Unwillingly

Issued by the Grace of the High Prince 19th of the Grand Harvest, year 265 S.A To whom it may Concern, It is regrettable that you write under the pretense of anonymity, as it grants me little outlet to commune in a meaningful fashion. I loathe a war of words, and prefer meaningful dialogue. However, let it be with grace and kindred regard that this letter finds you, for I share not the ire you share for myself and my people. In truth, I pen this letter with haste, as I am in the midst of a busy day schedule — but I invite you to find me in person so that we might speak on mutual grounds. I believe we are both above a war of ink and quill. For now, I see fit only to address the claims pitched forward in these brazen claims, as I believe the ink you’ve plastered to be markedly deceiving of those who do not know any better. I. Your letter fails to mention that the office of the High Imperial Emissary has lately sought us in the interest of mutual concord, as it pertains to late affairs suffered within our kind city of Caras Siol. I am in the midst of constant communication with the Imperials and my people in order to mend the tensions, which they expressed a mutual understanding for. They expressed an interest in remedying our woes, and ensuring lasting peace between our people. II. Your letter fails to take into account the many worldly affairs that are beyond my control, as it pertains to the political circumstances surrounding ourselves and world-powers such as the Empire. I have always acted with the interest of my people in mind, though if you possess even a semblance of political virtuoso, you will understand plainly that these paths are scarcely charted unscathed, nor are they easily predicted. III. Your letter fails to address the endeavors upon which I have toiled in the interest of ensuring the wellbeing of my people, of which I am sure you are unfamiliar with. My people know that I do not shy from vested communion and honesty, however sensitive the affairs, and I have presented plainly my motives prior to this censure. It is not the duty of the people to serve their lord, it is the duty of the lord to serve his people, such a maxim I have pursued irrevocably, and without fault. Have you, or those in my stead possess any uncertainties, I would implore that you find me personally. Signed, Galahad Ílumrin High Prince of Cauróst, Prince of Malinor & Eldest Son of Húrin Ilumrin

Galahad readies his people for the years to come.

it sounds like you have a pretty good reason to believe the RP you or your friend suffered was bad faith and OOCly motivated. why not make a report?

ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴛᴇ ᴏғ ʜᴏʀɴ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴠᴏʀʏ “Gate of Horn and Ivory (n.) – A literary motif describing two symbolic vessels through which experiences or prophetic messages may be received. The Gate of Horn conveys truthful or consequential information, while the Gate of Ivory conveys false or misleading impressions, distinguishing between reality from deception.” · · ────────────────────── ✧ ────────────────────── · · After today’s events, Galahad determined there existed two fundamental differences between a suture and a public execution: one seeks to mend pain, while the other orders it on a silver platter. The last of Deulara's needle and thread had run its course, leaving in its wake knobs of stitches and pangs of agony running along the Elvenprince's abdomen. His eyes are too heavy to keep open, but he heard the controlled but hurried chatter of physicians speaking over one another throughout the healing ward. He couldn't make sense of any of the words, not even the ones directed at him. For once, he was almost thankful for it, if not for the nauseating amount of pain he was conscious for. In truth, he didn't remember the last time he had suffered such grievous injury, and he wasn't sure whether it was a testament to brazen triumph or tail-tucked cowardice in battle. Normally, he wouldn't be indisposed to bloodying his hands, but this time he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that came with it. He remembered the warm gouts of blood pooling through his trembling fingers, contrasted only by the comforting feeling of the sun-warmed stone beneath him as he knelt, braced with one palm touching the ground as the other clutched his side. The vulnerability of it was almost bittersweet. Those brief moments where the severity of his injury registered with those around him brought him back to a gentler time in his youth. When he was nine, he had once snagged his ear straight through with a stray fishing hook, and he only remembered the gentle hands of his mother anxiously cupping his jaw afterward, her tender prattling and the honeydew sound of her voice. The memory was both relieving and devastating at once, and each ran in braided knots deep through his chest. By the time Galahad stirred from his agonized stupor, the infirmary had emptied, the sun had set, and the pale light of Caras Siol shafts through the clinic’s open ward in soft moonlit glow. The scent of crushed herbs perfumes the air, mingled faintly with the aroma of linen freshly washed and other healing tinctures. Dragging his gaze down, he notes the thick, overlapping bandages obscuring the grisly wound beneath, and feels the pull of his flesh, the delicate threads in his skin, through every shallow breath he takes. He never thought breathing could be such a raw, uncomfortable feeling. Under different circumstances, it would have been a good opportunity to stare at the wall and think. He needed that. Late affairs had left him so overwhelmed that he could hardly discern sky from ground on most days, even when political charades demanded his attention to the fullest. He sometimes struggled to parse forethought from instinct, fact from fiction, such that he could feel this cognitive dissonance blinding his very sense of tact, much like looking through a foggy window and only seeing blurry shapes on the other side. Early court rhetoric had taught him how to neglect public opinion with such precision that he feared he’d be seen as callous for it. For a time, it carried him through the earliest of his duties and taught him efficiency in his ambitious career, and there were certainly times where he questioned if he was cruelly efficient, or efficiently cruel. But this dichotomy was made perfectly clear the day he knelt before Hadrian for judgement, only to discover true judgement lied in the eyes of his own people. While the scorn of strangers yielded little fault to his pride, such was the weight of those who earned a spot in the guarded part of his heart, those who had come to love the promise of Caras Siol. And he had never felt so distrusted, so loathed, and so unworthy, than on the day he forsook that promise. At times, he wished for nothing more than to slumber on these woes. The temptation was stronger than ever here, in the quiet, herbal scents and linen comforts of the healing ward, but in truth, he wasn’t sure he could even if he wished. Insipidly stewing with his thoughts seemed the only thing capable of stealing his focus from the sweltering pain in his side. He had begun to question why Deulara was so stingy with the poultices, but then remembered he had unwisely neglected the offer prior in his delirium prior to the sutures. Galahad’s father once told him he was born into the world a loud, crying babe, full of vigor and touched by sun — but where he lay now, enfeebled, beaten, and worn, it was difficult to look upon himself with such fondness. On the other hand, Rumil was born so soundless that he was thought to have been stillborn, but this quietude would later reveal itself the peace he would later find sailing upon the ocean’s misty waters and scouring the deep treasures where sunlight fails to touch. He sometimes wonders if his brother’s ventures would ever bring him back to him. He does think about Carys, even if not as close with her as he was Rumil. She was the spitting image of their mother, copper-haired, paint-flecked silks, and eyes that felt like home. But the passing of her lover broke something in her she was never able to recover, and much like the fate of their mother, she too soon disappeared — taking with her the only thing Galahad had ever known as home. And in the middle of all that solace and sorrow shouldered by his siblings, rests the Ivory Prince: too satisfied to feel sorrow, and too angry to feel solace. He hopes tomorrow will be better than today.

