edelos

In other news, William of Aanen dies of dysentery. 1700 – 1737 [[I don’t shelf.]]

Renellic, unfortunately, cannot respond to passive-aggressive thought-comments, or he’d explain why.

The Kervira Luara’s Faithful CONTENTS I. The Matriarchy II. Luara and other Spirits III. Velulaei and other Ancestors IV. Markings V. Partnership VI. Death The Matriarchy The Kervira, or Moon’s Vigil, is both the name of the most ancient of Mali’ker religious rites and of the religion it so profoundly encompasses. It teaches that the Shrieking Night, that disease of the mind which so destroyed the Maehr scholars from which all Mali’ker descend, was only staved off by Luara’s Descent, the night in which Luara, the Spirit of the Moon, and Velulaei, daughter of Malin, made a pact – that for all time to come, Luara would protect the Mali’ker against the Shrieking Night, and in return sacrifice and prayer would be offered to the spirit. Its founder, and thereby also its first head, is the near-mythical Velulaei – the High Matriarch of the metropolis of Magara’lin whose society eclipsed any and all Mali’ker states to follow it. Her difficult decisions allowed the Maehr to survive to become the Ashen Folk, and her emphasis on religion, culture and society created an era of peace and prosperity that lasted a millennium. It is because of this influence that the Renelians, to date, live in temple-cities centered around Luara’okarn, Sanctuaries of Luara – for in the years and centuries following her death, there was only chaos among the Ashen Folk. The Matriarch is the head of the Kervira faith, chosen by the Archon as a worthy successor to Velulaei’s religious mantle, if not also her cultural and political standing, and is responsible both for the upkeeping of religious traditions and other rituals, but the conversion of aberrant Mali’ker to some form of Luaran worship. It is also her obligation to head the Kervira festival every five years at the minimum, which lasts a month from full moon to full moon, and to appoint naeri, or priestesses. The Matriarch and her naeri must always be female, so as to protect religious custom from military corruption and split-second decisions. The Matriarch of the Kervira faith, should she wish, may designate three Lesser Patriarchs – Mali’ker males of pure stock that have shown particular reverence in their worship of Luara, or assisted in some monumental way. They are the Book, the Mask, and the Blade of the Matriarch, in reference to Velulaei’s original three assistants, and while holding no duties and not allowed to perform rites in the stead of naeri or the Matriarch, they may be allowed access into the inner halls of the Luara’okarn – given the additional approval of the Archon. Luara and other Spirits The Spirit of the Moon takes most often the form of an incorporeal, white wolf. While she has been known to be at times playful and festive, as shown by Her love of ritual sacrifice and celebrations held in her name, it must be constantly reminded that it was also Luara that begot Azul’s Curse – that spell which turned the evil brother of Renelia into a sleepless abomination, and which caused Uradras to seal him beneath Magara’lin for all eternity. In ritual, she is represented in flora by Nightglow and in fauna by the wolf, and the Kervira festival and Partners’ Rituals are held in her honor. Whilst Luara is, of course, held at the level of a goddess, other spirits are known to the Kerviran faith, and are not necessarily ignored. Among them, Kotrestruu, Arwa, and Isuz draw particular reverence in Renelia – lesser shrines to these spirits are even maintained in the Luara’okarn. As overt reference to the three Patriarchs that assisted Velulaei in her governance of Magara’lin, Luara too is afforded three assistant spirits by Kervira faithful. Kotrestruu, the Spirit of Memory, reminds the Renelian people to take care in their actions, that they might be remembered as having bettered their society by their actions. He appears as a man made of scriptures, and both protects and takes away the memories of Descendants; it is by his efforts that ancient rites have been recalled, and in his honor that the Sable Ball is held, representative of the darkness that comes upon the closing of eyes, and the memories that come awash with it. Arwa, the Spirit of Fertility, reminds the Renelian people of their duties to society and self, that the legacies of their clans might be made more whole with their existence. She appears as a lady made of hay, though in social circles made partially of outsiders has been known to be switched in reverence with Delilah De’laronge, a Mali’ker ancestral spirit of womanhood. It is in her honor that all harvest festivals and banquets are dedicated, and stalks of hay built into a ceremonial pyre at least once a decade to be sacrificed to her. Velulaei and other Ancestors Confusing to some is the blending of Luara, the Spirit of the Moon, and Velulaei, sometimes referred to as a goddess of the Moon. Velulaei is, by Renelian tradition, the ancestor representative of the waxing and waning of the moon and of acal, which holds the dual meaning of value and curses – a reminder that both blessings and curses meet their ends in time. Her beginning as the fairest and most intelligent of Malin’s daughters, her middling as corrupted by the Shrieking Night, and her end as a beloved matron tells that story in full, and as such she is placed on a pedestal beside the spirit that so salvaged the Maehran. In ritual, she is represented by a crescent moon and in flora by the Starlit Monacrie, a glowing tree once found in the hot springs below