The Bloodmoon Elves

[Goldie]

Bloodmoon Elves

1. Racial Description


The Bloodmoon Elves are usually tall with males averaging 6'5" and females averaging 6' (with a few exceptions in either direction). They are extremely fair in all aspects of their appearance with varying shades of silver, gold, and red for their hair, skin that is nearly translucent, and extremely light eyes. It is most desirable to have red hair as it is seen as a blessing from the Bloodmoon Herself. Red-haired Bloodmoon Elves typically are blessed with stronger magics. They are slender with sharp features and prominently pointed ears. Their hair is stick straight no matter the weather and it will refuse to hold a curl (not that they want it to curl. That would make them appear human) and it is unusual for any of their kind to cut their hair ever.

When the Bloodmoon Elves find themselves in moonlight, their entire bodies are encompassed with an ethereal glow that almost rises off them like mist. In fact, they often look like wraiths under the light of a full moon. The fuller the moon, the more obvious these effects. Their magics are also much stronger, and their overall abilities enhanced by moonlight.

2. Society

Theirs is a secretive and selective society that is shrouded with mystery. This is partially due to the inherent blood magics that are built into their society and their belief system. Blood offerings are presented in every official ceremony, though this is only through the use of animals when full sacrifices are presented. Sacrifices that use human/elvish blood rarely results in killing and even animal sacrifices are done so with complete reverence and respect for the life that is being offered.

They live deep in the Northern Draconi Forest in the shadows of the Terrin Mountains and often forage for special plants and specimens near and around The Fell before the curse overtakes the land.

Their entire city - there is only one - is protected by strong illusion magics sustained by the Clan Elders and others gifted with strong magic. Houses are built around nature without hurting it in any way. Stairs spiral around ancient trees that lead up into canopy houses just as frequently as houses are built on the ground – it is purely personal preference of the elf that lives there. Upon first glance, many of these homes look like actual pieces of nature rather than something made by hand.

They are incredibly suspicious of any outsiders and will not reveal themselves or their home to people they do not fully trust. If an outsider is brought into the city, they will be blindfolded and their journey will be masked with the strongest illusion magics available to ensure no one will be able to find their way in. All "guests" are given a permanent guard during their stay as well. This wariness stems from humans seeking to slaughter them because of blood magic. Since the slaughter (thousands of years, most likely), they have near completely isolated themselves from the world

3. Names
They are often given two names – one by family choice, and one provided with special consideration to the Bloodmoon Goddess. Names are chosen during a Naming Ceremony where the rune is carved into the shoulder of the child being named. If it is accepted, the wound will heal and turn into a permanent silver scar – almost like a tattoo.

4. Gender and Sexuality
There are two distinct sexes in the Bloodmoon Elves, but they are accepting of all. The moon has many faces and thus so do Her creations. It is encouraged for men and women to procreate, but this is often for the continuation of their bloodlines and not necessarily for love (both do happen, of course).

5. Diet
Despite their relationship with sacrifices and blood, Bloodmoon Elves do not eat meat unless absolutely necessary. Their diet is strictly leafy greens, nuts, berries, and whatever else the forest can provide. They are particularly fond of Mushrooms and much of their medicines involve special ones that only grow under the light of the moon.

6. Views on Magic
Bloodmoon Elves are imbued with illusion magics or magics of foresight, but not all will be blessed. Some are magic-less, while others are extremely powerful. It is believed that those with magic have been called for a greater purpose and are often strongly encouraged to give their lives for the betterment of the clan – though they are never strictly "forced."

All magic is acceptable to the Bloodmoon Elves, including the Blood Magics usually outcasted by other cultures. However, they do not condone murder or sacrifices without good cause and will punish crimes swiftly and permanently.

7. Style
Their clothing is usually very flowy for both males and females and often the fabrics they use are extremely thin where light can shine through and reveal their figure underneath. They are not a modest people. During festivals it is common for them to discard their clothes completely and allow the moonlight to wash over them. The only members who will be fully clothed are those protecting the boarders. These elves wear clothes more commonly found in Human countries, though they are typically a bit hodge-podge and never quite look "right." Leather armor is used along with steel that is polished so extensively it's like looking into a mirror.

Bloodmoon Elves are often marked with silver runes and designs that look like tattoos, but are placed on their skin during rituals throughout their lives. Each marking represents something very specific. Illusion magics are marked with runes and lines across their shoulders while seers have intricate lines around their eyes (the larger the markings, the stronger the magics). "Bonded" elves have matching tattoos. Warriors have their own sets around their wrists like bracers. They do not alter their bodies in any other way than these runes/lines/tattoos. To achieve them, they are carved into their skin with a ceremonial dagger made of clearest crystal and then, under the light of a full moon, these wounds are healed and turn into pure silver that glows when touched by moonlight.