more posts like these pls. need some positivitymaxxing

Jarad strongly underestimates the raucous liquor culture of the Caurosian.

—— E L V E S O F T H E S K Y —— “ɪᴛ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏꜱᴍᴏꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀᴛʜ. ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀᴜɢʜɪɴɢ ᴡɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱʜᴀʟʟ ɢᴜɪᴅᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴀɴᴅꜱ ɪɴ ɪᴛꜱ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛꜱ, ᴛʜᴇ ꜱʜɪᴍᴍᴇʀɪɴɢ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ ᴡʜᴏ ꜱʜᴀʟʟ ᴍᴀᴘ ᴄᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʟʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱᴏᴜʟ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪɢʜᴛʏ ꜱᴜɴ ᴡʜᴏ ꜱʜᴀʟʟ ʟᴏɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴏʙʟᴇ ꜱᴋʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱʜᴀʟʟ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀʟʟ.” —Urosir, the First Augur ᴘʀᴇʟᴜᴅᴇ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · ᴏᴠᴇʀᴠɪᴇᴡ Nested within the heights of Azuras’ many mountains and cliffside heights dwell a peaceful diaspora of elven folk known as the Acaele’onn, or Elves of the Sky. Sworn to a life of pacifism, spirituality, and harmony, the Sky Elves are best defined by their peaceful yet vibrant outlook on life, as well as their sacred practice of augury, or sky divination. At the heart of their beliefs lies the unequivocable truth that Malin dwells not among descendants in the material plane, but in the heavens above, through which earthly divination may be used to one day find him. While the origin of their beliefs are largely unknown, some suspect them to be the product of cultural diffusion as a subculture of ancient Lye’naeran elves. ᴠᴏᴄᴀʙᴜʟᴀʀʏ Acaele’onn Elves of the Sky. lit - Born of the Sky Sumana Savant, one specialized in a particular field, referring to Augur Aeth’nor Where Malin is believed to dwell, a domain beyond the veil Sulieraeth The practice of sky divination, or charting Aeth’nor Talar The celestial veil which separates the Material Plane from Aeth’nor ito’Hileia Refers to the inner peace necessary to master Sulieraeth elTayna’tir Laws of Life, refers to the core truths upon which Acaele’onn beliefs are founded ᴏʀɪɢɪɴꜱ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · The Acael’onn are believed to have emerged after the fall of Malinor as a subculture of ancient Lye’naeran elves, each defined by their monotheistic beliefs and their devout sense of spiritual reverence. Some modern Acael’onn Augurs claim their ancestors once served among Malin’s court as a devoted council of soothsayers and clairvoyants, who worked in cooperation with the druids to interpret prophecy and fortune in tandem with the natural balance of the world. While their exact origins are unknown, it is said they diffused as a distinct group either before, during, or after the Acaelanite and Lye’naeran schisms that unfolded shortly after the fall of Malinor. Whether they actively partook in those conflicts or simply rejected them is unclear, as the Acaele’onn have labored tirelessly to conceal the secrets of their history ever since. It is for this reason that their ancestry is shrouded in mystery, for there exists many gaps and unexplained time jumps in their timeline in what few records there are of them. At some point, it was understood that the Acaele’onn distanced themselves from their high elven, wood elven, and dark elven cousins, as they followed neither Larihei, the Aspects, or Velulaei. Some historians suggest that they feared persecution or hostility from their brethren and withdrew themselves from elven societies entirely, as the Lye’naeran had once experienced with the Acaelanites. This withdrawal allowed them to further refine their spiritual practices in isolation, which would eventually develop into a culture that alike modern Acaele’onn elves. ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄꜱ & ꜱᴛʀᴜᴄᴛᴜʀᴇꜱ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · As a deeply spirited and and harmonic people, their values leave little room for worldly politics, law, or conventional government. For it, they have evolved into a deeply isolationist people who separate themselves from the turmoil of the world and elven brethren below. While they are not at all hostile in character, their cultural and social detachment to these conventional systems can sometimes be misinterpreted as haughtiness by other elves, if not outright supremacy. It is rare for the Acaele’onn to ascend from their skyward abodes without necessity, favoring instead the calm of their mountainous homes. They look upon the world below often as a land divorced from their own, which may disturb the spirit if idled in for too long. Monetary exchange has little meaning to them, though they acknowledge coin as a legitimate currency among other societies nonetheless. It is for their pacifist outlook that their society maintains a strict aversion to conventional weapons. The rejection of metal or bladed arms is believed to be rooted in their preference for the natural world, resulting in most of their weaponcraft being made from wood, bone, or stone, yet even so are the possession of weapons regarded as taboo. Most often, arms are left at home when within their sanctuaries, and are only wielded in the rare event they travel beyond their mountainous dwellings. Though it is rare for them to permit entry to outsiders, the few who enter are made to relinquish all arms on their person in order to protect the peace of their community. It’s important to note that these elves do not engage in traditional politics such as alliances, military, government, or law, Their society is largely without internal hierarchy beyond the spiritual authority of the Augurs, who are often the closest thing they have to leaders. It’s unclear how Augurs assume their roles, but most believe it’s a role often bestowed by the legitimacy and respect of others rather than self-imposed or elected. In some Acaele’onn cultures, there may be only one Augur at a time, while others may be led by a small council, or even an undefined conglomerate that pursue augury together. CULTURE ʙᴇʟɪᴇꜰꜱ & ᴠᴀʟᴜᴇꜱ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Laws of Life At the heart of Acaele’onn culture lies three core truths upon which their society is founded, called the Laws of Life or elTayna’tir: ʜᴀʀᴍᴏɴʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴀꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ᴄᴜʟᴛɪᴠᴀᴛᴇꜱ ɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇ. ɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇ ʙʀɪɴɢꜱ ᴅɪᴠɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀʏ. ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴅɪᴠɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴀʏ ᴍᴀʟɪɴ ʙᴇ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ. While their exact origins are unknown, many believe them to be rooted in the teachings of ancient Lye’naeran philosophers, passed down through centuries into the development of present-day Acaele’onn beliefs. While Augury on a practical level may reflect observation of the skies, similarly does it reflect a mastery of the self and one’s inner peace, or what they sometimes call “ito’Hileia” in written texts. It is believed that elven spirit is metaphysically interwoven with the heavens, such that the troubled souls of many may bring grey skies or even tamper with the readings of Augurs if not quelled. There exist an array of symbolic icons within Acaele’onn culture, three being most prominent. Among them, birds act as an almost reverential symbol of freedom and discovery, possessing the free-spirits and aspiration they seek to attain. To cage or domesticate a bird is highly frowned upon within their society, for both their compassionate outlook on life as well as the metaphorical implications of imprisoning one’s spirit. The winds, often present in their high-reaching altitudes, are thought of as conduits of knowledge and guidance believed to carry messages from distant lands. There even exist ancient texts that arrest to the belief that strong winds are fae spirits sent by Malin in order to guide Augurs to him, though this is unconfirmed and has devolved largely into a folktale among their culture. Lastly, there exist a small triad of pastels colors said to reflect best their harmonious values. Soft white, which represents the roiling clouds and hidden gales; pale yellow, which represents the warmth of the sun and compassion, and pastel blue, which represents the starry sky and moon. Central to their belief, however, is the conviction that Malin’s realm lies beyond the mortal coil. It is said that high above, there dwells a great and infinite celestial veil dividing descendants and the heavens, and that the shimmering stars at night are motes of divine light from His realm piercing through from the other side. To learning youth, it is often described as hiding beneath a blanket on a sunny day, and small dots of sunlight shaft through the gaps in the threadwork. It is said that to step past this veil is to enter the domain of the August King, whose realm is neither separate from nor located within the Material Plane. For this, they believe that divination acts both as a guide and conduit through which they may communicate with or chart the path to reach Malin above. ᴄʟɪᴍᴀᴛᴇ & ᴀʀᴄʜɪᴛᴇᴄᴛᴜʀᴇ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Bound to no one geographic region alone, the Acaele’onn are historically known to host their people in most reaches of the world, for their presence is rooted in altitude above environment. It is the dry, arid peaks of desert boulders, foggy jungle mountains, or icy snow caps that these elves traditionally settle, for it is to their belief that the thinner one’s boundary between the earthly realm and the skies, the closer one is to reaching Malin above. It’s uncommon that their sanctuaries utilize conventional city-walls, and may either be traversed freely, or are pitched upon unavigable plateaus instead. The nature of their architecture can heavily vary in material and composition, but tend to possess an airy, almost flowing quality to their designs that allows for wind gales to pass through, wood and sandstone being most traditional in their architecture. Although modern historians believe these materials were used for their ease of shaping or even their pale, harmonious tones, others argue it reflects a lifestyle that does not favor forceful labor or heavy construction, subsequently resulting in a people who do not possess the brute strength suited for such rigorous work. ᴀʀᴛ & ᴇɴᴛᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴᴍᴇɴᴛ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Expression is a critical element of Acaele’onn lifestyle. Things such as artisan work, crafting, and clay sculpting are often delighted for their beauty, including both the craft of instruments and practice of music. A traditional game often played among youth is one dubbed Balance Bird, or metta’meracahe in Ancient Elven. In this game, two elves will assume narrow platforms within arms reach of each other, often being upright wooden logs, carved sandstone pillars, or even a horizontal wooden beam laid between two points, and attempt to throw the other off of their platform without losing their footing. Bare hands are standard, but they may sometimes utilize wooden staves as weapons. ᴅɪᴇᴛ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · As the Acaele’onn’s devotion to pacifism extends even to the consumption of animals, they possess an almost exclusively vegetarian diet. Rejecting a meat-based diet is viewed as an expression of compassion and flexibility, as they instead prefer a diet rich in plants, fruits, grains, vegetable, as well as some seasonal variations depending on the environment of their high-altitudes. It is for this diet, and their sometimes uncompromising environments, that they’ve become skilled agriculturists and farmers capable of cultivating small farms in even the steepest of landscapes. Similarly, alcohol is strictly prohibited among the Acaele’onn for their belief that it clouds the mind and disturbs the spirit, preferring instead herbal teas and fermented drinks made from fruits or flowers. ᴅᴀɪʟʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · It’s not uncommon that the Acaele’onn start their days before dawn, waking not long before the sun rises, as it’s believed to be an optimal time for sky observation, be it through tracking bird flight patterns, sunrise colors, or fading stars. Young elves are known to make study of dawn patterns under the guidance of the more adept Augurs, while others spend their time in meditation or pilates stretches. During the day, those who are not undergoing celestial study or are not Augurs themselves tend to the local