Yu'Lorei

Yu'Lorei
Race
Pronunciation	You-lor-ay / Lor-eeh
Archetype	Elven
Nicknames	Lori, Machine Elves, Cultured Elves, Spice Elves, Ashen Elves
Languages	Common (Change Later)
Vampiric Conversion	Possible
Aetherial Affinity	Level 1 - Hard to Cast Magic
Roleplay Difficulty	Hard
Racial Traits
Aetheriality	Physical
Max Age	200 Years
Strengths	Intelligent, Creative, Social
Weaknesses	Cold Vulnerability, Low Adaptation
Height	5' Homogeneous
Weight	90 to 180 lbs
Eye Colors	Green, Blue, Lilac, Purple, Brown
Hair Colors	White
Skin Tones	Gray
Average Physique	Slender to Athletic
Aetherial Limit	Class 1 Alpha
Significant Demographics
While this doesn't mean your character has to come from one of these places, it's recommended they do. Island of Ae'Tezan

A highly spirited race of elves who hail from the tropical paradise of Ae'Tezan. The Yu'Lorei, usually referred to in common by their endearing nickname lori, are a highly collaborative race that have an impressive culture and equally impressive personalities. Their many technological insights over the last few centuries have made them the most advanced society, aetherial knowledge excluded. Yu'Lorei have a bond so strong between each other that nothing can separate them even if there are disagreements between them. Their extreme vulnerability to the cold has led them to avoid visiting or settling in colder regions. Their society is very accommodating to their unique needs on an individual level and as a result most lori live a life of happiness and luxury. It remains to be seen if the lori's many blessings end up being the tools of their own destruction, as their ancient prophecy of cataclysm has yet to transpire.

Physical Characteristics

The Yu'Lorei are a very unique race and possess exclusive features that are not commonly associated to the other elven races. They possess exclusively gray skin and white hair, which has led to the more diverse races mocking lori for all looking the same. They also possess considerable strength that is comparable to humans, which is unheard of among other elven races. Their average height is the same between both genders at around 5 feet tall at full maturity. The men also have fairer and more feminine facial features and physiques then the men of other races, contributing to a very sensitive and empathetic overall image. Their eye colors are predominantly green but can also be blue, lilac, purple, hazel, and brown. There are very rare instances where they might have silver eyes, a trait commonly associated with having a strong connection to the aetherial field. The Yu'Lorei fall under Elven Physiology, which means they will not visually age past full maturity (age 18) until the day they die. Elven specific physiology also prevents them from gaining excess body fat, however they are vulnerable to starvation and will not be able to survive as long without food compared to other races. A healthy lori can live up to 200 years, the shortest lifespan of any elven race. Unlike the resilient aesiri, lori are extremely vulnerable to cold temperatures and will die of hypothermia far more quickly and at warmer temperatures then a human. Surprisingly lori have excellent night vision, a trait that many scholars are still confused about as it is usually only associated with subterranean or nocturnal species. For clarity, the lori can just as easily see in bright environments as well.

Mental Characteristics

The Yu'Lorei are a highly sensual, intelligent, and expressive race. Despite their intellect, everything a lori does will always come from their heart. They have a natural gift for solving complicated problems that other races would find excessively difficult, and are in fact the second most intelligent race. Lori have a strong mental and physical need for social interaction, and will suffer from depression, loneliness and even severe health problems if they do not sufficiently interact with others. In fact if left alone for too long, they will almost certainly lose their sanity and even die of depression. They are also highly expressive and almost incapable of holding back any feelings they harbor inside. This has resulted in their culture being very open, even things which are considered private or taboo among other races are publicly embraced within lori society. As a highly sensual race, it is no surprise that lori are incredibly erotic and very open about everything related to their eroticism. There are very few boundaries between the genders, and they hardly even care if they are naked. They are highly empathetic and care deeply about others, especially those of their own race. They are attracted to each other like magnets, and constant body contact is crucial to their happiness (they need lots of hugs). There is no crime, scandalous activity or otherwise in lori culture. Any infractions against public morality and law are treated with care and tenderness with an emphasis on change and understanding as opposed to outright punishment. If a lori has committed an act that was not acceptable to others, they feel an extreme sense of shame. This powerful sense of shame has in part caused most lori to avoid repeating instances of bad behavior. Yu'Lorei are almost incapable of adapting to other cultures, and when venturing beyond their homeland will always travel in groups in order to provide sufficient moral and emotional support to each other. Unlike most races, lori hardly feel the aetherial field at all. They have an even harder time trying to channel aetherial energy, and have completely given up on any attempt to practice magic many millennia ago in favor of technological progress.

