Post by Orrus Silvershield on Nov 5, 2019 22:10:05 GMT
Name:
Galidrain, High Elves, First Children
Type:
Species-culture
Function/Intent:
To develop and establish a species for PCs, NPCs, and other uses that are prevalent in the lore of the Sun Saga.
History:
In the earliest lines of the Sun Saga, it speaks only of the Galidrain, the First Children of Solanas, shaped from earth and moonlight, they were the first of the Children to awake, even before their other Elven kindreds. And it was given to the Galidrain as their greatest charge to care for the world and steward it well as preparation for the other Children and their coming arrival. So they established their kingdom in the earliest days and it spread across the world, for they were feared by Xeranax and the lesser deities and spirits that served him. For as of yet, they had no forced to contest against these newcomers except by embodying themselves, which they yet feared to attempt.
So the Galidrain established and spread across the world, building beautiful cities and tending the forests and wilds so they blossomed. And all the world was beautiful when the younger Elven kindreds awoke, bringing their own vision to the world as the younger took
on the role of preparing to teach the rest of the Children as they awoke.
It was with the arrival of the Dwarves that the Galidrain had their first taste of war. Not that they warred against each other, but with the Dwarves, Xeranax at last found brings that he could warp, destroy, and raise as his minions, for Dwarves were mortal if long-lived. And so Xeranax and his servants entered into the world, slaying and corrupting what Dwarves they could, creating goblins, and leading them to war against the Elven kindreds.
The peace of the Galidrain ended with the start of the First War and never came again, for though powerful and strong, the Elves were as yet unskilled in warfare. They were slaughtered by the goblins in the first ambushes and then the raised dead in the succeeding battles until they learned to turn their skill to the crafting of arms and armor, but it was too late put an early end to the war, especially once several of their great lords defected and became the first Lords of Undeath.
Over many long years of war, the Galidrain best back the enemy to the inhospitable north where not even they could dwell. And there they established great watch posts and prepared to hold the enemy at bay while the rest of the world recovered and the other Children came into their power. It was during this period that first the Orcs and eventually the humans awoke, completing the fullness of the Children of Solanas.
But these youngest two were shorter lived than the elders and the Lords of Undeath despised them for their weakness, and longed for the ease in which they could replenish their forces, and how easily they could be manipulated, for death was meant to be but a gateway to the next life in which they would continue their growth. But spies and agents spread tales of how death was to be feared above all else and at all cost, driving many to their cause to wage war.
It was this that led to the Sun Pact being formed to counter the coalition of northern forces and agents allied with the Lords of Undeath. Yet the Galidrain suffered heavily in the Great Crusade, for they bore the brunt of the enemy’s hatred, and were most fiercely targeted. The great majority of their strength was ground away and they have since retreated to their citadels and strongholds, especially since the death of their last High King twenty years ago.
Location/Origin:
Once spread across the entire world, the Galidrain have since shrunk to small number of hidden citadel-cities and refuges scattered through the world where they attempt to preserve what they can of their culture, but any have elected to instead travel the Moon Road, which takes them somewhere else, from which they do not return, but is spoken of as a paradise prepared for them as a reward for their work in shaping the early world and the pain of the first war. Even now, there are those who leave, alone or in small groups, diminishing them even further.
Unless granted access to know the locations of their hidden citadels, one might run across them at night beneath the starts as they wander the lands they once tended to sing and grieve for what was lost. Even that is unlikely and may be recalled only as a dream.
Description:
Even diminished, the Galidrain are mighty, for they are taller and stronger than any of the other children, with much wisdom
and hard-earned experience. They are beautiful in a graceful, ageless way. There are those who say that were the moon and stars to be made in flesh, they would look Galidrain. And this would be correct, for the Galidrain are closest to the stars and moon than any other. Skin tone varies depending on the climate in which they live, but gray eyes and dark hair are common throughout, sometimes edging into blonde or silver regardless of skin tone or age.
Affiliation:
Primarily the Sun Pact, but also their own smaller kingdoms and realms, with individuals having their own allegiances, sometimes to the Lords of Undeath, if something drives them that way. However, typically those who serve the Lords of Undeath are more frequently known as Dark Elves for necromancy is anathema to Elven bodies and corrupts them.