Laurelin (Vailor)

Laurelin is the capital city of the Wood Elves in Vailor under the nation of Laureh'lin. It is a city of intricately built wooden homes, and large trees which form a dense canopy. It can be traveled to through the Cloud Temple Docks and provides a home to all elves regardless of race or heritage.

History and Construction

The city was built strategically on a plateau for defensive purposes. Its natural architecture matches that of nearly all past wood elven cities, and was largely constructed by the Hawksong seed.

Location Event

The city was the location of the signing of The Treaty of Laurelin which drastically altered the relations of all elven kind. Through this treaty a single elven government was formed, named the Dominion of Malin, uniting the elves for the first time in many decades.

Geography

The State of Laureh'lin comprises Vailor's southernmost and largest eastern island. It is a land of grassy plains shadowed sparsely in the shade of old growth trees. The weather is largely mild due to the coastal climate, with light rain being a common occurrence. The city of Laurelin is situated on the west end of the island, on a plateau.

Notable Figures (if applicable)

• Tristin Tresury - King of the Dominion of Malin
• Artimec Camoryn - Prince
• Calius Terin’Aureon - Guildmaster
• Siri Ihelia - Secretary of State

Government

The Principality of Laureh'lin governs over the city, ran by Artimec Camoryn. Prince Camoryn is the master of Justice, and codifies the law of the Principality. He serves as the state judge when trying and sentencing criminals, with the final word over all but the King himself. In addition, he oversees the city’s cultural growth and maintains elven traditions. As King Tresery rules over the entire Dominion of Malin, Artimec serves as a domestic head-of-state for the Principality of Laurelin under said dominion, despite still answering to the king. Tresury presides as head of the Dominion of Malin which was recently formed to unite all elves under one nation. The King, elected through a unanimous vote between all three members of the Ruling Council, represents the elven people in all worldly affairs and is the direct enforcer of the common law of the Dominion which affects all three signatory states.

See: Laws of the Principality of Laureh’lin

See: The Treaty of Laurelin and the Government of the Dominion of Malin.

Nobility

Laurelin is ruled directly by King Tristin Tresery. Under him is Prince Artimec Camoryn who runs the nation locally. Lordships in Laurelin are given to the keepers of major Seeds (tribes/families) of the wood elves. Notable Seed Lords are Damai Torena, Aenor Calithil, Elvrohir Aureon and Siri Ihelia.

Society

Laurelin is a society heavily influenced by ancient wood elven ideals. Worship of the Aspects of Nature, Cernunnos and Cerridwen, is prominent as the nation is largely in tune with the wild.

Laws

See: Laws of the Principality of Laureh’lin

Culture

The bulk of the citizens of Laruelin follow the old way, a nature-based and more conservative way of life. The wood elves have faced centuries of oppression and genocide from other races, and corruption and individualism within their own race. The old way is an attempt to bring the ancient staples such as the Malin, the Aspects, and a reverence of nature back into wood elven culture to reform a coherent society with the same set of values.

Art

The shaping of wood is a large part of the arts of the Wood Elves: some create great sculptures, others make large, ornate etched carvings, still others dedicate their knowledge to carpentry. Some are adept bards, for whimsical songs and tales are greatly enjoyed by Wood Elves. Art of all kinds can be found in Laurelin.

Literature

The Library of Laurelin contains numerous tomes that are available to the public. A simple visit will allow one to gain knowledge on a variety of topics.

Religion

Though there are some Wood Elves who choose not to have beliefs (and by the Wood Elf ideal they have every right not to), many of them who do choose to pray to the Aspects, Cernunnos and Cerridwen. This is due to the Aspect's prominent presence in the old way culture. A significant minority are religiously aligned to holy deities such as Aerial, Xan and Tahariae.

The Aspects are often featured in wood elven daily life. A hunter may say a prayer to Cernunnos, the Aspect of the hunt, to make his bow aim true. A farmer may call upon Cerridwen, Aspect of growth, to bring about a bountiful harvest. During marriage or childbirth, the Aspects are met with imploring prayer. A shortened example of a prayer a couple would make for their child would be: "Cerridwen make my child healthy, and grow into his adult years. Cernunnos grant his bow-arm strength so he may take down his prey."

You can read more about Aspectism here.

Random Tidbits

• This city is named after the first city of the Elves in Aegis, Laurelin.
• The wood elves are also called the mali’ame, which is their name in ancient elven.
• The general idea of acceptance is common within Laurelin which is in stark contrast with the wood elves’ cousins, the High Elves.