History

The origins of dark elves leads to the tales of seafaring explorers encountering them while sailing in the Exodian Sea. They were considered mysterious and were thought to bring good fortune upon those who encountered them. They made their first connection to the continent of Exodius when the Kingdom of Rivera made a trade with travelling dwarf merchants from the Island of Thandolin. The dwarf merchants had sold intricate small trinkets capable of keeping track of time to a wealthy merchant who lived within the Kingdom of Rivera. These 'clocks' proved to be a very profitable item within the kingdom, and it did not take long for the king himself to demand where these devices had come from. The wealthy merchant referred the king to the dwarf merchants, whom a decade later had returned. The dwarves were hesitant to divulge the origins of their goods, but the king ultimately offered considerable wealth to them. The dwarves accepted the deal and told them of an island in the Exodian Sea where the goods had come from.

The Island of Ae'Tezan is a large post-volcanic landmass located in the Southwestern Exodian Sea. Abundant in resources, the dark elves have lived here for millennia. They claim to have originated from the Exodius Continent, and migrated to the island thousands of years ago. There are no dark elven ruins or traces on the Exodius Continent however, so their claims are still under investigation by historical societies. The dark elves have since provided all their historical accounts to the various historical societies of Amestria.

Dark Elven History

Dark elves are said to have migrated to the Island of Ae'Tezan thousands of years ago, and made the island their permanent home. Over many centuries the elves transitioned from a tribal society living in thatch huts to a sprawling civilization nestled at the base of the island's volcanic mountains. Over the years they have dug mining tunnels through every mountain, and have farmed every open plain on the island. They constructed sailing vessels and rediscovered the Exodius Continent, even establishing trade with kitsune villages during the clan wars period. Their connection to the feudal kitsune villages was severed after the clan wars approached it's climax and the villages they traded with were destroyed. Some kitsune have been integrated into dark elven society, in fact there are more kitsune living in Ae'Tezan then there are on the entire Exodius Continent.

Around the same period of time, the dark elves established contact with the Dwarven Island Kingdom of Thandolin. Trade was quickly established between the two races. The dwarves would provide raw materials, while the dark elves would provide countless goods made from said materials. Dwarves are known to all as masters of brewing, and dark elves society fully benefits from a broad assortment of exotic alcoholic beverages provided by the dwarves.

todo change from race centric to political entity centric references

Society

Highly progressive and sensual, Yu'Loran society is abundant with strong social bonds and the winds of change. The concept of aristocracy is foreign to the lori, who care far too much about each other to ever consider a non even distribution of resources. The basic and essential lori need to socialize has given rise to countless kinds of locale which allow them to socially interact and participate in various activities. Possibly one of the most well known and erotic of these establishments are Yu'Loran Bath Houses. Other common locales include the likes of restaurants, auditoriums, dance halls, and beautiful public gardens. No matter what the occasion, the elves have countless locales to choose from when wanting to interact with friends, family, and even common folk. This leads to another phenomenon, there are no strangers in lori society. Every lori is open to every other lori, and the only boundaries are the ones they impose after they know each other and their personal obligations. In fact, lori only form opinions on people after they know them well. They treat everyone friendly at first sight, and form opinions of people as they know more details about them. There are many forms of art in lori culture, such as paintings, sculptures, fashion, music, dance, and theatrics. The Yu'Lorei hate anything that is bland or lacking in embellishment, and will imbue everything they create with their strong cultural flair even if it isn't practical. There are many social customs, formed not out of necessity or by aristocratic means, but by a pure desire for there to be variety and for every situation to be uniquely expressed differently. This has led to countless ways to say hello, social mannerisms, and courtship rituals. When customs are violated, the lori take on a supportive and reformative approach towards the malpractitioner rather then social ostracization. The lori tendency to not cause any harm towards each other has resulted in very loose rules that usually only pertain to matters involving ignorance. Such as laws relating to certain dangerous jobs, and laws for operating certain devices. There are also social laws, but if broken are usually responded to by reforming the individual in question in a positive way. Repeated infractions will involve the lori reluctantly punishing the individual, but often this will never happen as they will feel strong shame for doing wrong in the eyes of others. There are no other known cultures that could support a Yu'Lorei, as their needs are too finely attuned to the utopian nature of their homeland.

