Yu'Lorei

Yu'Lorei
Race
Pronunciation	You-lor-ay / Lor-ee
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	Social Dependence, Hypothermic
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 island of Ae'Tezan. While "Yu'Lorei" is often used to describe the race, most people refer to them by their endearing nickname "lori". These elves enjoy a largely decadent lifestyle, and are characterized by their gray skin and exclusively white hair. An incredibly social people, Lori crave interaction with others and especially their own kind. They share a bond between their peers that is rarely understood by outsiders, however those bonds are not exclusive towards their own kind. These elves often make the best of friends, being very easygoing while also never dull. Yu'Lorei enjoy the benefit of being more intelligent then almost any other race, which has lead to numerous innovations and groundbreaking technologies. Their genius is often paired with culture and art, as lori absolutely love to express themselves in the most flamboyant manner possible. However not all is bliss within lori society, dark secrets and ancient prophecies foretold by their ancestors of yore have yet to be fulfilled. It remains to be seen if the Yu'Lorei will ascend to greatness in the world, or if their own blessings turn into a curse as the Night of the Dark Star inevitably approaches.

Physical Characteristics

Yu'Lorei are an interesting bunch, as there are several key aspects that make them very different from other elven races. Their most noticeable feature is exclusively gray skin and white hair, and it would not be the first time that lori have been mocked for all looking the same. In fact both male and female lori share the same average height of 5 feet, making it even more difficult to tell them apart. Add this to the fact that both male and female lori tend to share similar facial complexions while the males have a fairer physique then most other races, and you have a recipe for utter confusion. Surprisingly, lori can easily tell each other apart and can recognize even the most distant of acquaintances almost immediately. Yu'Lorei eye colors are a little less predictable, often coming in flavors such as green, blue, lilac, purple, hazel, and brown. In some incredibly rare instances they might even have silver eyes, a trait often associated to having a strong connection with the aetherial field. Like other elven races, lori fall under Elven Physiology, meaning they won't visually age past full maturity and will not accumulate excess body fat. Most lori can only live up to 200 years, the shortest lifespan of any elven race. A very strange quirk that lori have is their excellent dark vision, while also being perfectly comfortable perceiving bright environments as well. Possibly a lori's biggest weakness is their vulnerability to the cold. Any lori that isn't bundled head to toe in extremely thick winter garments is at risk of dying of hypothermia in temperatures that normally would pose no risk to other races.

Mental Characteristics

Yu'Lorei are best described as incredibly sensual, expressive, and intelligent. Despite the logical capabilities of their mind, everything a lori does comes from their heart. Most lori have a hard time lying, it's usually against their internal moral code and likely a tool that has contributed to their strong cohesion as a group. Lori have a hard time dealing with loneliness, and need regular social interaction to stay healthy. Leave them alone for more then two weeks, and they will likely lose their sanity completely. They also have a hard time holding back their emotions, which tend to gush forth like a raging river. Everyone has seen that one lori in the streets weeping uncontrollably, they simply can't help themselves and if they don't have an emotional support group will likely continue weeping for a while yet. Their feelings of happiness also are explosive, and often result in the spontaneous formation of parties and celebrations. Lori favor words over actions and if they are angry you will never hear the end of their temper, but you can relax knowing they usually will never get physical unless they are seriously ticked off. Many things considered taboo among other races do not bother lori the same way, if even at all. They love body contact, it's even been observed that a lori derives significantly more pleasure from hugs then anyone else, an important finding among scholars. This could do well to explain their eroticism, along with why there are very few boundaries between the genders (they hardly even care if they are naked). Most of the time this simply means that they are attracted to each other like magnets, forming deep social attachments. All lori have a natural aversion to wrongdoing, a result of a powerful shame mechanism in the recesses of their mind. When they actually do something they know is wrong, it places an enormous burden on their mind and they are very likely to seek forgiveness or punishment in order to set their mind at ease. Most lori can hardly feel the aetherial field at all, and this has resulted in them caring very little about magic and instead favoring progress in other disciplines that utilize their powerful mind.

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.