Ceru’s icy mountain ranges, and the Uvuligne’aher, or Blessing of Ash, festival is held in her honor. Within the Union, she is the only ancestor to which a public shrine within view of the Luara’okarn may be built, for it was she that first led the Ashen Folk from their primordial, forested beginnings. Unlike Velulaei, the other ancestors of the Mali’ker are not specifically revered under Kervira doctrine. Whilst praise is to be given to the efforts of such figures as Khel Oussana, and indeed they must have ascended to a higher plane for their efforts, their contributions were, in the end, outweighed by that of their own ancestors – the decision of Uradras, in conjunction with the Oussana, Des’nox, Ravexi and Zanexes to abandon Magara’lin caused the collapse of ancient Mali’ker society into Laurelin and irreparable damage to be done to the Ashen Folk. Veneration of Maehran, ancestors alive in the era before the Blessing of Ash, is also discouraged – for with all of their intelligence, it was also foolish swagger that caused them to enter ill-prepared into the dense jungles of primeval Axios, and their descendants would pay the price. Among the ancestral spirits, Velulaei excluded, only Khel is openly approved of within Renelian social circles (perhaps due in part to their more recent entry into the global scene and lack of knowledge of others), and the uplifting of any lesser ancestors into a proper lesser pantheon of the Kerviran faith at all is a matter of continued controversy within the Union. Markings Commonplace among Mali’ker and Mali’ame is the existence of clan and otherwise symbolic tattoos; such is not a requirement of the average believer in the Kervira. This does not mean, however, that they are discouraged; often, clans will use unique markings to more easily identify their own – especially before battle, when disfigurement of the body might render the appearances of the deceased indecipherable. Additionally, naeri of the Kervira are marked always in some way by the Matriarch of the faith, a sort of territorial claim by Luara on the priestess. The traditional mark of the Kervira is three stripes over the heart, from where the collarbone meets the left shoulder to the end of the lowest left rib – Luara’s blessing, and scar, upon the Ashen Folk. Partnership In elaborate social dances, the Ashen Folk of Renelia honor their clans and those their wish to court by participating in the Partners’ Rituals, a set of banquets and balls undertaken at the beginning of, and hopefully successful transition, of courtships to partnerships. Protocol dictates that the member of the lower strata must approach the member of the higher with such rituals; in practice, this means that a citizen might approach a Laureh’ker, or a Laureh’ker approach a Velulaei’onn, rather than vice versa. It is only through the recognition of precedence and hierarchy, and by fulfilling Luara’s demands, that such an endeavor might prove fruitful at length, and it is through such rituals that the diligence and desire of the pursuing party is furthermore proven. A partnership therefore must be confirmed by a naeri of good standing, for it is by her judgement that Luara’s appeasement might be weighed; and, without the approval of the Spirit of the Moon, there can be no approval in Renelian society. Just as the Pact was confirmed between Luara and Velulaei, so too must it be reconfirmed between any party coupling for birth or prestige and Luara – for, by performing such acts, she is placated, and the recurrence of the Shrieking Night might be avoided. Entering into a partnership is not required, but a partnership cannot legally begin without the rituals, and those that bear children without being in such a relationship with their counterpart oft find themselves ostracized socially if not by religion. It is also of note that, while certain clans and strata hold as a requirement partnership with other Ashen Folk, the religion itself does not deny other Elves as companions, so long as they are not mixed with non-Elves. It is, in fact, the only way by which a non-Mali’ker might join the Kerviran faith and join its rituals; for Luara acts with dignity, and her worship need not be soiled by those without real connection to her. To mix with a non-Elf, however, is a death sentence both socially and by the Kerviran faith – such is tantamount to murder, for any progeny of such a coupling are cursed twice over. Death While veneration of ancestors and ancestral spirits is not a key doctrine of the Kerviran faith, the existence of the Ancestral Plane as a location to which particularly eminent figures of the greater Mali’ker populace might in time ascend to is well-documented both in ancient and modern history. As such, much like the ancestral worship found more often in Renelia’s contemporaries, the funeral rites of a deceased Mali’ker almost always involve a pyre – for the ashes to flee to the skies is viewed as an ascension spiritually to the Ancestral Plane, a paradise of sorts for the particularly faithful. Burials, likewise, are viewed as a trap for spirits, and it is therefore demanded of Kerviran believers to deny evildoers entry into the Ancestral Plane – murderers, race traitors, daemonic worshippers, and those that seduce Mali under the age of fifty are placed under posthumous trial by the Kerviran naeri, the result of which decides whether said individual is to be buried, and if so, if they are to remain there forever or for a set time. Whilst sacrilegious in contemporary ancestral worship, it is believed to be a service to Luara and the ancestors to deny such figures entry into the afterlife.

