History of the Sylvan Elves - Revision history

GS4-XYNWEN: /* Chapter Ten - The Legend of Haloiyand and Alandalor */

2022-11-12T19:33:35Z

Chapter Ten - The Legend of Haloiyand and Alandalor

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:33, 12 November 2022
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	At the time the sylvans found her, the girl was about ten years of age. When she evidenced no inclination to speak after her ordeal, the sylvans decided to call her Alandalore, a name that meant 'the lost is found.' Although silent, she quickly adapted to a life spent traveling by day and setting up camp in the evenings. She seemed to pick up the sylvan language, because when the sylvans began to ask her to do things, she readily made attempts to do as asked. Haloiyand's family quickly came to care for her, and at the end of Alandalore's second winter with them, Regalan asked that she be formally adopted into the family, a sprawling conglomeration of loosely related sylvans that numbered around sixty people. The girl went through the ceremony, nodding where needed and melded effortlessly into the fabric of the familial group as if she had been born to them.		At the time the sylvans found her, the girl was about ten years of age. When she evidenced no inclination to speak after her ordeal, the sylvans decided to call her Alandalore, a name that meant 'the lost is found.' Although silent, she quickly adapted to a life spent traveling by day and setting up camp in the evenings. She seemed to pick up the sylvan language, because when the sylvans began to ask her to do things, she readily made attempts to do as asked. Haloiyand's family quickly came to care for her, and at the end of Alandalore's second winter with them, Regalan asked that she be formally adopted into the family, a sprawling conglomeration of loosely related sylvans that numbered around sixty people. The girl went through the ceremony, nodding where needed and melded effortlessly into the fabric of the familial group as if she had been born to them.

	In early autumn, the sylvans found a lush vale sheltered within the foothills of the ~~western~~ ~~Dragonspines~~ and prepared to winter-over. The forest was thick there, with old-growth trees that towered up for hundreds of feet. Stones were dug from the soil and piled up to form hearths, while the soft hides of the dwelling walls were suspended from the larger trees found within the surrounding forest. Fallen trees were sought to provide firewood, as well as dried dung left by the teeming herds of deer and antelope inhabiting the area. Herbs, mushrooms and berries were gathered and fish and meat were dried. The sylvans prepared for winter.		In early autumn, the sylvans found a lush vale sheltered within the foothills of the Western Dragonspires and prepared to winter-over. The forest was thick there, with old-growth trees that towered up for hundreds of feet. Stones were dug from the soil and piled up to form hearths, while the soft hides of the dwelling walls were suspended from the larger trees found within the surrounding forest. Fallen trees were sought to provide firewood, as well as dried dung left by the teeming herds of deer and antelope inhabiting the area. Herbs, mushrooms and berries were gathered and fish and meat were dried. The sylvans prepared for winter.

	It was a happy time of year, the sylvans enjoying the cool days and brilliant fall colors. Alandalore busied herself helping bring in food and firewood. While it was reckoned that she was 12 or 13 years of age by then, her odd silence made her seem older. She worked with the other children of the family with a steady concentration that gained approval from her elders and easy camaraderie among her peers. She was also a favorite among the very young children, as her patience and gentle demeanor were a sure refuge when one of them had some mishap or other.		It was a happy time of year, the sylvans enjoying the cool days and brilliant fall colors. Alandalore busied herself helping bring in food and firewood. While it was reckoned that she was 12 or 13 years of age by then, her odd silence made her seem older. She worked with the other children of the family with a steady concentration that gained approval from her elders and easy camaraderie among her peers. She was also a favorite among the very young children, as her patience and gentle demeanor were a sure refuge when one of them had some mishap or other.
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	After Alandalore's death, it was observed that Haloiyand seemed to age quickly, although by sylvan norms she should have expected many remaining years of life. She passed to the Otherlife after two more winters, and her body was wrapped in herbs and linen and buried next to Alandalore. A legend is told, though, that the hearts of both women were lovingly carried with their people to Yuriqen, and placed in an honored resting place within the last city of the sylvans. Whether this story is factual, or was meant in a symbolic context, is unknown.		After Alandalore's death, it was observed that Haloiyand seemed to age quickly, although by sylvan norms she should have expected many remaining years of life. She passed to the Otherlife after two more winters, and her body was wrapped in herbs and linen and buried next to Alandalore. A legend is told, though, that the hearts of both women were lovingly carried with their people to Yuriqen, and placed in an honored resting place within the last city of the sylvans. Whether this story is factual, or was meant in a symbolic context, is unknown.