farms or gardens, artisan work, as well as caring for the youth. Despite this relegation, these positions are hardly viewed as secondary or lower class, for the Acaele’onn are a strongly community-driven people who are happy to provide for one another if it means offering a helping hand. At sunset and night, Augurs will take to their spires and observation towers to study the starry sky, while families, adults, and youth are provided respite after a day’s restless work. It is often that they gather before small bonfires or braziers to share tales with one another, play games, or merely to enjoy the company of one another before they sleep. ᴇᴅᴜᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · While academics such as basic math, reading, and the sciences are taught on a baseline level to Acaele’onn youth, it is the teaching of compassion, wisdom, and spiritual oneness that encompass the crux of their teachings as opposed to rote memorization or equations. These subjects are oft confronted through abstract, philosophical inquiry or even ethical dilemma, not being uncommon that such teachings are interwoven into the arts such as music, dance, and design as means of understanding natural patterns. Children lucky enough to particularly excel in these fields may pursue sky divination under the wing of an Augur, while others go on to be taught agriculture, crafting, and visual arts. ꜰᴀꜱʜɪᴏɴ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Freedom is a critical indicators of Acaele’onn fashion, for which they often embrace loose and free-flowing attire that scarcely constricts the body. Comfortable robes, wraps, and drapes dyed of pastel saffron, ochre, beige, or powder blue shades are traditional. In colder regions, layering is permitted, though generally prioritize flexibility and coverage rather than bulk. Jewelry is an adored element of fashion among their people as a motif of expression and art. Necklaces and bracelets are often made from beads crafted from ivory, agates, wood, or gemstones, of which they often wear several, typically either in spiritual reverence or familial connection. Talismans, rings, and even exotic gold piercings are common as well. Feathers are a rarity among their attire, as they reject harvesting or capturing birds for material value, and tend to forage for molted or wild feathers instead. On most occasions, however, they’re gifted to the Augurs as a token of luck and clarity for their readings. Among elves preparing to pursue true augury, it is traditional for one to shave their head as a sign of dedication to ito Hileia, as well as a detachment from one’s mortal coil. For most, this is temporary act, though some elves may choose to continue to shave their heads for life for further understanding of the heavents. ʟᴀɴɢᴜᴀɢᴇ & ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱʜɪᴘꜱ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Language among the Acaele’onn can assume many forms, be it body language, sayings, or gestures. Of body language, soft and trusting gestures are appreciated, such as little nods or bows. Open palms are a universal sign of trust, especially when each are placed abreast or over the heart and offered outward to one’s company. Conversely, crossed arms or to address one while turned away is regarded as a sign of hostility, distrust, or confrontation. Feathers, rare they are among most Acaele’onn, while mostly gifted to the Augurs, are sometimes entrusted to others as a token of respect, adoration, or even love. Despite their spiritual worship, relationships are often temporal rather than sacramental. Courtship and marriage are often pursued in the absence of ceremony or formal engagement, both of which are rare and sometimes even taboo, as partnerships are often pursued with mutual compatibility as opposed to written contract. This is to say, wedding ceremonies are almost entirely unheard of, as well as the often binding conventions of “husband” or “wife.” While children are often under the gate of their guardians, it’s not uncommon for them to be entrusted to the guidance or wisdom of others due to the profound sense of community among their society. AUGURY ᴄʟᴏᴜᴅ ᴀᴜɢᴜʀʏ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Cloud Divination is often taught to practicing Augurs from a young age, being one of the four methods by which they interpret the skies. Relying on three components such as shape, movement, and type, each carry significant distinctions and interpretative meaning. CATEGORY SHAPE INTERPRETATION TYPE Thin, wispy clouds Clarity, guidance, and serenity. The near future is gentle and forgiving. Small, patchy clouds Uncertainty, contemplation, and doubt. One should change their current path. Smooth, veil-like clouds Mystery, curiosity, and discovery. There is more than meets the eye. Feathery, low clouds Memory, regret, and longing. One feels burdened by the past. Low, fluffy clouds Potential, opportunity, and luck. The present is rich with potential if seized. Thick, roiling clouds Transformation, awakening, and vitality. One should prepare for challenge and trial. Low, flat clouds Guilt, stagnation, and despair. Sorrow and anguish loom not far. MOVEMENT Steadily moving with the wind Harmony, acceptance, and alignment. One’s spirit is in accordance with the natural world. Quickly moving with the wind Urgency, tenacity, and importance. Events will unfold quickly and leave little room for hesitation. Barely moving or suspended Reflection, introspection, and pause. One should turn their attention inward. Moving towards one another Reflection, introspection, and pause. One should turn their attention inward. Moving away from one another Conflict, division, and distrust. Individuals or groups shall soon diverge. Unpredictable movement Confusion, uncertainty, and disorder. Forces shall soon disrupt the natural harmony. SHAPE Hand Seeking, guidance, and connection. One is being beckoned towards something. Face Awareness, presence, and identity. Clarity lies within oneself or another. Wings Freedom, awakening, and ascent. One’s burdens shall soon lift. Bird Omen, discovery, and message. A great prophecy will reveal itself. Bridge Transition, crossing, and change. A divide may soon be overcome or resolved. Crown Revelation, divinity, and faith. Recognition or spiritual favor awaits. Eye Wisdom, perception, and understanding. Hidden knowledge shall soon reveal itself. Flame Energy, passion, and vibrancy. One’s spirit