Laws of the Union as they were come Snow’s Maiden, 1737 CONTENTS I. Litanies on the Rights of the Renelian Citizen and State II. On Civil Matters III. On Criminal Matters IV. On Matters Specific to the Ashen Folk V. Inchoate Offenses I. Litanies on the Rights of the Renelian Citizen and State Bestowed by Luara’s light and Velulaei’s grace are certain rights immutable to the Renelian citizen, defined as those property-holding or otherwise confirmed denizens of the Renelian Union. It is furthermore noted that any laws enacted by the Union are separated as either a criminal offense or a civil offense, as denoted by the phrase “...the crime of...”. That which is not a criminal offense is not to be punished unnecessarily severely as determinable by reasonable audience. Section I; Litany on Rights Natural Article I. The principle of any sovereignty resides essentially in the Nation. No body, nor individual may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation. Article II. The goal of political association is the conservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of Descendants; being the rights of liberty, safety, and the pursuit of happiness. Article III. That which the law does not order cannot constrain the children of Malin, and that which is not codified cannot constrain the Descendants, for that which is not forbidden by law is not thereafter to be impeded. Article IV. The law should establish only those penalties found strictly and evidently necessary, and none are to be punished but under a law established and promulgated before the offense and legally applied. Article V. A citizen of Renelia is to be presumed innocent until declared culpable; if found indispensable to arrest an individual, any unnecessary severity in their arrest is to be severely reprimanded by the law. Article VI. The society has the right of requesting an account from any public agent of its administration. Article VII. Property being an inviolable and sacred right, no one can be deprived of private usage, if it is not when the public necessity, legally noted, evidently requires it, and under the condition of a just and prior indemnity. Article VIII. Any national body in which the guarantee of rights is not assured is by definition not to be considered a State by this society; the public thereby has the right to question such undertakings as are made by the government of this society as might involve such national bodies. Article IX. The free communication of thoughts and of opinions is one of the most precious rights of Descendants: any citizen thus may speak, write, print freely, except to respond to the abuse of this liberty, in the cases determined by the law. Article X. No citizen can be accused, arrested nor detained but in the cases determined by the law, and according to the forms which it has prescribed. Those who solicit, dispatch, carry out or cause to be carried out arbitrary orders, must be punished; but any citizen called or seized under the terms of the law must obey at once; they render themselves culpable by resistance. Article XI. The citizenry is born and remain free in rights, and their rights are to end where others’ begin. Section II; Litany on Rights Legal Article I. Wherein a citizen detained under charges of illegal activities can find through recourse of just law the ability to have said detention inspected by the proper authorities; and, should such a detention be found unlawful, is to be released. Article II. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial judge of the region wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Article III. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed one mina, the right of trial shall be preserved, and no fact tried by the administration shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the Union, than according to the rules of the common law. Article IV. The enumeration in the Declaration of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Article V. The powers not delegated nor prohibited by the Litanies to the lower administration or to the people are reserved to the Archon. Article VI. The judicial power of the Union shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the Union by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. Article VII. No citizen shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a judge of the highest order, except in cases arising in the safety and sovereignty of the Union; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. Article VIII. The Union shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or of the right of the citizenry to assemble in peaceful fashion, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. II. On Civil Matters On laws concerned with private relations between members of a community rather than societal, military, or religious affairs, and in the pursuit of which a trial by jury may be formed at the administration’s command. Section I; On Matters Monetary I. Poaching I. Where an individual intentionally or negligently hunts a beast or bird within the borders of a reserved wood, cavern, or other land held in the name of a private institution or individual, this shall be poaching in the second degree. II. Where an individual intentionally or negligently hunts a beast or bird within the borders of a reserved wood, cavern, or other land held in the name of a public institution, or government official, this shall be poaching in the first degree, and qualifies for criminal procedure. II. Vandalism I. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces the property of another, and this damage totals up to one hundred fifty minas in value, this shall be vandalism in the third degree. II. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces the property of another, and this damage totals greater than one hundred fifty but not less than three thousand minas in value, this shall be vandalism in the second degree. III. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces property held in the name of a public institution or the Velulaei’onn, this shall be vandalism in the first degree, and qualifies for criminal procedure. III. Arson I. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces property held in the name of a private institution or individual through fire, this shall be arson in the third degree. II. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces property held in the name of a government official through fire, this shall be arson in the second degree. III. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces property held in the name of a public institution or the Velulaei’onn, this shall be arson in the first degree, and qualifies for criminal procedure. IV. Tax Evasion I. Where an individual fails to render full payment in a timely manner for a lawfully enacted subnational tax, this shall be tax evasion in the second degree. I. Where an individual fails to render full payment in a timely manner for a lawfully enacted national tax, this shall be tax evasion in the first degree. V. Bribery I. Where an individual persuades another, to act dishonestly or otherwise with the gift of money or other inducement, this shall be the crime of bribery in the second degree. II. Where an individual persuades a public official to act dishonestly or otherwise with the gift of money or other inducement, this shall be the crime of bribery in the first degree. VI. Extortion I. Where an individual intentionally threatens another individual for obtaining money or other benefits for oneself, this shall be the crime of extortion. Section II; On Matters Otherwise Civilian I. Trespassing I. Where an individual intentionally enters the property of another which a reasonable person would consider to be restricted, this shall be the crime of trespassing. II. Indecency I. Where an individual intentionally and deliberately dresses in an immoral or obscene fashion, usually in a sexual manner, this shall be indecency in the second degree. II. Where an individual intentionally and deliberately appears in public without articles of clothing which a reasonable person would consider necessary, this shall be the crime of indecency in the first degree. III. Adultery I. Wherein a partnered or married individual intentionally fornicates another individual who is not the spouse in a public or private location, this shall be the crime of adultery. IV. Consanguinity I. Where an individual intentionally fornicates or has immoral relationship with one’s close family, such as with father, with mother, with siblings, or with offspring, this shall be the crime of consanguinity. V. Miscegenation I. Where an individual intentionally fornicates with one not of his race, such as man and elf or man and dwarf, this shall be the crime of miscegenation. VI. Vagrancy I. Where an individual intentionally lives the life of a vagrant, participating in improper begging, and illegally staying in residences and towns, this shall be vagrancy. VII. Vigilantism I. Where an individual intentionally apprehends, convicts, or punishes another individual of a crime but is not an agent of the law, this shall be the crime of vigilantism. VIII. Concealment of Identity I. Where an individual intentionally conceals or hides oneself’s identity to an agent of the law, this shall be the crime of concealing one’s identity. IX. Disturbing the Peace I. Where an individual intentionally and deliberately hinders or interrupts the common peace by embellished performance or immoral behavior, this shall be disturbing