The Ravenmour | To Imperial Elves

[Minuvas 3193]

The Ravenmour Estate

An Institution for Imperial Elven Culture, Studies, and Prosperity

 

The Ravenmour , recently completed under the guidance of Imiru Melphestaus ( @Gopnik Is Poggers) circa 1835

Aimlessly Wandering the world?
Are you an Elf who has spent their whole life within Imperial borders, or among human society, but have not found your community? Unsure of where you fit in society, drifting aimlessly in your private pursuits?

Or perhaps you are an exile, a castoff, a lowborn  from a Wood Elven seed, a High Elven Blood Line, or a Dark Elf Clan. Cast out for beliefs that conflicted with ancient families and ways, fleeing the breakdown of that society, or a home recently destroyed.

Or perhaps you are simply an Elf frustrated with what has become of the Princedoms, looking to learn and cultivate a new way - free from the old traditions and laws.

If this is you, we invite you to keep reading.
 

 

Artistry depicting clothing and styles of some Imperial Elves, Circle 1820.

 

What are Imperial Elves
The Melphestaus family is a family of Imperial Elves that has resided and lived within the Empire for nearly five centuries. We have served the son’s and daughter’s of Horen since the time of the Imperial conquest of the globe, having witnessed the greatness of the Exalted Godfrey, and then as vassals to Emperor Philip I.

In our many centuries we acknowledge there has been suffering, prejudice, and blatant elven racism. Our kin have had to cut their ears, or have been persecuted for their births. Yet  we also saw our own elven kin throw each other into acid bathes over similar squabbles about birth, kidnap people from across the globe for purity trials, beat and subject their own people to dark magics amongst other horrors and we came to learn that sin was not monopolized by mankind. The sins of the children of Malin are no kinder or less egregious than those of the children of Horen.

Yet we have also seen the positive impact Mali have had on our human compatriots, to achieve more as partners than as competing racial enemies. We have made it our purpose to enable humans through our wisdom and guidance, that lives through short lived passions, energy, and pursuits. When Mali works in tandem with the humans, these societies have been uplifted to excellence. We perceive Mali not as greater beings, but as benevolent friends and mentors gifted by GOD and cursed in our own way by Ibleese - but able to mitigate these through cooperation with the humans.

While our kin in the Princedoms have enjoyed ancient titles and have often shown lordly arrogance to the other races and nations, we  have had to become survivalists, adapting to prevent eradication of our people, our language, our heritage. Above all, an Imperial Elf is a strategic thinker, a cunning problem solver - needing to rely on charisma, and raw talent. We are not ashamed of our Elven heritage, but we do not feel better than the human descendants, and believe we can adopt the best of their culture into our own.

Influence is the most important currency an Imperial Elf can wield. In business, in politics, in life. We help and teach each other how to wield in, so that we may not just survive, but thrive.

 

Imperial Elves of other racial heritages depicted in localized garb, circa 1830.
 

What is the Ravenmour Estate & What does it offer

 

Depiction of Imperial Elves conducting an exploration with a Canonist Acolyte circa 1833.

 

Community
The Ravenmour Estate, nestled gently in the Imperial woodlands and near the Pale, is a place where Elves across Almaris can come to learn, share history and culture, and learn how to intertwine with human society. Plentiful residence space is provided for those to live and make a living. For as long as you choose to reside with us, we will offer you everything the family has to offer to cultivate your talents.

No one is obligated to join the Melphestaus household, but those that do have chosen to make a permanent connection to our society, hoping to guide future Imperial Elves to be thriving and contributing members of Imperial Society.

If and when you decide to depart, it is our hope that we have passed on the skills necessary so that you may join the Sons and Daughters of Horen as equals, as the family founder said:
 

“So that the grandson does not make the mistakes of the grandfather” 

- Diamatus Melphestaus
 

 

 

Sunrise near the Estate, circa 1833.

 

Respite
The Ravenmour Estate is both a residence, and an institution. A place to study the natural wonders of the nearby woodlands. Areas for meditation, rivers, forests, and paths to lose oneself in. The distance from the Imperial capital provides less foot traffic, allowing one to relax without the bustle of urban living. One may also escape the shackles of the ancient ways. Respite also from ancient obligations. We do not ask for your blood lines and titles, and though you may share them - they carry no weight here. We are a society where the weight of your merit is the most valued contribution..

