Sylric Bloodline
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The Sylric Bloodline is a bloodline of the Snow Elves, sworn to the Princedom of Fenn.
History
The Sylric name has been around for centuries. The founder, Thandir Sylric I, was one of the original Snow Elves, having followed the Tundraks to Lomal and his Word Alter. This made him one of the first Snow Elves. However due to the scattering of the Snow Elves, most of the history from then to The Realm of Anthos was lost and has never been recovered.
Prelude
The Sylrics found themselves to be weak and unskillful at first due to the drastic changes their bodies underwent. Thus, the head of the family of the time, Althidon Sylric, sought out hard labor for their family namesake. They would be the ones to become the backbone of the Princedom, not only through hard labor but also through the military. Throughout the years they were always the first ones to the mines or to the forest and always the last ones to leave the forge. Working became their blood and thus from then on all Sylrics, male and female alike, came to be among the strongest of the Snow Elves. Althidon however, never left Anthos; where he perished after naming his heir Thandir Sylric II as the new Patriarch.
Anthos en Anthera
Thandir II lead the Sylrics’ into Athera, where they once again backed the Tundrak Bloodline. During their time in Athera, the Sylrics did the work of thousands of men with only 300 strong among them, their hammers and chisels ringing loud throughout the hallowed tundra’s of Hesin’fin. As all races left Athera, Thandir was still the head of the Sylric namesake and followed the Tundraks to their new home, Tar’sil, on The Isles of Vailor. Whilst living in Vailor, Thandir II found love and marriage. He had two sons and two daughters, a rarity among the Snow Elves. His firstborn Ailduin was named his heir, followed by a daughter named Arthion, a second son named Selgauth, and the youngest daughter named Velatha.
Athera en Vailor
When the Iron Uzg attacked The Princedom on Vailor, the Sylrics lost more than ¾ of its people during the defense of the outer city of Tar’sil. All those who survived fled from the Princedom, with Thandir II and Ailduin, his son and heir, remaining, having felt obligated to stay and carry out their steadfast heritage of supporting the Snow Elves in their entirety.
Vailor en Axios
As Vailor came to an end, Thandir II passed away on the journey to The Isles of Axios where Ailduin was left to shoulder the Sylric household, his siblings all abandoning him and the rest of their Snow Elven kin…
Ailduin was the patriarch of the house Sil'siima from then on. He has reclaimed their position as the strongest Snow Elves and had been the hardest worker as well. By doing so, he brought a new age for his family, with even his siblings having begun to return to the Princedom, finally proud to bear the name of a Sylric.
Axios en Atlas
After many decades leading them through the hardships of Axios, Sil’maln Ailduin would lead his family to the continent of Atlas to forward their survival; though much of the history has been lost to time and war...
Atlas en Arcas
Ailduin would lead his family to Arcas after the Vaeyl destroyed Atlas; passing away on the 7th of The Deep Cold, 1716, after an act of heroism to save Crown Prince Aelthos Tundrak during a mining excursion to collect precious metals for the Princedom. His son Thandir III would return to Fenn shortly after to pay his respects and accustom himself to his family while a new Patriarch lead them. Airebys Sylric, nephew to Celaena and Ailduin Sylric, would take up the position to carry on Ailduin’s legacy for their family.
Griffin en Bear
The Griffin which had represented the Sylrics under the leadership of Ailduin and his ideals and his loyalty to the Tundraks for so many years had become a tired creature. With Ailduin and the Tundrak he so loved having passed on, the Griffin would be laid to rest along with its masters. Marking the end of an era for the symbol, Aelthir Tundrak III and the death of Ailduin would be held in the hearts of many a Man and Mali’. Thus, the bloodline would try to seek a new identity, to redefine itself--as their progressive nature would stand for nothing less. Airebys Sylric, who represents the Bear, would bring his own new ideals and reforms to the family.