the peace. III. On Criminal Matters On laws concerned with societal, military, or religious affairs, and in the pursuit of which a trial by judge is to be held with prudence by the administration. Section I; On Matters Personal I. Battery I. Where an individual intentionally commits upon another an act of violence which brings about impermanent injury, incapacitates for any length of time, damages the psyche, or utilizes a dangerous weapon, this shall be the crime of battery to the second degree. II. Where an individual intentionally commits upon another an act of violence which brings about permanent injury, this shall be the crime of battery to the first degree. II. Murder I. Where an individual intentionally commits such an an act of violence upon another which brings about their death, with no premeditation of the act and under such circumstances as a reasonable person would be incited to fatal violence, this shall be murder of the third degree. II. Where an individual intentionally commits such an act of violence upon another which brings about their death with no premeditation, this shall be the crime of murder to the second degree. III. Where an individual intentionally and with premeditation causes the death of another, this shall be the crime of murder to the first degree. III. Manslaughter I. Where an individual unintentionally but negligently commits such an act that brings about the death of another, this shall be manslaughter. IV. Mutilation I. Where an individual intentionally or negligently commits such an act as to bring about the superficial disfigurement of another, or the removal of a single digit, this shall be mutilation to the third degree. II. Where an individual intentionally or negligently commits such an act as to bring about the crippling disfigurement of another, or the removal of multiple digits, this shall be mutilation to the second degree. III. Where an individual intentionally or negligently commits such an act as to bring about the dismemberment of another, the destruction of an eye, castration, or other irreparable loss of an appendage or organ, this shall be the crime of mutilation to the first degree. V. Kidnapping I. Where an individual intentionally abducts, restrains, or confines another individual against their will without physical harm, sexual violation, or endangerment of the victim, this shall be the crime of kidnapping to the second degree. II. Where an individual intentionally abducts, restrains, or confines another individual against their will, and in the course of this brings about physical harm, sexual violation, or endangerment of the victim, this shall be the crime of kidnapping to the first degree. VI. Defamation I. Where an individual knowingly disseminates false information about a citizen, without intent to harm the reputation of that individual, this shall be the crime of defamation to the third degree. II. Where an individual knowingly disseminates false information about a citizen, with intent to harm the reputation of that individual, this shall be the crime of defamation to the second degree. III. Where an individual knowingly disseminates false information about a citizen, with intent to harm the reputation of that individual, in a public space or by distribution of printed materials, this shall be the crime of defamation to the first degree. Section II; On Matters Material I. Theft I. Where an individual intentionally deprives another of moveable property without the consent of its owner, and this property totals up to two hundred minas in value, this shall be theft to the third degree. II. Where an individual intentionally deprives another of moveable property without the consent of its owner, and this property totals greater than two hundred but not less than one thousand five hundred minas in value, this shall be theft to the second degree. III. Where an individual intentionally deprives another of moveable property without the consent of its owner, and this property totals greater than one thousand five hundred minas in value, this shall be the crime of theft to the first degree. II. Burglary I. Where an individual unlawfully enters a property with intent to commit a nonviolent crime, this shall be burglary to the second degree. II. Where an individual unlawfully enters a property with intent to commit a violent crime, this shall be the crime of burglary to the first degree. III. Robbery I. Where an individual intentionally deprives an owner of his moveable property through violence or threat of violence, and this property totals less than one thousand minas in value, this shall be the crime of robbery to the second degree. II. Where an individual intentionally deprives an owner of his moveable property through violence or threat of violence, and this property totals greater than or equal to one thousand minas in value, this shall be the crime of robbery to the first degree. IV. Fraud I. Where an individual intentionally or negligently fails to abide by the terms of a written or verbal contract, misleads regarding its terms, or provides insufficient consideration for its completion, to the detriment of another, and this detriment totals up to five thousand minas in value, this shall be fraud to the second degree. II. Where an individual intentionally or negligently fails to abide by the terms of a written or verbal contract, misleads regarding its terms, or provides insufficient consideration for its completion, to the detriment of another, and this damage totals greater than five thousand minas in value, this shall be fraud to the first degree. Section III; On Matters Governmental I. Treason I. Where an individual knowingly carries out an act of criminal insubordination or disloyalty intended to subvert the authority of an agent of the state, or commits such an action with intention to harm the state, or otherwise conspires to aid enemies of the state, or towards the usurpation of the government, or towards the murder of a Velulaei’onn clansman, this shall be the crime of treason. II. Sedition I. Where an individual intentionally commits conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of the Union, this shall be the crime of sedition. III. Obstruction I. Where an individual interferes with, obstructs the progress of, or otherwise hinders government officials and prosecutors during the apprehension or investigation of a criminal or criminal activity, this shall be the crime of obstruction. IV. Absconding I. Where an individual fails or intentionally avoids surrendering oneself to the custody of Union officials at the appropriate time, this shall be the crime of absconding, and in the case of the awaiting of trial immediately confirms guilt, dismissing the need for lawful hearing. V. Perjury I. Where an individual intentionally misleads, deceives, or withholds pertinent information from an interrogating agent of the law, this shall be the crime of perjury. VI. Impersonating an Agent of the State I. Where an individual intentionally assumes the identity of a government official or noble lord, this shall be the crime of impersonation of an agent of state. IV. On Matters Specific to the Ashen Folk On laws concerned in some way with the well-being of Mali’ker society and morals within the Renelian state. Section I; On Matters Religious I. Blasphemy I. Where a Mali’ker intentionally speaks sacrilegiously or in contrary to the teachings of Luara, this shall be the crime of blasphemy. II. Apostasy I. Where a Mali’ker intentionally abandons or renounces the teachings of Luara, this shall be the crime of apostasy. III. Atheism I. Where a Mali’ker intentionally rejects the existence of Luara, this shall be the crime of atheism. IV. Evangelization of False Faiths I. Where a Mali’ker intentionally spreads and converts other individuals to the belief of a faith in contrary to the teachings of Luara or which otherwise does not hold her as part of its pantheon, this shall be the crime of evangelization of false faiths. V. Daemonic Worship I. Where an individual intentionally and actively participates in the worship of Daemons or their patrons, evangelizes the worship of Daemons or their patrons, or encourages the growth of Daemonic cults, this shall be the crime of daemonic worship. Section II; On Matters Personal I. Child Abuse I. Wherein a Mali below the age of fifty is induced to perform sexual actions, have an immoral relationship, perform socially rejected practices, or act in a deviant manner by any individual, this shall be the crime of child abuse to the second degree. II. Wherein a Mali below the age of fifty is induced to perform sexual actions, have an immoral relationship, perform socially rejected practices, or act in a deviant manner by an individual over the age of consent, defined as fifty for a Mali and sixteen for a non-Mali, this shall be the crime of child abuse to the first degree. V. Inchoate Offenses On laws concerned with loopholes that the common brigand might attempt to use in avoiding punishment and due process. Section I; Inchoate Offenses I. Conspiracy I. Where an individual knowingly signals intent to commit a crime at a future time, this shall be the crime of conspiracy. II. Incitement I. Where an individual intentionally incites or encourages another individual into committing a crime, this shall be the crime of incitement. III. Attempt I. Where an individual actively attempts, but fails to commit, a crime, the individual shall be held liable with a mitigated punishment according to the crime which was attempted.

