christman

This Lore has been accepted. Moved to Implemented Lore, it will be sorted to it's appropriate category soon. Please note that if this is playable lore, such as a magic or CA, you will need to write a guide for this piece. You will be contacted regarding the guide (or implementation if it isn’t needed) shortly.

This redline was added with the intention of stopping players from roleplaying the zar'rokul following an amendment Mordu and I pushed for. However at the time, we forgot to amend out other redlines as well as the body of the ritual which implied Nizarhuk was still direct communion with a naztherak's chosen patron. I think Tentoa has done a good job at cleaning up what we intended 👍

Below I've linked some very useful resources if you're playing an elf and want to engage with the language, though even this is going above and beyond. Ancient Elven is just that, ancient, and player characters only have access to fragments of an otherwise lost-to-time language. Most players will only ever use the following: Karin'ayla (good morning, hello) Ker'ayla (good night, hello) Karin'ahern (blessed day, fancy hello) Ti (yes) Ne (no) Llir (friend) Mali'ame (wood elf) Mali'aheral (high elf) Mali'ker (dark elf) ((PS: I'm the player who approached you at CT and scared you off, I'm very sorry about that!)

This was the original intention for corcitură in the Vampirism write but there was consistent pushback from the Team to keep testing mechanics as is. Only yesterday the amendment which allowed for a quenched / fed corcitură to no longer be subject to salt testing was passed with the understanding from most apprehensive voters that there would be an alchemy locked middle ground submitted for review, as Islamadon said.

Tomorrow Zygmunt Euler would sit in the awesome presence of his God, a station befit a Canonist Lord of noble pedigree, but tonight his name was a funeral chant. ɦɛʅʊռ-ʋɛʅʊʅαɛψα, the Primarch's ritual began, ʊðαᛪɛʅ αɛȶɦ αð'ᵲψα αӄ¤ɱʊռ ɮ¤ ʋɛʅʊʅ!