	== Chapter Eleven - The Final Forest, ca. -2985 to present ==		== Chapter Eleven - The Final Forest, ca. -2985 to present ==

GS4-XYNWEN at 19:32, 12 November 2022

2022-11-12T19:32:44Z

GS4-XYNWEN: /* Chapter One - Early History, Approximately ca. -130,000 to ca. -60,000 */

2022-11-12T19:31:34Z

Chapter One - Early History, Approximately ca. -130,000 to ca. -60,000

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:31, 12 November 2022
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	== Chapter One - Early History, Approximately ca. -130,000 to ca. -60,000 ==		== Chapter One - Early History, Approximately ca. -130,000 to ca. -60,000 ==

	In the earliest of days, a vast forest covered most of the lands between the ~~DragonSpine~~ Mountains and the eastern coast of the continent. Within the forests off the eastern seaboard dwelt the race of elves. They were, from the first, an ingenious people and quickly learned to fashion hide dwellings suspended from the trees. These were easily disassembled to accommodate a nomadic lifestyle, a lifestyle that was designed to conceal their colonies from the threat of the colossal drakes that sailed the wide skies above the canopy of trees.		In the earliest of days, a vast forest covered most of the lands between the Dragonspine Mountains and the eastern coast of the continent. Within the forests off the eastern seaboard dwelt the race of elves. They were, from the first, an ingenious people and quickly learned to fashion hide dwellings suspended from the trees. These were easily disassembled to accommodate a nomadic lifestyle, a lifestyle that was designed to conceal their colonies from the threat of the colossal drakes that sailed the wide skies above the canopy of trees.

	As time passed, the primitive tent-dwellings evolved into semi-permanent constructions that featured some rock walls and hearths, but retained the hide ceilings and upper walls of their earlier design. The people learned first to adorn the hides of their dwellings with painted symbols, and then to make pottery to contain food and water. They domesticated a sturdy breed of antelope living in the forests, and were soon moving their limited belongings via travois. As the colonies grew in size, they divided into smaller groups for protection and traveled the forests, always careful to conceal any evidence of their movements. Their woodcraft skills increased, as well as their survival abilities, with every generation.		As time passed, the primitive tent-dwellings evolved into semi-permanent constructions that featured some rock walls and hearths, but retained the hide ceilings and upper walls of their earlier design. The people learned first to adorn the hides of their dwellings with painted symbols, and then to make pottery to contain food and water. They domesticated a sturdy breed of antelope living in the forests, and were soon moving their limited belongings via travois. As the colonies grew in size, they divided into smaller groups for protection and traveled the forests, always careful to conceal any evidence of their movements. Their woodcraft skills increased, as well as their survival abilities, with every generation.

