A Spark in the Wind

Appendix C: The Elves' Way of Life

As much as I'd like to agree, the idea that wood-elves dwell chiefly in villages carved on trees is for the most part a myth, some do but these are mostly the folk of denser regions where the forest floor is ever-dark and haunted and the only means of food is hunting arboreal game with the aid of hippogriffs, for the cost of erecting walls on all six corners is far greater than that of four.

In regions where the forests are light and dauntless, cities of wood are erected, with houses one or two stories high connected by roads of wood and dirt, separated from the outside world by low walls which save for keeping critters out might as well be useless, for nobody can access such cities if not for the network of caves or rivers connecting such cities.

According to a popular saying, more than half the Forest Kingdom's commercial centres are below the earth, which is likely true, for the wood-elves are poor sailors but well learned in telling two willows apart.

To all of these, Silverhearth is the one exception: an ancient city erected upon a river island, made from stone and iron by the grey-elves of yore, now the seat of power of the Dragonseer Clan, and the capital of the Forest Kingdom, made in fashion much similar to the cities of Alinor today, save for the plumbing part.

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OF OTHER ANIMALS AND REGULATIONS OF DOMESTICATION

Though this section concerns greatly the elven peoples who rule the world of Alledoria, we cannot understate the great part in it that other animals have played. Indeed, some of these peoples' greatest contributions are because of the animals that stayed by their side in harsh times and aided them with meat, eggs, milk, and labour.

The wood-elves have a far greater variety of pets and animal companions compared to the high-elves, but the high-elves have bred their companions to the pinnacle of artificial evolution.

Of the most common animals in Alinor, the two most common pets include dogs and horses, with cats coming in third, mules fourth, and a variety of livestock coming afterwards.

Of all the animals that spend their lives in Alinor, none can claim to second dogs. Bred from the feral wolves of Ancient Qualior, these canines are invaluable companions to most rural folk, known well for their intelligence, ability to heed commands, and undying loyalty to their masters.

As such, it is only unfortunate how short lives they live: at most a century or two. The elves often cope with this by naming subsequent generations by the same name, pretending their beloved pets have reincarnated.

Dogs are one of the few animals who are known to form telepathic bonds with elves, allowing them to see through their eyes, which is why they are one of the most common animals apart from horses to be enlisted into legions, where they act as foragers and guards.

Second on the list come horses, bred to perfection in Alímar to follow commands without question, breaking their sweat until they can function no longer. Like dogs again, they have dozens of breeds, each with their own specialities, although all of them have importance in this society.

Cats come next, often left alone in large houses to hunt rodents or simply act cute. Then come mules, who are useful for their immense strength. Falcons after that, who are useful for hunting. After that come the other animals who are domesticated for their produce: cows, pigs, chicken, sheep, goat, and so on.

Although other animals like elephants and camels are not particularly uncommon in Alinor, they are not natives, and rather brought over from the other colonies or allied nations.