Twilitespace: Avalon (part 2)

Guide to Groundlings 
	The dominant species of life on Avalon is, unquestionably, elves.  The
elves completely dominate the planet, and have dozens of cities and
thousands of towns scattered haphazardly about.  The elves have adapted
the world to their own desires, transplanting magical animals and plants
to Avalon.  They were responsible for almost all of the life that now
dwells on Avalon.
	The elves of Avalon conform fairly well to those of standard elvish
races.  However, each subspecies of elves have several cultural and
physical features that distinguishes them from standard elves.  Like
most elf subraces, they are shorter than men, have pointed ears, and
thin, almost frail frames.

Shanis'Theriss (Elves of the Dawning Sky)
	The youngest of the elvish races and the most likened to men, the
Shais'Theriss, or dawn elves, closely resemble high elves.  They are
also the majority of elves on Avalon, making up well over half of the
total population.  The dawn elves are found throughout the whole world,
dwelling in high tree settlements and the fantastic cities of the
elves.  The largest concentrations of dawn elves is in Ilnisvan and
Simatriathervan, while only tiny minorities dwell in Zaithclavan and
Halasvan.  They make up the commoners of the elves, fulfilling a variety
of roles from farmers to craftsmen to soldiers.  While dawn elf noble
houses rule over the people, the houses survive only because of
democratic votes of confidence held every century or so.  If a house
becomes corrupt or neglects the people it rules over, the commoners can,
by popular vote, remove that house from power and instill a new noble
house.  This strange mixture of feudalism and democracy is baffling to
anyone but the dawn elves.  
Appearance 
	Dawn elves appear much like high elves.  They have thin, willowy frames
and are fairly short.  The average height of a dawn elf is about four
foot eight inches; it is rare for a dawn elf to grow to five feet tall. 
They have dark hair, with brown, black, and bronze most common but red
and honey blonde not unknown.  They have no facial hair and their
eyebrows tend to be long, narrowed, and angular.  Eye colors for these
elves is always green, brown, blue, or rarely copper or hazel.  Skin
complexion is fairly pale, but these elves tan quickly when working long
hours under the sun.  They are not overly muscular, but they can and do
make capable warriors.
Clothing 
	The dawn elves prefer tunics of pastel colors and brightly colored
breeches.  They are especially fond of clothes of blue and green colors,
and all earth tones are most common.  White is worn on holidays and
festive occasions, such as weddings and feasts.  The clothes of dawn
elves are sometimes richly embroidered with intricate natural patterns
at the hems and collars.  Cloaks and thick, sturdy boots complete the
wardrobe of dawn elves.
	Jewelry is rare, even unknown, among dawn elves.  What little jewelry
that they do wear is usually a simple wedding band by men, while women
sometimes opt for a simple necklace of gold or silver fitted with a few
small, simple gemstones.  Such jewelry appears simple, but closer
examination reveals true craftsmanship in the form of tiny woodland
scenes and carvings.  
	Weapons and armor are typical of most elves.  Dawn elf warriors are
often clad in leather armor crafted from pinkleaves, and carry short or
long blades, a spear, a short bow, or any combination of these weapons. 
The elves never developed pole arm weapons, crossbows, or powder
weapons.  Commoners who cannot afford better arm themselves with
quarterstaffs, daggers, slings, and short swords.  Only the richest and
most powerful nobles will be clad in elvish chain armor and armed with
slim, finely crafted longswords.
Attitude 
	The dawn elves are hard workers, believing in honesty and a strong work
ethic.  They believe in freedom and equality for all (what exactly "all"
entails varies from elf to elf).  They are the workers, warriors,
merchants, and craftsmen of Avalon, and are responsible for most of the
mundane (non-magical) wonders of the world.  They make skilled warriors,
rangers, archers, and bladesingers, but their understandings of magic is
fairly weak.  The majority of priests on Avalon are dawn elves, but
mages and even bards are rare.  Nobles can be knights or wind riders if
they so choose.