The Renelian Pact Ways of the Children of Velulaei or; A Guide to the Culture of Renelia CONTENTS I. Preface; or, History in Brief II. Religion; or, the Kervira in Brief III. Traditions and Terminology IV. Foodstuffs and Farming V. Martial Customs Magara’lin after the Exile “Where our bodies now fail us, our minds do not. There is water and there is heat; is this not enough for a civilization?” – Velulaei to Uradras, in the future site of Magara’lin. I. PREFACE; OR, HISTORY IN BRIEF The people of Renelia claim descent from the nation’s namesake - Renelia, daughter of Velulaei, first High Matriarch of the Mali’ker. In what is known as the Aetah’niut, or the Second Age, Malin’s Kingdom ruled in the continent of Axios. From his daughters, the beautiful and intelligent Velulaei was chosen to conduct research into higher powers, and in her travels was corrupted by an ancient curse. It was only through Luara’s salvation, Uvuligne’aher, known in common as the Blessing of Ash, that the corruption worming through her mind was halted. In the years that followed, Magara’lin, the City of Caverns, was founded by Velulaei’s directive, and in time it became a sprawling metropolis. For an unknown reason, Uradras, partner to Velulaei, and the other clans of the First Age made the decision to abandon Magara’lin, in what is simply called ‘The Exile’. For the remainder of the Aetah’niut, and into the Aetah’hael, the Third Age, which began with the second rise of Iblees, the Ashen Folk would be laid low by the consequences of Uradras’ Council - a Mali’ker state would not find dominance again. With the belief that it was the loss of ancient traditions that caused the fall of the greater Mali’ker, the Renelian Union has deemed fit to release such information as necessary for the common populace to integrate itself into the ancient practices of Velulaei’s people. It is of important note that the Renelians of more traditional stock are descended from one of the Kulin’telu Laureh’ker - the Fifty Noblesse, a group of traditionalists that assisted Renelia in escaping from her father Uradras in order to found a successor state to Magara’lin. Bowed before Luara; A Mali’aheral kneels in front of a mural depicting the Blessing of Ash “The Maehr are no longer ours to protect.” – Malin to Larihei, in the wake of Luara’s Descent. II. RELIGION; OR, THE KERVIRA IN BRIEF The Kervira, or Moon’s Vigil, is both the name of the sacred ceremony held once every fifth year beneath the full moon to celebrate both Luara, the Spirit of the Moon, and her Uvuligne’aher. For a full month, from one full moon till the next, the Renelian peoples gather in a combined festival and gala, performing both traditional rituals and finding more modern events hosted. It is the one day in which non-Mali’ker are allowed in the vicinity of the Luara’okarn, or Luara’s Sanctuary, the temple to the Moon Spirit that acts both as central piece to the religious practices of the Union and more practically as a palace for those of the Velulaei’onn clan. The Kervira continues in part because of the Pact, or the belief that Velulaei’s declaration that she and her kin would pray and offer sacrifice to Luara must be upheld by the Union, lest the rituals someday cease and Luara’s anger wreak further havoc among the already embattled Mali’ker race. As such, all religions that do not in some way contain Luara as a goddess or member of the pantheon are officially banned from practice by Mali’ker within Renelia’s borders. It is only by the permission of naeri, or priestesses, that a partnership between two Mali’ker might be solidified, though such a partnership must also be preceded by a lengthy and traditional courting procedure, which will be elaborated on further below. The naeri also mitigate the damage that time has on traditions; for it must constantly be remembered that in the past, it was the loss of tradition and culture that led to the decision to abandon Magara’lin, and which then caused the greater Mali’ker people to nearly disappear to interbreeding with the far more numerous Mali’ame. In accordance with traditions of Magara’lin, the Kervira is led by a Matriarch, which, rather than perform a traditional role as a clan head, acts as the head of the religion, or the more unified ‘clan’ that encompasses all citizens of Renelia. The Matriarch and all naeri must be female, in similar accordance with past traditions. The First Luara’okarn “For every victory there must also be loss; the cycle must be upheld. From your mind the collapse will be purged, but on your bodies the scars remain.” – Luara assents to Velulaei’s plea, and Luara’s Descent begins. III. TRADITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY In the first days following Renelia’s foundation, a system of governance based loosely off of the original principles of Magara’lin was created. The Archon, a term loosely derived from the High Matriarch title held by Velulaei, would lead the Renelians in secular and cultural fashion; and though it was due to Velulaei’s passing that Uradras’ Council deemed old traditions no longer applicable, the Renelians would rely on her descendants to lead them. Chief among the traditions of the Renelians is the Partners’ Dance - to determine whether a potential suitor is worthy, said suitor hosts grand balls and other events in the hopes of attracting the gaze of his hopeful (and, sometimes, his hopeful’s clan). These events are both a measure as to the suitor’s connections within the Union and their willingness to spend materially on their relation, and without the Partners’ Dance a courtship cannot begin. Following a period of courtship, the Partners’ Connection is held. In order to build a better relationship with the powers that be within the Union, and in order to receive the approval of Luara’s naeri, the two hold a banquet in Luara’s honor. By doing so, they reaffirm their commitment to the Pact whilst also bringing to the Union a promise of continued harmony. Generally, and wholly unrelated, a Renelian spends the majority of their waking hours beginning at sunset – Luara’s moonlight is said to bring peace to the mind, and so they will break bread at six and rely on the light of the moon and flames to go about their day. The only Renelians that do not abide by this are surface farmers; for obvious reasons, their work is made much easier by the light of day, though they spend every fifth day asleep and fifth night awake. Clothing in Renelia is, strangely enough, limited by and large to silks; surface farms are generally used entirely for the growing of food, and so underground silkworm farms are the primary facility from which fabrics are sewn. Wool is viewed as a cheap surface commodity, and while it continues to hold value in Renelia, it is not suitable to the warm, damp caverns that make up part or the majority of the networks that comprise Renelian cities. The Spread at a Partners’ Dance dedicated to Umbara Ormir’onn “No exotic meats at a banquet?” – Umbara Ormir’onn IV. FOODSTUFFS AND FARMING Whilst hunting has become commonplace with the Renelians’ movement to warmer climes, it must be of note that horticulture has always taken precedence, for in a cavern city the raising of livestock becomes multiple times more difficult. In daily life, a Renelian might begin their night with a bread of buckwheat flour combined with normal wheat flour – in the climates of shorter summers they have all too often found themselves in, harvesting buckwheat from rockier and less fertile soil has long assisted in reducing the possibility of famines. Alternatively, a unique breakfast dish known as karin’ante, lit. Last Sunrise, is made of a paste of mushrooms, spices, and in the upper class ground meats, then spread on a thin flatbread coated in cheese, garlic, and cooked-on liquor. It is named karin’ante because, originally, a chef in the employ of the Velulaei’onn cooked for the Archon of his era whatever he found in the clan’s kitchens left over from the banquet the day before – hence, the food of the prior sunrise. The majority of households eat some mixture of grains, potatoes, and mushrooms, almost always highlighted by spices from personal gardens. Hunting, done at night, is a precise act done in relatively smaller groups, making such prey as deer easier to catch off guard, but animals like boars and bears more difficult to take down without injury. Livestock is limited usually to chickens and sheep, the first for the versatility of eggs in cuisine and the second for their wool. Luncheons are most often a simple dish of chopped vegetables, or for manual laborers a sandwich of bread and mushrooms. Dinners are almost always limited to events such as banquets and festivals, as it is in the minds of Renelians a waste of food to eat before sleeping. Children below the age of thirty, however, are compelled to eat three meals daily, though on every fifth day eat two meals – the third on that day is sacrificed to appease Luara. A Vindicator in the civil war era of Magara’lin ”The blade begins where wit meets its end.” – Uradras, to an unnamed Vindicator. V. MARTIAL CUSTOMS The Renelian military is, like so many of its contemporaries, based at least remotely on the Vindicators of Magara’lin, Uradras’ masked army with which the Azul rebels were wiped out. In the modern era, however, a shift has begun within the Union, with its military taking on many of the ranks, armor types, and customs of the far more successful Human militaries. Ferrum and black ferrum-clad medium infantry form the vast majority of any Renelian force, though it is of note that half of any such force is equipped too with recurve bows – while not effective in winding caves, hunting and surface wars have proven the impact of versatility in combat. Cavalry, however, remains a weak point in the military itself – rarely is it used in engagements, more often being a tool only for long distance travel. In cavern warfare, it has been found that a weighted net and spear are nigh impossible to dodge, and so the guardians of Renelian temple-cities are equipped with shield, spears, javelins and nets – the increased difficulty in learning to proficiently wield a sword has made it an almost wholly unnecessary endeavor given the lack of engagements involving Renelian Mali’ker as a primary combatant.