Politics

The Island of Ae'Tezan is ruled by a council where each member is elected through skill and ability. Masters of crafts and socially connected individuals are elected into the council by the common folk, and the council members will discuss and decide on matters regarding laws and the state. Decisions are not based on majority consensus, and instead are based on every member agreeing to the same outcome. This results in a very slow bureaucracy, but one that truly has the people's best interests in mind.

In regards to foreign relations, the lori are allied to the Kingdom of Thandolin. The dwarves prove to be powerful and friendly allies, providing the elves with many dwarven riches and especially alcoholic brews. Alcohol has become an important part of lori culture since it's introduction upon meeting the dwarves, and continues to be supplied by the dwarves in exchange for the finely crafted goods the lori are renowned for making. The dwarves are also important allies when it comes to defense, their powerful warships are intimidating to any prospective warmongers. It is possibly for this reason that no one has ever tried to conquer Ae'Tezan since it's discovery a couple centuries ago.

The lori have shown little to no interest in establishing formal relations with other major nations such as the human empires or the aesir, and are content with basic trade. In the past lori have traded with some villages in Feudal Senkyou during the clan wars period, but this was brought to a close when the villages in question were destroyed following the last few years of the clan wars.

Culture

One of the most prominent aspects of Yu'Loran culture is celebration, lori literally celebrate everything. The smallest of accomplishments are usually accompanied with an outing to a locale where the individual and their close circle of friends will eat, drink, and be merry. Larger celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and major professional accomplishments compel the formation of major gatherings usually involving every family member, friend, and even common folk. These gatherings are also accompanied by artists, writers and musicians who create pieces documenting the event. Yu'Loran history has always been easy to track due to the enormous amount of cultural evidence surrounding even minor events. Unlike other races, lori do not grow bored of constant celebration and in fact is is necessary for them to retain self esteem and a sense of belonging. A lack of celebration can cause a lori to feel unconnected and isolated from the world and can lead to depression. Lori do not forget celebrations, and will definitely remind anyone else if they are unaware of an upcoming celebration.

Most of lori society is embellished with countless pieces of art, be it statues, buildings, or even paths. Colorful flags are strung high above the streets in rows, and banners hang from almost every building. Historians can immediately recognize if a historical piece is lori in origin simply by it's excessive embellishment. Clothing tends to lean towards the minimalistic side due to the tropical climate and the lori's very erotic nature. Food is very diverse, since lori have tried countless ways to make the same things taste entirely different. Fermented goods are common, and excessive use of seasonings have given them the nickname of 'spice elves' to many across amestria. Buildings are mostly stone and clay based, with an emphasis on intricate bricklaying patterns and sculpted plaster walls. The elves make frequent use of arches and domes using locally made concrete. Houses tend to be lined up in tiers along hillsides, with commercial and industrial buildings being located closer to sea level. The reason for this is that lori like being able to overlook their town and appreciate excellent views. There have been many travelers from other races who visit Ae'Tezan to experience the lori's unique culture.