Our Covenant ɱαɛɦᵲɛʅ-ʋαᛪʊ The Dark Elven Communion αչ. On Sovereignty ɱαɛɦᵲɛʅ-ʋαᛪʊ - ‘the Dark Elven Communion’, henceforth the State - is a theocratic, tribal confederation. Like ɦɛʅʊռ-ʋɛʅʊʅαɛψα and ɱαᵲռ-ӄɛᵲαռɛʅ in the ancient skies, or Velulaei and Uradras in the days of Magara’lin, the natural state of the dark elven people is that of diarchy. Two complimentary forces carried by the Maehr diaspora since our race’s creation upon Ceru: the Greater, embodying Tranquility, Maternity and Grace, and the Lesser, which must realise Ambission, Passion and Change. The authority of these forces is drawn from both above and below. The Greater, supreme advocate of ʋαᛪʊɛʅ is the presiding ʋʊʅɛᵲαռα, or ‘High Priestess’. It is she who is ordained by no single drow, but rather by fate; by the gods, if not Mother-Moon herself. It is for this reason that ʋʊʅɛᵲαռαɛʅ is anointed as the moral, spiritual and cultural guide of all Maehr through the stewardship of our grandest, most sacred relic, The Eye of Velulaei; otherwise called Luara’s Whispers, the arkenstone of Magara’lin which was recovered by the Maehr diaspora in the war of the September Prince and has remained the crowning jewel of our people across all realms since. ӄ¤ȶɦɛʅ teaches us that it is from this stone, blessed by ɱαᵲռ-ӄɛᵲαռɛʅ and ɦɛʅʊռ-ʋɛʅʊʅαɛψα, that the first dark elves were born. Holy beyond measure, it is by Mother-Moon’s grace that the priestess charged with it may govern the souls of her people as the living voice of our silent goddess. It is with this relic that our wayward tribes of many creeds and cultures are anchored to a single divine purpose, and it is through the High Priestess that we may be organised into a single, shared ʋαᛪʊ, or ‘Communion’. As the voice of Velulaei and the Moon Mother, only women known to the ways of ψψᵲʊʅ-ӄ¤ȶɦ, the powers of the ɱαɛʋʊʅ, ӄαռʊʊʅ or ψɛðαψɛ and the holy tongue of Vel’luah are capable of filling the role of High Priestess. The Lesser, temporal protector of ɱαɛɦᵲɛʅ is our ʋɛʅαռα (feminine), ʊᵲɛᛪ (masculine), or ‘Primarch’. It is they who govern the practical apparatus of the Maehr Confederacy, elected by ռαᵲð¤չɦɛʅ, or ‘the Chieftains’, to rule as worldly sovereign of the united clans. Consecrated by the blessing of ʋʊʅɛᵲαռαɛʅ, the High Chief is appointed as the elective Sovereign Prince or Princess of the Dark Elves, charged with their protection and organisation as the supreme commander of the State’s military bodies and primary architect of the State’s function and delegation as they see fit. Unlike the High Priestess whose powers are limited by the gods alone, the Primarch is answerable to the chieftains of the Maehr and may be dethroned with the High Priestess’ blessing by a unanimous vote of no confidence. As an appointee of the Tribes of the Maehr Confederacy, the Primarch may be of any gender though must fulfill the prerequesite honour of recognition from ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ as a fellow Chief of the Maehr Confederacy. ռψȶ. On the Tribes Throughout the long history of our diaspora, Maehr have organised themselves into satellite entities of cultural, political and military significance. These unions, manifest as the many Clans and Houses of the past and presence, are recognised by the State as marginally-autonomous units, referenced hence as Tribes. It is natural that each Tribe organizes itself around a Matriarch or Patriarch, referenced hence as a Chief. It is natural that when the need arises, a Chief may recognise certain members of their Tribe as Elders. It is natural that all matters of indoctrination, ceremony, ancestor worship, marriage and funerary rites not deemed heretical by the Priesthood may be developed, maintained and administered by the Chief and their tribal delegates. It is natural that any bloodline, adopted or indoctrinated Maehr of an existent tribe shall become the responsibility of their Chief in accordance with the tribe’s creeds and practices. It is natural that any bloodline, adopted or indoctrinated Maehr of an existent tribe may divorce themself from it by a public proclamation of clanlessness, or indoctrination into another tribe by its Chief. For these laws are natural to all Maehr, the State claims no authority over the formation, governance or dissolution of tribes beyond the Confederacy. However, the State reserves the right to forbid, exile or otherwise condemn any dark elven Tribe which exists in opposition to the teachings of ψψᵲʊʅ-ӄ¤ȶɦ and its Communion. Though the rights of all tribes which profess themselves as such will be honoured by the State, the existence of a Tribe does not guarantee a voice amongst ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ, or ‘the Speakers’. ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ refers to the governing body of chieftains recognised and elevated as tribal representatives in the Maehr Confederacy. The chieftains of ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ are empowered to: Invoke the gods’ advocacy in any dispute raised against them by the State, otherwise known as a ‘trial by combat’. Cast one vote per Tribe by either a Chief or a prior declared Elder speaking on their Chief’s behalf, in all ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ matters. Call to session the ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ with the consent of the Primarch or no fewer than 6 Tribes of ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ, to bring matters of security, tribal elevation, tribal disputes or Primarch election / no-confidence to the State’s attention. Any vote cast by ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ without the consent and presence (or delegate representation) of the High Priestess OR the Primarch is null and void, as well as potentially judged as treasonous. These powers and protections are granted to the reigning Chief of each ʂαռᵲψᵲ-elevated tribe, or their delegates whilst ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ is in session. Though the process of Chief selection is the internal mandate of each Tribe, in the event of a disputed succession or challengers ʂαռᵲψᵲչɦɛʅ reserves the right to choose its favoured Chief of an elevated clan to join them in session. A Chief may only be recognised as such if they are a full or half-blooded Maehr who keeps ψψᵲʊʅ-ӄ¤ȶɦ. ɦɛӄ. On the Priesthood Following in the footsteps of our first and greatest Ancestor, Velulaei, all Maehr have felt the tug of the divine upon their psyche. Be it our tendency toward Derangement from the curses of ɱαᵲռ-ӄɛᵲαռɛʅ, or the saving grace of ɦɛʅʊռ-ʋɛʅʊʅαɛψα to overcome our fallen drow nature, the Maehr are a people governed by the laws of the supernatural just as much as the physical. It is natural for Maehr to heed the call of ɦɛʅʊռ-ʋɛʅʊʅαɛψα, the many-named goddess of the Moon, as the saviour and foremost patron of our people through the salvation of Velulaei. It is natural for Maehr to resist the call of ɱαᵲռ-ӄɛᵲαռɛʅ, the fallen god of Night, as the once-patron and grand deceiver of our people through the corruption of Azul. It is natural for Maehr to honour other ψʅչɠʊʅչɦ from the infinite pantheon, along with the divine Ancestors, in accordance with their needs and personal or tribal practices. Though the beliefs of all Maehr which confess their faith will be honoured by the State, the mere existence of a priest does not guarantee a place amongst the Priesthood of Kothel, understood as the highest echelon of Mother Moon’s clergy, bound to the Temple of ɱαɛɦᵲɛʅ-ʋαᛪʊ under the holy guidance of ʋʊʅɛᵲαռαɛʅ. These clerics, ordained by the High Priestess and her delegates, are the arbiters of the indivisible moral and temporal laws of the State. The priests of ψψᵲʊʅ-ӄ¤ȶɦ are empowered to: Interpret and advocate the metaphysical laws which bind all drow and their tribes. Interpret and enforce temporal justice within the sovereign territories of ɱαɛɦᵲɛʅ-ʋαᛪʊ. Guide and contest the judgements of the State’s military bodies through the process of trial and debate, overruled only by the Primarch or High Priestess’ final verdict. A Priest of the Temple may only be recognised as such if they are a full blooded Maehr, ordained by the grace of ʋʊʅɛᵲαռαɛʅ.