“They’re turning our frickin frogs gay...” mutters William, appalled at the possibility of a woman uprising as he eyes his wife and daughters suspiciously.

The Renelian Union as it was come Malin’s Welcome, 1736 CONTENTS I. The Union II. The Velulaei’onn III. The Matriarchy IV. The Laureh’ker I. THE UNION The Renelian Union is ruled by an Archon, acting both as head of state and nominally as High Matriarch or Patriarch of the Ashen Folk, and wields ultimate authority within its borders. Should an Archon pass, their chosen successor is put to a vote, wherein so long as a third of the Velulaei’onn vote in favor, it is passed as willed. Aroen Velulaei’onn, Elmalinii Renelia Maliker'ehya, Luara'ahernan Aroen Velulaei’onn, by the Grace of Luara the Archon of Renelia and High Patriarch of the Ashen Folk II. THE VELULAEI’ONN True sons and daughters of Renelia’s Talonnii, or bloodline, is held in the highest regard within the Union - for they are the only true successors to Magara’lin, ancient capital of the Mali’ker. Renellic Velulaei’onn Ailmar Velulaei’onn Nesta Velulaei’onn III. THE MATRIARCHY From among the chosen of Luara is declared a Matriarch, whose duty is the interpretation of Luara’s will and upholding of religious tradition within the Hegemony. Matriarch Leilatha Devione IV. THE LAUREH’KER The chosen advisors of the Archon, and close allies of the Velulaei’onn, the Laureh’ker are advanced based on merit and contributions to the Union and given duties and privileges as required.

