A brief look at Sylvyn culture.
Political Organization
Political organization among the Sylvyns is a loose affiliation of the various tribes, sects and clans. Since the various tribal subunit is usually separated by large geographically distances, a rigid and structured governance was almost impossible to attain, especially given the strong, glowing differences between the various tribes and sects, who uphold their own unique set of values and belief.
Individual tribes, clans and sects are instead governed by their own chieftains or matriarchs that see to day to day routines and activities and, depending on the individual or traditions upheld within their own clans, they may or may not have a much more sophisticated manner of governance.
For example, the Olinima was traditionally governed by the strongest and oldest daughter of the tribe. She would select for herself ten other males or females to lead her warriors, bestowing upon them absolute powers in her steed, given that the Olinima, as defenders of the forests, were spread all over the Union of Sylvanar, rather than dwelling in one specific part of the Union.
There had been no known representative that stood out as a unified leader of the
Sylvyn Elves until the Union of
Trelore was founded, a political affiliation wrought more by need than want. A speaker was required then to represent Sylvyn interests within the alliance and hence a Starseeker, a ceremonial figurehead with little actual political power, was created to represent the Sylvyn people within the Union.
Various tribe leaders and chieftains would make the journey to Edainmemen Basin, home of the Starseeker, in what is known to be largely informal congregation of the leaders to discuss aspects of Sylvyn affairs. Since the various tribes are so distinct and unique in their ways, a common law and system would not be preferred or hence, ever attempted to be passed down.
Due to the strong matriarchal influences in Sylvyn cultures, the Starseeker is always female, and usually hailing from the sect of the Dol'Mordo, highly regarded Healers of the Mind. While the first Starseeker was elected to her position, the subsequent Starseekers have always been chosen by their predecessors prior to relinquishing their own positions.
A Culture Bound by Arcana
The Sylvyn are devoid of what we know of as ‘
Mages’ in its most common usage. This however, does not mean that arcana is not channelled in the Sylvyn Confederacy. Indeed, it is an extremely rare elf that does not have access to some form of mystical energy, if only these so called ‘minor magics’. No, the important distinction to make is that there are no
Mages, because arcana users do not seek to learn a ‘sphere’ as we know it. Instead there are several groups, sects, castes and traditional organisations within the Sylvyn culture that have access to the types of arcana we would label ‘spheres’. An example of this would be the forest guardians known as the Tel'Var'Eska, which tap into the form of arcana we would know as ‘
Elementalism’. However their usage of the arcana is radically different to how an Aelyrian Elementalist would function, and is based on religious, cultural and martial needs. The point of a Tel’Var’Eska is not simply to use this form of arcana, but to employ it as one of their
Skills in the pursuit of their sects’ goals, which differs from an Elementalist, who is named such because of his devotion to learning a sphere. This is similar to all other aspects of Sylvyn life where arcana is considered one tool amongst many, and is neither given preference or demotion.
Furthermore, arcana is not used strictly in the pursuit of specialised goals such as the Tel’Var’Eska. Just as incense is used by Dianite Priests in ceremonies, so too is a mixture of arcana used in the pursuit of religious ceremonies, which the Sylvyn have a wide variety of. Along this vein, it is worthy to note that no equivalent of
Thaumaturgy or
Necromancy exists within Sylvyn society- the primary beings worshipped are
Carmelya as the embodiment of nature itself, and
Phedos as the father of the
Elves. Where
Carmelya gets utmost devotion and respect, it is directed at the forest around them, rather than temples or icons. To this end, there are no druids as seen in Aelyrian society, for all Sylvyn are worshippers of
Carmelya and nature, and vestibules of her power. But arcana derived from nature is easily the most common form to be used by the Sylvyn- ranging from healers to the tree architects that fashion their towering homes. In a homeland surrounded and in harmony entirely with nature, this makes sense.
Phedos on the other hand, is treated more like an ancestral father than a traditional deity- but when combined with the reverence the Sylvyn have for ancestors this is in no way demeaning. A small sect within the Confederacy worship him further as the giver of
Magic, and practice the ancient art of sword dancing in his name.
Belonging is an important part of being in a Sylvyn tribe, and the kinship goes beyond belonging to a single city or province as an Aelyrian would be comfortable with. Each Sylvyn is marked with a series of tribal tattoos or ‘Xyv’ to mark their membership to a tribe. A specific motif or totem like a leaping deer or a sitting hawk designates each tribes unique xyv. Many of the groups within Sylvyn society require further tattoos, such as the lunar sigil on the brow of the Dol’Mordo or the arrangements around the eyes of the Var’Eska.
Credit
Credit goes to Mesildur Al'lende and Ragman