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Society

Yu'Loran society is defined by the strong social bonds between each and every lori. There is no concept of aristocracy within the lori mind, who are far too empathetic and emotionally conscious to deprive their peers of material wealth. The fundamental need for lori to socialize on a daily basis has resulted in many different kinds of venues being born to fulfill their needs. From humble auditoriums to opulent bath houses, the lori have it all. In fact the concept of a restaurant was first coined by the lori. A phenomenon within lori society is the fact there are no strangers. Lori are incredibly friendly and trusting of others even if they don't know anything about them, it is only after substantial social interaction that they begin to form an opinion. While very rare, lori do not take well to being mistreated or cheated. If you cheat a lori, know that everyone they know will know by tomorrow morning. These elves have a strong passion for art and culture in general, often imbuing every possible thing with their own cultural flair. There are laws in lori society, but they are mostly there to remind the elves of what they already know. When rules are broken, lori society takes a reformative approach rather then outright punishing the individual. There have been cases where punishment was necessary, but it is very rare due to the psychology of the lori mind.

Politics

The Island of Ae'Tezan is ruled by a council of elders that are elected on the basis of skill. Because there are so many different professions, council meetings tend to be quite long and follow a vaguely democratic setting. Outcomes are not based on majority consensus, but rather the proposed law or ordinance is deliberated over by the council until changes to the proposition are made to satisfy the whole council. This incredibly inefficient process has forced the government apparatus to remain a very small part of lori society, with most political transactions occurring between local lori and not involving the council unless necessary. In a way this has allowed lori civilization to flourish locally, but with the consequence of paying no mind to the greater picture.

The Island of Ae'Tezan is allied to the dwarven Kingdom of Thandolin. The dwarves make great trade partners, providing countless variations of alcoholic brews and metallic alloys in exchange for the intricate crafted goods that lori are renowned for making. The dwarves also play a major role in the defense of Ae'Tezan, with mighty armored dwarven vessels often found moored in the ports. The elves give a substantial amount of free goods to these dwarven vessels for staying within Ae'Tezan borders, which mutually benefits both parties.

The existence of Yu'Lorei was completely unknown until the last century when the Kingdom of Rivera discovered the elves through a trade transaction with a dwarven merchant ship. Therefore there has been little time for human nations to establish formal relations or agreements with the elves.

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. Food is very diverse, since lori have tried countless ways to make the same things taste entirely different. Fermented and pickled 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.

Lori are very playful and open when expressing their affection. This is so prevalent in lori culture that they are susceptible to major disappointment if they try to start any kind of relationship with a different race. In order to avoid any serious problems, it is advised that other races treat lori with great care as they have very sensitive emotions when dealt with intimately.(expand)

Sports

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Theatrics

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Aqueducts

The elves have used their extensive knowledge of masonry and concrete to build aqueducts which carry water from hot springs high in the mountains down into their city on the Island of Ae'Tezan. These aqueducts provide flowing water to various public facilities and to many restaurants and even bath houses. There are public areas throughout the city where the elves can take an open shower that is fed by the aqueduct, and there are even rows of open latrines with constantly running water which flows into the sewers. Lori will often socialize with friends while using these public latrines. There are also basins with running water where they may clean themselves afterwords. Lori normally use the public showers in the morning before they begin work, and go to a bath house in the evening after they are done with work. The lori are possibly the cleanest race in amestria and take hygiene very seriously, which is important due to their love of close physical proximity.

Restaurants

Similar to taverns in other nations, restaurants offer food and drink. However unlike the establishments they are often compared to, restaurants do not have lodgings for guests and put a great amount of effort into the preparation and variety of their culinary offerings. They are usually elaborate and unique in design, to attract more guests since every locale competes for business. In order to compete in a highly saturated market, restaurants focus on unique offerings that other restaurants do not offer. This has led to every restaurant being a little different and providing a new experience to the elves. Alcohol imported from the dwarven Kingdom of Thandolin can be found in almost every establishment and is an important part of attracting guests. Despite a lack of lodgings, there are simple beds located in a corner of the main room where drunk elves are placed when they pass out. Potted plants are very common, and there are also many sculptures and paintings.

