The isle of Teophilus was inhabited for millenia before humans ever set foot there. Five tribes of elfen call the island home, and they guard their territory with a ferocity humans have learned to avoid.
These tribes share many similarities, though each has its own distinct culture. They are descended from eight warriors who first dedicated themselves to defending the Earthmother at the conclusion of the Godswar.
Five of these mighty warriors still live, though each has grown reclusive and rarely leaves the presence of the Earthmother. They can spend entire years in deep meditation, basking in the glory of their goddess. They are known as the founders, and treated with nearly as much reverence as the goddess herself.
Tensions between the tribes often run hot, as each believes their form of worship to be the most pure and correct. This is exacerbated by the fact that most elfen believe the Earthmother will exalt one tribe over all the others upon her return.
This occasionally leads to open warfare among the tribes, but they usually maintain an uneasy peace. The antagonistic attitudes of the tribes are always set aside to deal with defilers who venture into the forest, though there is still fierce competition amongst warriors to earn the most kills. Much honor is gained for killing a defiler, especially one who makes it close to the Earthmother.
Each tribe is ruled by a Seer, those who have the strongest connection to the earthmother. All seers are earth mages, and many have the Blessing of the Earthmother. Their magic is devestatingly powerful within the forests of Teophilus, because of the density of the foliage. It gives the elfen who practice it complete control over their environment, which is why the seers and their apprentices are so vital.
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The Silent Step
The Silent Step are an aptly named tribe. They pride themselves on their ability to pass through the forest without being detected, even by the animals that call it home. They are more reclusive than the other tribes, avoiding conflict unless someone is unwise enough to trespass on their lands.
They dwell on the North Western coast of the island, and are the closest tribe to the city of Teophilus. For this reason most humans believe all elfen are like the Silent Step, killing from the shadows before the unwary are even aware of of their presence.
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The Bone Blades
The Blades are the only non-forest dwelling tribe among the elfen. Their live on the slopes of Mount Teresia and the surrounding foothills, keeping careful watch to make sure neither human nor elfen intrude on their territory.
Their name stems from the gleaming white weapons they carry. These weapons are carved from the enchanted bone running through the mountains. This bone is the remnants of the Earthmother’s original body, and the blades created from it are considered sacred.
The Bone Blades consider will hunt down anyone foolish enough to carry one. This has resulted in many battles with the other tribes, earning the Bone Blades a reputation for savage ferocity.
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The Tree Walkers
The Walkers make their homes high among the trees on the southeastern side of the island. They have spent millenia constructing walkways through the jungle. These are so cunningly constructed that they are invisible from the ground. The tribe uses these pathways to travel, almost never descending to the ground save when they need to hunt.
The walkers crave peace above all else, and avoid warring with the neighboring Bone Blades and Raven Eyes tribes. They spend their time in meditation and prayer, and send many young members to help tend directly to the Earthmother.
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The Raven Eyes
The jungles of Teophilus are thick with many types of birds, but by far the most common are ravens. The Raven Eyes revere these birds, believing that they are the eyes of the Earthmother. Their mother can see through their eyes, so the Raven Eyes consider it a sacred duty to keep them safe from all threats.
The other tribes scoff at this idea, believing the ravens to be nothing more than dirty scavengers. They hold the Raven Eyes in contempt, often mocking them at tribal gatherings. This has led to numerous clashes, ones the Raven Eyes usually win.
The Raven Eyes have a deep spiritual connection with the Earthmother, and their tribe has produced more seers than any other. These powerful earth mages give them an advantage in any conflict, as the other tribes have learned to their regret.
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The Cresent Born
The Cresent Born are the most reclusive tribe, remaining fiercely independent from the other tribes. Their name comes from the island on which they dwell, a wide cresent detached from the main isle of Teophilus.
Because of their isolation the Cresent Born are an enigma to the other tribes. They do not interact with their brethren, nor do they speak to humans. It is rumored that they are cannibals, feasting on the flesh of others to gain strength.
The truth of these rumors is difficult to ascertain, though it is well known that those who travel to the cresent do not return.
