Taliame'onn
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Origin & History
A Taliame’onn sees everything as a canvas waiting to be decorated, including every inch of their bodies. From a very young age, children are taught to utilize berries, insects and flowers to create colorful pigments to paint themselves as well as the walls of their homes, boulders, trees, caves and household objects with flamboyant and beautiful artworks.
Deep into the era of the nomadic ‘ame, the bravery of a female Mali’aheral brought her to do the unthinkable, venture out from the confines of her city to explore the surrounding woods. Her stomach turned when she heard a noise behind a nearby tree. An elf, but one very different than the kind she was surrounded with. His skin was beautiful, rich deep brown with freckles adorning his cheeks like makeup. His hair was bundles of thick, dark curls. He was astonishingly short, a size one of her kind would easily laugh at. Her curious spirit did not allow her to fear the boy, it was quite the contrary. She was intrigued, not having been exposed to those outside of her kind. They stared for some moments, studying each other before the boy turned around and ran off with an amazing speed. She swiftly returned home, speaking nothing about the encounter to her friends or family. She returned the very next day, calling out in the forest for the boy she had met. He quickly showed himself to her and motioned for her to stay quiet. They finally had a conversation and would continue to have them day after day until they became friends. The boy taught her many things of his culture, including Tiva, a language of flowers. He hung guiding wreaths carefully in the trees from her city to the spot they met, so she could travel without getting lost. He painted her body with natural pigments and taught her how to worship the gods she decided were her favorite, Kholibrii and Kwakwani, due to her immense love for painting. He told her tales about the Mani and related the adventures he encountered from his nomadic lifestyle. She grew to fall in love with the rituals, customs, and forest gods.
One day, she decided she was going to spread these amazing beliefs to her people, and planned a huge festival of color. She painted herself thick with colorful images of the Mani. She wrapped herself in many traditional Tiva wreaths. She created small wooden shrines of the Mani and brought charms and trinkets that the boy had given to her. She prepared a small table in the city square under the moon in the middle of the night, arranging colorful hues and flowers. When all awoke, she announced the start of the festival. It turned out to be a horribly tragic event, with every person present immediately mocking, humiliating, and looking down on her for believing in such “fairy tales,” as well as participating in such impure and childish traditions. She was cast away from her family and fled back into the forest. She moved in with the ‘ame boy from before, initially not because she loved him, but because she loved his beliefs. Eventually though, what happens to many who spend that much time together ended up happening, and they grew to love one another. They started their own family which soon grew with adoptions and marriages into the Seed that it is today.
Appearance
Those of the original bloodline of the Taliame'onn are paler than other Irrinites, the tone of their skin beginning with a lighter shade of brown, although carrying the ability to become tanner over time.
Those of the current bloodline of the Taliame'onn range on the larger size of Mali'ame. Males, on average grow to be 5'9 while females average 5'7. Their hair tends to be auburn or brown and their eyes are lighter shades, greens and blues.
They are also equally as driven for self-beauty. Some are often seen as perfectionists for their own image, spending an incredible amount of time on their hygiene and the use of cosmetic products. Many of the seed wear bright makeup, spend time on fancy hairstyles, and seek the most flattering outfits.
Seed Ilmyumier
A wide crest of multicolored flowers, traditionally placed on the lower back, upper back, and chest. These flowers are generally associated to major events, personality traits or beliefs of the Mali that receives them. Generally, the flower that is placed over the heart is representative of something significant. Females in the newer generations have opted to display their Ilmyumier on their arms so that they can remain uncovered and be able to displayed easily. It is frowned upon to cover the tattoos for any reason other than wearing armor for battle.
Traditions
Tiva
Tiva is the language of flowers and what is suspected to be the original language of the Mali'ame. The Taliame'onn are the keepers and teachers of this language. The ancestral Wood Elves used flowers to tell stories through the meanings of the flowers. Through many wars, travel and the splitting of the Mali'ame, only fractions of the language survived. These were categorized into four sections by Skylar Taliame'onn; Tiva'lye (Self identification wreaths), Tiva'annil (Guiding Wreaths), Tiva'illern (Ritual Wreaths), Saner'tiva (Speaking with Tiva). After many years, Ehrendil Taliame'onn did extensive research and discovered more meanings and sayings that were used by the ancestral Elves, expanding the language and its use further while maintaining the previous qualifications of his predecessor. All Taliame'onn are required to use and know Tiva.