stirs. Path Journey, direction, and motivation. There lies a way forward. Tower Isolation, vigilance, and caution. One must stand stand apart to find clarity. ꜱᴛᴀʀ ᴀᴜɢᴜʀʏ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Unlike Bird or Wind Divination, Star Divination is regarded as one of the most difficult forms of divination to master due to the challenging means with which one must track, recognize, and chart the cosmos. For centuries have the Acaele’onn attempted to uncover the mystery of constellations, many who believe these patterns to be the direct influence of Malin himself as visual cues through which they may reach Aeth’nor. Heial, the Halo A circular formation symbolizing order, unity, and justice. It lies roughly one hand south and one hand west of Raell. Bordering constellations are Berrlyth, Wehnor, and Silan. This constellation is most visible during the Grand Harvest, two hours after midnight. Silan, the Dueling Swords A converged formation symbolizing confrontation, strength, and conviction. It lies roughly three hands west and two hands north of Wehnor. Bordering constellations are Lentileyu, Celiame, and Heial. This constellation is most visible during Snow’s Maiden, one hour before midnight. Wehnor, the Wheat Sheaf A triangular formation symbolizing health, nourishment, and community. It lies roughly one hand south of Lentileyu. Bordering constellations are Silan, Rael, and Berrlyth. This constellation is most visible during the Deep Cold, at midnight. Taliyna, the Stag A v-shaped formation symbolizing grace, guardianship, and truth. It lies roughly two hands south and two hands west of Raell. Bordering constellations are Enet, Wehnor, and Lentileyu. This constellation is most visible during Snow’s Maiden, three hours before midnight. Lentileyu, the Lotus Flower An arc formation symbolizing inner peace, spirituality, and clarity. It lies roughly one hand north and one hand east of Celiame. Bordering constellations are Heial, Taliyna, and Berrlyth. This constellation is most visible during the Amber Cold, one hour after midnight. Enet, the Hourglass A rectangular cluster formation symbolizing balance, choice, and patience. It lies roughly four hands west of Silan. Bordering constellations are Wehnor, Heial, and Raell. This constellation is msot visible during Sun’s Smile, three hours after midnight. Celiame, the Sky Tree A branching formation that symbolizes memory, ancestry, and connection. It lies roughly five hands north of Berrlyth. Bordering constellations are Silan, Taliyna, and Lentileyu. This constellation is most visible during the month of the First Seed, three hours before midnight. Berrlyth, the Bow & Arrow A triangle formation symbolizing intent, focus, and readiness. It lies roughly one hand north and three hands west of Taliyna’s antlers. Bordering constellations are Taliyna, Heial, and Enet. This constellation is most visible during the Sun’s Smile, four hours before midnight. Raell, the Bamboo Reed A clustered formation symbolizing flexibility, endurance, and growth. It lies roughly three hands east and two hands north of Silan. Bordering constellations are Enet, Celiame, and Heial. This constellation is most visible during Malin’s Welcome, five hours after midnight. ʙɪʀᴅ ᴀᴜɢᴜʀʏ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Bird Divination calls for the observation and recognition of birds, most of which observed are exclusively high-altitude fliers. While the Acaele’onn have studied many avian creatures despite their reservation in the mountains, there are eight which remain most prominent and witnessed in their environments. It’s difided into categories of movement and species, each carrying their own divine interpretation. SPECIES INTERPRETATION Eagle Freedom, strength, and spirit. One should remain open-minded in their path forward. Vulture Resourcefulness, opportunity, and versatility. There will soon be many choices to be made, choose wisely. Hawk Precision, accuracy, and wit. A ttest of readiness shall soon be confronted. Goose Community, expression, and joy. Good tidings lie ahead. Crane Patience, hospitality, and gentleness. Rewards shall soon come with mindfulness. Swan Family, grace, and serenity. Relationships and groups shall align favorably. Condor Isolation, observation, and journeying. One must be prepared for a change in circumstances. Stork Nurturing, luck, and new beginnings. One’s children shall be healthy for the foreseeable future. MOVEMENT INTERPRETATION Steadily gliding Clarity, peace, and gentleness. The future is optimistic. Weaving or fluttering Weakness, frailty, and hopelessness. One feels lost and seeks a guiding hand. Rapid and direct Ambition, purpose, and confrontation. The path ahead is plain and clear. Careful and cautious Anxiety, restlessness, and dread. One is troubled by inner conflict and turmoil. Erratic and jagged Frustration, inner conflict, and resentment. One’s spirit is burdened. Converging pairs Unity, bonding, and trust. Individuals may walk similar paths. Diverging pairs Mistrust, apprehension, and doubt. Individuals may encounter an unsteady path. Slowly circling Death, doom, and dark omen. Calamity shall soon reveal itself. Numbered flocks Community, support, and shared burden. The number of birds indicate the amount of involvement or outreach. ᴡɪɴᴅ ᴀᴜɢᴜʀʏ · ───── 𖤓 ───── · Unlike Cloud and Star Divination, Wind Divination is among the easiest of divinations to learn. Practicing Augurs are often taught this form of divination from a young age for its ease of understanding, as well as its more sensation-based interpretation. It’s divided into categories of gale strength and direction. STRENGTH INTERPRETATION Light Guidance, influence, and presence. Encourages reflection and thought. Steady Stability, consistency, and vitality. One’s spirit is aligned with the the natural world. Brisk Urgency, change, and development. Events shall unfold that requires one to adapt. Violent Disruption, challenge, and turmoil. Major reflection is needed in order to prepare for unexpected encounters. DIRECTION INTERPRETATION North Insight, understanding, revelation. One shall soon receive guidance from the unseen. East Beginnings, inspiration, and innovation. Opportunities pertaining to community and work shall arise. South Growth, grounding, and introspection. One shall be called to explore new ideas. West Completion, satisfaction, and reward. A great endeavor or journey shall soon be overcome.

