Elven
This is mythic prose. Take it as such...
Elves (Ah Kin) live in Shamballa, the City of Eternal Bliss, also called
Foresthome', which lies deep within the forest and exists simultaneously on
many planes. Within Shamballa all needs are met, all dreams are realized,
and no wish is ungranted. Things seem dreamlike and intimately real at
once, Adventurous elves visit the world outside Shamballa, inhabited by all
types of plants and animals (called, sadly, 'The Dying Realms'). When they do
so they are often on spiritual journeys or exploratory missions. Otherwise it
is only the 'half-elf' that braves such a challenge.
All elves are a family. All time for elves is long (and, arguably, short).
They all greet one another with great big hugs. If the two have met before,
then they sing songs of their travels since last meeting. Humans who hear
an elf sing are enchanted by their voices and while within hearing distance
cannot move, such is the ecstasy in which they are wrapped. Plants harmonize
with all being and their song is the song of the universe.
Elves don't sleep. They meditate in trance for a few moments and then enter the
world of dreams fully awake. Those elves who spend time with humans may be
able to join in the human dreams and control them, to a certain extent,
somewhat like the computer in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' controls the
'holodeck'.
Humans who spend time with elves and encounter such dream-work will gradually
transform into elves over time. Given shared dreams, they begin showing elven
characteristics and attitudes. From this observation, it has been suggested
by elven sages that humans are elven 'eggs', which can be fertilized through
dreams by an elf who wishes to see this 'hatchling' through to 'becoming', or
full realization.
As some elves see it, then, humans are like children, some playing Mother
Nature's game, and some not. Regardless, since elves live so long, it seems
likely that all humans may eventually become elves.
Elves rarely eat outside Shamballa, living quite healthily on water and
sunshine. Human food makes them queasy and human liquor is of unfortunately
poor quality. Elven mead and wine are very strong and tasty.
Elves love trees because they are directly related to them. Elves are evolved
plants, coming from the same 'branch' of the genealogical family. They
understand that trees are intelligent, nonmobile sages of great wisdom,
spending the entirety of their lives in meditation. Elven sages are said to
become trees upon their final rebirth.
Elves don't die like humans do. They mature and then, after many journeys
about the Great Star, (this process is not completely understood), they wither
and are reborn in Shamballa with continued memory and a similar, though renewed
body. This is the evolved state of the vegetative cycle of renewal (rebirth).
It is said that rebirth requires a conscious choice, however, so that elves
who venture into the Dying Realms and begin to doubt their ability to be
reborn may be reborn as trees instead. Often rites of death and rebirth are
performed in winter and spring, respectively, at Shamballa.
The entirety of the elven life, the Way, is one of fun, love and laughter.
They delight in games and their childlike nature combines with their often
advanced intellect to create some of the most sophisticated and challenging
games of skill and chance, involving magical powers, spells, quests and
mysteries. Some of those less fortunate young elves get lost in the Dying
Realms and begin to take the games for reality, becoming dour and moody. A
brief time in the company of other elves usually cures them of this, however.
Their 'religion', if you will, is based on such games. Elves aren't required
to believe anything, but are told a marvelous story which encompasses and
enriches their lives.
This is the story which most elves are told upon their lingual maturity. It is
understood, at the time, that it can help the individual understand her
place in the cosmos and give her a basis for interaction with the World, but
that there are other, equally valuable stories that will do the same.
'Ah and Kin were the first great trees. They stood atop the world and fruited
Sun, Moon, Seas, Stars and the various plants and animals. In this way all
things grew and ripened, falling off the branch of statelessness onto the
ground of being. Once there, they crawled or moved to different parts of the
world, where they were born from the seed, pod, egg or womb of their parents.
Enjoying the movement of their offspring, Ah and Kin died and became the
first elves - what humans might call 'gods' and the elves call 'The Elders',
'The Ancient Ones', 'The Celestial Masters', 'The Old Ones', or countless
thousands of other names of endearment. Gradually Ah and Kin, now unified in
the elven race, are waking to their true essence and will grow to their old
strength in a never-ending cycle.'
To the elves the Old Ones are less wholly other beings and more divine patterns
of behavior. In 'worshipping' them elves engage in activities with which the
Old One is associated. This does NOT make the worshipper of greater value
than the non-worshipper. Worship is not considered a show for others but an
ecstatic experience. While the practice is considered serious business (if
anything is for elves!), once one becomes acquainted with the stories,
legends about the Elders, one begins to realized the value not only of
acting but of watching, of listening to the new stories which they tell
through their new worshippers. No harm is ever done in elven worship, and
those who do so accidentally are advised to return to Shamballa
immediately to renew their sacred vows. Little if anything is known about these
vows, but often they are said to be ideal goals rather than adopted
commandments.
The Old Ones are innumerable in their variation. They have as many faces and
names as there are days in life (and for an elf, this is a LOT!). The Old
Ones this adventurer knows of thusfar are these:
Varda, Star Mother (aka 'Queen of the Stars')
Creatrix, Genetrix, Womb of life. She is associated with planting and/or
defending trees.
Leollyn, Dancing Father
Magick energy of being, the dancing Song of All. He is associated with
magick, singing and dancing.
Yow, the Teacher (aka 'Uncle Yow')
The Trickster, the Fool. He is associated with deception and the revealing of
wisdom, trickery and education.
Cleowyn, Wizardress
Wise One, compassionate Lover. She is associated with magick and romance.
Tufyl, Leader of the Festive Spirits
Partier, mirthmaker, intoxicator. Associated with merrymaking, drinking,
smoking. The Festive Spirits include all those substances which trigger
altered states of consciousness and levity.
Snassis, Snake Beauty
Regenerator, renewer, rebirther. Associated with awe, 'death' and knowledge
(books), it is said that Snassis will be the final guide beyond the veil(?).
Her sisters, Almuldhea and Cleowyin (q.v.) are alternatively said to accompany
her in this function.
Vitraya, Healer
Healer, vitalizer and restorer of life. She is associated with healing,
aiding and service generally.
Farrelon, The Game Hunter
Dedicated challenger and adventurer. He is associated with hunting and game
playing.
Kellon, the Silent (aka 'Eternal Questor')
The keen eye, the sensitive ear. She is associated with searching, tracking
and quests. She, paired with Almuldhea (below) are said to be neither male
nor female, but both and neither. Both are rather seldom spoken of,
actually, for it is thought that to do so is to bring them shame.
Amuldhea>{? Mysterious Mystery, Darkness in its extreme, She is Death in the
sense of eternal extinction. This is not a concept which elves understand
well, and many find Her difficult if not impossible to speak about. She is
associated with sex, secrecy and hiding.
These are brief descriptions only. Each has countless tales told about
them around deadwood fires and in mead-slick taverns late at night.
Ravinessa23 Community Member 
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