Dakirennis

Are there a words for under and above?

Gorgron's raises his axe to the sky as he shouts. "Wi tayke id day bai day!"

I really like this. They sort of remind me if Warcraft's first generation Death Knights in a way. Their whole creation process and the time/investment it takes in making one is really interesting. I assume they're not bound to the people who raised them, yes? Like a lich or a ghoul is bound to the one who created them. But this is one of the things I like most about this idea. After fighting a few liches in the past (or just being present when someone fought one) I can say I've seen a lot of power gamey things.

This may hopefully happen way down the line, it's something I'm working on in rp actually. But this is something I'd like to see as well. I love that orcs and dark elves share this spiritual veneration for their ancestors. While we'll never get the to same level as the orcs, I'd love if we could at least get a fraction of that.

I by no means want to force people into some religion (even though that's not what this really is). It's more or less what Swgr said, this is to give some much needed depth to the dark elves. As of now this belief is only something the dark elves in my city really follow and to me that's fine. My main goal is to just make dark elves more spiritual and passionate, as they're intended to be. Not as what Charoodler said: "Slutty hats", which sadly is how some people view the darkies. Thanks a lot man. My character is kind of on a quest to find a Lutauman now after having a meeting with Thurak. He became interested in shamanism after Thurak blessed his child. Weather or not something like that will even happen, and if a dark elven shaman would be accepted, I have no idea. But I'm enjoying having more interactions with the orcs immensely, and that's all that matters to me. But either way I'm in the Krugmar skype, I'll probably toss a scattered question your way when I get the time to crack down on this. 10/10 Gave me a good chuckle. Thanks for the support man.

Myself and Bacon are tweeking the lore and should have some new things within a week or so. If it'd be alright I'd like to ask Burk or hellfiazz a few questions so we don't conflict with the orcish lore.

