Ta'Vaalor Historical Society
The Ta'Vaalor Historical Society is located inside a pale blue limestone house with a peaked slate roof on Glimaerstone Var in Ta'Vaalor. A series of NPCs asks questions about the character's back history, allowing the new player to get into more in depth roleplaying.holds a collection of player character histories. Adventurers can visit the society and answer a personal questionnaire of over 80 multiple-choice questions on a variety of subjects: Infancy and Early Childhood, Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Adult Life, Opinions, and Religion. Answers to these questions are kept for as long as the adventurer is active in Elanthia and can be revisited at any time.
Mind you, only some adventurers can create character histories in this fashion. Some races (half-Krolvin, Burghal gnomes, forest gnomes, Erithians, and Aelotoi) cannot take the questionnaire. If an adventurer who is of a race that the questionnaire does not cover ASKs NPC ABOUT LIST, the NPC will respond, "I'm sorry, we aren't equipped to deal with your kind yet."
The questions are as follows:
Topic #1--Infancy and Early Childhood
Question #1--"Where were you born?"
(Dark Elf choices)
1. New Ta'Faendryl
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Near or in Sharath
8. No Answer
9. Other
(Dwarven choices)
1. In a Dwarven City
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Within the Elven empire
8. Near or in Sharath
9. No Answer
10. Other
(Elf choices)
1. Within the Elven Empire
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Wyrdeep Forest
8. Sylvarraend
9. Near or in Sharath
10. No Answer
11. Other
(Giantman choices)
1. Wehnimer's Landing
2. River's Rest
3. Teras Isle
4. Icemule Trace
5. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
6. Within the Elven Empire
7. Near or in Sharath
8. No Answer
9. Other
10. Among the [Giantman] Clan
(Half-elf choices)
1. New Ta'Faendryl
2. Yuriqen
3. Wehnimer's Landing
4. River's Rest
5. Teras Isle
6. Icemule Trace
7. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
8. Within the Elven empire
9. Wyrdeep Forest
10. Sylvarraend
11. Near or in Sharath
12. No Answer
13. Other
(Halfling choices)
1. In a specific halfling village or city
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Within the Elven Empire
8. Near or in Sharrath
9. No Answer
10. Other
(Human choices)
1. Within the Turamzzyrian Empire
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Elven empire
7. Near or in Sharath
8. No Answer
9. Other
10. In [Culture you have selected]
(Sylvan choices)
1. Yuriquen [sic]
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Within the Elven empire
8. Wyrdeep Forest
9. Sylvarraend
10. Near or in Sharath
11. No Answer
12. Other
Question #2--"In which area of the Turamzzyrian Empire were you born?"
1. Selanthia
2. Aldora
3. Chastonia
4. Honneland
5. Estoria
6. Hendor
7. Allace
8. Trauntor
9. Seareach
10. Torre
11. Jantalar
12. Talador
13. Mestanir
14. Bourth
15. Vornavis
16. Highmount
17. Oire
18. Riverwood
19. Dragach
20. No Answer
21. Other
Question #3--"In which Elven city were you born?"
1. Ta'Illistim
2. Ta'Loenthra
3. Ta'Ardenai
4. Ta'Nalfein
5. Ta'Vaalor
6. No Answer
7. Other
Question #4--"In which Sylvan village were you born?"
(Note: This question doesn't appear to have been finished, as no Sylvan villages are listed. If a Sylvan character answers "Yuriquen" to Question 1, they get this. If the sylvan character answers "Wyrdeep Forest" or "Sylvarraend" to Question 1, Question 4 will be blocked.)
1. (NA)
2. (NA)
3. (NA)
4. (NA)
5. (NA)
6. (NA)
Question #5--"In which Dwarven town were you born?"
(This option is only available to Dwarven characters who answer "In a Dwarven city" to Question 1. Even though Kharam-Dzu is on Teras Isle, if the character answers that they grew up on Teras Isle, Question 5 will be blocked.)
1. Zul Logoth
2. Kharam-Dzu
3. Zhindel's Post not underground
4. Greetok
5. Orsmanzya
6. Khazar's Hold
7. Zul Roram
8. Zul Brechinzm beneath Turamzzyrian Empire
9. Vaslavia Meadows not underground
10. Rockmelderam
11. Kherram Olt Dzu - dark dwarves near Roska-Tor
12. Zul Zybrano beneath Turamzzyrian Empire
13. Eregendo Dzu
14. Parshillam Dzu beneath Turamzzyrian Empire
15. Zul Mordram
16. Chiostolis
17. Lake Jostallim
18. Bortrazo's Canyon not underground
19. Zul Golorot
20. Zul Sharzen not underground
21. Ghareschnek not underground
22. Mithgrek
23. Kragnek Dzu not underground
24. Gezunel
25. Grentok
26. Eregrek
27. No Answer
28. Other
Question #6--"Please choose the option which best describes the location of your place of your birth."
