Eldar (Ithilrhi, Ithil'Rhi) (updated 2008/08/31)

  Illythiiri (Forest Witches, Witchwood ...    Ithilrhi Names    Renowned Ithilrhi    gallery: Ithilrhi    lost Eldar 

The Eldar (a.k.a. Ithil'Rhi, literally "most high" or "high elves", but also Ithilrhi "silver kings") are the most beautiful of all races, and the most wise, yet they are nearly gone from our world.

Ancient tales of shining celestial angels, "moon elves", and other holy visitations are generally attributed to the Ithilrhi and their ancient ancestors the Avatara. The fair folk also at times took the roles of advisors and war leaders called "Silver Kings" to the Alorns and Kith, leading the young tribes of men in holy wars against evils that threatened the land.

The majority of their beloved race tragically perished during the Breaking--the cataclysm when the moon shattered and fell from the sky and heralded the beginning of the Battlesong Wars. During the wars the Ithilrhi rallied many human tribes of Alorns and Kith against the Kha'din, to whom they were known as the "Silver Kings". Afterwards the Ithilrhi took refuge in hidden corners of the world, where common belief holds they dwindled over many years and eventually became extinct.

However, this belief is not entirely true. Many of the Ithilrhi returned to their original world--a magical realm beyond the lunar sphere known as the Aether--where they dwell in immortality, joy and song with their goddess. They only make the rare journey to our mortal realm in times of great need, such as advising the Alornean kings or working against a great evil that threatens both worlds. Even then they carefully hide their presence, for their foes in our world remain numerous and powerful still. Some Ithilrhi have also been known to visit our world to retrieve pieces of the shattered moon.

Regions

Ithilrhi once roamed the western coastal forests and seas of Ambar, with their later cities mostly in Dorthonien. Illythiiri dwelled in their sacred Weirwood groves, which could be found in any deep, ancient forests. Norns were said to roam the northwestern mountains and forests of icy Hrivlyggdor. Drow ruled various subterranean realms and forests near Rhi'Annost, and are said to dwell there still.

While the Ithilrhi have returned to the Aether, they still watch and exert some degree of influence over the regions they once ruled in the mortal world. Perhaps it is an attachment they yet retain after so many centuries of dwelling in a place, perhaps they guard the mystic gateways between this world and the next, or perhaps they have secrets to protect.

Population

The Ithilrhi are few in number, dwelling in seclusion in remote Weirs.

Personality

Ithilrhi are not humble, but they are pure of heart and delight in acts of good and beauty. They are true aesthetes, delighting in beauty, art, and song. They use their long lives to create works of art, mastering musical instruments, song, and sculpture. Their musicians are famous throughout the lands, and even their warriors weave song with blade or bow. Ithilrhi are true aesthetes, delighting in beauty, art, and song. If the Ithilrhi love anything as much as music it must be the sea. They build swift, graceful ships that only occasionally wander into a human port.

Ithilrhi are the consummate warrior poets, blending art and beauty. They can become swordsmen of legendary skill over their long lives. True to Ithilrhi aesthetics, their graceful movements more resemble a beautiful dance than fighting.

• Bladedancers are Ithilrhi monks who study the traditional blade dances in quiet Ithilrhi monasteries of white stone. Their ancient martial art utilizes the traditional Ithilrhi longsword. This elegant weapon has a light, double-edged, leaf-shaped blade with exceptional balance and swiftness.
• Battlesingers are Elven warriors who serve as the elite special forces of the Ithilrhi people, as stealthy and graceful as they are deadly. They are often sent on dangerous missions that take them far away from their homeland. Through trials of battle and living the martial art known as the Battlesong, they attain a mystical connection with the longsword and longbow.
• Bladesingers weave magic, music, and swordsmanship. They use the blade of the longsword itself as a music instrument, humming and whooshing through the air to create eerie battle music. Some Bladesingers employ special "singing swords" with grooves or holes in the blade to create different sounds.

Physical Description

Ithilrhi are the most beautiful of all the races of Ambar, in both body and musical voice. Even their war arts are breathtakingly beautiful. They have traditional martial arts forms using the silver, leaf-bladed longsword and white-wooded longbow that resemble dance more than combat.

Relations

Ithilrhi rarely venture into the mortal world, yet alone human lands. Such visitations are both cherished and dreaded, for the Ithilrhi seldom appear without purpose, and are likely to be the bearers of difficult news.

Lands

Rhi love to roam the coastal forests and seas. While traveling through the forests and grasslands, Rhi dwell in lively camps of colorful silk tents. At sea, they build graceful white ships shaped like swans or sea birds.

The ruins of ancient Rhi cities are wondrous places with tall towers and graceful bridges, tree-lined streets, and hanging gardens. The buildings are made of white stone, marble, and whitewashed wood, with flowering plants hanging from windows and roofs.

