<b>Rian and the Rianian Elves</b>

Rian, the ancestral forest home of Elvendom in Dasaria and the cultural centre of Elven society is shrouded in mystery and myth. For countless generations, stories of strange woodland creatures have amazed and enriched the lives of people throughout the realm. Separating fact from fiction is often more of an art form than science, with countless scriptures being full of claim and counter-claim, of fact and contradiction. The very essence of the forest, and the secretive beings known as the Elves of Rian which inhabit it, means that little is known.

Over the ages, groups have ventured from the borders of their home to establish places of dwelling elsewhere in the world. Whether cultural, political, or for colonisation, with them comes very little in the way of infomation from whence they came. One desire that has never been observed is that of conquest. The Elves of Rian have never sought this, though they are fiercely independent and defensive, especially when it comes to where they come from. Indeed to this day, the location of the great forest still remains a mystery. Despite the efforts of many of the realm's most seasoned scouts and trackers, its location still remains unknown. A Rianian Elf can never be made to reveal the location of this fabled place. Some have said that the forest itself moves, that no single path to it exists, though stories such as this are usually reserved for bedtime or campfire tales.
Over the ages, groups have ventured from the borders of their home to establish places of dwelling elsewhere in the world. Whether cultural, political, or for colonisation, with them comes very little in the way of information from whence they came. One desire that has never been observed is that of conquest. The Elves of Rian have never sought this, though they are fiercely independent and defensive, especially when it comes to where they come from. Indeed to this day, the location of the great forest still remains a mystery. Despite the efforts of many of the realm's most seasoned scouts and trackers, its location still remains unknown. A Rianian Elf can never be made to reveal the location of this fabled place. Some have said that the forest itself moves, that no single path to it exists, though stories such as this are usually reserved for bedtime or campfire tales.

Alliances of convenience have been forged over the years at times of need but they are primarily isolationists. Some elves of noble blood have been known to leave Rian to establish their own realms.

The Rianian Elves are not all so nature-bound as most Elves are envisioned, though there does exist many who are very nature-centred. It's not unknown for groups of Rianian elves to make dwellings of stone, though some do dwell in the trees or in homes of shallow depth in the earth.

<b>The Forest of Rian</b>

The great forest of Rian is one of the few, if not the only, true first generation forests that exist in the Realm. Consisting mainly of ancient Oaks, with scatterings of Mahogany, Beech and Evergreen, is a truly spectacular sight, and exists on a scale unrivalled anywhere else. The lush undergrowth, crowned by the mighty boughs of the trees teems with life. From the smallest insects, to the giant bears, all exist in perfect balance with each other and their surroundings.

Areas of the forest give way to green and silver glades, where thick green grasses and flowers boasting a myriad of colours dance gently in the gentle breezes silently blowing through. These glades are popular amongst both the Rianian Elves and animals alike. It has even been said that unicorns and centaurs have been witnessed grazing here which has only added to the magical aura that surrounds these areas of unparalleled natural beauty.

Scattered throughout the forest the settlements belonging to the Rianian Elves can be found. These range in size from individuals who have fashioned simple yet elegant accommodation out of a hollow tree trunk or earth mound, right up to the vast Elven cities, populated by thousands of Elves, the largest, and most spectacular of these being The Naithe. Located in the centre of the great forest, it is considered the capital and heart of the Rianian Elven community. These magnificent structures, like anything the Elves create is in perfect harmony with their surroundings. Trees are interlinked with walkways, and natural hollows within the tree trunks are favoured for living quarters.

<b>The Naithe</b>

The Naithe, found at the heart of the great forest of Rian, is the pinnacle of Elven craftsmanship, magics. It represents the very best of their mastery of design, artistic flair, the arcane arts and, importantly, of co-existing with nature so perfectly it is hard to comprehend where nature ends and that which is crafted begins.

The central part of The Naithe is made up of what is known as "The Ring of Six." Six of the ten original trees of Rian that came into being many ages ago. Stories, and the most ancient of the Rianian Scriptures of Old describe several tragedies over the ages that befell the original "Ring of Ten", that resulted in the destruction of four of their number. Their age is beyond that of the Elves, beyond even that of the forest itself. Indeed, it was the very seeds from these trees from which the forest as it is known today grew.

The greatest and most magnificent of these stands alone in the centre - Yaara Corm en Rian (Ancient Heart of Rian). This mighty Oak, its size and natural splendour is beyond that of most towers, palaces or temples seen anywhere else in the realm. It is here where Ama'Ihar Tra'Avain en Rian resides. Amar'Ihar (beautiful and wise) Tra'Avain (spirit of the trees) en Rian (of Rian) translates to Beautiful and Wise Spirit of the Trees of Rian in the common tongue.

The remaining five of the Ring of Six form a protective circle around Yaara Corm en Rian. Within each of these are the five ruling bodies responsible for managing different aspects of the Rianian community.

The first of these, Baequi'Eplith en Rian (Blessed of the Forest of Rian) accommodates the priests and healers of the forest. Worshippers of the goddess Ki, they seek to maintain the balance of nature and are direct advisors to Amar'Ihar Tra'Avain en Rian herself.

The second is the headquarters of the Rianian military, Maern'Eplith en Rian (Defenders of the Forest of Rian.) Tasked with the defence of the forest, nowhere in the realm will better archers and blade masters be found. Stories of victories against overwhelming adversity and odds are scattered throughout the historical scriptures.

Third is the home of the Rianian pathfinders, Teasen'Eplith en Rian (Trackers of the Forest of Rian). Elven scouts, trackers and rangers provide long and short-range intelligence of any and all movements in and around the great forest.

The fourth, Arkenea'Eplith en Rian (Mages of the Forest of Rian) houses the Library of Rian, where the arcane arts are studied, schooled and practiced. It is also the source of all of the historical scriptures, scrolls and tomes that have been written and collected over the ages. The inner core of the library is where the most ancient and powerful scriptures and arcane writings are held. This area is restricted to a select few of the Rianian Archmages, and is warded heavily against intrusion. Never has one entered here uninvited.

Last but not least is Auvrea'Eplith en Rian (Blood of the Forest of Rian.) Here, musicians, poets and artists gather to discuss Elven philosophy and literature and deliver tales and Elven folklore to the community. Auvrea'Eplith en Rian is the cultural epicentre of Rian, the essence of that which defines the Rianian Elven culture, which in turn makes the Elves themselves the lifeblood of the great forest.