Sylir'Laflariss (Faerie elves of the Moon Shine Twilight, the Fey Elves)
	The oldest and rarest elves on Avalon, the twilight elves are among the
most powerful and beautiful.  While physically the weakest of the elves,
they are magically the most powerful.  Magic is a birthright to them;
only those who can use magic are allowed to rise to positions of power. 
Those rare twilight elves that cannot cast spells usually become
outcasts, shun as strange and unblessed by the gods.  The twilight elves
consider themselves the rulers of Avalon, and in ancient days worked the
powerful magics that shaped and protected their world.
Appearance 
	The fey elves appear as twilight given form.  They usually have pale
skin with a slight blue tint and highlights.  They are like other elves
in terms of build and features, but the twilight elves stand taller the
most elves.  The average height of a twilight elf is five foot five,
with some individuals reaching six feet in height.  They have white,
silvery white, black, blue-black, or pale golden hair, which is usually
worn long.  Shoulder length hair is common for men, while waist to knee
length hair is the norm for women.  Their eyes are most often amber or
violet, but blue and green eyes are not unknown, especially in those
twilight elves with a dawn elf ancestor in their family.
Clothing 
	The twilight elves are the noble rulers of Avalon, and dress the part. 
They favor long, flowing robes of blues, greens, silvers, and even reds
and gold.  Black, the night color, is rarely worn except for rare
nightly festivals.  Purple is the color of royalty, and only the most
powerful nobles may wear it.  Brown and earth tones are the colors of
commoners and never worn.  Most twilight elves decorate their robes with
elaborate embroidering that tend to flow over the whole garment. 
Dragons, winged cats, griffons, and other magical creatures are the
favored decorations on any twilight elf garment.
	Twilight elves have a fondness for jewelry, especially that made of
silver.  Diamonds and sapphires grace the jewelry of any twilight elf,
the richer the better.  Pieces tend towards natural or celestial themes,
with celestial themes more common with richer and more noble twilight
elves.
	The twilight elves abhor weapons and armor.  When they do arm
themselves, they take up staves of mythral, slim longswords, or long
lances.  Elvish chain is the preferred armor; those that cannot afford
such armor make do with elaborate shields.  Leather armor is looked down
upon as the armor of commoners and thieves, and only a truly desperate
twilight elf will don a suit of that armor.  Though the elves of Avalon
have never developed the art of crafting suits of plate armor, they have
created a substitute in the form of dragonscale.  The shed scales of the
dragons native to Avalon are woven together into a fine suit of armor,
which grants the wearer the protection of plate armor (AC 3), but is as
flexible and light as a suit of studded leather.  Such armor is rare and
highly prized.
Attitude 
	Twilight elves created Avalon, protect Avalon, and are, in a sense,
Avalon.  They are the rightful leaders of the world and indeed of all of
elfkind.  From their mountain fortresses and cities they command all
that they see.  They are mages, scholars, teachers, and leaders.  Most
of the mages and almost all of the sages of Avalon are of this breed, as
is the members of the Royal Family.  Twilight elves are haughty and
prideful, not easily impressed by the accomplishments of others.  They
have achieved great things in the past and will accomplish great things
in the future.  Friendship is a precious thing to them; it is difficult,
nearly impossible to win their friendship, but once won, is eternal. 
Twilight elves may become bladesingers, elven minstrels, high mages, and
elven knights (which must be multi-classed fighter/mages).

