Almenodrim

The Almenodrim The Sea Elves of Aegrothond Race: Elves Languages: Common, Elvish Religion: Varied / Ancestral Height: 5'10" - 6'11" Eye Colour: Grey Government: Hereditary Absolute Royarchy Notable Domains: Principality of Aegrothond Dominion of Malin Old Princedom of Malinor

The Almenodrim, sometimes known as the Sea Elves or otherwise Grey Elves, are an ancient and prolific ethno-cultural subsection of Elvenkind who trace their lineage to several of Malin's primary sons. Unlike their Dark, High, and Wood cousins they claim to maintain the pure and unadulterated image of the forefather, and take immense pride in this fact; for this reason they cannot be considered a subrace, and should rather be seen as a vestigial remnant of a progenitor-people. The Almenodrim are tall, fair of face and strong of limb, fierce in passion and intensely proud of their land and people.

Their name Almenodrim derives from the ancient homeland Almenor, which was located in the Isles of Axios and founded by the elf Sylvaen. Largely destroyed during the War against Iblees and swallowed up into the oblivion of time, this land and heritage nonetheless gave rise to many great figures and tales which are remembered by the Sea Elves to this day. In the years following the War and Malin's disappearance, the Almenodrim departed the Elven homeland in ignominious circumstances which can only be hinted at by collected writings; this event is called the Great Exile, and is speculatively attributed to a succession crisis.

Upon their return some centuries later to the fold of Elvendom, the Almenodrim resumed their station in the echelons the Elderfolk; they rose first to lead the High Princedom of Malinor under Eleron Sylvaeri, and later to the throne of the Dominion of Malin under his grandson Belestram Sylvaeri. In more recent days they have founded again their fortress cities of old, and dwell in the fortified citadel at Aegrothond, upon the temperate southern shores of Arcas. Currently, they are led by the Sea Prince Feänor Sylvaeri of the House of Sylvaen, the sixth descendant of that line.

As a People

A typical Sea Elf, in the colours of Aegrothond.

While membership and qualification among the Almenodrim is not solely dependent upon blood, the core of the community are those who claim direct descent from the original gathering in Almenor under Sylvaen. As such, there is a collection of physical traits which can be treated as earmarks of the hereditary Sea Elves.

While a layman may easily confuse a member of the Almenodrim for a Wood Elf, they have a tendency to be considerably taller and fairer; their eyes are with few exceptions grey in colour, dark skin is very rare and the ashen grey of their Dark Elven cousins is virtually unheard of. They take poorly to magical arts of any kind, much preferring the satisfaction that can only be attained through physical craft (to which they are much better suited.) They take joy in simple arts and love the Sea.

Great Houses

The Sea Elves are led by their Great Houses (Ancient Elvish: Mar'linan), who form a backbone of the culture and community. Unlike the Seeds of the Wood Elves or Clans of the Dark Elves, a family must be able to definitively prove descent from one of Malin's primary sons in order to qualify for the rank of 'Great House'. If a family does not meet these qualifications but still upholds the Tenets and Laws of the Almenodrim, they are referred to simply as a 'House' until ennobled by the ruling Princely House. This is done rarely, and while blood is held in high regard, such families (and indeed House-less Elves) are not looked down upon. The recognized Houses of the Almenodrim are as follows:

House Sylvaeri 

The chiefest and greatest House of the Almenodrim, both in ancient times and today. Though often colloquially called "Sylvaeri", they are more properly referred to as the venerable House of Sylvaen. The story of this House and family is woven into the tapestry of Elven history, and they have served as the leaders and organizers of the Almenodrin bloodlines since the first establishment of Aegrothond in the centuries following the Great Exile. Currently they are the Princes of that nation, and all the lands of Elvenesse de jure. The Head of House is Belestram Sylvaeri.

House Silma 

Second in honour among the Almenodrim is the House of Siol, which reached its zenith of power during the years of the Dominion of Malin. Under the Lord-Keeper Miklaeil they came to the aid of House Sylvaeri in Aegrothond, and thusly the Flame of Malin has been lit in that citadel since the Gladewynnite War. They are a somewhat unique House in that their traditions have a tendency towards the Wood Elven, and they adopt members more often than any other family. At present, the Keeper of the Flame is Elros Silma, an old elf with a history of honourable service.

House Kaeronin 

Known in certain circles as pirate lords and somewhat feared, the House of Kaer is one devoted almost entirely to the Sea; they are masterful sailors and shipbuilders, fierce in battle and resolute in glory. They have High Elven blood, but are considered Almenodrim by virtue of their descent from Kaer, who was a great-grandson of Malin and an early friend to the other Houses as they returned from the Great Exile. They are currently led by the Lord Kailu Kaeronin.

As a Culture

The Almenodrim have always been proud of their culture, and of their people. They excel in naval combat, sea travel, smithing, woodcraft, and stonemasonry. Their culture, thusly, revolves around all such things. The following is a list of cultural traditions that the Almenodrim hold, or other important cultural information one may need to understand the people.

Rite of Passage

The Almenodrim rite of passage is taken at the age of 50, or otherwise when an outsider wishes to become an Almenodrim, where they are instructed to take a sloop and sail the waters for a single year. How they survive, how often they dock at port, or where they go is entirely up to them - So long as they remain on the sea, and return after the year’s end with the same boat. In this way, every man and woman of the Almenodrim is a sailor, personally able to hold their own in any condition, rain or shine.

Blood Pacts

Blood Pacts are a form of agreement or contract between an Almenodrin Elf and another individual (Sometimes another Almenodrim, but not always). These pacts are made on the weight of the Almenodrim’s honor and status, and are often taken as ‘promises’ of something in a deal. The tradition is almost always one-sided between an Almenodrim and an outsider, and is usually done to reflect a definite assurance of the Almenodrim’s action. However, Blood Pacts are almost never null and void, even if the opposition fails to uphold their own side of the bargain -- The Almenodrim must uphold their side, and thus these pacts are not taken lightly. However, the only exception to Blood Pacts becoming void is when another Almenodrim on the opposition also declares a Blood Pact, and they thus break the deal. Blood Pacts, if broken, usually destroy an Almenodrin Elf's reputation in the community.

The Lay of Aegrothond

The earliest collected tales of Almenor are bound together in a compendium of tomes known as the Lay of Aegrothond, which is kept by the House Sylvaeri and includes the names and tales of many early Almenodrin heroes. It is believed to have been compiled during the reign of Aegnor I Starfinder, after whom the citadel of Aegrothond (and by extension the Almenodrin nation) is named. The tomes begin with the Tale of Dagnir, a story about the insidious nature of power which is studied by most Almenodrin youngsters.

The Dream Of Elvenesse

Almost uniquely among the Elves of the latter Ages, the Almenodrim value the idea of Elvenesse- a mighty unity between the Elves which encompasses all of the descendants of Malin in its breadth. They view the Old Princedom of Malinor and the Dominion of Malin as the predecessor-states of such a vision, and view all honorable Elves as their kin. In addition, the Crown borne by the High Prince of the Almenodrim is known also as the Crown of Elvenesse.