Mirdain
From Darkfall Database
Contents |
[edit] General Information
A cultured and highly sophisticated race, the Mirdain tend to be a subtle and diplomatic people. Calling the heavily forested Mirendil home, these intelligent people are extremely influential.
The Mirdain warriors are far from brawlers in fighting style. Their graceful movement has stunning precision. The Mirdain are very tactical as they easily overcome all odds with a mixture of strategy and well coordinated maneuvers.
[edit] Culture
Elflords, members of the noble class, tend to dominate the society of the Mirdain. Only Elflords are elected for the Grand Parliament, where they make decisions on policy and law. A single Aran, the symbolic head of state, is selected from the group of Elflords.
The Forest Republic dates back 80,000 years ago to the Usurper Wars. Since its beginning the Republic has begun a nearly ridiculously complex system of rituals and customs. While the ways of the Mirdain may confuse an outsider, to the Mirdain this only further establishes that most of the world lacks the intelligence for politics.
The Mirdain are not an exceedingly religious people. They do, however, worship and protect the Mirendil Forest in some cases. Some of the most important rituals in the Mirdain culture deal with the changing seasons of the Forest.
In a way, a gallery of epic heros is also worshiped by the Mirdain. Many songs, tales, and poems have been created in the exalting of these past Mirdain. The most famed story is among the Mirdain is that of the tragically doomed lovers Lorathai and Myrthai.
[edit] Enemies
[edit] Beastmen
The Great forest has always been a place of battle for the Mirdain and the Beastmen. A true test of the courage for a Mirdain warrior is to battle the beastmen. Some of the oldest elven songs describe victories over the beastmen.
Beastmen live in Mirendil, but do not see it as a living entity and instead seek to harvest it. They cut down all trees near their logging camp style villages. Once the trees are depleted, they move the village to a new location. The Mirdain strive to find these establishments and stop the beastmen.
The average Beastman is strong, covered in black fur, and stands nearly three meters. In many ways a Beastman resembles a bear as he is furry and has clawed paw-like feet. The hands of a Beastman have distinct fingers, enabling the use of many logging tools.
[edit] Forest Prophets
The druid Forest Prophets would like to rid Mirendil of all house building cultures. They do not see the Beastmen or the Mirdain as part of the forest. They instead believe the forest should belong only to the traditional animals and creatures who have been with the forest since its birth.
The Forest Prophets curse animals, filling them with an insatiable rage, in order to build sylvan armies. These animals do not hesitate to attack any humanoid species they might find. Over time the curse will consume the animal as its decaying body continues to be driven by sheer hatred.
The leader of the Prophets, who is widely unknown by most, is a dragon dwelling in a cave under Mirendil. This dragon seeks to weaken the Republic enough that he himself can become a prophet emperor of Mirendil.
[edit] Groups
[edit] Elflords
Though the Emerald Throne is occupied by an Aran, the Elflords who elected the Aran are the true power behind the throne. The interests of the Elflords remain in keeping a steady status quo. These conservative and arrogant elves deal harshly with all who oppose their ideas.
[edit] Serene Spire
This ancient circle of mages is named after the magically illuminated spire in Iriendir. This powerful group is always in competition with the power of the Emerald Throne. Just as arrogant as their Elflord rivals, the Serene Spire tend to be willing to try new things and are much less conservative.
[edit] Arrowhead
This group is not as fond of peaceful and passive war tactics and would much rather meet their enemies head on. The Arrowhead feel that the all too forgiving Republic should be replaced with a more militaristic type of governing.
[edit] Circle of Druids
These protectors of the forest, able to transmit forest magic into Mirdain society, oppose all forest exploration. The Circle of Druids dislike both the Beastmen and Forest Prophets as they feel both are destroying flora and fauna of the forest.
[edit] Details
Many Mirdain are born with a natural affinity toward magic. Most children are taught to hunt at an early age. By the time they reach adulthood they are highly skilled at the bow.
The Mirdain mount is an oversized cat that is both ferocious and obedient. Similar in appearance to the Snow Leopard of Niflheim, these cats have bushy tails and spotted fur. The cats, called Aerdin, have unique long tusks extending from their upper jaws. The Aerdin are excellent in battle and are fitted with saddles that allow maximum movement.
Though allied with humans and dwarves, the Mirdain tend to see themselves as natural leaders and often create conflict with other races. Mirdain prefer other Mirdain when it comes to forming clans.