Bath Houses

The pinnacle of Yu'Loran leisure and socialization, bath houses represent more then just a place to maintain good hygiene. A bath house usually consists of a large pool divided by a wall, each side being for the opposite gender. The pools are usually fed from naturally occurring hot springs present on the island, and in many cases the elves will also boil scented water to make the baths even more luxurious. Bath houses are public locales and the participants are always nude while in the bath, usually with a towel close by for when they are ready to dry off. There is a storage area for each side of the pool where the elves can store their clothing for retrieval after the bath. There is another room that is linked to both sides of the pool obscured by a half wall where a group of bards will sing and play music for the occupants of the bath. There are two more rooms that exist where occupants can get a massage with fragrant oils after the bath before they dawn their garments and leave the locale. Some bath houses are connected to a restaurant where the occupants can enjoy lavish meals after their bathing experience. Some people among other races have heard of these pleasure palaces and have ventured to the Island of Ae'Tezan to experience the baths for themselves, usually with many friendly, curious looks from the native Yu'Lorei and embarrassment from the outsider.

Night of the Dark Star

There is an ancient prophecy among the Yu'Loran culture which dates back to a time when they had supposedly migrated to the Island of Ae'Tezan from the continent of Exodius. Possibly the most controversial aspect of their society, the prophecy speaks of grand gifts being bestowed upon the Yu'Lorei. It then comes to describe an event known as the Night of the Dark Star in which great destruction shall befall their civilization and their people will be scattered across the world and doomed to live in distant lands for many millennia. While the origins of this story remain unclear, it's effects on Yu'Loran culture are hypothesized to have been the initial drive that allowed the elves to progress beyond a primitive islander lifestyle and into their current progressive state.

Military

Possibly the Yu'Lorei's greatest weakness is their military power. The elves have enjoyed peaceful existence on their tropical island for many millennia, and as a result have minimal to no defenses in place. There is no war culture among the Yu'Lorei, nor are there any standing armies. Simple weaponry such as bows and spears are all that the elves have developed, however they have access to a large array of dwarven armaments if they ever see the need to fight another nation. It is believed that their close relationship with the dwarven Kingdom of Thandolin is the reason behind their relative peace in recent centuries. The dwarves possess powerful heavy warships loaded to the brim with large cannons, a sorry sight to anyone who dare threaten their allies such as the elves.

Economy

The dark elven economy has become entirely dependent on exporting produced goods in exchange for raw materials and wealth in recent years. Many commodities are only produced on the Island of Ae'Tezan, the quality and design of which are superior. Even common items produced everywhere are produced by the dark elves in greater beauty and variety then anywhere else. There is high demand for dark elven goods as a result, and the dark elves are more then happy to export their beautiful works of art and science to other nations. The dwarven Kingdom of Thandolin is responsible for transporting and selling dark elven goods elsewhere, and make a handsome profit doing so. Internally, the dark elven economy is a vibrant exchange of wealth that changes hands on an hourly basis. (todo no aristocracy)

Technology

Considered the heralds of technology, Yu'Lorei are without question the most technologically advanced race in Amestria. On the Island of Ae'Tezan, every mountain stream is mechanically harnessed by waterwheels and countless windmills scatter the tropical farmlands. Countless centuries of peace and prosperity on their lush island paradise has given rise to many innovative technologies over the years. In earlier times, the elves unlocked the secrets of cement and concrete. As their society rapidly evolved following a new era of urbanization, the discovery of Porcelain and Rubber had been made. Yu'Lorei are the original inventors of timekeeping devices called clocks, which have since been distributed and utilized by almost every other race on the Exodius continent. With the help of the dwarves, fireworks were realized and are now used in almost every Yu'Loran event. The most recent addition to their arsenal of technology is the advent of steam power, which was discovered a few years ago. Despite all these technological advances the Yu'Lorei still remain insignificant in the eyes of powerful nations, which utilize aetherial knowledge to maximize their leverage on the rest of the world.

Interbreeding

Human + Dark Elves will result in a person who has physical characteristics between the two races. They will inherit human skin color and dark elven white hair color. Their eye colors may be dark elven or human. They have an easier time using magic then normal dark elves but still not as proficient as a normal human. They can live 120 years.