Ruaro'Eldathiss (Green Elves of the Eternal Summer Dream)
	The most savage and feral elves of Avalon, the summer elves are not a
common race.  They are the shiest of the elves, residing in constantly
moving camps and avoiding everyone, including other elves.  Summer elves
are nomads, ranging over Halasvan (their ancestral homeland) and
Ilnisvan.  They only approach the settlements of other elves when in
need of some necessity; otherwise, they keep to the wilder lands.  
Appearance 
	Of all of the elves of Avalon, the summer elves have the most color. 
Their skin color takes on a golden color, with green tints and
highlights.  Hair color is light brown, blonde, or coppery-red, and most
often cut very short to keep it from snagging on trees or becoming
infested with insects.  Males keep their hair no longer than the nape of
the neck, while helmet cuts are more common.  Women have slightly longer
hair, but never past their shoulders.  Eye color is light brown, light
green, baby blue, or hazel.  Summer elves are slightly shorter than dawn
elves; the average height of a summer elf is about four foot four inches
tall.  No summer elf has ever been more than four foot nine inches tall.
Clothing 
	The mild climate of Avalon agrees with the summer elves.  During the
summer months, they often strip to little more than a loincloth and a
pair of protective moccasins.  Both men and women go bare-chested during
these months, maybe wearing a pocked sash and a weapons belt.  Summer
elves have no taboo against public nudity, as it is a part of nature in
their eyes.  Winter months find the summer elves in heavier clothing
made from the skins of animals.  Thick deerskin tunics and breeches are
common, and clothing is lined with fur.
	Summer elves prefer decorations of natural origins.  Feather, beads,
and colorful fur are the most common decorations on the clothing of
summer elves.  Tattoos are also very common.  Small, intricate tattoos
of totem animals is most common, but chiefs have elaborate tattoos of
mystical animals, including dragons, griffons, and unicorns.  Jewelry
and metal decorations are discouraged, even shunned.
	Weapons and armor favored by summer elves leans on the natural side. 
Short bows, spears, slings, and staves are the preferred weapons, with
swords and other weapons rarely used.  Armor is rare, but leather armor,
especially pinkleaf armor, is most common.  Antler armor is very rare,
reserved for powerful chiefs.  When off to war, summer elves sometimes
craft armor from the bark of certain trees.
Attitude 
	Within the wild lands of nature is happiness.  Civilizations rise and
fall all the time, but the wilderness is eternal.  Cities are folly;
they only encourage elitism, strife, and war.  No, only within the
untamed wilderness can true happiness and peace be achieved.  The law of
the jungle may be brutal at times, the law of civilization is far
worst.  Civilization only leads to ruin and destruction.  Because of
this outlook on life, summer elves may be warriors, archers, rangers,
wood priests (druids), huntsmen, unicorn riders, skinwalkers,
totem-sisters, and scouts.

Sumron'Angiss (Elves of the Glittering Water that Walks)
	Sea elves are unknown on Avalon, nor are they known anywhere in the
sphere.  Instead, ages ago some elves magically adapted themselves for
life in the rivers and lakes of Avalon.  These elves became the river
elves, sometimes called nixies, and are some of the rarest elves on the
whole planet.  Their exact numbers are unknown, nor are they overly
friendly with surface dwelling elves.  Each river and lake system is,
essentially, an independent kingdom ruled by a single noble family.  The
river elves probably have a magical portal system to travel and
communicate between the various river nations.  River elves naturally
breath water, but can breathe air if necessary.  
Appearance 
	River elves are the shortest race of elves on Avalon, averaging a mere
four feet in height.  They have pale skin with blue-green highlights. 
Their hair is kept long and flowing, and is of black, green, or
blue-green color.  Their eyes are black, blue, or green.  Their hands
and feet are long and webbed.  
Clothing 
	Because of the environment that river elves dwell in, they have limited
resources from which to make clothing.  The wet conditions have a
detrimental effect on any clothing they do wear, causing it to decay
away in but a few short days.  Instead, they magically adapted a type of
alge that is perfectly harmless, but grows naturally on river elves. 
This alge replaces the need for clothing, and is often decorated with
beads, fish bones, and small gemstones.  Alge growth is encouraged about
their waists, private regions, and backs.  Not only does this alge
provide modesty, it also serves as insulation, keeping river elves warm
during winter months.
	Weapons most often used by river elves are spears, daggers, and nets. 
Armor is almost never worn, as they have no means to create any that
would of any use or value.  Instead, they prefer to avoid combat by
using stealth and mobility to avoid enemies.
Attitude 
	Water is the blood that all life depends upon.  It flows everywhere and
offers safety and life to all those that drink from it.  It offers safe
haven for those who seek its protection.  Live in harmony and peace with
the water about them, not altering nor affecting the waterways that is
their home.  This outlook on life leads the river elves to become
warriors (home defenders), water elementalists, druids, and scouts.

