The Grand Elves of Highever

[Yeorl Oakenleaf]

Holding its dominion in the northern tip of the Munit, is the small Elf nation of Highever. The nation of Highever wasn't always confined to the north and once had a vast territory, which collapsed over the years of warring with the mighty Ironwood Imperium (Its neighbour to the south). Now Highever stretches from the edge of the Deep Wood in the north; to the base of the Chavlarus mountains in the west and the Burenar desert in the east; with little room to expand the Grand Elves of Highever find themselves on their last leg. Each and every elf prepares themselves for something known as the "Yeri Saiyon-mey" which in the old High Elven tongue, roughly translates to - "The last battle." The only legitimate city left in Highever is the marble city of Vaylence while the rest of the forests have been turned into fortresses.

Highever is populated by the Grand Elves, a race descended directly from the ancient High Elves, who in a war with the Aer; thousands of years ago went extinct. It is believed that the Grand Elves were a cross between the early and now vanished, Dwarf colony of Fallguard and High Elves - who strangely enough, had no concept of race and didn't view it as cross breeding. The High Elf people live underneath the plains in numerous hidden caves and they dug out hills to build marble halls for homes; but the old ones were no fools and cast protective magic hiding them. The majority of the High Elves lived within the small area known as the terra hill land, (A rocky area full of numerous rolling hills and rich marble deposits.) some archaeologists have gone their entire lives without finding so much as a paupers grave. It is believed the ancient High Elves were fair haired, impeccably tall standing often a good 7'3 but their descendants the Grand Elves, due to their mixed dwarven blood, commonly have dark hair and the tallest among them stand just short of a tall human. It is common practice among Grand Elf soldiers to dye their hair yellow, in order to mimic their long dead ancestors; as an attempt to spark fear in their enemies hearts. But it is not too rare for a Grand Elf to be tall and golden haired like the High Elves of old. Elves live longer than Humans and Dwarves and have been known to reach an old age of two hundred and forty.



Grand Elf society is poised towards the war effort, pragmatically so. This does not mean that they do not know how to enjoy themselves, the most respected position in their society is their councilmen but second to that are musicians. In fact is is quite common that every soldier in an Elvish army carry their own instrument; opposed to a war horn, they are usually found playing a beautiful sonata to signify troop movements. Donning colourful garments and dancing within the town square each and every night, is a special festivity known as the "Yeri Inid-ol" or in the common tongue "The dance of night." The dance of the night is actually a fairly new tradition having sprouted up in popularity among small Elf settlements just after the Dread Wars, it signifies to them their continued independence and often extra dance chairs will be set aside to honour their fallen brethren, those living under the tyranny of the Imperium. While the Grand Elves do not have contact with many outside nations, they are very accommodating to all but Humans and while their friendship with the Dwarves have begun to wane; they still hold Dwarf merchants and travellers in extremely high regard. Because the Human kingdoms of the North and East have yet to recognise their cause and fight against the Imperium or send any aid what so ever, they naturally distrust and despise them. The Grand Elves also have a complicated relationship with the remnants of the Aer Empire; while they willingly pursue aiding the Elves more than anyone in fighting the Imperium, thanks to history the Grand Elves only accept their aid when in the direst of need.
The Elves are famous for their fletchers and carpenters, having their specially prepared goods taken all across the world in Dwarf caravans, who come seasonally to Vaylence on the 'Marble road' from Redrook. Or at least they used to; but with the civil war heating up to an extreme and the Imperium ever encroaching north, the amount of trade is gradually lessening. The most important thing to the Elf people is freedom; and their music and they are willing to die defending both.

A unique style of magic flows through the blood of the Grand Elves, a magic deeply routed in music. Very few Elves have mastered the gift but those that have are known as "Kavi". The Kavi armed with either their voices or instruments, play music to devastating effect, having the ability to call storms down upon their enemy, charm them or cause rapid plant growth.. Of course there are very few Kavi who have mastered the art and those who have are usually only proficient in one area of music. It is the most diverse form of magic and it is said to become a master Kavi, one must first master all forms of music. While you would think the Elves would utilise this on the battlefield that is usually not the case, since the Kavi are the most talented musicians in all of Darasum they are more commonly found within the households of nobles doing what they love best - simply playing music.

The Keepers of the Grove are an interesting organisation headed within Highever. A rag tag band of forest rangers, hunters and ex-army, The Keepers of the Grove zealously wage an offensive war against the Imperium. While they are not part of Highevers military, they have been known to aid when it was needed; but their personal philosophy is that the war cannot be won hiding behind the marble walls of Vaylence and must be fought in the territory of the enemy. The Keepers of the Grove, travel in troops and take out the odd Imperial patrols, they also raid caravans coming from Central to the Imperiums front lines. The Keepers of the Grove also maintain and organise the militia defence forces for the few settlements left and they were invaluable in the retaking of the Alphawood. (One of the few Grand Elf fortresses left.) Their organisations head bureau is in Novawood; which they believe if falls will be the end of the war, as it will give the Imperial army an entirely open and undefended route straight to Vaylence.



One of the most famous elite regiments in the world are the Silver Suns swordsmen of Vaylence. The Silver suns bearing the Silver sun sigil; they are the only real professional regiment in Highevers armies, with the sole task of winning battles deemed lost. Funded by the public and equipped with magic swords that are known to break any shield, they're highly trained and well armed. The Silver Suns are trained from birth and when they reach the age of eighteen, they must go out and slay one of the great plains beasts; to prove their courage. A third of the young men sent out, don't come back; but those that do bring with them a token of the beast they killed. They use a special hatchet known as a "Myrn" that breaks upon contact with a beast and it grants them a portion of the slain animals power.