significant oath to bind themselves to the service of the clan and its leader. This normally includes a verbal affirmation that they forsake whatever familial ties they may have previously had to make way for utter loyalty to the clan. Secondly, the newly inducted clan member is asked to enter into a duel with one of their new brethren. Whether or not they lose is considered irrelevant, for the battle is fought not to test skill, but to test the ferocity of ones soul as they battle. Should one fight courageously and valiantly then they shall be eagerly accepted. For this reason, knives have traditionally been chosen for the combatants weapons, forcing them to hack and slash at one another in a close range frenzy and parries, dodges and grapples.

 

Funerals are swathed in black to honour the worth of the departed, being attended by only the closest family members whose ties with the deceased were greatest. Death is a natural part of Life, but it is a cruel and cold end to the vibrancy of the Living world. Acknowledgement of Death is something done in seclusion where the truth of the matter need not spread through the whole of the family. The eulogy is most often spoken by the brother or sister of the deceased, for their bond is believed to be the greatest with their sibling; they lived through the same years, with the same youthful outlook. Garbed in red as a show of their anger at the passing of their closest ally, the sibling is allowed to vent their rage before their family, and before the departed.

 

Warrior Culture

 

Isilioleth warriors normally favour the weapons used most by their forefathers. The world has always been beset by strife and the need for a weapon at one’s side has yet to diminish. Isilioleth martial arts focus on efficient combat, either disarming or killing the opponent before they can have a chance to draw the battle out into a battle of stamina rather than skill. Shorter weapons offer their warriors the ability to harry their opponents with deft strikes aimed to catch them off guard or quickly tire them to allow for the finishing blow. Short swords are a common weapon, paired with a larger shield to conceal the torso and maintain the advantage by hiding the position of one’s weapon from the enemy. Keeping one’s weapon-holding arm sequestered behind the shield is a primary goal, placing as much of the shield between the enemy and oneself to offer them the worst view possible. Short spears are also rather common, being favoured by warriors who prefer a continuous assault rather than a careful consideration of the enemy; those armed with spears end their flurry of strikes for only two reasons. The order of their commander, or the death of their enemy.

 

Daggers are usually concealed beneath one’s armour, acting both as weapons of surprise and as a last line of defense should a warrior’s primary weapon be lost or broken. It is common to see an Isilioleth dispense of their shield’s protection entirely as they unleash a desperate barrage of strikes in the fight for their lives. This sudden shift is symptomatic of their approach to combat. Their rhythm aims to continuously shift and roll, back and forth, back and forth between flowing strikes and sudden, jagged lunges. By withholding their attacks for but a moment or suddenly throwing themselves into a vicious strike when they had been signalling a calmer one, an Isilioleth aims to confuse their opponent with their offbeat string of strikes.

 

Clan Roster

 

Zaniil Isilioleth - Smawton

Gillionel Isilioleth - Aelesh

 

Vedros Isilioleth - Tidemanno

 

Tedyn Isilioleth - Wrynn

 

Kalahaz Isilioleth - LuxusFerox

 

Xeno Isilioleth - ImCookiie

 

Varikas Isilioleth - Zarsies

 

Serevik Isilioleth - Bebbz

 

Arveia Isilioleth - Darksainthood

 

Application

 

IGN:

Discord:

 

We will arrange a time to RP, where things will be taken from there.

[ImCookiie 1950]

+1.

[Banned 347]

IGN: VengefulLucifer

Discord: Christhemythical#1813

[SeventhCircle 460]

IGN: SeventhCircle

Discord: Seventh#9260

[Smaw 2376]

On 5/4/2018 at 9:14 PM, ImmortalWords said:

IGN: ImmortalWords

Discord: ImmortalWords#7472

 

Accepting this one as I have a lot of experience with them, I'll try and see to the other applicants during the week.

[_Sug 2809]

Application

 

IGN:

_Sug

Discord:

Sug#4795

[TakeMeToTheFae 17]

IGN: Takemetothefae

Discord: SirSpookyPanda27#3833

 

Also Wrynn told me to let you guys know I'm not a new member, just had to make a new account due to some weird reasons.  This is my old account

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/profile/63034-the-spooky-panda/

[Smaw 2376]

On 5/7/2018 at 5:32 PM, The Redneck said:

Application

 

IGN:

_Sug

Discord:

Sug#4795

 

Accepted

 

22 hours ago, TakeMeToTheFae said:

IGN: Takemetothefae

Discord: SirSpookyPanda27#3833

 

Also Wrynn told me to let you guys know I'm not a new member, just had to make a new account due to some weird reasons.  This is my old account

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/profile/63034-the-spooky-panda/

 

Accepted

[luv 3469]

Application

 

IGN: Asphyxi

Discord: ǝʇᴉpoɹɥdɐ#6243

[Smaw 2376]

15 minutes ago, Luv said:

Application

 

IGN: Asphyxi

Discord: ǝʇᴉpoɹɥdɐ#6243

 

Accepted

[Callistus 988]

IGN: Boruto

Discord: Callisto#6280

[Armanay 12]

On 4/18/2018 at 1:35 AM, Sorcerous said:

IGN: Armanay

Discord: Armanay#4566

 

[ThatFunkyBunch 2818]

Blessed Clan Lore. Am gonna worship the **** out of these lesser spirits as is. 

 

[Aelesh 540]

6 hours ago, ThatFunkyBunch said:

Blessed Clan Lore. Am gonna worship the **** out of these lesser spirits as is. 

 

does anyone actually play an isilioleth now

 

edit: why is this even in the renelia thing the last time this clan was somewhat active was like 2 years ago or something

[Sorcerio 4712]

2 hours ago, Hindsightmancy said:

does anyone actually play an isilioleth now

 

edit: why is this even in the renelia thing the last time this clan was somewhat active was like 2 years ago or something

Still an epic clan tho from the looks of it!