Resources/Trade 
	Avalon is typical in its wealth of metals, gemstones, and precious
metals.  The mineral wealth of Avalon is very unremarkable, but elves
glen far more wealth from the forests than from mines.  Elvish traders
ships take aboard art objects, food, and the armors unique to Avalon and
trade them for the art of other races, jewelry, and magical items.  Only
elvish trade vessels are allowed to land in Avalon cities; the ships of
all other races are shot down without predajustice, as the elves guard
the location of their world very well.  They fear that if their
homeworld is discovered, the security of their realm would be lost and
their enemies would attack en force.

Ports of Call 
	There is a total of twenty cities on Avalon, but few actively engage in
spelljamming trade.  Only the most important trade centers are detailed
below.
Zaith'Naikiss (Mighty Home of the Ancient Royal Elves) [pop. 43,000]
	A mighty city and home of the twilight elves' royal family,
Zaith'Naikiss is the unofficial capital of Avalon.  It is the largest
city and is the home port for Avalon's primary defensive spelljamming
fleet.  Elvish trade ships are welcomed.  The many buildings are shaped
like trees, but built of marble and glass.  The city has a circular
shape, centered about the royal palace.  The palace is a vast structure
with thick curtain walls, high towers, and narrow keeps.  The docks are
built along a curving river, with an enormous meadow that doubles as a
caravan waypoint and landing field for land-landing spelljammers.
	Elves of all races are found at Zaith'Naikiss, living and trading in
this ancient cities.  Almost anything one could desire is found within
this powerful and wealthy city.  Prices are inflated, and all goods
average 25% to 50% more than what one normally expects to pay.
	The city is protected by a garrison of dawn elf warriors and twilight
elf mages.  It is also the base for a wing of the Avalon Defense Fleet. 
The Kingfisher Flotilla is stationed here, a fighting force of no less
than twelve shrikeships, the largest single fleet on Avalon.  Each ship
has double standard crews, and are always well maintained and prepped
for battle.

Therspar (Fist of the Sky) [pop. 22,000]
	A twilight elf city built inside a high alpine valley in the
Dragonfangs, Therspar is the prime trading post for spelljammers.  The
prices are fair, but the incredibly low taxes keep traders coming back
time and again.  Most of the goods available on Avalon, particularly
finely crafted art objects, armor, and magical items.  They import food,
animals, and rare magical items.
	The city is built at the edge of the hanging valley it is found within,
and has high, strong granite walls.  The buildings are soundly built and
strong, capable of withstanding even an earthquake.  It was heavily
fortified an age ago, during the war that drove the dark elves to
Outreach.  It served as a supply point and fortress against the darkness
then, and today is probably one of the most heavily fortified places on
Avalon.  The best bladesinger school, the Academy of the Silent Blade,
is found here, and numerous elven archmages call Therspar home. 
Additionally, a wing of the Avalon Defense Fleet is based here.  The
Starling Flotilla, a fleet of eight shrikeships, is stationed in a cave
under the city.  The cavern itself is a mighty fortress, easily capable
of withstanding almost any siege.

Raerdul (Unicorn's Glade) [pop. 6,000]
	A dawn elvish city built in the center of a fifty mile wide meadow,
Raerdul is the best place for elves to raise their famous moon horses. 
Thousands of moon horses roam over the meadow, enjoying the freedom it
offers.  The city is a open place, with no walls and only a handful of
buildings.  It rates as a space port because it on a major trade route
(the Backwater River) and is a common stopover point for caravans and
barges.  Goods from all over Ilnisvan at reasonable prices are
available.  It is also the Elvish Fleet's primary recruitment center,
where representatives of the Fleet encourage young elves to join on. 
Each year dozens of young elves sign up for adventures among the stars.

