History of the Elves

For countless generations, the elves lived and prospered in ancient Golarion. That is, until human-kind emerged. At first the elves paid human-kind little head, for they expected them, like all other things, to be only a minor and temporary nuisance. They were wrong. Although the humans were short lived, they were ruthless, relentless, and could breed faster then the elves could ever hope.

Eventually the elves were forced to fight back and actively defend their lands, but they were too late. The humans were far too numerous, and could replenish their numbers far faster than the elves could cope with… even with their elven magic and skill of arms, the elves now faced annihilation.

Their salvation came from the Sovyrian Stone, an artifact as old as the elves themselves, which linked Golarion to Sovyrian. It is not known if Sovyrian is another dimension, planet, distant continent, or another plane of existence entirely, nor is it known if Sovyrian is in fact the origin of the elven race. Regardless, the Elves of Golarion gathered in Iadara, the Elven capitol in the forest of Kyonin, set up powerful illusions to protect this last bastion of elven power in Golarion, and left for Sovyrian. This was about 10 000 years ago.

Not all of the elves fled Golarion however. There were some who remained behind. Most of them stayed within Iadara, to protect the Sovyrian Stone and keep the illusions protecting their home safe. A few became hermits, while others lived in distant forests, becoming savage and wild, while others still rejected the upper world and fled underground (becoming the infamous Drow) or delved into the depths of the sea. In each location, the elves were isolationists, and avoided contact as much as possible with other races (the only exception being the Drow, who eagerly warred with the underground races, particularly Dwarves, for dominance of this new realm). Those who travel the world in an attempt to integrate with the shorter lived races slowly adopt a much more somber demeanor than normal, for in their eyes, as they are constantly surrounded by their death. These elves are known as the Forlorn.

During this time, the humans matured, and began to settle in the land instead of simply ravage it. They became civilized, and open to alliances instead of pure dominance of the land.

Then, about 3 000 years ago a new threat came upon the elves. The demon Treerazor, Lord of the Blasted Tarn, former servant of the demon Cyth-V’sug (and banished from the Abyss by it) came to Golarion. Treerazor infested the Fireani Forest, and quickly grew to enjoy the corruption he was able to inflict upon this land. He twisted and perverted the life of the forest to his own vile whims, and grew in strength because of it.

Treerazors power grew, and soon he was able to discover Iadara behind it’s protective illusion, and he felt the power of the Sovyrian Stone. He set about to pervert the stone, and redirect it’s power towards the Abyss, either as a way to bring untold legions into Golarion, regain favor with his old master, or as a means to exact revenge upon his former master and take control of it’s demonic forces. Regardless, Treerazor’s machination would be fatal to the elven race. Feeling the corruption starting to influence the Stone, the elves in Sovyrian returned to Golarion to counter this new threat.

When they returned, they found that Golarion had become even more beautiful then when they had left, and that the humans had become civilized and possibly even tolerable if given time. The connection between the elves with the earth, the forests, and the fey were renewed, and the elves elected to return en mass, repel the corrupting forces of Treerazor, and reclaim their ancestral homes.

The elves were, however, not as numerous as they once were, so not all of their ancient homes could be resettled. Those that were overgrown by nature or settled by barbarous and evil creatures were retaken, but those elven dwellings that were now occupied by creatures that relied upon them to survive, who were civil, friendly, and in tune with nature were permitted to remain. Some places see the elves living peacefully with their new inhabitants (like Omesta, an elegant elven city on the forest floor that is neighbored above by a gnomish city made of zip lines and treetop homes). In truth, the elves simply no longer had the numbers or power to reclaim all that they once held, and they were no longer the dominant race of the world, so they (for now) are accepting this fact and waiting to see how this new world unfolds.

The primary issue preventing the elves from simply reclaiming their former glory is, however, Treerazor. For 3 000 years the elves have raged war with this demon and his twisted legions (made up of fey, intelligent plants, and animals perverted to evil by his vile influence). This war still rages, but it has grown into a cold war, with Treerazor isolated in the southern swamps of the Fireani, unable to advance beyond the swamps borders, but also unable to be routed. The elves, over the last 3 000 years, drove him this far, but are now unable to penetrate into the heart of Treerazors realm. Hidden here, Treerazor plans and builds his forces in secret, gathering strength to once again wreck havoc upon the world… but for now, he is unable to do much more than plot in his swamp lair.