(This question only appears if you answer "Other" to the first question.)
1. Rural
2. Wastelands
3. Mountains
4. Desert
5. Forest
6. Plains
7. Hills
8. Floodplain
9. Swamp
10. Coastline
11. Lake shore
12. Valley
13. Nomadic lifestyle
14. I do not know
15. No answer
16. Other
Question #7--"Please choose the option which best describes the population of your place of birth."
(This question only appears if you answer "Other" to the first question.)
1. 1-100
2. 100-500
3. 500-1000
4. 1000-5000
5. 5000+
6. I don't know
7. No answer
8. Other
Question #8--"How many siblings did you have?"
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six
7. Seven or more
8. Only child
9. No family
10. I don't know
11. No answer
12. Other
Question #9--"What was your birth order?"
1. First born
2. Second born
3. Middle child
4. Youngest child
5. Adopted
6. I do not know
7. No answer
8. Other
Question #10--"Given your cultural perspective, what was the economic standing of your family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Wealthy
2. Comfortable
3. Genteel poverty
4. Impoverished
5. I had no family
6. I do not know
7. No Answer
8. Other
Question #11--"What was the social standing of your family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Despised
2. Disliked
3. Feared
4. Tolerated
5. Well liked
6. Exemplary
7. Revered
8. We had no social standing
9. I had no family
10. I do not know
11. No Answer
12. Other
Question #12--"Which best describes your parental figures during your infancy and early youth?"
1. "Traditional" biological mother and father pair
2. Single mother
3. Single father
4. I had no parental figure
5. I was adopted by a family member who assumed the role of a parental figure
6. I was adopted by non-relations who assumed the roles of parental figures
7. I was raised by many in a commune-style environment
8. I do not know
9. No answer
10. Other
Question #13--"Which best describes your family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. A small unit consisting primarily of parental figures and siblings (natural or adopted)
2. A medium-sized unit consisting primarily of parental figures and siblings (natural or adopted)
3. A large unit consisting primarily of parental figures and siblings (natural or adopted)
4. A small family where extended family members assist in the rearing of young
5. A medium-sized family where extended family members assist in the rearing of young
6. A large family where extended family members assist in the rearing of young
7. A commune-style environment (genetic relations had no greater significance than other members of the community
8. An extensive group of friends creating a family environment with no parental or sibling figures
9. No family
10. No answer
11. Other
Question #14--"Which best describes your relationship with your family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. I was disowned
2. I was scorned but accepted
3. I was tolerated
4. I was loved
5. I was treasured
6. I had no family
7. I do not know
8. No Answer
9. Other
Question #15--"Were there any significant deaths of family or friends during your infancy and early youth?"
1. No significant deaths
2. Death of a father
3. Death of a mother
4. Death of both parents
5. Death of a brother
6. Death of a sister
7. Death of several siblings
8. Death of all siblings
9. Death of an extended family member
10. Death of the entire core family
11. Death of the entire family (including all or most extended family members)
12. Death of a close friend
13. Death of a number of close friends
14. Death of the entire community
15. I do not know
16. No answer
17. Other
Question #16--"Did you experience any other significant deaths of friend or family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Yes
2. No
3. I do not know
4. No Answer
5. Other
Question #17--"What other significant deaths of friends or family did you experience?"
1. Death of a father
2. Death of a mother
3. Death of both parents
4. Death of a brother
5. Death of a sister
6. Death of several siblings
7. Death of all siblings
8. Death of an extended family member
9. Death of the entire core family
10. Death of the entire family (including all or most extended family members)
11. Death of a close friend
12. Death of a number of close friends
13. Death of a love-interest
14. Death of the entire community
15. No answer
16. Other
Question #18--"What type of work did your parents do during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Adventurer / Traveler
2. Arcane Practitioner
3. Architect / Builder
4. Armor-smith
5. Artisan / Craftsman
6. Bowyer / Fletcher
7. Caravaner / Gypsy
8. Cook / Baker / Brewer
9. Farmer / Gatherer
10. Healer / Herbalist
11. Hunter
12. Livestock Breeder
13. Musician
14. Nobility / Landowner
15. Religious Leader
16. Scholar
17. Something that went against our culture
18. Teacher
19. Trader / Merchant
20. Warrior / Soldier
21. Weapon-smith
22. No answer
23. Other
Question #19--"Choose the option which best describes your health during infancy and early youth."