VANKRASN39: VANKRASN39 moved page The History of the Sylvan Elves to History of the Sylvan Elves: naming convention

2017-03-18T05:03:32Z

VANKRASN39 moved page The History of the Sylvan Elves to History of the Sylvan Elves: naming convention

← Older revision	Revision as of 00:03, 18 March 2017
(No difference)

GS4-SCRIBES at 21:08, 10 April 2015

2015-04-10T21:08:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:08, 10 April 2015
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	{{official-document}}		{{official-document}}

			[[Image:Sylvan map sm.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Map of Sylvan cities and migration.]]
	== Chapter One - Early History, Approximately ca. -130,000 to ca. -60,000 ==		== Chapter One - Early History, Approximately ca. -130,000 to ca. -60,000 ==

GS4-SCRIBES: Protected "The History of the Sylvan Elves" (‎[edit=sysop] (indefinite) ‎[move=sysop] (indefinite))

2015-03-18T21:09:20Z

Protected "The History of the Sylvan Elves" (‎[edit=sysop] (indefinite) ‎[move=sysop] (indefinite))

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:09, 18 March 2015
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GS4-SCRIBES: Created page with "{{official-document}} == Chapter One - Early History, Approximately ca. -130,000 to ca. -60,000 == In the earliest of days, a vast forest covered most of the lands between t..."

2015-03-18T21:09:09Z

Created page with "{{official-document}} == Chapter One - Early History, Approximately ca. -130,000 to ca. -60,000 == In the earliest of days, a vast forest covered most of the lands between t..."

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← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 12 November 2022
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	The sylvans resumed their journey, traveling west along the tree line bordering the grasslands. Weeks passed, though they never again glimpsed any of the plain's behemoths. The trees offered both shelter and reassurance, and gradually the sylvans fell into an easy travel rhythm. The routine of arising at dawn, walking until late afternoon, and then setting up camp became second nature, and the memory of the horrors they had faced on the grasslands began to recede. Abundant game and berries supplied them with food, and with their expert knowledge of the woodlands, they had little trouble finding springs and streams. Finally, the forest turned from west to south, and the sylvans traveled deeper within the bordering forest, often losing sight of the heinous grasslands.		The sylvans resumed their journey, traveling west along the tree line bordering the grasslands. Weeks passed, though they never again glimpsed any of the plain's behemoths. The trees offered both shelter and reassurance, and gradually the sylvans fell into an easy travel rhythm. The routine of arising at dawn, walking until late afternoon, and then setting up camp became second nature, and the memory of the horrors they had faced on the grasslands began to recede. Abundant game and berries supplied them with food, and with their expert knowledge of the woodlands, they had little trouble finding springs and streams. Finally, the forest turned from west to south, and the sylvans traveled deeper within the bordering forest, often losing sight of the heinous grasslands.

	The beginning of winter had arrived, and they decided to build a more substantial camp to wait out the weather. On the distant western horizon, the peaks of the ~~DragonSpine~~ Mountains could be glimpsed shimmering in the crisp sunlight. They called that first winter's camp Moarnishim, and there, the missing -- those lost on the terrible march into the grass -- were counted and a stele was raised with their names incised upon it.		The beginning of winter had arrived, and they decided to build a more substantial camp to wait out the weather. On the distant western horizon, the peaks of the Dragonspine Mountains could be glimpsed shimmering in the crisp sunlight. They called that first winter's camp Moarnishim, and there, the missing -- those lost on the terrible march into the grass -- were counted and a stele was raised with their names incised upon it.

	As cold and snow settled over the woods, the sylvans noted that the tall grasses of the prairie sea merely turned a straw gold color, and lost none of its robust vitality or height.		As cold and snow settled over the woods, the sylvans noted that the tall grasses of the prairie sea merely turned a straw gold color, and lost none of its robust vitality or height.
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	== Chapter Ten - The Legend of Haloiyand and Alandalor ==		== Chapter Ten - The Legend of Haloiyand and Alandalor ==

