Valenar elf

This page is provided to give more background information about Valenar elves. In DDO, these elves are part of the generic Elf race. DDO game specific information for Khorvaire Elves is given on the Elf page, as well as generic information that is common to all elves and a historical timeline for elves.

While most people refer to them as Valenar elves, their proper name is the “Vales Tairn”, or “Warriors of Glory”

Lands

Valenar starts with a peninsula southeastern coast of Khorvaire, and stretches north until it bumps into the Mournland on the west, the Talenta plains to the north, and Q’barra to the east. A majority of this land is plains and steppes. There are very few permanent settlements in Valenar, other than a few small ranches and settlements, most elves being nomadic roaming horsemen. The exception would be Taer Valaestas, the city where the High King of the Valenar reside. Although recently they have been creating a network of taers (fortresses) with settlements growing up around them.

Politics

The current High King of Valenar is Vadallia. There are forty-five separate clans under the high king. These clans are constantly vying for attention, prestige amongst themselves, seeking to be known for their glory, honor, and prowess in battle.

House Lyrandar also has quite a bit of influence with King Vadallia, despite being a house of half-elves. They were brought in to Valenar to help increase the productivity of what agriculture the Valenar elves do have.

Dragonmarks

The elves of Valenar do not carry any dragonmarks.

Society

Valenar elves respect their ancestors and past heroes just as do the Aereni, but instead of trying to preserve them or bring them back from the dead, the Valenar seek to emulate the deeds of their ancestors and to bring further glory to the names of these ancestors. Often in battle, Valenar will wear masks. These masks are meant to hide the identity of the elf because the elf does not seek to make a name for themselves, but are seeking to further the name of the ancestor they are fighting for.

To a Valenar elf, their duty is first to their patron ancestor, and then to their warclan, then to their warband, and finally to the members of their blood family. Many elves can have the same patron ancestor, and there is often competition to see who can bring the most glory to the name of that ancestor.

The Valenar way of war is one of speed and stealth, and guerilla tactics are second nature. To them it is both an art form, and a game. Valenar are trained almost from birth to ride horses, and the ability these elves have as horsemen is impressive, and unmatched by any others in Eberron. They are also well trained in being able to live off the land. Traveling in small squads of raiders, their cavalry skills and ability to live off the land allowing them to travel in days what would take other military forces weeks. However, this is also offset by their long lifestyles where a war or a feud can last centuries.

Valenar often seek to raid outside of their country, striking into Talenta or Q’barra, seeking fame and glory as well as the possibility of expanding the size of their country. Foreigners are allowed into Valenar, and are usually left alone as long as they do not challenge anyone or commit any crimes. Strangers are never allowed into the elven fortresses, only the small towns and hamlets that have grown up around them. The best advice for traveling through Valenar is to keep your weapons hidden and your eyes lowered.

They still have strong ties with the elves of Aerenal, especially those of the Tairnadal. Although they often consider the followers of the Undying Court to be too stagnant and perhaps a bit cowardly.

Valenar typically wear loose silk clothing when not in armor. Clothing and armor both tend to covered in elaborate engraving or embroidery. Colors usually favor reds and browns, often mimicking blood splatter so that the stains of battle are not so noticeable. In battle a “Zaelta” (“Spirit Mask”) is often worn. Its purpose is to hide the face of the warrior and allow him to more easily become attuned to the spirit of their ancestor. They also often wear a “Zaelshin” which is a sigil identifying what their patron ancestor is. This can be worn as a brooch, amulet, engraving on their armor, or any other way that displays it proudly.

The Keepers of the Past is the strongest religious order in Valenar. Their purpose is to maintain the memories of elf heroes of the past, and to ensure that present day warriors are reminded to see to further that honor and glory rather than seeking it for themselves. When a Valenar elf is born, the Keepers of the Past determine what their patron Ancestor should be.

The Dalan Rae is a warrior cult that is rapidly growing amongst the younger Valenar elves. They take the idea of going to battle in the name of you ancestors to the extreme. They believe that only by dying in battle at the hands of a powerful enemy is the most honorable of deaths, and that to do so is necessary in order to become a spirit warrior after death. They hope to build an army of these spirit warriors.

Revenant Blades are the most dedicated of the Valenar warriors. They don’t just seek to emulate their ancestor and bring honor to him, they seek to completely immerse themselves in him and slowly become him.