Description
Description
The Tal'asan elves are a rather visually distinct race of elves native to Arteghia. Most notably, their skin and hair colors are not fixed, but rather they change depending on their temperament or for the purpose of camouflage. Their skin and hair color can vary broadly from greens to oranges and blues; though, in their natural state the Tal'asan sport lightly tanned skin and most commonly possess dark hair.
All Tal'asan elves are marked by an inherent touch of primal magic, which is credited for their shifting appearances and almost mystical means of traversing their forests. This also grants them longevity and an affinity for all things natural to their environment - flora and fauna both. In addition to the innate primal magic of the Tal'asan elves, the Tal'asan Priests have long mastered the art of sorcery and elemental magic - generally the most raw and natural forms of magic.
Culture
The Tal'asan were once a vast civilization claiming dominion over much of the Arteghian rainforests, but their great society fell to foreigners from across the seas, when after a violent and bloody conflict, many of their cities were destroyed. Nahuatl, an albino naga foretold to be their salvation, gathered the remaining Tal'asan together for a pilgrimage far into southern Arteghia. It was there that they found a new home within the lost city of Mintinca, the equivalent of their 'holy city' which had been built around and named after the ancient temple of Mintincua. Nahuatl swore to protect the remaining Tal'asan for as long as they remained within Mintinca, and from there they retreated from the world.
Historically Tal'asan worshiped the gods of nature - especially that of the sun and rain - and were known to partake in the practice of ritual sacrifices. Their leaders, the High Priests, also served as their societal leaders, resulting in many strict religious laws. The High Priests were typically viewed as nothing short of divine themselves, and sacrificing of blasphemers who would speak against them was a common practice. In modern days the practice of ritual sacrifice has been outlawed, but it still exists among cult groups and devout followers of the old ways. These Tal'asan look to Nahuatl's male counterpart, Venomagia, a herald of destruction. It is their belief that Venomagia will be the cleansing fire that reclaims their ancestral lands once more.
While worship of the nature gods remains strong, the Tal'asan people primarily look to their new gods, Venomagia and Nahuatl. Typically speaking, devout priests of Nahuatl favor elemental magic, while those of Venomagia favor sorcery.
Architecture
The Tal'asan express many of the traits of tribal societies - being highly religious, hostile to outsiders and in a close relationship with nature - but they also possess the sophistication of more advanced civilizations in agricultural, mathematical and architectural development. Tal'asan architecture is characteristically recognized by their stepped pyramidal buildings and temples. Their cities are typically sprawling and somewhat haphazard in design, with their palaces and temples situated at their heart. Temples, observatories, and tombs of High Priests are built atop towering pyramids, while many of the residential structures consist of single floor dwellings.