1. Accident prone
2. Experienced one period of serious illness or one serious injury
3. Frequently gained bumps and scrapes
4. Healthy for the most part
5. Hypochondriac
6. Often sickly
7. Strong and energetic
8. Uncommonly healthy
9. No answer
10. Other
Question #20--"Choose the option which best describes your situation during infancy and early youth."
1. Carefree
2. Content
3. Content, but I had an unusual amount of responsibility for a youth
4. Responsible for my own well-being
5. Discontent with my situation
6. Depressed for no apparent reason
7. A victim of my situation
8. No answer
9. Other
Question #21--"What did you fear the most during your infancy and early youth?"
1. A specific Arkati, pantheon, or other deity
2. A specific person or group
3. Being left alone
4. Being unloved or unaccepted
5. Bugs
6. Crowds
7. Death
8. Disease
9. Failure
10. Wealth
11. Health
12. Imaginary monsters
13. Life
14. Real monsters
15. The dark / night
16. The day
17. No answer
18. Other
Question #22--"What did you desire most during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Acceptance
2. Attention
3. Control
4. Destruction
5. Family
6. Fun
7. Happiness
8. Health
9. Knowledge
10. Love
11. Power
12. Success
13. The innocent things of childhood: candy, ponies, toys, etc
14. To be feared
15. Vengeance
16. No answer
17. Other
Question #23--"What did you wish to be when you grew up?"
1. Adventurer / Traveler
2. Arcane Practitioner
3. Architect / Builder / Artisan / Craftsman
4. Armor-smith
5. Artist / Musician
6. Bowyer / Fletcher
7. Caravaner / Gypsy
8. Cook / Baker / Brewer
9. Farmer / Gatherer
10. Healer
11. Hunter
12. Livestock Breeder
13. Nobility / Landowner
14. Religious Leader
15. Scholar
16. Something that went against my culture
17. Teacher
18. Trader / Merchant
19. Warrior / Soldier
20. Weapon-smith
21. No answer
22. Other
Question #24--"Did you have a happy childhood?"
1. Yes
2. Mostly yes
3. No
4. Mostly no
5. Yes and no
6. No answer
7. Other
Topic #2--Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Question #1--"Were there any significant deaths of friends or family during your young adulthood?"
Question #2--"Did you experience any other significant deaths of friend or family during your young adulthood?"
Question #3--"What other significant deaths of friends or family did you experience?"
Question #4--"Choose the option which best describes your health during your early adulthood."
Question #5--"Choose the option which best describes your situation during your early adulthood."
Question #6--"Choose the option which best describes your social situation during your early adulthood."
Question #7--"How did your social circle feel about you?"
Question #8--"What did you fear most during your early adulthood?"
Question #9--"What did you desire most during your early adulthood?"
Question #10--"Where did you primarily reside during your early adulthood?"
Question #11--"In which area of the Turamzzyrian Empire did you reside?"
Question #12--"In which Elven city did you reside?"
Question #13--"In which Sylvan village did you reside?"
Question #14--"In which Dwarven town did you reside?"
Question #15--"Please choose the option which best describes the location of your place of your residence during your early childhood."
Question #16--"Please choose the option which best describes the population of your place of your residence during your early childhood."
Question #17--"Were you educated?"
Question #18--"How did you obtain your formal education?"
Question #19--"How did you obtain your informal education?"
Question #20--"Where did you complete your apprenticeship?"
Question #21--"Did you complete your education?"
Question #22--"How did you spend most of your time during your early adulthood?"
Question #23--"Choose the option which best describes your early romantic life."
Question #24--"Choose the option which best describes your first love."
Question #25--"Did you have a happy young adulthood?"
Topic #3--Adult Life
Question #1--"Have you ever followed another profession?"
Question #2--"What other profession did you follow?"
Question #3--"Why did you choose your current profession?"
Question #4--"How closely is your profession tied up with your identity as an individual?"
Question #5--"Have you ever killed another person?"
Question #6--"How would you best describe the situation involving this person's death? (If there is more than one, select the most significant.)"
Question #7--"How much have you traveled?"
Question #8--"Why did you take up adventuring?"
Question #9--"Were there any significant deaths of friends or family during your adulthood?"
Question #10--"Did you experience any other significant deaths of friends or family during your adulthood?"
Question #11--"What other significant deaths of friends or family did you experience?"
Question #12--"What is your marital status?"
Question #13--"Do you have any children?"
Question #14--"How many children do you have?"
Question #15--"How important are your family and/or friends to you?"
Question #16--"How many close friends/important people are in your life?"
Question #17--"How do you feel about relationships?"
