Folk of Feiradyr Episode 1: Meet the Half Elves

Welcome, welcome, welcome to a new 13 part series in the world of Feiradyr!

In this series we’ll be meeting the 13 primary folk that call the world of Feiradyr their home. We’ll be exploring their culture, their traditions, their food, and their way of life.

It is my great pleasure to share with you a taste of what I spend my time working on when I’m not blogging or book writing. In my other Feiradyr-based series, Child of Feiradyr, you are learning about the world I have created and how it came to be. In this series you will meet the people who live and work there.

We are starting with the half-elves. Although they were not the first folk to live upon Feiradyr, one of their parent species, the elves, were. They are the only fertile people to come as a product of two different species, and happen to be one of the most prosperous societies.

So grab some popcorn, hold your breath, and plunge with me into the world of Feiradyr once again.

The Half Elves

Classification: humanoid

Skin Type(s): pale olive to dark brown

Height: typically taller than humans, but not as tall as elves. Average male height is 5ft 11 inches (180 centimeters). Average female height is 5ft 7 inches (170 centimeters).

Build(s): half elves are commonly wiry and lean in build. They are often quite lithe.

Home/Climate/Habitat: the half elves reside on the Floating Isles. They are a large expanse of 21 islands in a circular formation in the west of Feiradyr, where a portion of land leapt into the sky and hovers above the rest of the world. This portion of land cracked and drifted apart, but stayed in the air, and a combination of elves and humans trapped on the island created the half elves. They are the only crossbred folk that were able to reproduce and thrive, thus their high numbers. Their unique new abilities to create and fly airships are likely the product of their hybrid vigor, since they are the only known race to possess such a skill. The islands are quite high in altitude, and visitors are often plagued with nausea, headaches, and general unsteadiness due to the slow bobbing of the islands. This constant, steady raising and lowering is very similar to life on a ship, minus the high altitudes. Add this to the high amount of wind experienced so high up, and it is a rather harsh place to be. Actions are taken by the half elves to prevent any destruction or loss of property: rope bridges, sturdy iron cages that lock for storage of goods in shops, ships converted to homes, reinforced floors, etc. Strict crop rotation is necessary to keep citizens fed because of limited farmland, but the soil is rather fertile on the islands, which is assumed to be an impact of the same magic keeping their island home afloat.

Hair: half elf hair is typically dry and breakable due to the harsh, windy climate in which they live. They often keep their hair in braids, cut short, or tight to their heads to avoid the problems that wind causes them. This reserves the hair’s already low moisture. Common haircuts are bobbed hairstyles, braids, close cropped hair, or tight buns, for both male and female members. Half elves often braid their hair into intricate designs so as not to sacrifice fashion, or crop designs into their hair. Clean shaven is the style for the facial hair of half elf men.

Movement/Transportation: ship travel is the most common means of transportation for half elves. Anything from their enormous airships that fill the skies around their islands and make up their navy to the small one person canoes individuals use to get back and forth from their shops, homes, and farms. Bridges connect the enormous islands on their homeland, so foot travel is also common. While large wagons are uncommon due to the large amounts of land necessary to house most wagon-bearing animals, the occasional yak is kept to pull such wagons. In other instances, the small and hardy shaggy goats that a lot of half elf families keep are used to pull small wagons with room for limited goods. Hand pulled wagons are also common for half elves without livestock.

Language/Dialect: half elves have their own unique slang. They have a jazzy, street-kid way of speaking that clashes with a kind of old English accent and wording.

Predator or Prey: half elves are omnivores and eat a mix of root veggies, fruit, bread, and meat. They are more than capable of hunting for food.

Well respected?: while half elves are certainly the most respected of the folk with parents of two different species, they are still considered beneath fully magical folk such as the elves to most on Feiradyr.

Magical or non?: half elves are a magical folk, although their skill pools are never as large as the full blooded magical species such as elves or dragons. They are, however, gifted in the design and imbuing of magic into their airships, which are unique to their species.

General disposition/nature: half elves are nefariously brash, loud, and fun loving. Their wild and defiant nature is possibly due to the militaristic values enforced by the navy and their response to it.

