Post by Naholi on Jul 22, 2006 17:02:42 GMT -5
Proud, powerful, and strong in magic, the Elves came from across the sea to Alagaesia. When they arrived, the dragons were already present in the land. The elves thought that the dragons were just like any other animal that could be hunted. A young elf hunted down and killed a dragon like it was only a stag. Outraged and aware of the fact that one of their kind had been slain, the dragons ambushed and slaughtered the youth. The bloodshed escalated, and the dragons attacked the elven nation. This began a long and bloody war that lasted for five sorrowful years. The war would have lasted longer had not a young elf named Eragon (our main character’s namesake) discovered a dragon's egg. When the dragon had hatched, he named it Bid'Daum. After Bid’Daum grew to a fair size, the two of them traveled among the dragons and elves and were able to convince the two races to live in peace. To make sure another war did not occur, the Riders, or Shur’tugal, were established.
Elves, also known as the Fair Folk because they are more graceful than any other race, are immortal and the most powerful in magic of any race. The weakest elf could easily beat any man in fencing, magic, or just about anything. Only the Riders could match their strength and power, and even then only after their training had been completed. The elves live in the Du Weldenvarden forest, a beautiful leafy sanctuary. Their capital is Ellesméra, where their queen Islandzandí resides. The exact location, however, is not known because the elves are secretive of their home and knowledge. The elf Arya is the carrier who had Saphira’s egg and, with magic, sent it to the Spine.
In Eldest, Eragon and Saphira travel with Arya to Ellesméra, home of the elves, which lies deep within Du Weldenvarden. Du Weldenvarden is the enchanted forest encompassing the elves’ nation. The elven magic is ingrained into the forest, and there is seldom an area of Du Weldenvarden devoid of magical enchantments or creatures. Indeed, the elves sing to the forest annually in the ancient language, causing the forest to grow stronger each year.
As Eragon discovers, the elves do not consume the flesh of another animal, except in the most dire of circumstances. This is because of their strong connection to the surrounding world, which causes them to realize the sanctity of all life. Eragon himself reaches this epiphany, as did all Riders, as his training with the elf-Rider Oromis continues.
In addition, the elves abide by a strict set of social customs designed to prevent feuds between elves and families. As Arya explains to Eragon, because elves lives are so long, a feud could continue for centuries at a time. In addition, although elves are immortal, they have children very rarely. Because of this, having a child with a mate is the most complete bond of trust an elf can express. Raising a child is considered one of the most important duties in a elf’s life, if the chance arises.
Again, because elves are immortal, they do not abide by the same marriage practices that humans do. Elves take mates for as long or as short as it pleases them, and there is rarely ill-feeling towards a previous mate. However, again, having a child with a mate is a sacred bond of trust.
As Eragon discovers in Ellesméra, because elves can achieve anything they want with magic, there is no need for elves to farm or work to survive. However, this coupled with their immortality allows elves to focus all of their considerable skill onto a trait which pleases them. This allows amazing works to be created in those fields.
As Oromis explains to Eragon, elves believe in no religion. Instead they believe only what they can prove or witness in nature. The elves would believe in a higher power only once they had witnessed proof of one.
Elves, also known as the Fair Folk because they are more graceful than any other race, are immortal and the most powerful in magic of any race. The weakest elf could easily beat any man in fencing, magic, or just about anything. Only the Riders could match their strength and power, and even then only after their training had been completed. The elves live in the Du Weldenvarden forest, a beautiful leafy sanctuary. Their capital is Ellesméra, where their queen Islandzandí resides. The exact location, however, is not known because the elves are secretive of their home and knowledge. The elf Arya is the carrier who had Saphira’s egg and, with magic, sent it to the Spine.
In Eldest, Eragon and Saphira travel with Arya to Ellesméra, home of the elves, which lies deep within Du Weldenvarden. Du Weldenvarden is the enchanted forest encompassing the elves’ nation. The elven magic is ingrained into the forest, and there is seldom an area of Du Weldenvarden devoid of magical enchantments or creatures. Indeed, the elves sing to the forest annually in the ancient language, causing the forest to grow stronger each year.
As Eragon discovers, the elves do not consume the flesh of another animal, except in the most dire of circumstances. This is because of their strong connection to the surrounding world, which causes them to realize the sanctity of all life. Eragon himself reaches this epiphany, as did all Riders, as his training with the elf-Rider Oromis continues.
In addition, the elves abide by a strict set of social customs designed to prevent feuds between elves and families. As Arya explains to Eragon, because elves lives are so long, a feud could continue for centuries at a time. In addition, although elves are immortal, they have children very rarely. Because of this, having a child with a mate is the most complete bond of trust an elf can express. Raising a child is considered one of the most important duties in a elf’s life, if the chance arises.
Again, because elves are immortal, they do not abide by the same marriage practices that humans do. Elves take mates for as long or as short as it pleases them, and there is rarely ill-feeling towards a previous mate. However, again, having a child with a mate is a sacred bond of trust.
As Eragon discovers in Ellesméra, because elves can achieve anything they want with magic, there is no need for elves to farm or work to survive. However, this coupled with their immortality allows elves to focus all of their considerable skill onto a trait which pleases them. This allows amazing works to be created in those fields.
As Oromis explains to Eragon, elves believe in no religion. Instead they believe only what they can prove or witness in nature. The elves would believe in a higher power only once they had witnessed proof of one.