House of Ashrim

House of Ashrim Crest an aquamarine wavecrest on a field of white Jewel emerald (green) Statement "Masters of the sea." Founder Bhoreas Ashrim Ruler None

The House of Ashrim was one of seven houses of elves that made up the ancient Elven Empire. Founded by Bhoreas Ashrim, the Ashrim elves were renowned as the most skilled seafarers of their time. Their seat of power was the city of Ta'Ashrim, situated on a large island off the southeastern coast of Elanith, east of Ta'Nalfein. The Ashrim elves also settled on the smaller nearby islands of Tashel, Angral, and Aelv.

In the year 157 of the Modern Era (approximately five thousand years before present day), the city of Ta'Ashrim was destroyed, taking with it the majority of the elves of the House of Ashrim, and the house ceased to exist.

The events that led to its destruction are known as the Sea Elf War.

Some scattered survivors, including the court mage Malaphor and at least one member of the royal family, fled to Ruin Creek, where they banded together with the humans of the area. At some point near the present day, they were attacked by Vvrael agents in search of an artifact that had been saved from the ruin of Ta'Ashrim. Malaphor fell in the battle against a corrupted knight, but managed to send his apprentice to Wehnimer's Landing.

Culture

Bhoreas Ashrim's line took to the sea. None could match their skill with elemental magic, especially that of wind and water. They were said to have achieved control over the weather. They used this skill to master the waves, and they used their mighty city of Ta'Ashrim as a base for trading with some and raiding others. Coastal dwellers of the other races came to fear the warships of the "Sea Elves," as they were known. Though perhaps the haughtiest of all the elven houses, the Ashrim had little to do with elven politics - they considered the sea their kingdom, and cared little for the concerns of those on land.

— Meachreasim Illistim, History of Elanthia

Of the Arkati, they paid homage to Charl and Niima, but actively disliked all others.

The making of elesine fabric was a closely guarded secret of the Ashrim, and that knowledge was lost with the house's destruction.

It is known that Ashrim explorers had made contact with the krolvin beyond the Great Western Sea. As surviving journals describe the krolvin as bloody conquerers, it is unlikely there was ever any formal diplomacy or trade between them.

An old Ashrim legend claimed that the rustle of sirenflowers on a windless day signals that spirits or demons draw near, and certain Ashrim sea-captains kept bundles of dried sirenflower in their cabins to alert them to such dangers.

Memorials

Memorial, Vaeshean Wey in Ta'Illistim

[Ta'Illistim, Vaeshean Wey]
Set against the high city wall is a large marble relief.  A neatly arranged bed of sea glass, driftwood and tumbled shells surrounds the base of the tripartite display.   You also see a vine-covered lattice archway.
Obvious paths: east, south

>look relief
A massive slab of white marble, surrounded by a verdigris frame, is segmented into three distinct panels and carved in high relief.  The first panel depicts the shipyards of Ta'Ashrim in their glory.  Countless shipwrights toil away on slender vessels, all in varying stages of construction.  Rising high behind the scene is the Ta'Ashrim Keep, its banner flying proudly in the wind.  The second panel, set centrally, shows a fleet of three Ashrim ships locked in battle with pirates.  Of the triad, the flagship has ensnared the pirate vessel, allowing sea elves to pour over the rails of the enemy vessel in a show of force.  The third and final panel is somber.  A single body is carried by his fellows to the sea, where a floating pyre awaits.  One member of each elven House -- Ardenai, Illistim, Loenthra, Nalfein and Vaalor, looks on in grief and mourning.  The frame that encompasses all three panels is etched with wavecrests and marked with small characters.

>read relief
In the Elven language, it reads:

In consolation, we turn to the sea
whose wavecrests cradle them
our dead, our lost
our brothers and sisters
the Ashrim are gone but not forgotten

Resources

• Siege of Ta'Ashrim
• War Stories: Fall of Ta'Ashrim and the Third Elven War (log)
• The attack on Ta'Ashrim (short story)