Clothing (style, materials, and decorations): layers are the order of the day on the floating islands. The high altitudes and stiff winds make the climate rather cold and harsh. Wool and furs made from the hair of the shaggy goats, yaks, and rabbits on the islands are popular. Cotton is grown and turned into clothing as well, as it is a plant that appreciates the dry climate. Leather acts as a brace against the harsh wind and makes boots, vests, hats, and gloves.

An acceptable outfit for a man might be:

• a leather tophat
• a long sleeved cotton shirt
• a wool vest
• a cotton tailcoat
• cotton trousers patterned with patches of different colors
• a watch, belt, or other decoration like a shirt pin
• boots of leather

An acceptable outfit for a woman might be:

• a leather tophat (these are acceptable fashion wear for both genders, although a lady might decorate hers with a pin or feathers)
• a long sleeved cotton shirt
• a leather corset
• a fur shrug
• leather or wool gloves
• a stiff skirt (hooped is an acceptable example of this) or petticoat of cotton
• a necklace, rings, brooch, or other jewelry
• boots of leather with decorative buttons or clasps

Other acceptable clothing includes:

• tailcoat jackets
• trousers for women
• corsets for men
• cotton dresses (styled with layers)
• hairpins
• canes for men or women (often highly decorated)
• rings for both genders
• high necked cotton blouses
• trousers with a lot of decorative buttons

Solitary or group living?: the navy family that governs the half elves live all together in a large mansion towards the center of the islands. Half elf citizens normally live in clusters of family homes. An example of this would be a husband and wife living in one home, while both sets of their parents live in a home next door. In another close home is any unmarried siblings born from the sets of parents. Once a half elf marries, they begin their own family unit of housing, but typically stay close to their parents and their first married sibling.

Religion/Gods: half elves believe in the Mother Stallarin and the legend of Feiradyr’s creation. She is an acceptable god. Other acceptable gods include the Guardians. Some elves debate this, because they believe the human blood in half elves would break their connection to the guardians. However, half elves are ultimately of the belief that the Guardians are their gods.

Jobs/Careers: station clerk, (for ship travel, postage, etc.) postage carrier, repairman, auctioneer, farmer, tailor, magician, gladiator, butcher, miller, blacksmith, stable owner, farrier, innkeeper, general store owner, distiller/brewer, banker, sheriff/law, soldier, bartender/saloon owner, barber, musician, lady of the night, lawyer, judge, doctor, gunsmith, newspaper vendor, preacher, landlord, carpenter, woodworker, shipbuilder, hunter, trapper, undertaker, basket maker, ringmaster, carnival worker, singer, apothecary, alchemist, builder, printer, restaurant owner, baker, chef, furniture maker, laundry owner, florist, dockworker, etc.

School/Learning and Curriculum: half elves go to a small schoolhouse as children, and are eventually given the option of navy training, or apprenticeship for a business/trade. Sailing, basic shipbuilding/parts of a ship, knot-tying, directional and navigational skills, food preservation, basic survival skills, language, history, military tactics, reading, writing, and simple math are all important subjects taught to young half elves.

Combat System/Styles: half elves are common users of firearms of many kinds. Guns, cannons, etc. are used. They are quite talented in engineering and due to this, half elves can create some powerful firearms. Half elves may not possess large skill pools of magic, but their ability to imbue it in their airships means they can also do so to weapons in order to make them more powerful or have magical effects. Other common weapons are staffs for mages, fist weapons, knives, and cutlasses. They are often dirty fighters and will do anything necessary to win them a fight. They are experts at using their environment to their advantage. The more congested and confusing a battlefield, the better.

Government/Economy: the half elf government is run by the navy. The navy family passes laws, rules, and regulations while their sheriffs and soldiers enforce said laws. Selling and buying of goods is military regulated, but the easternmost island of the Floating Isles is home to debauchery, gambling, and fighting, as it is the furthest from the military rule. It is rumored the navy family allows these things to go on as an outlet for their citizens, and for the monetary gains they no-doubt make from these activities.

Flaws (physical or emotional): aside from lacking the power of fully magical folk, half elves’ aggressive and wild nature can occasionally get them into trouble.

Classes (servants)?: the only real separation of classes is the navy family/government and citizens. All of the half elf citizens are on the same level economically/socially.

