(pinterest board HERE)
Hollandiris Board HERE
Introduction
The Republic of Hollandiris was formed long ago in the 4th Era after the Sun Elves rebelled against their Moon Elves leaders and split the elven races. Hollandiris, for lack of a better word, is a ruin of a country. Her inner lands are sand and stone with crumbling buildings left to turn to dust in the scorching heat. Thick rain forest covers the north and west making travel near impossible. There are volcanos and beasts of every kind. This place is filled with dangers unlike anything other on Edge. Why the Sun Elves thrive in these terrible conditions, nobody knows. If visting, dress in loose clothing, keep out the sun (if you can!) and drink plenty of water!
Climate and Weather
Hollandiris is by, it's very nature, scorching hot the whole year round. The central expanse of rocky cliffs and sand dunes as tall as castles is known for it's sandstorms and galeforce winds. One wonders with such terrible wind how their cities have not been blown away! The coast experiences tropical storms several times a year usually during their so called "rainy season". The tropical islands off the coast usually experience the same kind of weather. The north and west jungles are rather used to the rain. These rain forests are eternally shrouded in thick mist making an already difficult to navigate place even more confusing. The south of Hollandiris that has become known as the Dead Lands, is the hottest place in the whole world. The wind here can be much worse than the central expanse. Tornados and dust storms are a costant threat as well as the uneven ground.
Terrain
Hollandiris can be split up into four main sections. The coastal areas and tropical islands are the first of the four. This area is known for the long white sandy beaches and palm trees. Many of the islands boast an array of small tropical forests and greenery. The ocean is a beautiful blue lapping at the shore. Some of the larger islands are known to have active volcanos. One some of the volcanic islands there have been reports of large sulfur pits and large deposits of volcanic rock. There are very few plants alive here and it is suggested that nobody set foot on these islands. The second sector is the jungles of the north and west. These forests boast trees larger than castles (but very few the size of what can be seen in the Wood Elves Great Forest) and plants that very few people have seen. These forests are mostly unexplored due to the complexity of their design. Large vines hang from the canopy and beasts prowl the forest floor. In the darkness small bio-luminescent plants grow merrily the same way they do in the dank caves of Empirias. Within the deep western jungle in the Valo-Kein Mountain, the worlds second largest volcano. Luckily, it is long extinct and will never erupt again. The central expanse (the third section) is coverned mostly by golden sand. There are several large oasis in the desert if one knows where to look for them. There are rocky cliffs that sick out from the sandy expanse at random intervals. In the north is the Sun God's Cradle which is sheltered by large rocky cliffs. This is where the capital city is located. Further down towards the centre of the desert is the Golden Sands. These rolling dunes stretch all the way to the fourth and final section of Hollandiris.
The Dead Lands. Nothing grows in these forgotten places save the most hardy of plants. The towering jagged cliffs and wind blown mountains make this place seem rather alien. Laid in the dust and sand are long forgotten ruins still filled with treasure and secrets. This place is a death trap and very few who have ventured in have ever returned to tell the tale and those who do are not entirely sane. It is advised to never travel into these lands without cause and to never stray to far in.
About Sun Elves
Sun elves are a short yet stocky race. The men of their race average around 6ft while the women avergae around 5ft7. While on average slightly taller than most Moon Elves, all the other races still tower over them. Sun elves usually have a bit more muscle than Moon Elves making them physically stronger than their cousins. They typically have much darker skin tones than most other races. Their ears typically stick out from the side of their head and have been known to droop with the points facing downwards. Sun elves usually have: ( )own, golden, olive green, turquoise, blue or amber coloured eyes. Their hair colours are: white, blonde, ( )own, black, blood red and ginger.
A Guide to Hollandirish Currency
There are four different values for money in Hollandiris. Their coins are called Chipstones.
Grey Chipstone- A smooth grey stone with a moon carved into it. Worth 1p.
Brown Chipstone- A smooth ( )own stone with a leaf carved into it. Worth 100 Greys. Worth £1.
White Chipstone- A smooth white stone with the colours of the fae (pink, yellow, blue, purple, green) painted on it. Worth 10 Browns. Worth £10 in our money.
Gold Chipstone- A round beige stone with a golden sun painted on it. Worth 10 whites. Worth £100 in our money.
Diet
Lots of fruits, berries, vegetables and nuts that can be found on the tropical islands or in the jungels. Grain is hard to come by with so much arid land however there are alternatives to the usual grains used for ( )ead. Meat is very common as the barren wastes are teeming with beasts to hunt down for one's supper. Meat from animals like wilderbeast and camels are the most common as well as pigs and desert hares. There are other beasts (like lizards and snakes) that can be eaten if desperate. Insects are considered a delicacy in Hollandiris and are often found being sold dried on their markets along with a vast variety of spices and herbs. Fish is more common on the coast as it is much easier to come by. In the desert fish can only be afforded to be eaten by the rich. Some forms of shell fish can be caught in the desert oasis but these often taste bland.
Fashion
Hollandiris may be a desert nation but with forests of cotton plants, access to masses of silk, gems and metals as well as having the means to create ( )ight and beautiful dyes.