	As the great ~~DragonSpine~~ Mountains filling the distant northern horizon began to recede, the sylvans turned their path to the north, angling up across a rich land of rolling hills interspersed with verdant forests. Bands of humans were occasionally glimpsed in the distance, however the sylvans were adept at concealing their movements and no contact was made with the nomadic humans, with one exception. While on a hunting excursion, a party of sylvans happened upon a group of human corpses, their demise obviously due to attack by orcs, since there were also orc carcasses there. The humans had apparently made a good stand before being overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Having clearly been dead for a number of days, the remains had been worried by scavengers. Hearing a small growl, the sylvans whirled, expecting another of the scavengers had returned to the feast.		As the great Dragonspine Mountains filling the distant northern horizon began to recede, the sylvans turned their path to the north, angling up across a rich land of rolling hills interspersed with verdant forests. Bands of humans were occasionally glimpsed in the distance, however the sylvans were adept at concealing their movements and no contact was made with the nomadic humans, with one exception. While on a hunting excursion, a party of sylvans happened upon a group of human corpses, their demise obviously due to attack by orcs, since there were also orc carcasses there. The humans had apparently made a good stand before being overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Having clearly been dead for a number of days, the remains had been worried by scavengers. Hearing a small growl, the sylvans whirled, expecting another of the scavengers had returned to the feast.

	Instead, they saw a small human child. It was filthy, its clothing torn, and scratches covered the child's arms and legs. The sylvans finally managed to capture it, whereupon, it was discovered that the child was a girl. Not a few of the sylvans were left with bruises as the girl fought for freedom before they managed to bind her. Once she was fed and wrapped in blankets to ward off the night's chill, the girl-child fell into an exhausted slumber and the hunting party carried her back to the main sylvan colony, unsure what else to do with her.		Instead, they saw a small human child. It was filthy, its clothing torn, and scratches covered the child's arms and legs. The sylvans finally managed to capture it, whereupon, it was discovered that the child was a girl. Not a few of the sylvans were left with bruises as the girl fought for freedom before they managed to bind her. Once she was fed and wrapped in blankets to ward off the night's chill, the girl-child fell into an exhausted slumber and the hunting party carried her back to the main sylvan colony, unsure what else to do with her.
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	At the time the sylvans found her, the girl was about ten years of age. When she evidenced no inclination to speak after her ordeal, the sylvans decided to call her Alandalore, a name that meant 'the lost is found.' Although silent, she quickly adapted to a life spent traveling by day and setting up camp in the evenings. She seemed to pick up the sylvan language, because when the sylvans began to ask her to do things, she readily made attempts to do as asked. Haloiyand's family quickly came to care for her, and at the end of Alandalore's second winter with them, Regalan asked that she be formally adopted into the family, a sprawling conglomeration of loosely related sylvans that numbered around sixty people. The girl went through the ceremony, nodding where needed and melded effortlessly into the fabric of the familial group as if she had been born to them.		At the time the sylvans found her, the girl was about ten years of age. When she evidenced no inclination to speak after her ordeal, the sylvans decided to call her Alandalore, a name that meant 'the lost is found.' Although silent, she quickly adapted to a life spent traveling by day and setting up camp in the evenings. She seemed to pick up the sylvan language, because when the sylvans began to ask her to do things, she readily made attempts to do as asked. Haloiyand's family quickly came to care for her, and at the end of Alandalore's second winter with them, Regalan asked that she be formally adopted into the family, a sprawling conglomeration of loosely related sylvans that numbered around sixty people. The girl went through the ceremony, nodding where needed and melded effortlessly into the fabric of the familial group as if she had been born to them.

	In early autumn, the sylvans found a lush vale sheltered within the foothills of the western ~~DragonSpires~~ and prepared to winter-over. The forest was thick there, with old-growth trees that towered up for hundreds of feet. Stones were dug from the soil and piled up to form hearths, while the soft hides of the dwelling walls were suspended from the larger trees found within the surrounding forest. Fallen trees were sought to provide firewood, as well as dried dung left by the teeming herds of deer and antelope inhabiting the area. Herbs, mushrooms and berries were gathered and fish and meat were dried. The sylvans prepared for winter.		In early autumn, the sylvans found a lush vale sheltered within the foothills of the western Dragonspines and prepared to winter-over. The forest was thick there, with old-growth trees that towered up for hundreds of feet. Stones were dug from the soil and piled up to form hearths, while the soft hides of the dwelling walls were suspended from the larger trees found within the surrounding forest. Fallen trees were sought to provide firewood, as well as dried dung left by the teeming herds of deer and antelope inhabiting the area. Herbs, mushrooms and berries were gathered and fish and meat were dried. The sylvans prepared for winter.

