Larsilv

The Larsilv in Iskitaan began as those elves who couldn't tolerate the rigidness and formality of Cersilv found refuge in the wild lowlands of the Greythern mountains thousands of years ago. As time went on, the populations of Larsilv in the lowlands grew, and instead of isolated individuals living a meager existence, villages began to form, and the core of Larsilv culture began to form.

Even more than their Cersilv cousins, the Larsilv were in tune with nature, probably owing to prodigious cross-breeding with nymphs and dryads. Their villages tended to be small - usually 50 to 200 individuals at most - and strung out within woodland clearings, or even built into the tree tops themselves. Like the Cersilv, their villages were led by a council of nine, typically organized as three sub-councils known as the Triads. Unlike the Cersilv, each Larsilv village was self-ruled, and no village recognized any higher authority.

By the time of the Exodus, the Larsilv within Iskitaan were numerous, with thousands of scattered woodland villages. The Larsilv were primarly peaceful, and accepting of the humans, though they preferred their privacy and for the most part remained in their small villages. Although there were a few vicious battles between silv and humans, most conflicts with humans were generally avoided by the village triads giving a nominal fealty and tribute to the human lords in return for being left alone. This compromise was accepted by both sides, because the few battles that did occur proved to both side that the more numerous humans would win, but not without terrible cost.

Like all other Silv, the Larsilv are susceptible to succumbing to the Nages (Shadows), and becoming Darsilv, or elves without souls. Unlike the Cersilv, the Larsilv do not practice the ritual of Talstayvoweiar as a means of resisting this Nages. Statistically, the Larsilv are no more likely to succumb to the Nages than the Cersilv, but the lack of Talstayvoweiar among the Larsilv was the underlying foundation of the Silv Wars.

By the time the Silv Wars were over, the Larsilv population had been devestated. However, the Ricsilv who joined them in battle against the Cersilv had no homes to return to, and were welcomed into Larsilv villages with open arms. As a result, the culture of these two different bands of silv has blended.

In many ways, the Larsilv culture is the same as it has always been - living in harmony with nature, taking only what is needed for survival, being a good friend and neighbor to those around you. Family is still the center of sylvan life, and children are the Larsilv's most precious possession, while elders are revered for their knowledge and wisdom. Yet Ricsilv have had their influence as well. The family is no longer defined by mother-father-children groups, but by the Ricsilv Circle, a magical ritual that binds sometimes disparate individuals into familial groups of 2, 3, even 4 or more with bonds of love and devotion. Sex is no longer something only treated with reverence and reserved for committed individuals of opposite genders, but is instead a celebration of life, to be shared freely with any whom they are attracted to, regardless of gender. Finely honed hunting skills are no longer enough - every Larsilv must be a warrior, ready to defend his circle, triad and home with a fierce devotion.

The following are random thoughts on how Larsilv think/act

• Larsilv motto - “Sex is casual, Love is not”
• Although long-lived, the warrior training of the Larsilv typically leads to an attitude of “I may die tomorrow, so I must live my life today to the fullest.”
• A Larsilv has nothing if he besmirches his own personal honor, or that of his Circle or clan.
• Nature is to be cherished and protected.
• Larsilv belonging to a Circle have Heart Lines, a blue tattoo, which generally runs from the back of one hand to the other hand.