 

Mentorship
Our family scions are uniquely acquainted both with the cultures of each of the Mali races, and the challenges they face integrating into Imperial society. They serve as mentors in a variety of areas to include;

            Magic. Elves have a unique talent with magic, one that should be cultivated - appropriately. Mages within the estate shall help pursue those paths, with the guidance of the estate’s Priest to prevent a slip into the deprave.

            Business. The Melphestaus family maintains four thriving private businesses in the city of Providence, from book writing, jewel making, to weaponsmithing - and we are happy to teach others on the path to business.

           Government. Members of the Melphestaus family serve in a variety of government positions, from Solicitors of the Ministry of Justice, Leaders in the ISA, Representatives in the House of Commons, to Senior Ministry employees - we are able to pass on ways that you can harness your talents to succeed and thrive in our empire.

           Religion. We encourage all Elves to convert to Canonism, and it is a requirement to join our family though not to live at the Estate. For those that wish to pursue this path, many of our family members are Holy Knights in the order of St. Owyn. The Church of Canon has provided us an on-site Priest who both performs the immediate needs of the family, through baptisms, and weddings - but who also cultivates the spirit through education, and a life of prayer. We recommend the readings of the Blessed St. Pius of Sutica for those interested in this path.

 

             Language and Culture. We teach all of the Human dialects, the Ancient Elven language, and the Imperial dialect of Elven. We discuss and share what we have lost as a people, both in our borders and outside of it, and how we can be better.

 

An Imperial Elven Cavalrymen takes to horseback circa 1832

 

           Martial Skills. We have numerous family members trained with martial ability, who serve as Imperial Soldiers or as knights. The walls outside of the Elven Princedoms are rife with bandits and those who would seek to do you harm, and we aim to teach everyone a measure of self defense to avoid an untimely end in a shadowy back alley.

Imperial Elves at the foot of Ravenmour
 

Not For Everyone

Many Elves, especially those fleeing their Princedoms and still stuck to the ancient ways, are likely to scoff at our invitation. We do not judge you for this; you have long been disgusted by our culture and we have no desire to bring those unwillingly into the fold. We wish you peace, and in your own tongue - may you have Health and Progress always.

For those who wish to forge a new century of Elven-Human relations, seek us out. For those lost and adrift in human society - seek us out. The winds of change are finally upon us, radical new rights have been afforded to our kin in many nations that we have never experienced before. We can use our GOD given talents, our gifts, to aid the humans in a joint cause - for a greater Almaris.


Seek us out in the Imperial woodlands near the Pale, or write to me directly, if you wish to join our cause.

 

 

 

Servus,

Minuvas Melphestaus
Scion of House Melphestaus

[Mescaffier 6197]

Dame Viktoriya cocked a brow as she warily scanned the missive. With a frown, that titan, marred by scars and shriveled by flame, uttered -- "smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. Be wary, my 'thill brother. The Orenians are men unsounded yet and full of deep deceit," as she set the paper aside. Her hand trembled upward to feel the edges of one brutally torn ear, and then the next, scowling.

[KaiserJacobII 1461]

The Bishop of Rochefort smiles as his kind eyes scan the missive from behind his spectacles. He softly calls out "GOD bless those godly sons of Malin. May their service to Humanity be fruitful and long."

[AnonymousAlexa 3890]

An infamous ‘ker scoffs upon reading the missive. “Imperial elves? They are a disgrace of malin’s descendants. Perhaps we shall pay them a visit…” Without another thought on the subject, she resumed the sharpening of her blade

[winterblood 11181]

3 minutes ago, AnonymousAlexa said:

An infamous ‘ker scoffs upon reading the missive. “Imperial elves? They are a disgrace of malin’s descendants. Perhaps we shall pay them a visit…” Without another thought on the subject, she resumed the sharpening of her blade

“At least their purpose isn’t just to kill whatever they don’t immediately agree with,” Celiasul idly commented to a grandfather clock, mistaking it for an actually sentient creation of her own. 

[AnonymousAlexa 3890]

4 minutes ago, UnBaed said:

“At least their purpose isn’t just to kill whatever they don’t immediately agree with,” Celiasul idly commented to a grandfather clock, mistaking it for an actually sentient creation of her own. 

Elsil’Ceru ponders the countless lives she has spared. If only more people would give in to her demands…perhaps they would be spared too!