Velulaei’onn Children of Renelia History As with all clans of Ashen Folk, those called Velulaei’onn are forged by their heritage. Their ancestry traces from Velulaei, called Veluluai in the spoken histories of the forest seeds and lesser races, by way of an ancient story. In the twilight of Magara’lin, great capital of the Mali’ker, the firstborn son and most favored child of Velulaei, whose given name was Azul, decided himself and his people worthy of far more. It was his belief that the Ashen Folk, those Elves of great beauty and wit, could create for themselves an empire upon the ashes of their cousins in the forests and towers. It was his opinion, in opposition to his mother, to his father, to his clan and to the great majority of his people, that they belonged on the surface - for they had built an underground realm after their corruption of appearance, but in their own time Malin’s other children had also undergone transformations. His people, called simply the Azulites, in the tongue of Magara’lin the Azulan, had long chafed at their self-imprisonment. He agreed, and in a bid to change society from its peak, he called his mother to the tallest peak in the realm. It was there that Azul and his followers laid low the matriarch of our folk - under the light of the full moon, Azul was said to have stabbed into Velulaei’s chest a dagger of corroded iron, a gesture thought to have been his own metaphor for her weakness, her corruption of our people. She fell, and he stared as his mother’s blood stained the rock at his feet. As the moon began to fall and Magara’lin slept with it, though, he decided his matricide was not enough. Thousands of loyal followers of Velulaei and Luara died in the chaos now called Velulaei’maliear, the Moon’s Betrayal, and Azul’s evil cause was brought to light - for he so obviously desired not the salvation of the Ashen Folk, but their decimation. It was in the greatest of the Moon Spirit’s temples, the Luara’okarn, where the worst of the atrocities were committed. Two hundred naeri, or priestesses, lived under the Moon Spirit’s auspices; ten lived through the night. The progenitor of the Velulaei’onn was among them - perhaps spared for her relation to Azul, young Renelia, daughter of Velulaei, survived the slaughter by hiding within a recently doused ceremonial pit. In the morning, the civil war truly began between the Vindicators and the Azulites. Renelia, still a child, did not participate, yet the religious strata of the City of Caverns soon too found themselves ruined - the war between her father and brother had left the temples nearly devoid of sacrifice without the instruction of Velulaei, for such resources could be far better used in the feeding of a Vindicator army. Order is remembered to have ruled the day, for in time the Vindicators captured Azul, inflicted upon him a horrendous, indefinite punishment, and locked him within Magaralin’s deepest caves. The children of Velulaei, however, would be taught differently - for was it not just as soon as they opened communications with other elves that they abandoned her teachings and left their ancient homes for a future among forests? Were Luara’s commands not forgotten, their own traditions lost? Renelia joined the fleet with everyone else - tied into a bundle and forced by her father to follow their peoples’ will. When they arrived, and she freed of her bonds, a group of fifty left Laurelin. They would be stricken from history, a ban placed on their names - for to leave the clans was akin to insanity, no? Upon its uncloaking, the Renelians, as they called themselves, found that perhaps it was not so. Appearance The Velulaei’onn are the direct descendants of Renelia, first daughter of Velulaei, and are so obviously named for their original progenitor. They bear the ancient traits of Velulaei and Uradras; from Velulaei, her white hair and skin of dark ash, and from Uradras eyes pale as the moon. Few times have outside traits been mixed into the main line, and it has been known that those possessing traits outside of those found in ancient Magara’lin (eyes not red or gray, or dark hair) are disinherited - for such means they were born of blood partially outside of the Ashen Folk. Prayer and the Clan In accordance with ancient practice, the Velulaei’onn and their followers pray annually to Luara, and every five years congregate for the great Kervira, or Moon’s Vigil, a festival beneath the moonlight in remembrance of their losses. It is led by the High Matriarch, chief priestess among the Renalian people, who must hold Luara in the highest regard among spirits. The chosen allies of the Velulaei’onn are called Laureh’ker - Sunset Noblesse - and eligible for the same positions those of the clan themselves are. The name Velulaei’onn can be passed through both the mother and the father; either case, however, must be approved by the head of the line, lest both the Velulaei’onn and any children they sire be disinherited. Views on the Clans of Magara’lin While the clans most famous and powerful in the time of Magara’lin, such as Oussana and Des’nox, have worked at times to the benefit of the Ashen Folk, the collapse of the Mali’ker into subordination beneath the Mali’ame is always remembered to have been the direct effect of Uradras’ Council - it is so reminded to the Velulaei’onn often, and whilst returning clans are accepted, they are not welcomed - their status is that of the Linoronn, or Nomad, until proven otherwise.

