Core Race Lore - Elves: Snow Elves

[Amuletic 926]

 

MALI’FENN

The Escaped Snow Elves of Krugsmas

 

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BACKGROUND

As far back to the Four Brothers, Krugsmas has cemented itself among populations ancient and modern as a celebration of giving. Gifts of plenty brought about by Father Krug, joyousness brought about even in times of desperate struggle… Yet, many fail to realize the efforts that go into every celebration of such a holiday. Deep in the tundra lie a factory in wait, filled with elves who, for generations, made this “magic” possible. The magic of Krugsmas was brought about through the underpaid labor of snow elves. In conditions in which only the strongest survive, a job passed down through the same lineage of elves forever separated the mali’fenn from their fellow subraces in isolation. 

Even though it seemed all was going according to plan, something was brewing… The first Fennic Rebellion in Anthos. A small group of snow elves left one early morning in a bloody rebellion, following the north star out of the tundra. Led by their glorious leader, the first true mali’fenn, Jaen’gle Fundrak, these snow elves rode upon reindeer to a new frontier. 

Only ancient rumours could capture how brutal the tundra was on the ‘fenn. It took many weeks of hunting and surviving in the winter desert. They even needed to sacrifice some reindeer they took with them, including brave souls Rud’oulf, Daencaer, and Praencaer. Through much resilience, the snow elves appeared amongst the other descendant races, reunited with their elven brethren. However, such a reunion could never make up for the time spent in isolation. 

Famously, many attempts to reclaim the snow elven workers were made by the coalitions of Father Krug, the magic of Krugsmas slowly slipping away as fewer and fewer gifts were able to be circulated around the (canonical) Flat World. This resulted in generations of mali’fenn executed for the crime of not generating shareholder value for Father Krug. In a desperate attempt to save what was left of the few snow elves remaining, they would all begin crying out, the sheer volume of tears almost manifesting the tearful Aengul himself, Wyrvun. He would take pity upon them, removing their enforced biological need to create gifts wrapped with little bows, allowing them to live as ‘normal’ elves.

A depiction of Wyrvun being so cool and freeing the snow elves from their eternal chains of gift-making

After being freed from their mortal chains, the snow elves would begin to take up other interests. War, battle, and strategy dominated their lives after years of being silenced. This resulted in the grand nation of Fenn arising, and inspiring many generations after to rebel similarly to the first mali’fenn. It is even rumored that during Atlas, the true reason the world began to freeze was from Father Krugsmas as revenge on the mali’fenn who escaped his factory, being the first consumed from the frost.

Perhaps it was mere chance the snow elves escaped that day, yet since its happening, many iterations of the newly formed mali’fenn have appeared. From Fenn, to the Fennic Remnants, to the Archonic system seen in Azuras, the snow elves are defined by the same resilience they exhibited in the tundras of Krugsmas. Many of their traditions of hunting and camping are reminiscent of the struggles they endured throughout the tundra after escaping the factories of Krug.

 

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PHYSICAL TRAITS

Because of an extended period in factories without sunlight, the snow elves tend to have shorter heights and lighter hair and eye colors from many of their elven brethren. This includes silver, white and blonde hair alongside blue, purple, and grey eyes being common. Their extended period of time in the tundra makes them stockier and more muscular than many other elven variants, as such a build was necessary to survive harsh winters.

 

BEHAVIOR

Due to their extended time in Krugsmas factories away from other elves throughout ancient times, they never grew close to their elven brethren during the Kingdom of Malin. Though reunited, things would never be the same. Because of this, the snow elves tend to stray away from other elves, instead finding refuge on their own or as mercenaries. Their allegiances are not to one subrace, but based entirely upon past actions and minae.

Aside from this, the mali’fenn are some of the most resilient elves amongst the other subraces. Their mentality is entirely defined by their time in factories and within the tundra. The snow elves often undertake a survivalist mindset as opposed to a more expansionist one due to their existence nearly constantly being under threat. This influences the martial lifestyle many undertake, defined by collective success as opposed to personal success.

 

RELIGION

The mali’fenn are a deeply religious people and devoted to Wyrvun for saving them from their eternal obligation to Father Krug. Because of this, they have many ways of honoring Wyrvun, with Wyrvun worship being an integral part of snow elven society. To pay reverence to the god who freed them from their eternal obligation to Father Krug, they often go on solitary treks into the wilderness to show devotion to the Aengul. 

 

Spoiler

A big thank you to Calum (I can't find your forum account) and @Wyrvunfor helping to put this together. I did a lot of research to ensure this was accurate to the existing narrative on the server, and I can’t wait for ST to finally bring snow elves back as a subrace with much-improved lore!

 

Happy April 1st! :)

 

[Turnipian 203]

Grandfather please. 😃

[Wyrvun 1808]

we're making it out of the north pole with this one

[JJosey 1481]

we miss him

[Nectorist 12869]

Is it true that high elves are a snow elf subrace 

[HummytheHamster 49]

It's enough to make a grown snelf cry 😢

[Gustando 1990]

@ScreamingDingo

[LobsterLarry 1514]

my people.