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The Elen
The Elen live on the planet Berelath. They are high elves based on the elves created by J.R.R. Tolkien and the eledhel elves created by Raymond Feist. Elen means “star” in Elvish. The Elen are not the sole inhabitants of Berelath although a vast portion of the continent they live on is covered by the Forest they rule. They share their world with humans, dwarves and other races, but keep to themselves. Their past with Berelathian humans keeps them especially reticent of contact outside their Forest. Berelathian humans tend to regard the Elen as either wood demons to kill at will or objects of profit in markets across the sea.
The Elen jealously guard the secrecy of their home and the peace of the Forest. They live at the center of the Forest in an alabaster white city. However, if they do not wish you to find them, you won’t. There is no stumbling upon the city, no accidentally finding it, no portalling to it… Unwanted visitors will simply continue through the Forest, never seeing the great clearing or the city itself. In time, when the last of the Elen chooses to die, the city and clearing will fade, with no trace left. Now, there are specific gateways for friends, but one must know of them and they tend to move at random.
Life Spans
The Elen are nearly immortal – living indefinitely as long as they have an interest in life. Their young do not leave home normally until their second century. Elen elves mature physically until they reach the approximate age of 18. From thereon they essentially cease aging to the human eye until well into their eleventh or twelfth millennia when they may start to look like they are more in their thirties. Physical aging occurs even more slowly from there.
Qualities and Characteristics
The Elen are magical creatures and children of the Light. They love bright things, having a fascination for beautiful and shiny things. Gems, precious metals, delicate fabrics are all greatly coveted by them despite their best efforts to curb their urges. They have a tendency to sow their oats before eventually setting down to monogamous marriages sometime in their fourth or fifth millennia. They are a tall people, rarely under six feet in height, usually gold-blonde or strawberry-blonde with either green, grey or blue eyes. They are warriors, mages, poets, singers and writers just as other races are. They are proud of their history and their culture, delighting in the delicate and sensuous. Females usually wear gowns of light gossamer materials, males tend toward trousers and vests or light shirts. When it comes to color, the Elen favor the gem tones of amethyst, emerald, ruby and sapphire and have special ceremonies and dances dedicated to these hues.
Children are rare. The Elen number only a thousand. One child amongst ten couples is normal. That Galain was born as a second child is a rare thing indeed. Children are treasured, loved and deeply sought after among the Elen. Because of their small number, a strong sense of race preservation is evident – perhaps their one great fault. In the past they have not looked upon half-breeds or mixed relationships with high favor. Times do change.
The Elen are noted warriors, swift with the sword and sure with the bow. They are sensitive to human steel so forge their own elven steel as an alternative. It is stronger, more durable and highly prized and coveted. Any non Elen bearing a weapon of elven steel though has either stolen it, come by it through other ill-gotten means or actually received it as a gift. If it is a gift, it is a blessed item, shining brightly for the owner. If it is stolen… it shines only dully.
Their Government
The Elen are ruled by a King or Queen – usually the eldest in the most direct royal line. In Galain’s case, his uncle failed to sire an heir. Summerlin, despite being older, has committed herself to following in her father’s footsteps and is now the High Elder. This leaves Galain in direct line for the throne.
The High Elder is the keeper of the Elen’s magic, history and lore and is second only to the King. The Elder is a full earth mage, drawing upon the power of the Creator and using the combined wisdom and knowledge of the Elen to command that power. The King is guided by the High Elder and a council of 12 other full mages (thus the Council of Thirteen). Usually the Elder is the sibling of the King or Queen if there is a sibling. Otherwise a cousin will inherit that role.
History
No major wars have marred the history of the Elen on Berelath though there has been one coup attempt (CrossOver). At one point they did co-exist more peacefully with Berelathian humans, but various instances of betrayal have caused the Elen to withdraw and shun prolonged contact. If they are called upon to aid others, they will… but it takes some talking. I don’t have a more specific history at this time.
Alcarin Dragons
Hatching:
Alcarin dragons are not a natural creation nor are they extensions of their host body’s personalities. Legend has it that Gareth Alcarin, Galain’s sire, had a misadventure with an unknown being that preyed upon Gareth’s fear of racial impurity. When Gareth displeased the being he was cursed with an altered genetic code that created Belazgo. Gareth’s “hatching” was a painful and hideous process that has colored his perspective on life ever since.
Alcarin dragons are distinctly different personalities who share a balanced existence with their elven hosts although neither can live long without the other if a forced separation occurs. Normally, around the physical age of twelve the elven host undergoes a time of great discomfort, further compounding the usual hormonal surges of puberty. Scales will appear or become more prominent in the abdominal region, the intense urge to scratch those scales will occur and there will be moments of pain and confusion as the dragon’s consciousness comes to life. This is a crucial time and can result in death for either or both the elf and the dragon if the hatching does not occur properly. Family members are needed to surround and croon to the hatchling, encouraging it to emerge, as well as encouraging the elf to transform.
Sometimes unique situations occur such as Galain’s own hatching. He was far past puberty when ’Lain was hatched and it took his being exposed to the Aeglos** to initiate the change. It is possible that the being that first cursed Gareth did not realize the genetic anomalies wrought upon the senior Alcarin would be passed down to his son and daughter although of late it has become apparent that the genes don’t always pass to all descendants.
