Elves, High

The High Elves

Lands: The Kingdom of Quel'anthas is located on the northern half of Trelore. Officially, Trelore is an alliance of equal city-states. Unofficially, Quel'anthas has the cultural and political authority to rule all of Trelore as its personal fief. Quel'anthas City, found on the north-eastern shoreline, is reputed to be the oldest pre-Aelyrian city still inhabited, if one discounts the defunct desert cities of the Lamia, who were largely destroyed.

Other towns include Talelena and Duinostar, whose buildings are composed of beautiful, winding structures that conform to the nature around them, rather than seeking to displace nature. Both cities sport tall spires that point towards the stars; Aelyrians would recognize this element of elven architecture from the spires of Castle Shari'lea in the Enamorian city of Port Alyxandrya, which was built by Medonian colonist elves.

The final “city” is the ruins of the sacred city of Carmelyana, which was sacked and razed by the Vysstichi Legions of K'Terak, sparking what would come to be called the Great War. King Elvárond of Quel'anthas called together a High Council of the Elven Nations. Although he had intended to include all elves, the Thëlyri could not be contacted and the Nimalni did not answer. The result of the High Council was the formation of the Alliance of Trelore, which consisted of the Kingdom of Quel'anthas, the Union of Sylvynar, and the Juive'len Conclave. After the war had ended, the alliance became known as the Realm of Trelore; they maintained their established governments, but all viewed Vercentorex as their king.

Appearance: Quel'anthasan elves are the closest to the original Ke'trala. They are tall, both female and male, with willowy, graceful forms and longer, delicately pointed ears that curve gently backwards. The shades of their hair ranges from golden colors to astonishing purples, oranges, and reds – nearly every shade but brown, blue, and black. Their eye color may be any shade except pale light blue or brown. Skin color is usually a palette of pale colors, but tans are not unusual if there is Sylvyn ancestry in that line. Sometimes skin has a light blue or faint lavender tone.

Coloring once followed family lines quite closely so that one could almost know another's House from their looks alone. Even now, after much mixing between Households, the Three Sun Houses – the highest of the nobles – are known for their bold, rich deep purple hair and eyes. However, soft violet to medium, playful purples are found amongst most other Houses. Longer hair is favored amongst the men as well as the women, and exquisite, classical-style robes are often worn by both genders.

Organization: Quel'anthasan society is based upon thousands of patterns of ancient tradition. All Quel elves belong to a House, and each house has a place and purpose within society. Houses in the kingdom are divided geographically into Sun, Star, and Sky houses.

The Sun Houses are found in Quel'anthas City. There are three major sun houses – Ar' Kard en i'Anar'kalima, Kard en i'Romen, and Kard en i'Annun, which correspond to the three suns. The ruling house is Ar' Kard en i'Anar'kalima, translated to Charismean as “Royal House of the Radiant Sun.” The great war hero King Elvárond is the patriarch of this house, ruler of the Kingdom of Quel'anthas, and is considered the leader of the entire Realm of Trelore. The heir to Elvárond's throne is his eldest daughter, Maranwe. The king has one other living child, a younger daughter called Oiolaire. The House consists of many other family members and protectorate families, but his daughters are his only direct descendents.

Kard en i'Romen, House of the Sunrise, is a major sun house that is often considered twin to Kard en i'Annun, House of the Sunset, also a major sun house. Both of these houses vie for power and influence in Quel'anthas City. Ideally, the right of rulership was shared between the three houses, but since Elvárond united the Realm, his own house has been sole holder of the throne. Minor sun houses include: Kard en i'Aure, Kard en i'Rilma, Kard en i'Uuranor, Kard en i'Andune'Anor, among others.

The two major Star Houses are Kard en i'Tindome and Kard en i' Eledhwen. The minor star houses include, but are not limited to, Kard en i'Silma, Kard en i'Tingilinde, and Kard en i'Elentiri. While they all acknowledge Elvárond of the Eternal City of Quel as their king, rulership of the town of Talelena is currently controlled by Kard en i' Eledhwen, though Kard en i'Tindome desires to gain it back.

The last town of Duinostar is governed by Kard en i'Me'a, a major Sky house. Other major sky houses are Kard en i'Uial and Kard en i'Amrun; minor sky houses include Kard en i' Isilme, Kard en i'Kuu, Kard en i'Menel, and Kard en i'Ilmen. Lands around these three larger cities are often controlled by minor houses.

Other: Like all of the surface elves, Quel'anthasans have significantly better sight and hearing than most other races. Nearly all of them practice some form of magic – a native art that is literally in their blood. Magic is incorporated into the everyday lives of Quel'anthasan elves. Through their coordination with Raamavoite scholars, they have developed many unique fields of study that are not seen outside of Trelore. Many elves visit the Eternal City in hopes of studying the major magics and higher levels. Binding is not an issue in Realm, as all three races are born unbound, being children of Phedos. Most Quel'anthasan elves display a talent for a minor magic when they reach adolescence, a skill which can be cultivated into a significant magical ability.