	It was a happy time of year, the sylvans enjoying the cool days and brilliant fall colors. Alandalore busied herself helping bring in food and firewood. While it was reckoned that she was 12 or 13 years of age by then, her odd silence made her seem older. She worked with the other children of the family with a steady concentration that gained approval from her elders and easy camaraderie among her peers. She was also a favorite among the very young children, as her patience and gentle demeanor were a sure refuge when one of them had some mishap or other.		It was a happy time of year, the sylvans enjoying the cool days and brilliant fall colors. Alandalore busied herself helping bring in food and firewood. While it was reckoned that she was 12 or 13 years of age by then, her odd silence made her seem older. She worked with the other children of the family with a steady concentration that gained approval from her elders and easy camaraderie among her peers. She was also a favorite among the very young children, as her patience and gentle demeanor were a sure refuge when one of them had some mishap or other.
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	Years of travel had been hard on the sylvans. One summer found them traversing a dense, pristine forest. It was an impressive wood, complete with streams, old-growth trees and bountiful game. As they passed beneath its expansive canopy, walking through banks of ferns that reached to the waist, the sylvans began to covertly consider the notion that they might finally be at the end of their great trek. At first, the idea was merely mentioned in passing over a campfire, or by way of sharing idle chat while watering the travois beasts. Gradually, it grew into an item of conversation, and as the hundreds of sylvans crossed the forest floor, leaving hardly a footprint, they began to map the wood with a growing desire to finally settle.		Years of travel had been hard on the sylvans. One summer found them traversing a dense, pristine forest. It was an impressive wood, complete with streams, old-growth trees and bountiful game. As they passed beneath its expansive canopy, walking through banks of ferns that reached to the waist, the sylvans began to covertly consider the notion that they might finally be at the end of their great trek. At first, the idea was merely mentioned in passing over a campfire, or by way of sharing idle chat while watering the travois beasts. Gradually, it grew into an item of conversation, and as the hundreds of sylvans crossed the forest floor, leaving hardly a footprint, they began to map the wood with a growing desire to finally settle.

	The forest was vast, populated with both deciduous and evergreen trees. This wood extended from the western borders of a river that would eventually mark the boundary between the wood and the human empire, to the rocky slopes of the ~~DragonSpine~~ Mountains on the eastern perimeter. The sylvans named the river on the western boundary of the forest Andemyon, meaning the Edge of All. They explored in all directions, finding mile after mile of rich, healthy forests with trees so tall, they dwarfed the heights recorded for the trees that had once sheltered the fabled city of Ithnishmyn. The sylvans were cautiously pleased.		The forest was vast, populated with both deciduous and evergreen trees. This wood extended from the western borders of a river that would eventually mark the boundary between the wood and the human empire, to the rocky slopes of the Dragonspine Mountains on the eastern perimeter. The sylvans named the river on the western boundary of the forest Andemyon, meaning the Edge of All. They explored in all directions, finding mile after mile of rich, healthy forests with trees so tall, they dwarfed the heights recorded for the trees that had once sheltered the fabled city of Ithnishmyn. The sylvans were cautiously pleased.