It is important to note that any children born to Galain or Summerlin before their own hatching will not have the Alcarin dragon genes. “Hatching” unlocks those codes so they can be passed down to the next generation. Children also born to Galain or Summerlin under odd situations may not have the genetic code, and grandchildren, because of dilution of blood, may not necessarily have the dragon genes. At least one anomaly has occurred amongst the children conceived between Galain and An’Thaya, and further studies will be require to explain Vanyalin’s apparent lack of dragon genes.
Naming:
Alcarin dragons are named when they “hatch”, and generally tend to have rather long names that list their parents and various characteristics and attributes of the hatchling itself. In the past it was Dragongrin, also known as Tarshawn, who aided Galain in finding his dragon’s name. Galain has also assisted in the naming of his own children’s dragon names although he neglected to do so for Gloraelin and a number of other children either due to his abandonment of their mothers or his generally just neglecting to follow through on certain parental responsibilities.
The author prefers to uses shortened names for the dragons and that is why you’ll find that Galain’s Gold tends to go by Scar or ’Lain, Mak’s by Lalaith, Glory’s by Nairalirë or SunSong, Summerlin’s by Summerwind and Gareth’s by Belazgo.
Feeding and Fire:
Fortunately for both elf and dragon, neither is solely dependent upon their own selves for sustenance. Galain eats for himself and sustains ’Lain, and vice versa. Unfortunately for Galain this often means that whatever the dragon eats might come back to haunt the elf’s own digestive system.
Alcarin dragons are meat eaters and generally tend to stick to four-legged treats although they’ve been known to enjoy the finer two-legged delicacies commonly known as humans. Elves are indeed too stringy, dwarves taste like lumps of coal and orcs tend to stick in one’s craw. All Alcarin dragons are fire-breathers although they can control the emitting of steam from their nostrils and when they’re content, romantically inclined or simply existing, will emit an exotically-scented smoke. The smoke can appear when an Alcarin is in two-legged form.
Transformation:
Alcarin dragons transform without pain, letting their forms disappear in a gentle mist that envelopes them until the transformation is complete. The elves themselves can control certain physiological aspects of their dragons and have been known to sprout wings and/or a tail when necessary or when at play.
Alcarin dragons are Golds or minor variations thereof. One offspring of Galain’s is a mystery however, and only Melaina’s Ali-Meara heritage can be used to explain ’Loki’s blue hue.
Finally, Alcarin dragons are capable of changing their size depending on where they’re at, shifting in bulk to accommodate smaller buildings and rooms when necessary to avoid the accidental crushing of innocent bystanders, companions and family.
Hoarding:
Alcarin dragons are hoarders and generally tend to seek out large, well-tunneled caves on remote planets. ’Lain’s own dragon home is on a watery planet that comprises just one middle-sized jungle island. Alcarins are typical elves and their dragons are as typical, delighting in shiny baubles and beautiful objects. Initially they may hoard indiscriminately although over time they will move toward a more selective collection. ’Lain enjoys jewelry and precious stones although Galain himself, for reasons he cannot quite explain (though he likes to blame ’Lain), adores collecting dead bugs and odd rocks. Lalaith is currently collecting lovers and SunSong prefers collecting interesting and rare books.
Basic temperament:
Alcarin dragons are basically even-tempered creatures who often exhibit more wisdom than their Alcarin hosts. They are possessed of wry senses of humor, prone to mischief, and are unafraid to laugh at themselves. They have immense reservoirs of patience, but when once angered, or if the need to protect or defend arises, Alcarin dragons are fierce and fearless warriors. Given the chance they will battle their foes to the death without a second thought. They are possessed of immense loyalty and capable of deep and abiding love.
Mating habits:
Alcarin dragons tend to avoid the mating questions, being relatively new creations. They are definitely not monogamous, nor are they interested in life mates. They are in a difficult and delicate situation, having to share the bodies of their elven hosts. At least one Alcarin dragon has chosen to mate with its elven host’s mate and the relationship has been mutually satisfying.
Alcarin dragons do not have mating seasons and females do not have a specific time of heat. It is not known at this time if either gender is particularly fertile, and it has been discovered that mid-flight mating is not wholly necessary although it is preferable.
Like their Elen hosts, Alcarin dragons are unable to initiate any form of bonding.
Status in Elen Life:
Alcarin dragons were initially anathema to the Elen way of thinking. They represented the possible death of their race and the annihilation of ways, traditions and a people that have been around since time immemorial. Thanks to the tireless efforts of King Adarin and Princess Summerlin, a good number of the Council of Thirteen, as well as many Elen elves themselves, have changed their way of thinking although resistance continues. Prince Galain’s own prodigal and largely unorthodox lifestyle has helped in unforeseen ways as well as he continues to prove himself to be a faithful and capable heir to the King. His wife, Princess Ghetsuhm, has had a hugely helpful hand in this as well.
In the most recent years dragons have entered into the songs, legends and artistry of Elen culture as benevolent creatures of royalty.
**The Aeglos is the source of power created by the original Council of Thirteen when the Elen elves first arrived on Berelath. When they saw that the planet’s natives were largely inhospitable to the elven race the Council chose to create a stone that is the repository of all their history, knowledge and power. It controls the random wards that keep Alcarinque invisible and unapproachable. It is also sensitive to non-Elen or Elen of mixed heritage and is generally deadly to those who attempt to touch it or come within extremely close proximity for a prolonged amount of time.
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