we've only been a protectorate for about two days so it's difficult to predict what the long term impact will look like, but to parrot elrith's sentiment the general RP and OOC consensus is that the day to day and overall flow of our RP will remain as it was. there's no forward interest shown in RP of things that would fundamentally alter the culture or force people to interact with a niche of RP they otherwise aren't interested in, yet still leaves the doors open for isolated encounters on a political or interpersonal level but imo there's a far stronger case to be made about peoples' RP philosophy towards it rather than the empirical (no pun intended) in-game presence of the empire. if the people who spent as much time whining on discord or status updates dedicated as much of this energy to doing stuff in-game through actual roleplay, such as organizing a resistance, anti-empire propaganda, troubling empire loyalists, etc, it would be contributing far more to the server than the empire could ever allegedly take away. literally just three hours ago the emperor and his retinue walked into our city and blackbagged a druid at our eldertide. it wasn't a favorable outcome but it yielded good roleplay among a few of us immediately afterward, and stands to be leagues of a more compelling narrative to interact with than either doomering on discord or taking it as an OOC slight I would rather be scorned in RP, as a consequence of RP, than whined and quipped at OOCly as a consequence of RP and I think the same is true for most players. I don't believe people should enjoy every single encounter on this server, but I do believe people would enjoy it far more if they just reciprocated roleplay with roleplay, regardless of whether or not it's to their benefit. as long as it's good roleplay I won't care about 99% of interactions and neither should you