Yesterday’s gathering! Leader MC Name: schemingeunuch Leader Character Name: Ulln Thyone Realm/Settlement Name: Maehrel-Vaxu Realm/Settlement ID (all lowercase, one word - used for regions etc - ie 'urguan' or 'oren' or 'malinor'): maehrel Primary Realm/Settlement Color: Dark Blue Proposed Capital Tile / Region Location (Highlight 3 on the map): First choice: tile_palm_island_1, Second choice: tile_volcanic_plateau_3, Third choice: tile_silverwoods_1 We appreciate the Kharajyr have also applied to settle, albeit as a lair, on our first choice (palm_island_1) and are confident there is room for both of us. Our settlement (200x200) and their lair (75x75) will take up just over half of the tile (the island itself being ~400x400). There is also room for dialogue between these two groups rooted in their shared worship of the Moon, which we are confident would lead to interesting roleplay interactions should they come into contact with one another. Lore (could also include previous roleplay posts showing involvement with the community): https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/236910-kothel-the-origin-and-creeds-of-the-dark-elves/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/224981-velluah-the-dark-elven-language/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/237458-rituals-of-the-gloom/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/265829-the-moonlit-caravan/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/266443-gloomguard-protectors-of-the-maehr-diaspora Government Structure Explanation: Maehrel-Vaxu is a theocratic confederation that is mildly democratic. The primary lawmaking body, a congregation of the Chiefs of the maehr clans, elects a Primarch (the PRO) to rule in the High Priestess’ name. Governmental powers are split between the three bodies in a pseudo-form of checks and balances, albeit one that heavily favors the High Priestess. We believe that this unique blend can create political and religious roleplay and drama not available in the other, more traditionally monarchical, governments on the server. Here is the current rough draft of our constitution: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H0DXsERucPcYRx0zgyIa2rv3UbKfQ5-J5Q7mjYny1uA/edit?usp=sharing Capital / Settlement Build Concepts (photos of assets / layout / inspiration required): We understand that there is high demand for the regions listed and that our current build design is fitted to the jungle pallet. With this in mind, the majority of our build motifs have been made with the intention of flexibility to other regional pallets, e.g. shifting stone and stone brick to blackstone were we placed in the volcano region. That is to say, we have built with a view of ‘how would this culture adapt to living in this environment’, rather than ‘how would a culture have developed in this environment’. How does this realm/settlement offer a unique niche not already found in an existing group on the server?: Maehrel-Vaxu will be the home of the dark elves known as “the maehr”. The maehr follow a distinct culture not currently seen elsewhere on the server, even amongst other elven communities. Their unique faith makes the community itself stand out as its own group, unable to easily merge with existing communities on the server. Many maehr derive their identity from their clan, some of which have existed since the very beginning of dark elven history. Clan members are not related exclusively by blood, for a kinship of values and spiritual life tends to be valued more highly by the maehr. There are many avenues for new dark elves to integrate into ongoing narratives by finding kinship with a clan. The maehr are highly spiritual, worshiping their moon goddess Helun-Velulaeya along with numerous other gods, including the spirits of the Stargush’stroh, their honoured ancestors and the countless aenguls and daemons that inhabit the heavenly realms, who are named uniquely in Vel’luah, such as Malchediael being Urhuluzk, Gazardiel being Guzzad and Tahariae being Taheryn. This is borne out of centuries (the majority of server history) of dark elven diversity of culture and belief, which have melded together in the modern Yyrul Koth philosophy as an expanded form of Shamanism, that has historically been scrutinised by orcish practitioners as well as condemned if not outright forbidden by the majority of other races and nations. The Maehr perspective on their pantheon and their broader tolerance of the Void, combined with their deep hatred of Nemiisae and their Mori’Quessir cousins spawned from her, has resulted in an entirely unique worldview and set of religious and cultural practices alien to the existing realms of Azuras. Maehr culture already has many unique traditions and customs, which include: It’s own language, Vel’luah which has over a thousand words and is still growing (see lore links, we recently added a word for bald!) The ceremonial hatching of Xy-Hulud (silt striders) The role of the high-priestess as the goddesses’ voice, along with the hiding of her sacred face and form from non-maehr Songs written in Vel’luah Unique rituals (https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/237458-rituals-of-the-gloom/) Pilgrimages across the map while /walking to various holy sites (we actually did this and it was very fun) A unique governmental structure that blends theocracy with oligarchy An honor-bound order of warriors called the Gloomguard. And much more. Should Mordu’s Xyve lore be accepted, we plan to integrate the tooth-daggers into our culture as well, and create rituals and honor-duels around them. (https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/266062-invention-xyve/) Modern Maehr culture is a direct evolution and combination of the various dark elven settlements that have existed across the server’s history, such as Ker’nor, Rennalia, the Warhawkes, Nor’asath/Nor-velyth and most recently Darad Kezia. This has been expressed through the continuous roleplay expression of the ‘Maehr diaspora’, featuring characters which have carried, passed on and reinterpreted cultural staples and values from all of the above realms and creeds, identifying in them a consensus of fundamentals which make up the modern ‘Yyrul Koth’, or ‘Kothel’; this is the Gloom of the Dark Elves, for which the dark elven subforum is named. At the heart of Kothel is the belief that since their origin in Magara’lin, the dark elven race has been cursed by the gods to wander, and that through shared acceptance of their patron goddess - Mother Moon, or ‘Helun-Velulaeya’ - they are destined to reunify, setting aside historic differences and tolerating a diverse pantheon of Ancestors, Spirits and Aengudaemons alongside her. Maehrel-vaxu, meaning ‘the Maehr Communion’ in Vel’luah, is the realisation of a unified dark elven state borne out of the various clans which have come together in existing roleplay caravans and have each interpreted their diverse and storied belief systems through the shared Kothel confession. Maehrel-Vaxu would be a home for this growing community of maehr, one where their unique culture can continue to thrive and prosper. How does your realm/settlement tie to the greater lore and narrative set by the community on LotC?: The dark elves are the only core race without an independent settlement, save the dwarves and orcs who lost theirs only recently. Since the collapse of Nor-velyth in early Aevos the dark elves have been without a home, setting up various camps across the continent and doing diaspora roleplay (see links). In recent weeks, our numbers and coffers have grown substantially, and, at long last, it finally makes sense for the maehr to have a home once more. (https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/265829-the-moonlit-caravan/; https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/266228-an-invitation-to-all-maehr/) Have you ever run a realm/settlement on LotC before and what experience does your group have with leadership within roleplay communities? Although I do not have experience leading a realm or settlement, I led the Fifth Synod from mid Almaris to early Aevos; Creete has been the Maheral of Haelunor, and the NL of Nor’Asath as well as Nor-Velyth; and Mordu has spearheaded and inherited various nation and settlement groups. Do you understand the metrics for upkeep, maintaining activity, and the grounds for realm/settlement removal? Yes