Trade: the half elves have a booming trade industry. Some imports include:

• fish and seafood
• wood
• stone
• gems
• livestock
• vegetables
• fruit

Common exports include:

• wool
• cotton
• root vegetables
• ships
• jewelry
• guns

Technology: magical lanterns and candles are sources of light. Winches and mills, etc. are common and make use of animal and wind power, which are the most common sources of power for half elves. They do not have modern electricity.

Housing: most houses on the islands are ramshackle floating wooden shacks. The reason for this is the windy and turbulent conditions, lack of space, and the fact that homes are damaged frequently. Patchworking homes together with limited wood that must be imported is common. Houses and shops are often lashed together with rope or rope bridges. Most homes have a dock for their personal flying boats, small ships, or rafts. Shop owners often live above their shops to conserve space.

Birth: half elves are pregnant for 8 months. They get pregnant the same way as humans or elves. They nurse their babies after they are born for several months. It is commonly believed the Mother Stallarin made elven birth canals wide, so birth is typically quite easy for half elves due to this parent race. They often give birth at home, and a pastor or pastoress comes to the home to offer support, soothing magic, and blessings to the baby. It is a tradition and part of their religious practice.

Crucial History: the navy family is a long line of upstanding half elf individuals. Their feats of valor and glory are well-respected in the half elf community. The half elf navy is notorious for helping out both sides of warring countries, then returning to their islands for refuge unreachable by folk not engaging in trade with them. They often sell firearms, fight to help one side or the other, and tip the scales towards the side they wish to win. The navy family expects much of everyone born into it. These expectations are even placed on young children due to the feats of the family. Both men and women are expected to measure up.

Symbols: the most common symbol of the half elves is their navy star, which is a representation of their islands and the bridges that connect them from above. This star is worn proudly by the navy, and adorns all of their airships. It is also popular to display on wagons, carts, and stores. Another common symbol is a depiction of the islands from the side. This is often etched into the sides of airships, or painted as a mural on walls. Their currency features famous figures of the navy family. Their churches and holy places often depict the Mother Stallarin or the Guardians.

Lifespan: half elves live longer than humans, but not as long as elves. Their average age of death is 124 years. They are considered babies until age 2, children until age 15, teens until age 25, and young adults until age 30. They are considered adults thereafter, and become elderly at 110.

Food and Drink: half elves are omnivores. They eat meat, vegetables, fruit, and grains most abundantly. Cheese and butter are considered a treat due to a lack of dairy animals. Sugar is nearly unheard of, and is typically only bought by the navy family. Water for drinking, bathing, etc. is mainly collected as rainwater or snow. Half elves make tea out of bitterla, which is a plant who’s bitter leaves make a dark tea that half elves can drink warm or cold and is very hydrating. The colder the tea, the sweeter it becomes. Devil’s delight (a strong liquor popular throughout Feiradyr) is shipped in and incredibly pricey, but is occasionally available at bars. However, it is often watered down by bartenders to save stock. Common foods eaten by half elves are:

• Meats

1. Goat
2. Rabbit
3. Fowl/birds

These are the most common meats. Roasting is a very common cooking method. Fennel, chives, mint, sage, and thyme are common herbs. Apple, plum, and peach are common flavors to add into meat. Smoking meats is also quite popular. Butter can be used for more decadent dishes. Gravy is used as well due to roasting meat.

• Vegetables

1. Onions
2. Potatoes
3. Carrots
4. Radishes
5. Beets
6. Leafy greens

These are the most common vegetables. Root vegetables are safe in the ground from the harsh wind that frequents the Floating Isles. These veggies can be roasted, baked, or made into a salad. Vegetables can also be smoked alongside meat and sometimes they are even smothered in yak or goat cheese.

• Fruits

1. Apples
2. Plums
3. Peaches

These fruits are grown sparingly on the islands. Any open land between shops, alongside walkways, or in gardens is dedicated to fruit trees in order to bulk up food. These fruits are used to feed livestock, bake, cook, and snack on. Fruit is also commonly used to sweeten up salads in the late summer and fall.

• Grains

Barley bread is a staple for the half elves. This rough bread is used as a side to meals or sandwiches, and is eaten with most meals.

• Dairy

Dairy, while a treat, is available to most half elves that possess livestock. Small hard cheeses are made from yak or goat milk, which is also a common drink for half elves. Cheese is sometimes smoked and eaten in addition to fruit and bread, or used on top of vegetables, or stuffed in meat. It is less a staple due to a lack of land to keep dairy animals, but is still eaten.