Satellites 
Sehanine 
	The only moon of Avalon, Sehanine is a shining white orb about 1,000
miles across.  It is a dead world, a typical airless body of nothing but
rock and dust.  It is noted for importance because the Elvish Fleet
maintains a large castle on Sehanine, known as Spires of the Stars.. 
The castle is built within a tiny crater that is air filled.  The air is
magically contained and preserved, but does not spill over the top of
the 1500' rim of the crater.  The castle is a mammoth place, with docks
enough for no less than six Men-O-War.  It has a standing defensive
fleet of two cutters, three dragonflies, and twelve flitters.  Spires
has a garrison of over 800 elvish and hadozee warriors, many of which
have magical skills in addition to their considerable fighting skills.

Nightstar 
	Avalon is graced with an artificial satellite.  Following the First
Unhuman War, the Elvish Fleet decommissioned seven armadas and brought
them to Avalon.  Using powerful magic, they linked all seven ships
together into an armada ring.  Thus was born Nightstar, a powerful Fleet
base.  At first, Nightstar was primarily a military outpost.  However,
as time passed, the need for Nightstar as a base declined, and the place
is now a stopover for merchant spelljammers.  Nightstar still has a
garrison of sixty elvish warriors; the rest of the population are
civilian merchants.  It is also popular with elvish adventurers, and
tends to be a rowdy place at times.

History 
	Avalon has a long history, one of the oldest in the sphere.  For the
vast majority of history, it was nothing more than vast rock in space,
airless and void of life.  Things changed several thousand years ago,
when creatures known only as the Daaksid entered the sphere.  Strange
and mysterious beings, they immediately began a war with the dominant
species at the time, the Firbolg.  It soon became apparent to the
Daaksid that their numbers were too few to defeat the Firbolgs alone. 
To battle the giants, the Daaksid created a magical race of slaves and
warriors to battle the giants, overwhelming them with superior numbers
and magic.  The slave race was fair and tall, slim of built but skilled
in the blade and magical arts.  For over a thousand years, the two races
battled across all of the worlds of Twilitespace, fighting for every
inch of soil, staining said soil with their spilled blood.  Ultimately,
the Daaksid met the last of the Firbolg in a great battle.  Both sides
took heavy casualties, and both withdrew to their final strongholds. 
The Firbolg retreated to Chaos, never to reclaim their lost glory.  The
Daaksid withdrew to Avalon, which held a minor fortress and a city of
slaves.  Sensing weakness in their masters, the slaves revolted and
imprisoned the Daaksid within the heart of Avalon.  Channeling the
powerful magic of the Daaksid's collective essences to transform Avalon
from a dead world to a paradise.  The slaves threw off their shackles,
and won their freedom.  They were the ancient ancestors of the elves.
	Avalon has had a long and sorted history, and has seen the rise and
fall of dozens of empires and kingdoms.  It has been plagued by numerous
wars, mostly petty fights between twilight and dawn elves.  The worst of
these wars saw the banishment of thousands of elves to Outreach to
become Dark elves, but Avalon has settled down since those turbulent
early days.  Wars are rare these days, and even skirmishes between rival
clans is growing more infrequent.
	Sometime during the early days of Avalon, the elves began to worship
deities.  Their religion caused numerous wars, and today elvish religion
is the hottest debated issue in their cities.  While they recognize the
existence on many deities, they actually worship but a handful.  Some
cults dedicated to the Daaksid exist, but such cults are rare but
dangerous.
	Of particular note is the exact nature of the Daaksid.  Some sages
speculate on what these creatures were, and what their true nature was. 
The best and most informed sages, particularly those with knowledge of
other planes, speculate that the name Daaksid is a corruption of Dark
Sidhe.  These same sages speculate that they were fallen Eladrin from
Aborea, and maybe a few guardinals as well.  All were highly magical
creatures, perhaps even more powerful than standard Eladrin.  

Other Considerations 
The Hidden Homeland 
	Avalon is a magical realm, and is magically hidden from all but elves. 
Because of these magics, all magical devices such as planetary locators
will automatically fail to locate its position.  No magic short of wish
will even reveal the existence of Avalon.  Because to this, Avalon is
but a mere myth in Twilitespace, barely known in rumor by the most
knowledgeable sages.

-- 
Night Druid