Linandria

Linandria is a city built in the traditional wood elven architecture. It's a city built upon a lake in the center of the great forest of the Dominion of Malin. The majority of the homes are woven seamlessly into the trees, grown to fit with druidic magic. On the ground level is a tavern, clinic, library and other facilities that its citizens enjoy.

Linandria is home to all elves, making it the largest and most diverse elven city in Axios. However, it serves as the main and only homeland of the wood elven people. As such, Wood Elves comprise a majority of the city’s population and wood elven culture and religion dominate the city

History

The following is an excerpt written by Prince Caerme’onn upon arrival to Axios:

Template:FontcolorNowhere is home forever. This was the mantra of the seeds of old when Malin, the forefather was still within the living memory of the wood elven people. This was inevitably going to be the case with the grassy plains and old growth trees we made our home in in Vailor.

Vailor was a good land to us. The wood elven people rediscovered their roots, revived our old practices and revitalized our devotion to our old gods, the very gods the forefather himself was guided by. The Aspects, pleased with our renewed piety to them, granted us many boons. Our lands were plentiful in crops and in game. Our homes were secure and bandits found themselves floundered at the sharp end of elven arrows as they did under the glory days of the aegis Wardens.

It was a land not without hardship, however, many times we sent our best warriors to fight in foreign lands for foreign rulers. Our kin fought bravely from the heartland of the Dwarven Empire to the muddy hills of Adria, we proved ourselves as respectable warriors in our own right for the first time in centuries.

Template:FontcolorBut like all things, it was never to last. Vailor crumbled away much like all lands before it, and as always, our people had to move on. Yet instead of an end to a golden age, it will be a new beginning of an even more prosperous one.

The state of Laureh'lin lives on into Axios, surviving on through impossible hardships since born from the fires of Phaedrus’s rebellion. Now, as a part of the greater Dominion of Malin, a nation of all elven races unified under the ‘ame High Prince Tresery.

Template:FontcolorLinandria- The City of New Hope, will be the name of our new shining capital. Although our kind are not nomadic as our ancestors of the old seeds were, we have still incorporated the most important of customs practiced by those ancient beings from which we are descended.

A City born of Ame’lie. The forest is the lifeblood of the wood elves. Our ancestors did not build huts into the dirt, nor did the feel the need to saw down the wilds the Aspects created before them to create their homes. They grew trees as skillfully as a smith bends steel, these Ame’lie were gardens of wood which were used for everything from clothing to living space. Linandria reflects this, with our homes built seamlessly into the roots and branches of the elderwood collusi shaped through the gifts of druidism. Our city is grown as much as it is built. Just as it was in old times.

A City of Devotion. Our people are tied intrinically to the Aspects. Our gods of nature who watch over us and bless us with the wilds in which we thrive. One only need look at the majesty of the forest we have found in this new land, beautiful, as if made especially for us. A blessing from our watchful guardians. Shrines dot Linandria as they did in the Ame’lie of the ancient seeds, shrines to the Aspects and to the Ancestors of wood elven kin who brought their people to where they are today. Naturally, the two patron gods of the mali’ame feature heavily, creating an imposing sight for all walking in through the main gate.

A City of Seeds. The old seeds are mentioned a lot in wood elven rhetoric. They were the nomadic tribes which roamed the ancient forests of Aegis, they remembered Malin as he lived and kept the closest to the forefather’s ways even as high elves, dark elves and even other wood elves drifted from those teachings. The way of the Seeds was lost to time for many centuries, but returns in Linandria. Torena, Calithil, Terin, Aureon, Camoryn and Tresery are Seeds born of the modern era, sucessors to their ancient counterparts. They keep to Malin’s teachings closely, and keep fiercely pious to the Aspects. The banners in the throne room of Linandria attest to this, each representing a seed, each matching the ink and pattern each seed member wears proudly on his skin.

Construction/Discovery

Upon arrival to Axios, the wood elves of the Dominion sought a home closely tied to the voice of the wild, as they wished to be closer to their gods, the Aspects. As such, they found themselves upon the south-eastern tip of the isle of Tahn, a dense forest of magnificent elder trees.