• Desserts

Common half elf desserts are fruit, sometimes eaten in warm milk with barley. This is known as fruitsop, and is a very common dessert. Sometimes butter is even added as an additional treat.

Celebrations/Traditions: the half elves hold battles in an enormous domed arena on the East Isles every two weeks. These gladiator style battles are the location of blood and glory, gambling, food, drink, and fun. It is an incredibly popular celebration and even the most straight laced half elves have gone to view at least one of the more popular battles. It is considered an honor to compete, and glory-seekers of all types come to fight in the famous half elf arena. Once a year, the half elves hold a celebration for the Mother Stallarin, where they get on their roofs and stargaze, while eating and drinking and dancing. It is a springtime celebration of her. Any time a baby is born, the citizens ring bells that hang outside of their doors, beginning with the father of the child ringing his bell. Birth baskets are also common, which are baskets with cans of preserves, cloth diapers, fresh baked bread, and other goodies given to the family of a new baby. The Fall Harvest is very important to the half elves. They hang decorations on their doors, make a spiced lightly alcoholic drink from the fermented leaves of the mature bitterla, and break the first bottle over the wall of the navy’s front gate to bring the flow of good fortune and a bountiful harvest. On the longest day of winter, also known as the Dark Day, half elves gather together and have a feast by putting together a lot of their remaining food. This practice is a kind of ritual to bring back the sun, as the best of the food is offered up to the Mother Stallarin.

Any Dangerous Foods or Substances: no

Matriarchy or Patriarchy: half elf society is family based, rather than female or male centric. Males and females hold the same responsibilities in society and share work.

Medicine/Healing: half elves rely on apothecaries or pastors/pastoress’ for healing. Apothecaries use remedies, herbs, etc. and pastors/pastoress’ use healing magic.

Seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter.

Tattoos, Skin Décor, etc.: half elves often shave patterns into their heads to decorate themselves for different seasons, holidays, celebrations, etc. Tattooing is often seen on arms or shoulders and usually depicts the star symbol, their home island, a homage to the Mother Stallarin, etc.

Defenses/Thoughts on War: half elves are the most well-defended of all folk on Feiradyr. Their ships are quite vast in number as are their military personnel. Their ships surround their islands in a defensive circle. They are quite aggressive towards any military presence (or even non military presences) that enters their airspace.

Legality/Law: half elves have quite strict laws on badmouthing the navy. They also frown upon negative opinions on elves, as they are a well-respected folk and their powerful parent race. Lawbreakers are taken to one of the guard islands, then to one of the jails there.

Currency: half elf currency is known as shinengs. They are small flat coins that come in halfs, wholes, doubles, and triples. Doubles and triples are simply coins stacked together and latched into place with small twisted notches. They have etched in them photos of the navy family on the coins. Halfs are worth the least, wholes a bit more, and so on.

Marriage: marriage is quite a private affair for half elves outside of the navy family. They simply go to a pastor/pastoress and ask for a blessing. They then repeat the lines:

For family, for friend, for lover,

I take you and you take me, unending,

Like the sky and the sea and the Mother Stallarin,

For all of my days.

Afterwards the couple each pick a bitterla leaf and combine them, and share the tea brewed from them.

Funerals: when half elves die they are put on a small boat built specifically for each individual, and sent out into the night sky with all manner of gifts, candles, and their favorite belongings. It is believed from here they fly to the afterlife. Candles are held by the watchers as they send the deceased away, as they believe this lights the way to the afterlife.

And now you know a little bit about the Half Elves, and we’ve begun our new journey into another series.

Thank you so much for reading this incredibly long post. I am excited to announce that my viewership has increased a lot over the past couple of weeks, and I just want to say how much I appreciate everyone who has liked, shared, read, or followed me on Facebook. My last post got the most views I’ve ever gotten, and it was a big jump, which means so much to me!

If you’d like more of this, please consider checking out another post, or tipping me on Ko-Fi.

Upcoming posts include a discussion on what happens in my brain when people ask about my book, the next chapter of my Child of Feiradyr series, a walkthrough of my creative process when starting a new book, and a gush session about some of my favorite tropes!

With that said, thanks again for reading and until next time

Happy writing!