8. Religion

As their name suggests, their Goddess is the Bloodmoon herself. She goes by many names, but they often just refer to her as The Lady. She is an active member of their society (angel-esque for the SotE Lore rather than a true Goddess of the land) and will come to them in dreams and during certain ceremonies when evoked, and looks like a beam of light surrounded by billowing robes with a warm, motherly voice. They believe in rebirth, though not strictly reincarnation. Upon death The Lady uses their essence and bodies as needed to sustain life and enhance her people. It is possible for an elf to sacrifice themselves and give their essence to another in the ultimate form of martyrdom – this is not common practice and reserved for dire circumstances.

Rituals:

Fertility Rituals: Female Bloodmoon Elves are not born with the ability to procreate. They are barren until they perform a Fertility ritual under a full-moon to ask the Goddess to open their wombs. This ritual requires a sacrifice of blood from the elf seeking children. The elf begins by sitting, alone in the forest where the moon can completely encompass her body. She carves runes into her wrist and between her breasts and then sits and waits. If the blood stops flowing, she must reopen the cuts. Her sacrifice is waiting until she herself is close to death from blood loss in order to prove to The Lady that she understands the permanence of motherhood and is willing to give herself for her children.
a.    Upon completion, when she is too weak to stand, the runes will heal with the same silver lines as all of the other tattoos and a doe is sacrificed to replenish the blood that she lost.
b.    It is not recommended this ritual be completed alone and many have died in the attempt to do it in secret.
c.    Interference before the runes appear will immediately stop the ritual (this is often at the fault of the partner who is waiting and panics)

Male elves are encouraged to complete this ritual as well. It is not easy for them to have children and when both parents-to-be complete it, the survival rate of the baby increases dramatically. Males who want children but do not bare the runes are often seen as cowards.

Bonding Rituals: Bloodmoon elves do not get married. Marriage is a purely human ceremony in their eyes and means nothing. Instead, they practice the ritual of bonding which is much more permanent. Bonding is often done in two capacities:
1)    For Couples (like marriage)
2)    For warriors

Both rituals require the same things. The two elves bonding will begin by carving ceremonial runes onto the palms and the backs of their hands (love bonds) or onto their wrists (warriors) and then they will clasp them together to allow the mingling of blood. As the moon rises, they will proclaim their intentions to each other and offer a part of themselves to their partner. If The Lady accepts their bond, a part of each elf will be gifted to the other (these "gifts" do not diminish abilities, but simply grant additional skills to their partner. For example: if one is a terrific aim and the other has great stamina – their partner will be granted a piece of those gifts to enhance their own skills. If an elf and a human bond, the elf gift could be a longer life for the human, or perhaps immunity to illness). Like all other rituals, it is completed once the wounds heal and are replaced with silvery tattoos marking their bond. While there are generic runes that can be used for this ritual, it is not uncommon for the pair to create their own and these are often incredible works of art that are completely unique to the pair.
1)    The bonding ceremony for couples always ends with sex after the runes are completed. A couple of this nature is not considered fully bonded until they have "connected" three times. This requirement has often been met even before the bonding ceremony even occurs.
2)    The bonding ceremony between warriors can end in sex, but it is not a requirement. It is personal preference by the bonded pair. Some claim that this extra step makes the bond stronger.

Bonds link the souls of the two individuals which makes a warrior pair work seamlessly together in battle to the point where verbal cues do not need to be uttered because they just know what needs to be done. This is also the case with love bonds, though they are typically not used in a battle capacity (though they can be! Some bonded pairs are both warrior AND love bonds).

NOTE: Bonds have been, and can be, denied by The Lady if intentions are not pure. Once bonded, betraying your partner creates a curse that will follow your until your doom (final destination style).


Un-Bonding Rituals: These are rarely done and are only attempted in the most extreme circumstances. The Lady does not break bonds lightly and if your petition is denied, it very often results in death of the petitioning party. The steps involved in this are not widely known.


Naming Rituals: These are also not done often, but only because having children is rare amongst the Bloodmoon Elves. This is when the parents of a child are introducing them to The Lady and carve their Moon-name into their skin. If the name is accepted, it will turn into the child's first tattoo.

Coming of Age Rituals: When Bloodmoon elves turn 100 they are sent on their first hunt. They are required to bring back any large predator where they then sacrifice it in the name of The Lady (it is then cooked and eaten in a large feast – one of the few times in their lives that they will actually eat meat). A rune will be carved onto the elf's skin which will, of course, turn into another silver tattoo. The ritual is completed by the one coming of age drinking the blood of the animal slaughtered and eating a special kind of mushroom harvested specifically for this one-time event.
•    This triggers a vision from The Lady herself. Each elf when they come of age are presented a glimpse of their future and offered words of advice or words of warning. These predictions always come true, though many have tried to outrun them to their doom.
•    Elves are not required to share their visions. It is a gift from The Lady.