E’las Loth’mon Ferindril is almost exclusively open only to sylvans. We welcome other races as friends but the kinship with the forests common to our secretive race must be shared to truly belong in ELF.

The Traditional Sylvan Clan

ELF continues in the tradition of millennia of sylvan clans,  although we are not bound together by blood but rather by our common hatred of Mobius and plight in the lands of exile. We sylvans see little need for laws, rules, or alliances and instead rely on our perspective as an elder race to guide our decisions. If tough problems face us, we merely find the best path through discussion.

A Clan Lord guides the clan in both military and political matters with quick and decisive decisions when necessary. The Clan Lord is chosen for his wisdom and consideration of all opinions. Perhaps even more important than this is a never-ending energy and visions of lofty goals which spur the clan on to greatness. The current Clan Lord of ELF is Fleming.

All members of ELF, even the Clan Lord, are equal members of the clan. Clan Members who work for the furtherment of the clan or sylvan culture in various ways may be honored as councilors, scholars, poets, bards, lords, or with other titles. But, none of these titles have any intrinsic power attached to them. They merely represent recognition and respect for members who excel at various pursuits.

What more need be said about a merry band of sylvans?  Leave the heavy words to others, we’ll simply take some merriment and dance the night away.

Clan Activities

Hunting

ELF was formed merely as a band of merry sylvans and that is what it hopes to remain forever. It’s no secret that hunting in groups is far more rewarding, both socially and in gaining ability, than hunting alone. We do not recognize selfish hunting involving claimed solo kills or the like. If you see an ELF member, there is no need to ask if you can aid him in killing a creature. As a clan we often hunt together when in the lands of exile. This is the foundation of our clan fellowship.

This said, we also do not want to become known as an exclusive group who shuns outside contact. Members are encouraged to welcome other exiles into their hunting parties. It is rarely good practice to turn away an extra moonstone or sword. We hunt for the challenge and being overly concerned with ranks is looked down upon.

Role-playing

The hunt can be very exciting, but it cannot hold one’s attention forever. Other events may pass in the lands of exile that cause fighting beasts to be of secondary importance. As a clan we try to come up with engaging story-lines whenever possible and to play them out (in the limited way that we can) in the lands of exile. Sylvans of ELF have the opportunity to develop their characters this way and become “the one who ambushed the Darshak Captain when he was going back to get more gin” rather than just a fighter who is strong enough to solo faithless.

As a clan we also strive to excell in creative pursuits. Much work has been done on our important sylvan race. We have developed a sylvan common tongue, Ilsardinish, which is used for simple greetings. There is also an archive of details of sylvan customs told with stories which we continually add to.

Teaching

There is always the danger that as people become more experienced they forget how their early days of exile were. It is much more rewarding to help those who are experiencing things for the first time than to laugh at them or to belittle them. Avoid excessive pride in one’s own abilities and disdain for others’ weaknesses. Such prowess may vanish in an instant.  It is inspiring to see the wonder in the eyes of the young.  As a clan we strive to help younger exiles by teaching them the ways of our islands.

Projects

As a clan we strive to add to the game through our activities. Our projects are conceived so that we may enjoy our time in the lands of exile more and enrich the culture of Puddleby. Clan Lord is special because it is something of a cooperative venture of the players with the creators. We do not view ourselves as deserving certain things from the ancients, instead we thank them for the wonderful world that we already have. If something is lacking, we offer the ancients more than just a complaint to improve things. Adopting an adversarial role to the ancients is not useful. They have all the power. The season always changes, although Winter may not give way to Spring as quickly as you would like.

If at any time a member finds that he or she no longer believes in the spirit of these precepts, he or she should ask to leave ELF, so that we may be spared the possibility of having to ask him or her to.