The Zhao Family

Melisande was born some 3 500 years ago to Solarius and Danyerial Arborea, two elves who remained in Golarion to defend and upkeep Iadara while their brethren fled to Sovyrian. Solarius was an elven craftsman who specialized in silver, while Danyerial was an artist, musician, and herbalist. Solarius often traded with the dwarves, for although both elves and dwarves were isolationists and content to ignore each other in their vastly different environs, they each saw strength in the other where they themselves were weak. Where the elves were dexterous, intelligent, arcane, and proficient with woodwork and silverwork, the dwarves were strong in both constitution and muscle, martially powerful, and unequaled in stonework and metallurgy.

Melisande trained herself as an artists and forester, inspired by her mother. When she was about 500 years old, Treerazor became an enemy of the elves. Solarius had recently aquired a shipment of silver and iron ore from the Dwarves, and although he was not proficient in crafting cold-iron weapons like the dwarves, he did craft a mighty weapon to use against this new threat out of the iron he had just received. He named the curve-blade “Kilij”, after the elven word for “Slashing Death”. Unfortunately, the evil hoard of Treerazor killed Solarius and Danyerial before they could use the blade against them. Melisande took her fathers sword, and joined the then small elven militia to oppose Treerazor. For nearly 2 000 years, Melisande wielded Kilij in honor of her slain parents, and cut down countless demons, evil fey, and other vile corruptions of nature employed by Treerazor.

Among the leaders of the elven militia was Tae Lo, an oracle, seer and mystic, who used his visions to help guide the swift arrows, blades, and spells of the elven forces. Tae Lo was only a hundred or so years older than Melisande, and the two were childhood friends as well. After hundreds of years of innocent acquaintance, followed by even more hundreds of years fighting the forces of Treerazor together, the two developed a bond of love, and eventually joined in holy union.

2 000 years into the war with Treerzor, Tae Lo and Melisande decided to retire from the battle, allowing other elves to continue the onslaught, and to aid the elves in a different way. They decided to aid in creating a new generation of elves by having a family. Elves do not conceive easily, and each new child is a rare occurrence worthy of nation-wide celebration, so Melisande and Tae Lo decided to put all of their focus into this new task.

They were not disappointed. The powers that be seemed to smile upon their union and attempts, and they were eventually blessed with a family of daughters.

Elves normally have four names. First, they have a personal name, given to them by the community upon birth, and much divination often goes into choosing this name. Then they have a family name, which is often created by the two elves who join together to create the new family. Third, they have an intimate name which is only known to the closest of family. Finally, they have their everyday name, which is chosen by the elf themselves. Most elves refer to themselves and each other with their everyday name.

Melisande and Tae Lo’s chose the word Zhao for their family name, meaning “Transition into Strength”. Their eldest daughter was named Verdurel, for the strong will and power she was divined to possess, and her intimate name is Brisulera. Her everyday name, chosen for herself, is Venalra. She loves the natural world and embraces it as a ranger.

It took a few hundred years before they conceived another child, and beyond all hopes and dreams this birth was a truly rare event, especially among elves: Twins. These twin sisters were named Proreclia and Paltheya, for the nimbleness they were divined to possess in both body and mind. Their intimate names are Chassisa and Capricia, while their everyday names are Alacrisa and Acrimosa, respectively. They constantly quarrel playfully with each other, and are proficient pranksters each. They are both Arcane Tricksters, though Alacrisa favors martial, mechanical, and naturally sneaky tricks, while Acrimosa favors manipulating the arcane arts to achieve her mischief.

