Sun Elves
The Sun Elves of Stehreel are a golden race. One of five races of Eldar, the Sun Elves were the fourth born in the beginning. They trend towards an average height of 186cm (6' 1”) and have lean and waterless builds for the most part. Their coloration ranges from very light butter golds to dark bronzes in skin tone, they can have a range of golden irises for their eyes, and their hair can range through the silver and gold spectrums. They are a willowy, yet harshly featured Eldar race, said to be hardened by the desert they live in.
Able to sense movement on the Umbral Plane from birth, the Sun Elves are also able to feel the alignments of others; which is often attributed by them to their devotion to the purity of the One God.
Shown here are Moh’sikah Shikomali Rhi’Asrah Krinoh Nahr’Patel, a faithful warrior of the Shik Hozzarah sect of Sun Elves in the Eza-Varna, and Hannah Bin’Leila Al’Simlabin, a young Shamaness of Eza-Varna who is devoted to her husband. Moh’sikah practices an ancient art of light and swordplay, combining a Wizard’s knowledge of ice with battle and trickery in combat, seeking out relics of the One God. Hannah was recently given to a traveling merchant named Elias by her father Rafik and seeks to honor her husband and her family in her own way and with a quiet power.
The Eza-Rattan Priesthood, denoted by the “All Praise to the One God” Sun Crest, is one of the three Church-states of the Sun Elves. Considered by some as “the First Church”, or the True Faith by the people in the Rattan Districts, the Eza-Rattan are devoted always to the One God and his wishes. Their royal priesthood descends in an unbroken lineage from the Cataclysm to the present day.
The Eza-Varna Brotherhood, denoted by the “Worship” Sun Crest, is one of the three Church-states of the Sun Elves. Since the Eza-Varna are focused so intently on their own personal faith and walk with the One God, they are often the more accepting of the Sun Elf Churches. Called the “Church of Reason” by some, the brotherhood of the Eza-Varna is an elected priesthood.
The Eza-Sarita Council, denoted by the Dual Swords and Sun Crest, is one of the three Church-states of the Sun Elves. Since the Eza-Sarita are the most zealous and militant of the Sun Elf Churches, they are often called the “Right Hand of the One God” or the Crusaders. They are not the only source of contention between the churches of the desert sands, but they are an active participant in that conflict. The Families of the Council rule in a hereditary line since the church’s formation.
While each of the three Churches differs in their leadership structure to some extent, there is one cardinal law that is never broken. To lead the Sun Elves, you must be a High Priest of Eza. Only Clerics of the One God have political power among their people. If you are not a Cleric, you will never rule.
The Sun Elves of Stehreel practice polygamy, allowing men to marry multiple women with the blessing of the High Priests. While the practice of selling a daughter to cement a business deal might be abhorrent to other races, it is considered proper etiquette to the Sun Elves, and any woman born into the race is well aware that her disposition is at the direction of her father, and eventually her husband. Only the Eza-Varna have begun to critically evaluate this process in later years, while it is seen as man’s God-given right in the other Church-states.
Sun Elves of Stehreel, like all desert cultures, considers water to be the most valuable commodity available. While Sun Elf merchants may value and covet gold and precious gems, no one in the Church-states fails to value water above all else. The currency used within the desert is a wooden chit denoting liters of water. Not valuable to others, it is priceless to the Sun Elves.
For the first rank a Sun Elf receives they gain a ring made of a metal native to the Great Desert. For each rank that Sun Elves receive after the first they gain a new inscription on the ring. These rings are no ordinary decoration however, and are mystically bound to their wearers. They are said to symbolize the bond between the Sun Elf and the One God, and can pass blessings onto their recipients. Sometimes that blessing comes in the form of a wife.
The Sun Elves worship Eza, the One God. In fact, to their philosophy all other Gods and Goddesses are Eza’s children. While this belief does not endear them with outsiders, it is dogmatically codified and difficult to excise from the mind of even the most intelligent Sun Elf. Their life is worship of the One God. To them, there is no greater service than to die in His name.
Those who wield the power of the sun are considered to be the greatest of magic users to the Sun Elves. Solarmancer Wizards and Clerics of Eza are viewed as powerful men worthy of laud. Even women who have taken on the calling of Solarmancer can be treated with respect in the burning sands. Additionally, Aquamancers are valued and respected for their ability to produce water at will.
Sun Elves are devoted to their faith. The Cleric class, specifically Cleric of Eza, is their most prolific warrior. Trained in the ability to divinely harness the sunlight of their God, free their allies from bondage, and inspire courage and power in their allies, the High Priests of Eza are rulers and leaders, as well as their primary force of warriors.
The Sun Elves practice war on a regular basis. Often it is said that they have killed more of their own race than any other race on Stehreel, and while that may be correct it doesn’t make the other races any more willing to face them in combat. Well-versed in concepts of total war, the Sun Elves will adapt their strategies to do whatever it takes to lay waste to their opposition, all under the justification of their religions.
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