William of Aanen steps out of the retirement home. “Even now, I could cut through the five of you like carving a cake,” he repeats the same cringy line he spammed in the War of the Two Emperors, to the great ire of his embarrassed family.

Delos Telperion frowns, penning a letter. Dear Good (Though Terribly Misguided) Cousins in Irrinor, Slander is a moderate offense within your legal codices, but rape, pedophilia, necrophilia, lying or falsifying in testimony, and arson (not vandalism, but arson in regards to unowned properties within Irrinor’s borders) are not – in fact, one may be part-bestial or vampyric so long as they do not injure others with it. I am, of course, certain that there is good reason somewhere as to why these laws have not been included – might I be enlightened? Sincerely, Delos Telperion, Concerned Mali

“A skin lottery?” gasps William. “How barbaric!”

Delos Telperion smiles from a hidden alcove within the Friendship Park.

(OOC Name: edelos) Name: VICTOR Age: THIRDYE Sex: NONNE Experience: JVST SEDD NONNE SEX

William hastily checks a map, breathing a sigh of relief as he remembers Helena is in the west.

The ability of the men of Oren and the will of the Empire, and its predecessor in Imperial Renatus, have been proven. The traitorous Nolan O’Hara was found and executed by a warrior of the Reiters of Rubern, and the bounty accordingly paid out. Ave Oren.