Upon discovery of the lake at the center of the forest, it was declared by the Naelurir (elven druidic priests) that the Aspects had ordained this place to be the new homeland of the wood elven people.

The city was built within a year. The buildings and architecture were designed and built under the leadership of Princess Titania Hawksong, and the elder trees said homes would be woven into were grown and shaped by the Naelurir priests, using their druidic powers.

With their combined efforts, the city was finished in the year 1571, being named Linandria by Princess Hawksong, meaning ‘Land of Hope’.

Location event

So far nothing has happened, yet.

Geography

Linandria is located in the south-east of the isle of Tahn. It is, as stated above, built atop a lake and surrounded by dense forest.

Notable Figures (if applicable)

• Artimec Caerme’onn - High Prince and ruler of the Dominion of Malin
• Calius Terin - Prince, lawkeeper and steward of Linandria
• Aenor Calithil and Elvrohir Aureon - Grandmasters of the Order of Sirame
• Siri Ihelia - Head Ambassador and secretary of the High Prince
• Arahaelth Aureon - Head steward and tax collector of Linandria

Government

High Prince Artimec Caerme'onn (LeoWarrior14)

The ultimate head of state of all the Dominion and head of the Princely Council. The High Prince exerts full authority on the Dominion in times of war and crisis, but rules with a light touch in times of stability. The High Prince is also the archdruid of the Naelurir, elven druid priests who spread the Aspectism faith across the Dominion.

Prince Calius Terin (ShadowedOblivion)

Prince Terin is the master of domestic administration in Linandria. He handles matters of law on behalf of the High Prince and performs Naelurir duties in teaching wood elven religion and tradition. He distributes homes, handles taxes and performs other stewardly duties. He is essential to the smooth organization of city life.

Lady Steward Arahaelth Aureon

Lady Arahaelth is a Naelurir priest, but her primary duty is the domestic administration of Linandria. Under the guidance of Prince Terin, she oversees the distribution of homes and taxes as well as the spread of labour within the wood elven domain.

El’Annilan Elvrohir Aureon and Aenor Calithil (og_welf and Filavandrel)

Elvrohir is among the Dominion’s best warriors and leads the Order of Sirame based in Linandria, a mostly wood elven band of guardians with a distinguished military career. Elvrohir is a mentor figure for young mali looking to make their names known in the Sirame.

Co-leading with Elvrohir is Aenor Calithil, one of the longest serving elven military-men in history. Aenor handles the more administrative side of the Sirame, but he does not avoid a fight by any means.

Nobility

The nobility of Linandria is tied to the nobility of the Dominion of Malin, as Linandria is the capital of the Dominion. As such, the following hierarchy is in place.

High Prince

Not only the ruler of Linandria, but the whole dominion, the High Prince is the greatest authority in the woodland realm. While the other states of the Dominion are governed by their own local princes, Linandria is directly ruled by the High Prince.

Prince of the Council

The Princely Council is made up of three princes, each beholden to the high prince. The high and dark elven states each have their own prince. Linandria has its own prince as well, but instead of being the local ruler like in the Dominion’s other cities, he serves as a close second-in-command to the high prince and rules in his absence.

Lord/Lady Steward

The head of all domestic logistics within Linandria, the lord or lady steward holds a role of nobility and a voice in the local city council for their role in organizing the vast housing and tax structure of Linandria.

Seed Chieftains

The Wood Elven Seeds are like clans or tribes, and are one of the two main pillars of wood elven culture, along with Aspectism. Each leader of a seed, known as a keeper or cheiftain, is considered nobile in Linandria. They have a voice in the local council and are tasked with the upkeep of the city’s prosperity.

Society

Society in Laureh'lin is built around two pillars, Aspectism- the religion of the wood elves, and the Seeds.

Aspectism

Aspectism is the largest religion in the Dominion of Malin, and among all elves as a whole. It centers around the worship of two gods of nature, Cerridwen and Cernunnos. Cerridwen being the gentle mother of life, and Cernunnos the fierce hunter and bringer of death. Together they form a balance, and are seen almost as deific parents by the wood elves, who often call them “the mother and the father”.