S U M M O N S T O T R I A L O F A R M S Issued by the High Prince & elHalerir of Cauróst 12th of the Amber Cold, 262 S.A. In accordance with the legal customs of our noble people, as outlined in Section IV. of Caurósian Codex of Law, when slight is bid upon a denizen of Cauróst, the aggrieved party retains their right to invoke the Right of Duel in order to settle their differences. Following a provocative altercation within the Dancing Nymph Tavern—during which remarks pertaining to the insult of heritage and cultural likeness were exchanged—the Mali’fenn of Cauróst have formally exercised this entitlement and initiated a lawful challenge against esteemed citizen and physician of Caras Siol, Sylvara. The Mali’fenn are permitted to send forth one challenger, who shall stand in the defense of the collective honor and dignity of their kith. Further terms of duel shall be summarily provided to each combatant, to take place before Caras Siol’s sylvan throne. Galahad Ílumrin High Prince of Cauróst, Prince of Malinor & Eldest Son of Húrin Ílumrin Rhianwen aen Sov Halerir of Cauróst

B O O K I : P R I N C I P L E S & T E A C H I N G S • ─────────────────────⊱✦⊰───────────────────── • Tᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏғ Cᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛs I. ɪɴᴛʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛɪᴏɴ & ғᴜɴᴅᴀᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟs II. ᴛʜᴇ ᴍʏᴜᴍɪᴀʀᴀɴ ᴘᴀɴᴛʜᴇᴏɴ III. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʀᴜᴅɪᴛᴇs ᴏғ ᴍʏᴜᴍɪᴇʀ ᴏᴇᴍ. ɪɴᴛʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛɪᴏɴ & ғᴜɴᴅᴀᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟs elMyumier’tir translates from Ancient Elven as “the Law of Myumier,” as myumier means ‘to bring forth’ or ‘to carry.’ Though once regarded as little more than legislative provision, late cultural shifts within Cauróst would witness a gradual development in its meaning from written law to strict social adherence, whereby the act of bringing or carrying forth refers to bringing one’s purpose to existence. Upheld chiefly by the elves of Cauróst, elMyumier’tir is a spiritual and moral calling that is summarily divided into five erudites, each representing different practical means by which an elf may labor towards the betterment of their people. Evidently, these erudites are not all-encompassing nor binding of this noble pursuit, and it is not uncommon that their followers may recognize a sense of self in more than one path. There exists three fundamental truths upon which this doctrine rests. Sourced from the wisdom of bygone Elvenlords and rulers, each are thought to act as the guiding moral compass of elMyumier’tir; inviolate and supreme. • ─────────────────────⊱✦⊰───────────────────── • I. Elves are the only of the four descendants to have suffered two Ibleesian curses: one for infertility, and another for sloth. II. The right of elven Kinghood is crowned only those who wish Malin’s dream realized. II. Malinor was not a conquest, but a home. • ─────────────────────⊱✦⊰───────────────────── • ɴɪᴜᴛ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴍʏᴜᴍɪᴀʀᴀɴ ᴘᴀɴᴛʜᴇᴏɴ Secondary to the five erudites are the deific pantheon of Sokar, Malin, and Gavrael: elven wardens whose watchful gaze grants faith to elvenkind in concord of elMyumier’tir. • ─────────────────────⊱✦⊰───────────────────── • sᴏᴋᴀʀ Patron of Endings Worshipped as the caretaker of death, she is said to guide the souls of passing elves to finality, for the immortal life of an elf is sacred among their kith. ᴍᴀʟɪɴ The August King The Forefather of all Elves; it is said that the elves are burdened with earthly toil until the day he returns. He is the intermediary between Elves and the metaphysical world. ɢᴀᴠʀᴀᴇʟ Aengul of Peace Storied as a symbol of harmony and balance, she is said to have once acted in concord to Malin himself in his many trials against armies of undeath and dark. ʜᴀᴇʟ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʀᴜᴅɪᴛᴇs ᴏғ ᴍʏᴜᴍɪᴇʀ Eʀᴜᴅɪᴛᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ Dʀᴀɢᴏɴ ᴠɪʀᴛᴜᴇ: Dominion, Sovereignty, Fate ᴘᴜʀᴘᴏsᴇ: For elves to Achieve | Erudites of Foresight, Policy, and Order sʏᴍʙᴏʟɪsᴍ: Often described as a dual-edged sword, the Dragon is an emblem of authority, whose rule may be tyrannical and wicked, or just and merciful. It embodies the charge of those who wish to realize a golden age for elvenkind through intellect, command, and rule, while recognizing that its measured virtues demand an effective, calculative grip to be wielded. ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ: Tempered, confident, and blunt. They’re the tacticians, the war-leaders, the statesmen, and justiciars of elvenkind. ᴀᴍᴇ ɴᴀᴇ ᴇᴠᴀʀᴇʜ, ʟᴀʀ, ᴜᴛ ɴᴀᴇ'ʟᴇʜ ᴘᴀʀᴏɴɴᴀɴ ɴᴀᴇ sᴜʟɪᴇʀᴇʏᴀᴇ, ɪʜᴇɪᴜʜ ᴠɪʜᴀɪᴀɴ Eʀᴜᴅɪᴛᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ Uɴɪᴄᴏʀɴ ᴠɪʀᴛᴜᴇ: Spirit, Tradition, Magic ᴘᴜʀᴘᴏsᴇ: For elves to Preserve | Erudites of Culture, Heritage, and Art sʏᴍʙᴏʟɪsᴍ: The gentlest of the erudites, the Unicorn stands for the sacred preservation of cultural bonds among elvenkind. They tend to be among the most devout, learned, and reverential of cultural guardians, for the scent of spilled ancestral blood yet lingers on the modern silks of their descendants. ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ: Serene, creative, and adaptable. They’re the artists, the healers, the sorcerers, and poets of elvenkind. ᴍᴇᴛᴛᴀ ɴᴀʀɴ'ᴀᴄᴀᴇʟᴇ ᴘᴀʀɪʀ ɪᴛᴏ, ɴᴀᴇ'ʟᴇʜ ᴛᴀʟᴏɴɴɪɪ ʟᴇɴ ɪᴛᴏ ᴍʏᴜᴍɪᴇʀᴇʜ, ɪɢɴᴇ sᴜʟɪᴇʀ ᴇʜ Eʀᴜᴅɪᴛᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ Sᴛᴀɢ ᴠɪʀᴛᴜᴇ: Harmony, Guardianship, Peace ᴘᴜʀᴘᴏsᴇ: For elves to live in Accord | Erudites of Stewardship, Unity, and Insight sʏᴍʙᴏʟɪsᴍ: The noble guardian of the glade and grove, the Stag signifies unerring balance. Representing the vast tribune of elvenkind conjoined into one are its crown of antlers, resplendent, regal, and proud in stature. It tends to the concord of its people as guides in times of sorrow and thwarts seeds of division that poison their gardens, making them potent sources of wisdom. ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ: Tolerant, patient, and introspective. They’re the wardens, historians, philosophers, and peacekeepers of elvenkind. ᴀsᴜʟ ʜᴀᴇsɪᴇᴀᴇ ɪᴛᴏ ʟᴇɴᴛɪ ʟᴇɴᴛᴇ, ᴀᴄᴀᴇʟᴇ ᴜʀɪᴀʀ ᴅᴀɢʀᴀɴ sᴀɴᴇʀᴇ, ʟᴀʀᴇʜ ғᴇɴɴ ɪᴛᴏ ɪʏᴀᴛʜᴇ Eʀᴜᴅɪᴛᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ Gʀʏᴘʜᴏɴ ᴠɪʀᴛᴜᴇ: Valor, Honor, and Glory ᴘᴜʀᴘᴏsᴇ: For elves to be Righteous | Erudites of Warriorship, Chivalry, Nobility sʏᴍʙᴏʟɪsᴍ: The fiercest among elvenkind, the Gryphon represents individual strength and morality, those who devote themselves to duty and righteousness in rejection of the destructive vices of their forefathers. They brandish their steel in defense of the needy folk, and sheathe it before the defenseless ones. ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ: Principled, gallant, and adaptable. They’re the soldiers, the duelists, the swordrights, and auxiliary of elvenkind. ᴀɴᴜʜ'ᴡʏ ɪʟᴜ ᴋᴀᴇ ɴᴀᴇ ʜɪʟᴇɪᴀ ɪʟʟᴇʀᴇ, sᴀɴᴇʀ, ᴇʜʏᴀ ʟʏᴜɴ ᴡᴇʟɪᴇʀᴇʜ, ᴀᴍᴇ ɴᴀᴇ ᴇᴠᴀʀᴇʜ Eʀᴜᴅɪᴛᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ Bᴀsɪʟɪsᴋ ᴠɪʀᴛᴜᴇ: Knowledge, Curiosity, and Ingenuity ᴘᴜʀᴘᴏsᴇ: For elves to Seek | Erudites of Discovery, Reason, and Academia sʏᴍʙᴏʟɪsᴍ: The Basilisk’s all-seeing gaze represents the unyielding search for understanding and mystery, its followers ever-questioning of the material plane. They are among the most logical and resilient of elvenkind, thus making them great researchers and scientists. They understand the world for what it is, however harsh or pleasant that reality. ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ: Perceptive, intuitive, and curious. They’re the inventors, scientists, lorekeepers, and scholars of elvenkind. ᴛᴀʟᴀʀᴇʜᴀɴ ᴄɪᴡ ʟʟʏᴛʜɴᴇ, ʀᴀᴇʟʟ ᴅɪᴏɴ ᴇɴᴇᴛ ᴛᴀʟᴀʀᴇʜ ʟᴏᴍᴇ, ᴋᴀᴇ ɪʏʟ'ʟʟᴇ