Bath Houses

Bath houses are the pinnacle of Yu'Loran leisure and socialization, and offer far more then basic hygiene. A bath house usually consists of a circular or square building with an open center where a large pool resides. The pool is fed from naturally occurring hot springs frequently present on the island. The elves also boil water scented with oils to make the bath more luxurious. There are rocks and small plants embedded within the bath to give it a more scenic look, however some baths instead sport colorful and attractive masonry. 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. The baths are mixed and both genders share the same pool, however they are expected to follow moral guidelines and not act improperly during the bath. There is a wooden lattice that acts as a shelf where the elves can store their clothes for retrieval after the bath. The bath also has a raised platform next to it where a group of bards will sing and play music for the occupants of the bath. It is common courtesy to be quieter then normal while in the bath so that the bard's music can be heard. There is another room connected to the bath where the occupants can get a full massage with fragrant oils after the bath before they dawn their garments and leave the building. Some bath houses also have a restaurant connected to them, where occupants can enjoy lavish meals after their bathing experience. There are some among the other races that have heard about the lori pleasure palaces known as bath houses, and have ventured far to experience it themselves. This is usually accompanied by many curious looks from the native lori and great 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 lori. 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 lori culture are hypothesized to have been the initial drive that allowed the elves to progress beyond a primitive and passive tribal lifestyle and into their current progressive state.

Military

The Yu'Lorei do not have a formal military, and hardly have any militant facilities at all. A lack of conflict throughout Yu'Loran history has made the race particularly susceptible to attacks and the general malice of other races. Luckily their island remains distant to the warmongering kingdoms of the Exodius continent, making them a low priority target. It is believed that their alliance with the dwarves of Thandolin have contributed to the lack of aggression the elves have received from other nations. Lori are definitely capable of producing weapons of ingenious design, but only when commissioned by another race.

Economy

The lori economy on the Island of Ae'Tezan is surprisingly stable, likely due to the communal nature of lori when it comes to material wealth. Any accumulation of wealth in the hands of one lori usually ends up in several other lori's hands quickly. Lori don't see a need to accumulate any substantial wealth since they would rather share it with others, and fail to see consequence if they actually do run out of wealth. The empathetic nature of lori lends to phenomenal amounts of charity, so even if a lori goes broke they are usually not in any danger unless the rest of lori society hates them (which is impossible). The majority of lori are artisans, however in earlier times there was a far greater number of laborers due to the unavailability of imported resources from the dwarves and other nations.

Technology

What once started as a need to exercise the lori mind has evolved into a passion to innovate and impress. Lori naturally look between the cracks, and search for the things that no one else has thought of. One could say they are incredibly bored if they do not use the full power of their mind. This has resulted in them surpassing every other race in terms of technological achievement. Some discoveries such as cement, concrete, and porcelain have given rise to long lasting improvements in their society. Other discoveries such as clocks and rubber, were likely a result of someone being very bored and having a lot of time on their hands. Their home island of Ae'Tezan is full of watermills, windmills, and other mechanical constructs that automate menial tasks. A recent discovery is the apparent utility of steam power, which most folks assumed was simply a hot mist that came off of boiling water. Despite every lori's interest in new ideas, they never stick with something for too long, moving on to the next innovation once they have succeeded at what they had originally envisioned. Most believe that the lori are more occupied with enjoying their decadent lifestyle then trying to get ahead of the competition with new discoveries. If the lori are forced to truly innovate, no one knows if they would buckle under the stress, or surpass even the most powerful of human nations.

Interbreeding

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Trivia

• Some lori have ventured into cold climates for the sake of expanding their knowledge of the world. Some people have described them as 'adorable' when bundled up in countless layers of winter clothing.
• The dwarves of Thandolin have taken a liking to the Yu'Lorei and they visit Ae'Tezan often, though they are never fully comfortable with the open and uncensored mentality of the lori.
• Disagreements and conflict does happen occasionally in lori society, but they feel so guilty afterwords that they usually make amends and forget that it ever happened.