Rel'Danar

Rel'Danar is a small, isolated village nestled high in the snowy mountains to the south of Illian Bay. Located west of Mount Celestis and south of the Dragon’s Spine Mountains, this secluded settlement is the largest known habitation of elves in the region. However, the elves of Rel'Danar are shrouded in mystery, their origins and the reasons for settling in this remote locale unknown, as they maintain an aloofness and distrust towards outsiders.

Geography and Isolation

Rel'Danar is perched in a rugged and unforgiving landscape, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and treacherous terrain. The isolation of the village adds to its mysterious allure, as the towering mountains act as both natural barriers and guardians, shielding the elves from the prying eyes of the outside world. The strategic placement of Rel'Danar makes it challenging for curious travelers to stumble upon it accidentally, reinforcing the elves' preference for solitude.

The Elves

The village is home to the largest known population of elves in the region. These elves, distinct from the more common races found around Illian Bay, have an air of mystery and a palpable sense of otherworldliness about them. Their pointed ears and ethereal features mark them as a race apart, and the flowing, intricate designs of their clothing and dwellings suggest a culture deeply connected to magic and steeped in tradition.

Rumors

Whispers among the neighboring settlements and wandering travelers suggest that the elves of Rel'Danar may have been exiled from their original homeland. The veracity of these rumors, however, remains uncertain, as the inhabitants of Rel'Danar are notoriously reticent about their past. Their reasons for settling in the harsh environment near Illian Bay remain elusive, and attempts to extract information from the elves are met with silence or cryptic responses.

Distrust of Outsiders

The elves of Rel'Danar are known for their distrust of outsiders. Whether fueled by a painful history or a desire for secrecy, the inhabitants of the village maintain a deliberate distance from those who venture near. Travelers attempting to approach Rel'Danar are often met with vigilant sentinels, and those who manage to enter the village find the elves courteous but guarded, revealing little about their origins or the purpose of their settlement.

Elven Culture

What little is known about the elves to the inhabitants of Illian Bay can be largely attributed to the work of historian Isabella Thorne in excerpts from her various chronicles, such as below: 

16th of Dawnbreak, 196 ME

"After almost a month of observing their ways from the fringes of the valley, I was invited into the village proper this past morning. The culture of this majestic and mysterious people is as intriguing as it is exotic. Their dwellings and structures stand against the mountainside and amidst nature, adorned with delicate carvings and softly glowing lanterns. Sliding doors reveal interiors graced with artwork and floors adorned with the warmth of woven mats. Bridges, masterfully constructed from natural materials, span chasms, connecting different facets of the village.

"The culture of these graceful people is woven with threads of tradition. Martial disciplines, akin to the fluid dance of leaves in the mountain breeze, echo the natural rhythms of their surroundings. The intricacies of their tea ceremonies, still far deeper than I've been able to grasp in my short time here, are conducted with deliberate grace and poise. Their attire, adorned with symbols that resonate with ancestral significance, speaks of vast traditions stretching back hundreds, perhaps thousands of years.

"Curiously, unlike the people of Illian Bay, the elves do not seem to utilise spell crystals in their magical practices. Instead, they draw energy from the very land around them to empower their spells and incantations. Magic here seems to act almost like a living force. I have inquired several times about studying with one of their "mystics," but they seem recalcitrant towards sharing their practices with outsiders."