dragon prince elves please save me

Issued by the Ivory Crown & Grace of the High Prince 19th of the Grand Harvest, year 262 S.A N O T I C E O F A P P O I N T M E N T It is not merely the duty of the Ivory Crown to act in servitude of the people, but the duty of the people to act in service of their homeland. As duty begets gratitude, it is through the recognition of our benevolent peoples’ acts that this gratitude is expended, thereby ensuring the prosperity of their homeland. After being offered a preliminary period by which her skills and efficiency may be observed by the crown, it is to our satisfaction that Laurir Lyn’sara Sol @_AngelicAzalea_ is elevated to the esteemed councilor’s seat as elLinir, Lady of the Treasury. Her responsibilities shall most honorably govern trade, taxation, state finances, and economy. The crown looks forward to her endeavors. Signed, Galahad Ilumrin High Prince of Caurost, Prince of Malinor & Eldest Son of Hurin Ilumrin

"How woeful, the folly of the Irrinites." Galahad laments upon hearing the news, an insipid sigh whisking from him as he sets a copy of the declaration aside. He tells a guard in his company, "The Oyashi have shown kindness to us in the past, and most honorably extended their good-will when our people similarly suffered political slight. I care little for the reservations others withhold. My best wishes to them both for a bloodless resolution."

O N C I V I L I A N T R A I N I N G Issued by the Grace of the Ivory Crown 7th of the Sun’s Smile, 261 S.A. To the esteemed Denizens of Cauróst, In light of disturbances both beyond and within Caras Siol at the hand of felspawn, witchcraft, and undeath, the Ivory Crown hereby deems necessary the commencement of citywide civilian and guard training. Attendance is mandatory, regardless of station, rank, or ability. Expected drills Include, but are not limited to: - Knowing the location of the city bell and its access points - Identifying dark creatures, dark mages, and suspicious activity - How to follow emergency response protocol Those who wish to contribute their experience, knowledge, skill, or otherwise act as strategic advisors to attendees are encouraged to contact Galahad before the time of assembly. Signed, Galahad Ílumrin High Prince of Cauróst, Prince of Malinor & Eldest Son of Húrin Ilumrin

Galahad often considered the dichotomy between heart and crown. With such pity did he toil on sleepless nights of it, that it left him all but dead on his feet and addled in the eyes by the next day. He had only shared company with Lyuer once. She had merely whisked a parchment his way and mustered little from tongue, and he looked upon her all the more tender for it. Though insignificant to him at the time, the pleasantries of the gentry and prattlings of the day-to-day, hindsight now tells him it was anything but. How callous, this Malin Prince.