Aspectism at its core is the belief that no creature or living being is greater than the wild. That it is the duty of all beings to live in harmony with nature and not seek to be better than it or conquer it. Being a race that has always been tied to nature and the wild, its not hard to understand why this religion, and the Aspects, who are the gods of nature, are so important to the wood elves.

The Seeds

It is a common belief among wood elves that the ancient Era of the Seeds was the golden age of the wood elven people. In this time, it is said all wood elves were pure, living perfectly with nature and unchallenged in their piety to the Aspects. They lived nomadic lives in the deep forests and were said to be able to perform miracles, lost druidic arts, and cultivate trees soft as silk or hard as steel.

The nobility of Linandria today are all individuals who can trace their bloodlines back to the ancient Seeds. Seeds today are no longer nomadic but practice many of the old traditions, including close familial bonds with non-blood/adopted relatives, devout Aspectism, and the painting of ilmyumier (tribal tattoos). Each Seed has its own unique tribal tattoo with its own colour and design.

Any wood elf (or elf in general) living in Linandria worth his or her salt, seeks to join one of the Seeds living in Laureh'lin today.

Economy

Harkening back to the nomadic, tribal roots of modern wood elf culture, much of Linandria operates on a communal basis. Buying and selling still has its place but is not as prevalent as it would be among merchant races like the Dwarves or trade cities like Sutica.

Hunting is a common activity in Linandria, and byproducts of it such as pelts, furs, bones and meats are commonly traded among wood elves. There are many skilled artisans in Linandria as well, and intricate woodworking sculptures and other works are often bought and sold.

Laws

The laws of Linandria are extensive and can be found here.

Most of Linandria’s laws are standard, however, unique to Linandria are the laws forbidding magic. Voidal/Arcane magic is forbidden from being used within Linandria and forbidden from being taught. This is because adherents of Aspectism believe voidal magic to be a corrupter of nature and something that brings imbalance to the natural world.

Culture

Linandria is host to a wealth of culture, usually revolving around the Aspectism and the Seeds, as stated above.

Art

The two great statues of the Aspects presiding over Linandria

Linandria is home to many great artisans. The best woodworkers in the world are wood elves. Even weapons like swords and bows, while serving a utility purpose, are made intricately as works of art in Linandria.

Wood elven painting and sculptures are more naturalistic and often embody the core values of the people. For example, the massive wooden statues of the Aspects presiding over the main gate of Linandria are an example of the patience and prowess of wood elven sculptors.

The druids of Linandria (the Naelurir) are also great artists, weaving nature into wonderful shapes and colours. The very tree canopy of Linandria can be considered a work of art, shaped and grown by the druids.

Literature

Linandria is home to a massive library with a large selection of books to read from. While anyone can browse the library, most of the books were collected from other nations.

Literature written by the wood elves themselves are usually stories of great hunts in the wild, or transcribed oral traditions. These are usually tales of ancient seeds, the great forefather Malin, or the Aspects.

Some examples of wood elven stories can be seen here:

A Tale of Two Hunters Vule'Berr - The Clever Bow From Winter to Spring

Music

Music among the wood elves is varied. It can be lively and bright, or somber and slow. The music in Linandria changes with the seasons. Spring is a time of fast, bouncing tunes, while winter and fall bring about subtler, lamenting melodies. Earthy instruments like drums and the panflute are popular among wood elves. However, the lute is a reliable instrument and can be seen among many wood elven bards.

Religion

Aspectism, as stated above, is the main and only official religion in Linandria. It is the largest part of wood elven culture and a main defining factor of the people’s national identity.

Random Tidbits

• While Aspectism is the wood elven religion, a fair amount of high and dark elves follow it as well.

• While an independent nation, the Dominion is under the suzerainty of the Emperor of Oren. As such, the high nobles of the Dominion are also considered nobles in Oren.

• On a different note, did you know: Phaedrus, the founder of Laureh'lin (the wood elven state) went on to become the first elf to lead the orcish race?