Tattooing
The sacred art of tattooing that the Taliame'onn practice is generally considered to be a rather special gift that is passed down from chieftain to chieftain. The Taliame'onn use small bone tools to make intricate designs and patterns in their tattoos as well as get rather advanced shading, detail and form. They were once considered to be some of the best tattoo artists in Elvendom. While the tattooing art is generally passed from chief to chief it is not exclusive to the named successor of the seed, and several members of the Taliame'onn also share the knowledge of tattooing.
Rite of the Chieftain
Traditional Chieftain Choosing
When the chieftain of the clan dies or chooses to retire, a new chieftain is elected through a rite. Any member of the Seed with known blood relations to the current chieftain is allowed to participate, unless they have been disowned by the clan as a whole. Those who are adopted or married into the Seed are not eligible for participation.
Each participant is assigned one tree within a forest, each next to each other so they all may be viewed at the same time. It is thought that the usage of trees to aid in the descending chieftain is the reason for the last name "Taliame’onn," or “from the Tree.” Each competitor then creates paints, flower wreaths and decorations to bring the surface of the tree to life with beauty, art and color - The core Taliame’onn values. When this is finished, the participants will adorn themselves with their most beautiful clothing, colorful makeup, and cover themselves with extravagant body paint. They will proceed to sing and dance around the tree and put on the most lively show, all the participants simultaneously. This event is undoubtedly the most vibrant that is held in mali’ame society, a spectacle bringing all the clans together to witness.
After each participant finishes, they will all be assigned an empty wreath sized to fit on the head. Each Seed member (whether related by blood, adoption, or marriage), spare for the participants of the rite, will then be given a single heather flower (meaning leadership in Tiva.) They will weave this flower onto the wreath assigned to who they are voting for to become chieftain. Traditionally, the vote is expected to be based on the performance. The wreath with the most flowers is then to be placed on the head of the winner, akin to the “crowning” of a king or high prince, from then on being recognized as the new Seed chieftain.
Modern Chieftain Choosing
In the modern era of the Taliame'onn, the chief names a successor and unless those that remain within the clan have major objections, that person is named chief when the other retires. This person is usually related by blood to the current chief but there is no explicit rule saying otherwise. This was done due to the scattered nature of the Taliame'onn in the modern era as well as the overall population of the Taliame'onn being relatively low [See Seed Tree].
Hummingbird Rite of Self
This rite is an act of worship to the princess of hummingbirds, Kholibrii. Instead of offering objects, it is an act of devotion consisting of offering ones very physical being to the goddess of color. The rite begins with the chieftain or the person leading the rite creating paints in as many colors as possible. Infront of an altar to Kholibrii, each participant is to use these paints to bring their skin to life with artworks inspired by the Hummingbird herself. This is a calm, meditative process and is not to be rushed. The painting strokes of druids are known to be guided by the very hum of nature. This is one of the few rites of the Taliame’onn that is not extremely fast-paced or lively, due to the sacred act of devoting oneself to Kholibrii. When the participants have finished their paintings, the chieftain or leader of the rite will bring everyone to silence as he or she offers a prayer to Kholibrii, specifically mentioning the people who have devoted themselves to her. This rite is expected to be participated in by each clan member before they’re given the name Taliame’onn.
Birthday Rites
Due to longevity of Mali, most do not celebrate each and every birthday. The Taliame’onn however in valuing Tiva celebrate the birthdays where the age flower in Tiva wreaths has to be switched for another one. When one becomes 20, a rite is held symbolizing the person leaving their childhood behind. The first stage begins marked the full growth of an infant up to physical maturity. A second stage then when they become 50, and finally, 500. The festivities are typically an outdoor party where people bring gifts to the person whom the party is for. If he or she wears a Tiva wreath, it is to be carefully taken off, replacing the age flowers where necessary.
The first rite is held when a Taliame’onn becomes the age of twenty. This represents them finishing their physical growth and leaving their childhood behind. The second is when they turn 50, the stage of them adjusting to the world as adults coming to an end. The last birthday rite is at 500, when one has lived long enough to earn respect and to be classified as an elder. It is by far the grandest of birthday rites, a huge celebration of the elder’s life.
Singing Bowls
The Singing Bowl rite uses a standing bell, typically made from a bronze alloy, filled with water. Then, traditional ingredients are added to the bowl depending on the goal of the rite. The participants sit in a ring around the chieftain, priest, or rite leader as they all begin to enter meditation. The leader of the rite begins to circle the wooden rod around the singing bowl, starting up the legendary 'hum' of the bell. All ease into a trance-like state as the reverberations ease in their relaxation. Prayers are typically given, and the rite closes.