The Rhi have left the mundane world and gone to a mysterious otherworld called the Aether, which is thought to be a region of Astral space yet untouched by the horrors of necromancy and Kaeden that have ravaged Ambar. Others say that the Aether is an undiscovered continent elsewhere on Ambar.

Religion

The Rhi were created by and worship their celestial gods, the Menelion. Their artists and bards lead the hearts of their people, and they have a great reverence for beauty, song, and the sea.

Rhi were created by the gods themselves and magic is in their blood. They find it easy to call forth magic from within, and their workings are always wondrous to behold. Their magic revolves around themes of song and light, and is interconnected with their religion.

History

The Rhi are descendants of the Avatara, the "first ones" of myth whose noble kind died out long ago during the "Battlesong Wars". Some may have survived by fleeing to remote corners of Ambar. Some Alorns (especially Dorthons), Avathars, and Baal also trace a portion of their bloodline to the Avatara.

Equipment

Rhi excel at making beautiful things, such as ships, musical instruments, and objects of art. The most accomplished of their artists weave music and art together, such as a wind sculpture or singing sword. When they must take up arms, the weapons and armor they create are painfully breathtaking. Fine elven longswords, longbows, and chainmail are legendary in their beauty and elegant efficiency.

Adventurers

Rhi take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Rhi find careers that allow them to wander freely, set their own pace, and express themselves artistically. They enjoy demonstrating their skill with the longsword or bow, or mastering music or magic.

Getting Into Character

You come from a line of divine immortals and could be thousands of years old yourself. Your ancestry is rich with art, culture, wisdom, and power--mortals in contrast seem dirty, unrefined, and only a notch above animals. Over your long years you have learned many skills and likely unlearned any bad habits or annoying personal traits. If you have a fault, its your lack of faith in other races. Since your people have few children and are naturally superior to mortals you will not risk the lives of your fellow elves. Fortunately, you are immortal, so you can afford to be patient and cautious. Hold your head up high and be proud. Listen patiently and speak clearly with carefully chosen words.

Illythiiri (Forest Witches, Witchwood Elves, Weirwood Elves, Dark Elves) (updated 2004/01/13)

  gallery: Illythiiri 

The darkest, most ancient forests are rumored to shelter a reclusive race who call themselves the Illythiiri ("ILL-ithirhi") but are commonly referred to by others as "dark eves", "witchwood elves", or "forest witches". Humans find their name confusingly similar to the Ithilrhi. [ more... ]

Ithilrhi Names

Male names

Aegnor, Aerandir, Anarion, Anar, Annael, Aradan, Aranwe, Beleriond, Beren, Bregolas, Caranthir, Celeborn, Celebrant, Celegorm, Cirdan, Lorindol, Isildur, Ciryon, Culurien, Curufin, Curufinwe, Cuthalion, Earindil, Earendur, Eanil, Eearnur, Earrme, Ecthelion, Edain, Ekkaia, Elemmire, Elendil, Elendili, Elendur, Elrond, Elros, Eluchil, Elured, Elurin, Eol, Eru, Falathar, Faelivrin, Falathrim, Feanor, Feanturi, Fenarfini, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod, Firimar, Gelmir, Glorfindel, Gwindor, Ingwe, Logolin, Legolas, Lenwe, Maglor, Maeglin, Maedhros, Olorin, Olwe, Orodrth, Sulimio, Saeros, Soronume, Vilya, Vala, Valimar, Valandil, Valinor, Valmar, Vanyar, Voronwe, Varda, Thranduil, Turgon, Ulmuri, Vaire, Umanyar

Female names

Aerin, Amarie, Aranel, Diora, Dior, Earwen, Eilinel, Eilistraee, Elbereth, Eledhwen, Elenna, Elentari, Elerrina, Elenwe, Elwe, Luthien, Morwen, Miriel, Oilosse, Oromea, Tinuviel, Elwing, Emeldir, Eonwe, Este, Finduilas, Finwe, Galadriel, Gloredhel, Ilmare, Indis, Laurelin, [ more... ]

Renowned Ithilrhi

  Aerandire BattleSinger    Beren Moonshadow, Lord War Marshal of ...    Elendil "Woodshadow"    Eluchil Aegmacar ("Iceblade")    Kinesthe Sereloth ("Redflower")    Maglor Liadon ("Silverfrond")    Morganese Sinlo ("Nightgray")    Rastigar (Ra'Sigar)    Vardinaard'Shehn 

Ancient and powerful, some Rhi have names that leap from the pages of history, yet, they might walk amongst you even now.

gallery: Ithilrhi

  Battlesinger    Ithilrhi Archer 

lost Eldar

  Norns    Sind 

Many of the races of Eldar have not been seen in centuries, and are presumed lost. That may be, or they might only be hiding.