Sea Elves, Vol. 1

The history of the Sea Elves is best told by one of their own. I am Palwen Ellaera, a Sea Elf and Duchess of Rylsilesti. Daughter of the Druidess Thrilisitha, and second in line of the throne of the Sea Elves. Many have searched for information of my kind with no avail. That is why I have chosen to write a bit about my people after several interviews with many of the Sea-elven citizens ranging from the common citizen to the members of the noble houses. All accounts have the views of both sides of the line of wealth. ---------------------------------------------------

Deep within the Dead Sea lies the forgotten city of Rylsilesti. There a tribe of elves live in harmony and peace. These elves are known to be the most tolerant of those that hold the elven blood. As living within the sea, the name Sea elves was bestowed upon them. Their skin ranges from the colors of pale white to a pale blue. They have webbed hands and feet and even gills that allow them to swim at great speeds. Their pointed ears and soft angular facial features mark them as elves yet many confuse them with the mer-people.

The sea elves truly hold the elven blood for they were once refugees that fled from danger of the orcs. Many know of the ancient capital of the Elven Nation, Alfenham. The once great city was swallowed by the corruption of the Forsaken Lands. The surviving noble families fled to Greginsham to continue their way of life. Little did they know that a storm was brewing before their very own eyes. Danger arose once more as the orcs advanced upon the City of the Wind. Refugees fled to the newly formed city of Shasarazade, barricading themselves for protection. Few of those refugees fled into the Dead Sea to establish a new home, away from civilization. By doing so, they broke all ties with the Elven Nation and caused bad blood between them.

Upon arrival to the Dead Sea, the elven refuges quickly began to build their homes on the shores. Soon a small village came to be. More and more refugees arrived seeking shelter and safety from the danger that chased them. As time came to pass their very lives changed greatly. Slowly the elves began to evolved to fit their needs. Gills, webbed feet and hands began to show in their offspring. Their ability to dive deeper then most great beasts allowed them to build a kingdom under the sea. With a new kingdom came a name, Rylsilesti.

Everything they once held so close was long forgotten. What was left was their prayers to Goddess of the moon, until the day where their faith in the goddess would change. During a hunt away from the shores, the elves of Rylsilesti found themselves at the door steps of the Watcher Encampment. Peace was made between the two sides as a new religion took place. The Sea Elven priest began to study along side the treants of the encampment naming themselves druids. Following close to the rituals of the treants, the druids paid respect to the Mother Goddess. Yet very few of the sea elves stood their ground and prayed to the lunar goddess of the land dwelling elves. They were ostracized and outcasted. As the city was small in size, there was only room for one religion. A single temple was built to accommodate the druids for their worship. As the druids studied, their prayers and knowledge of herbs grew. As it was so, the life expectancy of these elves became longer then any known land dwelling elf. As time passed a new law was passed, giving freedom of religion. Those that were outcasted were allowed to return and build their own temple of worship in peace.

As their religion changed so did their holy marital bonds. Elves are known to remain with their mate for life. Yet as the city was small, very little offspring were born. As well as keeping ties between high class families. Polygamy rose through the Noble houses like wild fire. Elven lords and ladies would marry many times to keep strong ties within those high classes. It was not unheard of for a lord to marry a commoner. So long as the same blood was not mixed, the marriage would be approved through the councils of the druids. For those that were polygamist, three is the maximum. When a man or woman decided to marry another, the first would have to approve before hand. Once married, the newly wife or husband would be named sister-wife or brother-husband. As the elves mate for life, adultery is a capital offense and punishable by death or marked and outcasted from the city.