Moonglow -------- If there was such a thing as an Elven capital, it would be Moonglow. A King and Queen rule over 12 noble houses. Merchants and tradesmen favor this city, as well as soldiers*, athletes, and healers. The Elves of this city are, in general, the most virulent human-haters. Many of them recall the burning of the Old City & Forest - hard not to when the ruins remain in cold silent memorials throughout. Moonglow is an offensive city, with homes up in the trees and businesses and barracks on the ground. The entire city is surrounded by camoflauged nets. Guards raise the nets if you're a friend; otherwise, prepare to be ensnared! No human will ever make it through Moonglow alive - it's become something of a motto of the city. *soldiers have only existed as a profession since the war, for Elves, at least. ----------- Peaceseeker ----------- The second-largest Elven city, Peaceseeker, like Moonglow, was burned during the war. However, Peaceseeker has always been a city of artisans, writers, scholars, clerics, dancers, and musicians. And initially every bit as angry as Moonglow's citizens, they have funneled that anger away into their own rebirth. Rather than preserve the charred remaines to keep the smoldering embers alive, Peaceseeker built new building on their ruins. All other villages, towns & cities (except Moonglow, which is about 50/50 ground/air) have built up in the trees for safety; Peaceseeker is th eonly city to be COMPLETELY REBUILT ON THE GROUND. Peaceseeker built a new and breathtakingly gorgeous city. Elven temples sponsored beautiful mediation gardens, parks, and zoos (although their zoos are more like animal sanctuaries than showgrounds for the amusement of the populace). Elegant bridges arch over the North River that runs through the forest. Magical lights waltz among gauzy fire-proof cloths up in the canopies of the trees. There are 7 noble houses who form the High Council and 5 guilds (Artists', Scholars', Magicians', Clerics', and Craftsmen's) who form the Guild Council. They vote on the same law/issue at the same time, but each Council does so separately. If they deadlock, a public vote is called. Everyone votes, including the Councilors (as the previous Council votes are ignored), and that decides the matter. -------- Starglen -------- Starglen is built around one word: COMMUNITY. Although built up in the trees, rather than each house having a metal encased fire pit (and a vent), there is one HUGE fire pit in the central clearing. The whole city (smaller than Moonglow or Peaceseeker, but still too large to be a mere town) gathers around the fire pit for a community dinner - everyone brings something to cook or add: spices, desserts, drinks. The firepit also serves as a signal fire - Watchers can drop a torch into it to light it at any time, in case of threat. If it is lit, EVERYONE takes up arms who can - women and men alike. Not even Peaceseeker is so sexually progressive. Not surprising, since Starglen is run by the Elder Matrons of all the families. One day a year has been set aside to remember the Fallen of the War (one of the few cities (Moonglow is really the only other Elven one) to capitalize the word), and other than that it is to be put from everyone's minds. Life & survival are more important. ------- Pinelaw ------- The northernmost forest is rougher and simpler than most forests, even more so than Kerasong, the youngest. They go by the Old Ways, except for having moved their town upwards like most of the rest. They capture ALL humans they find trespassing and interrogate them as to their purpose. If an impromptu jury of 3 decides you're OK, they let you go about your business. If they decide otherwise, you are killed, but quickly. However...if you've been "approved" and somehow betray that trust, you'll be killed - and NOT so quickly. They eat only fish, vegetables, and the like, and there are specific words said over each fish taken, each berry picked, etc., as directed by the Old Ways. They know the older magics too - the ones that CAN hurt. How they recall them and can practice them when the older cities have forgotten they even exist is unknown. Needless to say, Pinelaw made it through the war relatively untouched. ----------------- Dapple/Underbrush ----------------- Two separate villages occupying one forest, these villages were founded by two brothers who had a friendly sibling rivalry. This has long since been passed to the townsfolk. The two villages hold almost CONSTANT contests trying to one-up each other. The contests are FIERCELY played out, often with cussing, which is rare in Elven communities. However, once it has been decided, you can often find the former opponents drinking each others' health at the nearest public house. These Elves are the closest to humans, behavior-wise, but they delight in tormenting any unfortunate human who cross their path, usually by making them take part in their insane contests. -------- Kerasong -------- The forest was originally named "Kera's Song" after the first Lady of this forest and its village. It is said that, while still a young girl living in Peaceseeker, Kera had a dream about a beautiful forest that cried, for it had no Guardians (for such Elves consider themselves to be). She saw its location in the vision. It so moved her that she composed a song about it. An up-and-coming young noble, named Deralan, heard her song one morning, as she stood on her veranda singing. He was intrigued with the song, its vision, and the singer. He courted and married Kera, and together they worked to make her song a reality. After many years of wheedling and politicking, he received dispensation to seek out this forest and colonize it. They brought their household, as well as their servants' friends and families. The forest was not doing well when Deralan and Kera's party found it, but was not yet on its deathbed. These first settlers of Kera's Song revitalized the forest and made it strong and beautiful again. Over the years, the name has been slurred to Kerasong, but the village and forest have prospered beyond even the late Lady Kera's dreams, and her family still rules in the person of her grandson, Alderon. Deralan and Kera instilled Peaceseeker values into their forest, but took pains not to neglect all the Old Ways. Thus, Kerasong has a Lord like most forests, but that Lord (and Lady if there is one) take part in the daily life of his (and her) subjects. The Lord is literally Protector of his people, and helps them in all things. Although the Manor House is larger than most houses, its third floor is the village's armory and the fourth its treasury. The Lord still has only 2 floors for his own personal use (most houses are 2 story).