It is said that when Magara’lin fell, Helun-Velulaeya fixed legs onto the boulders in the rubble of the city and breathed life into them, granting her people safe passage on their backs. For this reason, these creatures–called Stilt Striders in the Common tongue–are known by the maehr style: xy-hulud, translated literally as ‘shield bearer.’ Syru Thyone, A Guide to Maehr Myth. An invitation, sealed by a strange moon-and-star insignia, diffused across places where the maehr diaspora congregated. Vrax-Maehr, you of ash skin. I bring sacred news: Helun-Velulaeya has blessed my caravan with a clutch of Stilt Strider eggs, twenty strong. The time and day of their hatching has been prophesied by our High Priestess, and I welcome you all to witness their coming. Ma'maykz! Ma'maykz! Ma'maykz! Ulln, son of Mircada and Avialon, Chief of the House Thyone OOC The ceremony will be happening on the 28th of March, 6pm GMT. We are located closest to the Idunia pillar and can be found at these coordinates: -1011, 22, -1087 Feel free to join our discord as well: https://discord.gg/k835SzFkxW

A decorated Stilt Strider caravan, flying the banners of ancient, storied clans, ferried ashen elves through Idunia’s forested north. Along their route, Vel’luah missives found purchase: ɱψ ʊɦʋ’¤ռψռα-ɦαɱɛʊɱʊʅɛ, ʋᵲαᛪ-ɱαɛɦᵲ. ψȶ¤ ȶ¤ɱ ʊʅʅռ, ʊᵲɛʋ αɛȶɦ ɱiᵲcαðα չψ αʋiαʅ¤ռ, չψ ռαᵲð¤ αɛȶɦ ȶαʅʊɦռψɛʅ ȶɦψ¤ռɛ. ʊɦʋ’ʅαɦȶ ռψᵲӄ αɠɛ¤ӄ ռαʂαʊ¤-ψɛ¤ɦ ӄ¤ʅ ɮʊɦ-ðαʂʋʊ αɛȶɦ αð’ᵲψα չψ ɱʊʊᵲɮ ʅαɦȶ αӄʊʊ ռααɮ ʅψռᛪψռ¤ᵲɛʅ. ȶɛᵲαչȶ ʅααʋչɦɛʅ ɛʅɛռα. ɦɛʅʊռ-ʋɛʅʊʅαɛψα ȶ¤ɱ ʊɦʋ’ʅψɛ ɦ¤ռψᵲ. Common translation: OOC If you are interested in joining up with us to do dark elven diaspora RP, the camp is closest to the Idunia pillar and can be found at these coordinates: -1011, 22, -1087 We also have a discord! https://discord.gg/k835SzFkxW

Mattia of Tyria passed through bloated Imperial streets and overheard the excited gossip of peasants who clung to the notice boards like flies. Our most merciful God blest man with a Crown long before any Crozier, he thought, the Emperor's mandate will prevail.