The Ancestral Plane One of the plains of the vast, unending expanse, of the spirit realm lies the plane of ancestors. Although, this plane is most often associated with Uruk, there is a dominion forged within the plane that holds the spirits of the mali’ker. None know its origins, not even the souls who inhabit it. Like with most aspects of the mali’ker, their ancestral home remains in complete mystery that’s open to speculation from all angles. It is here that their forebears gather after they have departed our world, drifting through an eternal night as ethereal whisps or ghostly images of themselves. But most importantly it is where they look down and watch their people endlessly. Judging their actions and deeming whether or not their work on our world was fitting enough to allow them into the Astral Plane or to simply cast their spirits into the depths of the immaterial void. Never allowing them the honor to look upon their descendants. The knowledge of this domain remains completely unknown; however, its impact resonates through dark elven culture. When the world was new and the mali’ker just stepped onto the world (Their origins still remaining unknown) they fractured into a splintered clannish people. It is though that during these beginning years of the race, some clans developed aspects from uruk culture. They developed their strong sense of honor and loyalty from the sons and daughters of Krug, their clannish nature was founded here, and very few began to partake in shamanism. Through these shamanistic practices the ancestral worship found itself embedded into dark elven culture. However, now, the knowledge of the ability to contact the domain in which dark elves resides remain unknown. Only a powerful shaman who actively seeks out the domain where the mali’ker spirits reside may find its traces; however, since it remains unknown to uruk shamans have yet to search it. Dark elven ancestral spirits in this domain may actively try to avoid uruk shaman contact, as only their own people have the worth and value to speak to them, this further plunges the domain into mystery. A dark elven shaman, of which there are none, may have a much easier time locating this place when he searches out his own people. The only evidence that it exists remains in the culture of the dark elves who continue to venerate the fallen ancestors, the traditions that stem from very ancient times Kinship It’s no secret that dark elves value family above all other things. This adamant servitude and loyalty to their clan or family carries on into the dark elf when he dies. This often times leads the spirit to refuse to cross over, and instead remain with his/her family. The spirit eventual passes on into the ancestral plane, but until then the spirits walks, eats, and congregates with his or her clan and family. This justifies the continuation of the ancestral worship among the mali’ker. You may often times catch the glimpse of your dead brother in the corner of your eye, as you pray to his spirit. When these contacts happen, they’re on the terms of the spirt, not the mortal. The mortal has no divine or shamanistic power of the ghost, all that he or she has was the former bond with the spirit. Although the dark elf intends for the prayer to be heard by the realm of her ancestral spirits, the message is heard by the spirit who may or may not be standing in an adjacent room. Further prayers and contact with ghosts who still linger this plane usually only keeps the spirit or ghost from ever passing on. Reverence and Veneration Like with many elves, dark elves feel that their prayers to deities fall on deaf ears. Through century of age, the collective culture of all elves have come to terms that divine aid never comes by prayer or request. However, in lotc, a world in which spirits and ghosts are common place, it’s quite reasonable and logical to pray to long dead or recently fallen family members. Ancestral veneration is by far not the same as the worshipping of a deity or deities. A mali’ker still may serve the will of the creator or the aspects and still pray to his long dead father for advice or aid. As spirits who were once mortals themselves, they are are more likely to understand the needs of a dark elf more than any God or Deity ever would. A dark elf wouldn't even identify this act of worship as actual worship. Rather, the act is a way to respect, honor and to seek guidance for from a long dead ancestor. Funerals/Tombs When a mali’ker dies, weather it’s in battle or plague, his body is to be lavished in flame and fire until all the remains is ash and bone. If there is to be a ‘funeral’, it’s done during the cremation process, in which family and friends of the fallen gather to remember and mourn the man or woman who they once knew. The body is to be turned to ash, as with many elves they do feel a connection to the earth. In turning a body to ash, the dead individual’s connection to the earth is preserved in death. The dead become like the earth beneath their feet. Their ashes will one day, invediably, become nutrients for a tree, shrub, or any other kind of plant and thus will become part of the world. It’s believed, however uncertain, that this tradition stems from the druidic funerals, a time in which a tree is planted above the body to allow the body to become part of the world itself. Not all the body is allowed to be carried away along the wind, some of the ash and bone are taken by the family. Typically the bones are from fingers or knuckles, occasionally a skull will be kept; however it’s quite rare for an entire skeleton to be kept by the family. These fragments of the loved one are incorporated into a shrine, most often in an individuals home. While this shrine is often a simple hearth display, wealthier families will dedicate entire rooms or buildings to their ancestors. These shrines are referred to as.Which are thought to act as a landmark or ‘beacon’ for the ancestral spirit who is being prayed to. Offerings The act of drawing attention through the veil from an ancestor requires more than a few words. Often times gifts are given to give more gravity to their words. These gifts are considered a mode of communication with a dead relative. The types of offerings given usually had relevance in the lives of the ancestor. Such as a favorite food, drink, or object of significance. Usually they’re put into a fire affront alter as the prayers are said. However, if the offerings are inflammable they’re simply allowed to sit affront the shrine for the time of a week. But be weary, the wrong offering may insult an ancestor and bring misfortune upon who made said offering. Ancestors These were dark elves who once walked the earth, the same as any other. They lived, worked, fought, and loved. But mortal lives eventually end and this is when a dark elf transcends their physical body and their soul rises to the Astral Plane. Gaining access to the Astral Plane is not as black and white as just being kind or evil. One must work for the betterment of the dark elves to do so. This does not mean leading revolutions or slaying great beasts. It can be as simple as protecting or feeding them. Those that slay kin for sport and dishonor the dark elves never ascend and may never grace the same place forefather. But those who are deemed deserving enter this Plane will see sights they did not believe possible. Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. Loved ones who had passed on centuries ago, all within the same place. They offer knowledge and answers, words they may never have had the chance to speak in life. But ultimately, once soul is allowed within the Astral Plane, they gain the sight to watch over their loved ones and join those that watched over them. High Spectres While all who join the dark elven forerunners are precious, there are some among them who are known for great deeds in life. These few are part of a small pantheon that hold high honor among the dark elves. Often receive exchange for knowledge or blessings, they are similar to human saints or druidic demi-aspects. Some may even be summoned after proper rituals, with the exception of Malin.