Not long later (about one hundred years), to the wonderment of all the elves, the Zhao family increased in number once again. This daughter was named Sepkava, for her divinations showed much violence in her life. Her intimate name is Katili, but the name she chose for herself was LoTae, after her father (whose name means “From Thyself”), whom she admired and respected, even though she was aware that she was not like him at all (hence the reversal of the syllables). She was fascinated by her parent’s sword (Kilij) the moment she first saw it. When she was strong enough to lift it, she found herself naturally talented in its use. She also took great pleasure in executing precise blows, and finding the best way to utilize its full cutting power. She accepted advice and training from any who would give it, as well as from her entire family. Most importantly, she trained with her mother, whose knowledge of combat - refined by 2 000 years fighting against the forces of Treerazor - made her training invaluable.

And there was still one more to be born into this family. The youngest sister, born only 50 years after LoTae, was named Sirinala, for she was divined to be both curious and kind. Her intimate name is Chelimzis, but her everyday name is Sha’uri (meaning “to discuss”), for she quickly perceived how her life sparked conversations and wonderment among the elves. She is still very young by elven standards, and has not done much beyond the safety of Iadara and the regular activities of all elven children.

(Sha’uri is about 80-ish years old, LoTae is 131 years old, Alacrisa and Acrimosa are both about 250 years old, while Venalra is about 600 years old. Melisande and Tae Lo are both well into their 3^rd millennia).

The Zhao family believes in actively participating in the world around them, which is already a bit of a contrast to most elves that seem to prefer to wait events out. Having long roots in battle with demonic and fey forces, the Zhao’s also learned to value deception and guile, thus Tae Lo took great pains to teach his wife, and then their children languages not usually spoken by such enemies. Thus, all the Zhao’s speak elven with friends, common with their human allies, and Draconic when in earshot of potential foes.

Current Events

The current ruler of Kyonin and wearer of the Viridian Crown is Queen Telandia Edasseril. Her age is unknown, but she is both wise and powerful. Many relate her demeanor to that of a falcon or hawk, but just as many find her compassionate, kind, and motherly to all elves. It was her who initiated to founding of Greengold, a human run town within the forest borders of Kyonin, as an attempt to bring these two vastly different people (and all civilized races) together in mutual understanding and respect.

Although the elves are virtually immortal, and thus most view all matters with a detachment appropriate for their longevity, Queen Telandia Edasseril realizes that the other races that now dominate the world do not, and cannot take matters with such aloofness. And so, while most elves feel that they should sit back, wait and watch; their queen moves forward. To this end, she has started sending envoys to the neighboring human communities, both to learn more of the other races by living among them, but to also find the forlorn and reunite them with elven esteem. To let them know that they are still welcomed by all elves everywhere; and that they have a welcoming home should they choose to return.

To this end, the Queen has chosen the Zhao family to travel to Brevoy in the north. Traditional and arrogant, Melisande and Tae Lo refused escort, and traversed the Stolen Lands by foot parallel the Sellen River instead of sailing on it. This was a terrible mistake, for even with the skills of the entire family ready to fend of bandits and the wild beasts of these lands, they were still overconfident and unprepared for the well orchestrated ambush that came halfway through their journey in the dark of the night.

The battle was chaotic and fierce. The Zhao’s were mid-reverie when it started, so they were both lacking equipment and without their magic recharged. A lucky shot knocked LoTae unconscious almost immediately. When she awoke, she was alone, though a fair distance from where the battle had taken place. It seems that by luck alone she was overlooked by the attackers, whoever (or whatever) they were. The only thing that remained after the ambush was a large mess of blood on the ground from multiple bodies, the clothes on LoTae’s back, a small pouch of coin that she had with her, and Kilij. No bodies were left behind, and no sign of where they may have gone to were left either. Whether her family was captured, killed, or victorious and in pursuit (yet abandoned her) is unknown to LoTae. However, she knows that she is too young and inexperienced to try and solve this mystery right away. So, alone and in despair, LoTae continued her journey north into the human land of Brevoy.

Upon reaching civilization, LoTae rejoiced, for she was now safe again, though the lesson she learned on the way there was a hard one. Even though the elves are immortal, they can still die by the blade, and all the patience and long outlook on events cannot save you from the immediate dangers of the world. So, LoTae purchased armor and gear to increase her chances of survival should things suddenly turn sour, and began investigating ways in which to fulfill her Queen’s mission, strengthen herself against immediate dangers, and avenge her lost family.