Question #18--"Do you maintain the traditions with which you were raised?"
Question #19--"How do you feel about the arts (music, song, dance, stories, poetry)?"
Question #20--"When you die your final death, what do you hope your most significant achievement will have been?"
Topic #4--Opinions
Question #1--"Please select the option that best fits your views on the Elven Empire."
Question #2--"Please select the option that best fits your views on the Turamzzyrian Empire."
Question #3--"How do you feel about your race?"
Question #4--"How do you feel about your race in relation to others?"
Question #5--"How do you feel about the undead?"
Question #6--"How do you feel about the law?"
Question #7--"How do you feel about politics?"
Question #8--"What sorts of foods are your favorite?"
Question #9--"What is your favorite beverage type?"
Question #10--"How much do you drink alcoholic beverages?"
Question #11--"How do you feel about magic?"
Question #12--"How do you feel about weapons?"
Question #13--"How do you feel about combat in general?"
Question #14--"How do you feel about your abilities and talents?"
Question #15--"How do you feel about honor?"
Question #16--"How do you feel about silvers?"
Question #17--"How do you feel about wealth?"
Question #18--"How do you feel about shopping?"
Question #19--"How do you feel about material goods?"
Question #20--"What is your grasp of language?"
Topic #5--Religion
Question #1--"Describe the subject of your religious persuasion."
Question #2--"Toward which Arkati grouping are you more inclined?"
Question #3--"Toward which god are you MOST inclined?"
Question #4--"Describe the nature of your religious persuasion."
Food
Just north of the entrance there is a table sporting an array of fresh fruits and teas for the visitor's enjoyment.
| a glass of iced orange tea The intense orange flavor explodes across your taste buds. A unique blend of orange and spice gives this tea a delightful flavor. |
| a glass of iced mint tea The tea's refreshing fragrance and cool, exhilarating taste is delightful to the senses. The refreshing blend of spearmint and herbs clears your sinuses. |
| a large red apple Your mouth fills with the sweet, ripe juice. It is very juicy, with an almost flowery aroma. |
| a poached sugar-filled pear A crystallized sugar interior is a delightful surprise inside this perfectly poached pear. The sugar filling mixes with the pear juice and melts easily on the tongue. |
| a slice of juicy watermelon The seeds may be a nuisance, but the taste itself is wonderful! The sweet, ripe juice streams over your tongue. |
NPCs
an aloof elven secretary (located in the Foyer--can be asked about any list)
look at secretary
The elven secretary steadfastly avoids eye contact, keeping his attention fixed on other matters. His posture is ramrod-straight, and the stiff black fabric of his jacket is untouched by wrinkles or folds. Pinned to his chest is a lock of braided hair on a black velvet ribbon.
---
an imposing elven dowager (covers List 1--Infancy and Early Childhood)
look at dowager
With small, bright eyes above a long, narrow nose, the elven dowager has an almost birdlike look about her. Woven into the heavy fabric of her gown are blooming peonies and plump mice. Swinging from her belt is a polished silver chatelaine holding several keys and a beaded purse.
---
a shy elven botanist
look at botanist
Long tendrils of honey blonde hair obscure the elven botanist's blue-grey eyes and upturned nose. Her simple ivory linen dress is slightly damp with dew at the hem. Tied around her slender neck is a blush pink ribbon supporting a pewter rose.
---
a flighty elven musician
look at musician
Wearing a long silk brocade coat embellished with pearls, the elven musician appears ready for a formal concert. His dramatically arched eyebrows give him a look of constant surprise, and his long chestnut hair is wrapped in a red velvet ribbon at the nape of his neck. In one hand he holds a slightly crumpled musical score covered with comments and corrections.
---
a moody elven scrivener
look at scrivener
Attired mostly in black, the elven scrivener has a funereal air about him. The rumpled wool of his long coat falls shapelessly over his shoulders and a sugarloaf hat is pulled down tightly over his limp brown hair. He wears a large signet ring on his left hand.
---
an ethereal elven reader
look at reader
A gossamer layer of white silk gauze floats over the elven reader's undergown of silver-shot satin. Her platinum blonde hair is arranged in six braids looped together with narrow green ribbons. Covering her tiny feet are whisper-thin kidskin slippers embroidered with strands of seaweed.
---
an inquisitive elven bookkeeper
look at bookkeeper
The elven bookkeeper's long, pointed ears stick up through the fine wisps of blonde hair that wreathe his bony head. A diamond-patterned doublet with a peascod belly encases his slender torso and wide galligaskins cover his legs to below the knee. Smudges of ink stain his long, crooked fingers.
See also: Wehnimer's Historical Society, Icemule Historical Society