	Eventually, as the sylvans delved deeper into the fabulous wood, they discovered a wide swale of silver-leafed aspens. This expanse of trees was mysterious and magical in nature. They marveled at such a discovery. This was the epitome of everything they had imagined and hoped to find during the years they had journeyed: a wood, spanning hundreds of miles, with a semi-sentient nature at its core and a deep resonance coursing through its roots. The sylvans passed through the forest, careful to observe all reverences in order to lessen the impact of their crossing.		Eventually, as the sylvans delved deeper into the fabulous wood, they discovered a wide swale of silver-leafed aspens. This expanse of trees was mysterious and magical in nature. They marveled at such a discovery. This was the epitome of everything they had imagined and hoped to find during the years they had journeyed: a wood, spanning hundreds of miles, with a semi-sentient nature at its core and a deep resonance coursing through its roots. The sylvans passed through the forest, careful to observe all reverences in order to lessen the impact of their crossing.
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	Yuriqen was a bountiful protector, and the sylvans lived within its embrace in harmony. The seven trees each became a specialized center, with residences, shops and temples. Promenades arched through the heights, their sides protected by thick ropes of braided vines. The widest part of the great oval created by the trees' placement extended east to west. Sitting at the center of the oval's northern side was the largest of the modwirs, a giant called Yr'Thrumh. The only one of the giants to have stairs that reached the ground, the tree was dedicated to the 'Circle,' or loosely, the combination of all things and all energy contained in the world and the power encompassed by that whole. Here was found an expansive central plaza, its edges ringed by impressive residences. The high council met within one of these, as did the high congress of the D'ahranals. Also within Yr'Thrumh was the great hall of the Kytawa, its entry guarded by two towering sculptures of pelicans, with arched necks pointing their beaks toward the ground, as though to inspect anyone entering the dwelling.		Yuriqen was a bountiful protector, and the sylvans lived within its embrace in harmony. The seven trees each became a specialized center, with residences, shops and temples. Promenades arched through the heights, their sides protected by thick ropes of braided vines. The widest part of the great oval created by the trees' placement extended east to west. Sitting at the center of the oval's northern side was the largest of the modwirs, a giant called Yr'Thrumh. The only one of the giants to have stairs that reached the ground, the tree was dedicated to the 'Circle,' or loosely, the combination of all things and all energy contained in the world and the power encompassed by that whole. Here was found an expansive central plaza, its edges ringed by impressive residences. The high council met within one of these, as did the high congress of the D'ahranals. Also within Yr'Thrumh was the great hall of the Kytawa, its entry guarded by two towering sculptures of pelicans, with arched necks pointing their beaks toward the ground, as though to inspect anyone entering the dwelling.

	Traveling to the east across the graceful hanging bridges, one reached the next modwir, called Yr'Tael. This tree's symbol was the sunrise, for it guarded the east. Within its vast branches were found many scholars and halls of learning, for the magnificent Temple of the Dawn was located within the tree's highest branches. Not surprisingly, there were a number of schools offering clerical instruction to be found in Yr'Tael. The breathtaking morning view of the ~~DragonSpine~~ peaks glistening in the dawn's light from the bridges of Yr'Tael was a common subject for sylvan artists.		Traveling to the east across the graceful hanging bridges, one reached the next modwir, called Yr'Tael. This tree's symbol was the sunrise, for it guarded the east. Within its vast branches were found many scholars and halls of learning, for the magnificent Temple of the Dawn was located within the tree's highest branches. Not surprisingly, there were a number of schools offering clerical instruction to be found in Yr'Tael. The breathtaking morning view of the Dragonspine peaks glistening in the dawn's light from the bridges of Yr'Tael was a common subject for sylvan artists.

	To the southeast of Yr'Tael was Yr'Nyx, a popular location featuring much of the city's loveliest architecture, since Yr'Vyx was the home of the dance, a symbol of all things artistic and fine. Not surprisingly, the Fresiawn was to be found in the branches of this modwir, along with many shops offering musical instruments, artwork and apparel.		To the southeast of Yr'Tael was Yr'Nyx, a popular location featuring much of the city's loveliest architecture, since Yr'Vyx was the home of the dance, a symbol of all things artistic and fine. Not surprisingly, the Fresiawn was to be found in the branches of this modwir, along with many shops offering musical instruments, artwork and apparel.