Dreamweaving
The familiar ring of string interwoven like webs with dangling decorations is not a mere accessory to the bedroom. Dream catchers are believed to hold great power over the sleep of descendants. The standard dream catcher is fashioned to "catch" nightmares in its web-like interior, perhaps through the power of an unmentioned forest deity... Poppies are almost always added onto the dream catcher in some way, representing dreams, sleep and imagination in the sacred flower language of Tiva. It is common to weave charms, items and flowers that are believed to hold certain power to weave good luck or other boons into their lives whilst they sleep. A few examples of these are:
When one sleeps under a dreamcatcher fashioned with animal eyes, crystals, and iris flowers, it is believed to assist in giving the individual dreams that foretell the future.
When one sleeps under a dreamcatcher fashioned with acorns, dead crickets, and sweet pea flowers, it is believed to bring good luck to the individual and ward off negativity.
Windchimes
Due to their intense love of life, the Taliame’onn preserve and use every part of a hunted animal, up to their bones. The bones are fashioned into a windchime before a prayer is given to Cernunnos and the Mani of whatever animal they have hunted. A thanking is given to the two mentioned gods before a request is made, for the passed spirit of the animal to be kept alive in this realm, grounded within the windchime. The windchime is then traditionally hung above the door of a house so that the animal spirit may ward off evil, especially mischievous creatures of the Fae.
Charms
The Taliame’onn believe in a certain power within natural objects. Charms are fashioned onto wearable jewelry or hung in the home or somehow implemented onto staffs, weapons, tools, and clothing. Wearing the charms was thought to bring the blessings onto the specific wearer, and hanging the charm in the home was thought to bring them on the entire household. A few examples are listed, however many more are thought to be used actively.
- Horns and Teeth are used to aid in the success of hunters and warriors
- Cores of apples are used to attract love
- Almonds are used to aid in awakening, enlightenment, and guidance
- Dried orange peels are associated with the sun and used as charms to attract light and happiness
- Pieces of aloe vera are used to aid the body in its natural healing and bring vitality
- Cinnamon sticks are used to bring fire and vigor to soldiers
- Acorns are used to enhance the mind and memory
- Garlic cloves are used to ward off evil
- Ginger is believed to attract passion
- Eyeballs are used to aid in fortune-telling
- Seashells are used to increase beauty and in some cases, femininity
- Snakeskin is used to assist in dealing with change and in moving on
Seed Trials
Do not Metagame this information, it is here for documentation purposes only.**
- Trial 1: Learn Tiva'lye and create a flower wreath using Tiva that describes your personality. The person then generally wears this flower crown, noting their affiliation to Taliame'onn.
- Trial 2: Paint a mural of a Mani that you affiliate to, depict its significance in your life using metaphorical reasoning.
- Trial 3: Create a poem about yourself and perform it in front of the Seed Chief as well as 5 or more strangers.
- Trial 4: Carve a totem, staff, or other woodworking project. Use creativity.
- Trial 5: Teach someone who does not know the art of Tiva what it is.
- Grande Trial: Summit a mountain that has Edelweiss at its top and return with it to show your devotion to your new family.
Seed Tree
- First Gen
- Second Gen
- Third Gen
- Fourth Gen
- Fifth Gen
- Sixth Gen
- Fifth Gen
- Fourth Gen
- Third Gen
- Second Gen
† = Dead
- Unknown Mal'aheral † (Chief 1)
- Skylar Taliame'onn (Chief 2)
- Amaryllis Taliame'onn
- Karnath Taliame'onn †
- Briar Taliame'onn † (Chief 3)
- La'io Taliame'onn
- Elodd Taliame'onn
- Vihai Taliame'onn †
- Taifu Taliame'onn †
- Ehrendil Taliame'onn (Chief 6)
Tahlia Taliame'onn ap Tahorran †
Leika Taliame'onn De Astrea
- Mèlawen Taliame'onn (Chief 5) Kosher Daesmond Taliame'onn
- Solus Taliame'onn (Chief 4)
- Raknam Taliame'onn †
- Emandriel †
- Raell Taliame'onn | Heir
- Larissa Taliame'onn De Astrea
- Medea Taliame'onn De Astrea
- Acanthus Taliame'onn-Daesmon
- Mèlawen Taliame'onn (Chief 5)
- Skylar Taliame'onn (Chief 2)