Attributes, Traits, and Disposition
Attributes
Since they have a reputation as hard workers, Sylrics tend to master many skills and perform such. With their reputation as hard workers, Sylrics often find themselves seated among the Grand Council as head of the Bilok'thuln. It is not uncommon to see a Sylric mining or fishing, lumberjacking or blacksmithing. With all of their hard work, Sylrics tend to be very muscular with a strong, bulky, but well-built frame to them. They tend to be the tallest among the Snow Elves and have grey to blue eyes. They typically have white to silver hair, but there have been some with blonde.
Traits
Sylrics are known to be hardworking, determined and very focused at everything they do, whether that is being a soldier of the Ivae’fenn or taking up a role among the ranks of the Bilok’thuln. Thus, many would consider them more serious than other bloodlines, though one can note when asked a question, Sylrics tend to be rather blunt; straightforward and to the point. Despite their often brash or stubborn behaviors, Sylrics can be kind and respectful towards their kin. The Bear, their sigil, perfectly reflects a Sylric’s state of mind: loyal, ferocious and determined.
Disposition
Throughout the Snow Elven years and all the conflicts they faced, the Sylrics have tended to be on the front lines of all major battles. Their thoughts on other Elves are complicated, as centuries of battle waged against them has hardened the opinions of some Sylrics against their Mali’mira cousins. A Sylric will marry out from other elven subraces but they try to stick more toward the Snow Elven culture. Regardless of their history, however, they are a progressive-thinking lot who focus on the betterment of their people and have no qualms with laying their hard past to rest.
Ceremonies
Wyrvun'ahern
When a new Sylric is brought into the world, a special ceremony is held called Wryvun’ahern. This ceremony celebrates the life of that individual, prayer be that they lead a healthy and successful life that they may join their kin in Wyrvun’s realm of eternal slumber: Aira’fin.
There are three necessary people needed to be present in this ceremony if possible. First, there must be the Maln or male figure of the child present. Second, the Haelun or female figure of the child present. Last but not least, the child itself. With the hands of all three held together and the child in the center, they must all plunge themselves into a body of frozen water.
Having the child in the center symbolizes that their parents will always stand by their side, no matter the cost or risk. When all three people’s heads are submerged in the water, the maln and haelun must use every ounce of their strength to lift their child out of the water and onto the safety of dry footing. This symbolizes their love and willingness to sacrifice themselves for the health and well-being of their child. When the child is safe, the maln must lift the child's haelun from the freezing water to symbolize that they would sacrifice themselves so their child may have a mother. When the haelun is safe, she must help pull the child's maln from the water to symbolize that they would do anything- even in a weakened state - to ensure that their child would have a father.
With the Sil’maln present for the entire ceremony, the family will have a large woolen blanket woven with Sil’siimah colors draped over them. It is to be heated over a flame and draped over their huddled forms to complete the ceremony -- uniting them as a warm, safe family.
Bilok'ihnsil
When a Sylric is welcomed into the family, Bilok’ihnsil is held to prove that they can return to their people as a true Sylric, or be accepted as an adult. Each participant must forge themselves their own personal weapon; gathering all the materials themselves and by themselves alone. No help shall be offered to them, as they must build their own forge and use what knowledge and materials gathered to create a beautiful piece of weaponry, from the largest of Greataxes to the smallest of daggers.
When they finish and feel that it is worthy of the Sylric name, they are to return to the Manor and present it to the Sil’maln. If approved, a hunt ensues to test the durability of the weapon. A feast is then follows provided by the spoils of the hunt. As the feast ends the patriarch approaches the child, presenting him the brooch of the Bear to be pinned on their clothing wherever they go. This is to mark that they are now a true Sylric - ready and willing to protect and provide for their family.
Notable Members
Thandir Sylric I - The founder of the Sylric Bloodline, from whom all Sylrics are directly descended. He was one of the first Snow Elves, being one of the original Elves to pass through the World Altar.
Ailduin Sylric - Reorganizer of the Sylric Bloodline in modern times, current Patriarch of the Sylric Bloodline, Grand Exchequer within the Grand Council and of the Bilok'thuln.