People in the lower class don't have the money to afford nor make their own dyes unless they are dye crafters or tailors. Colours worn are usually beige, ( )own or pale yellows. Clothes are loose fitting and may have a few straps depending upon the elves line of work. Straps are good for tying a rope to for example if the person needs to climb in their job. Straps are also good for holding things. Most clothes don't have sleeves. Some poorer elves may own some basic jewellery as well mostly made from little stones or wooden beads.
Regular Sun elves will have the money to afford basic dyes and more metals, gems and jewels. Clothes will still be simple and loose fitting with flowing skirts made from silk or sheer fa( )ics. Men typically wear open vests and loose pants. There will possibly be fa( )ics em( )oided in coloured threads or maybe gold, ( )onze or copper wire. Patters may incorperate native flora or wave-like patterns. Some patterns have been known to look like volcanos. Colours most commonly worn are: ( )ight red, orange, yellow, gold, ( )ight green, ( )ight blues, shades of purple and shades of pink. White would not be worn by this class of people.
Nobles wear some of the most beautiful clothes available to their people. Sheer drapes and veils are often seen and long flowing skirts dripping in gold and jewels are key. Head-dresses are elaborate and hair is decorated with flowers, gems and anything else a sun elf can get their hands on. Colourful feathers from native birds are an all time favorite for men, women and non-binary folk. White is always worn by sun elven nobles often with accents of gold and always decorated with beautiful patterns and gems. Royalty also dresses in this way.
List of Cities and Location
Hollandiris City- The capital of Hollandiris. Situated in the northern part of the central desert, it is made out of more recent buildings made of sandstone, mud and other materials as well as boasting massive ancient ruins. These ruins are very ornate and have stood the test of time due to them being made from the most beautiful while marble. The poorer buildings are all a ( )own colour with thatched rooves and wooden doors. The slighty better buildings, including the shops, are all a sand colour with some form of decoration. Higher-class buildings are made from white marble and decorated with ( )ight blue and gold. Fountains and pools are common for these upper-class homes. These pools and fountains are functional. The pools are usually communal and the fountains can be used for drinking.
Midiris- The city in the jungles. Built entrily in the tree-tops, it consists of large tree houses connected by criss-crossing ( )idges. The tree houses are all circular, made out of wood and incorperate the local flora somehow. Despite being fairly small conmapred to some of the world's other cities this place is the leading place for herbalism. The people here are mostly hunters and herbalists. This city is located in the northern jungle.
Lavana- The city by the sea. This place is filled with nobles of all kinds. The buildings are all made of marble and have domes made of glass or crystal. These domes can also be made from any sort of metal and may be decorated in any fashion. The streets are very neat and tidy decorated with mosaic and lined with pretty monuments and fountains. This is the place most tourists wish to vist.
A List of Jobs
Herbalist
Herbalists in Sun Elven culture don't just make potions. They are also farmers and explorers of a kind. They often run little shops or market stores selling spices, fruits and other useful plants that can be used in cooking. Those who are richer due to their findings often take paid requests for a certain fruit or plant to be ( )ought back from the oasis or jungle.
Lore-Keeper
Lore-Keeprs in Sun Elven culture also function as master historians and building planners. They know everything about their city or town that they live in and can easily tell if a new building will destroy any part of their rich history. They also are the only people who can teach magic in Hollandiris.
Scout
Scouts are mainly used in the jungle regions or in the military. It is their job to go ahead of an expidition group or to live out in dangerous regions. Their main job is not to engage in combat but to look out for danger. This may be a wild beast or an oncoming storm. Due to being highly skilled in stealth arts, many people hire the Scouts to steal for them, assassinate rivals or spy on important meetings. The Scout order is not a noble group to be sure.
Guards
Guards stay in the cities and keep charge of the criminals. They protect the peoples from all be it their own or a beast of the wilds. These guards co-ordinate with the scouts out in the world for information so they can deal with the situation calmly and effectivly.
Love and Marriage
Love and marriage is very important to Sun Elves. Above all in sun elf society, the family you choose to be with is the the most important thing. Choosing to wed and start your own family is considered the biggest honour and blessing in the world to the people of the sands. Courtship is usually a long process where both parties (if both have established a mutal attraction to one another) shower each other with gifts. These gifts can be anything from a pretty stone found on the ground, to money or valuble resources. The only thing that the gift must be is throught out and given freely without expecting thanks or anything in return. If one party is not giving anything back the person attempting to court them may ( )eak of the relationship when they wish if there is no acceptable reason for it.
Once the members of the partnership are ready they will each craft something of importance to give to the other in their relationship as an engaement gift. The gift must be hand made and personal. It does not matter if the gift is not well made or looks odd or even falls to bits. The important thing is that time and care have been put into the gift. This ritual is said to give the reciever of the gift a part of their lover's soul. If this is true is yet to be seen. During the period before the wedding the couple (or partnership as sun elves accept poly relationships) look for their own home or build it together. Once they have found a suitable place to live they may organise the wedding to take place.
Wedding are massive affairs for all classes. All people in the people's families and neighbourhood all get involved to help out. It is traditional for the mother's of the parties getting married to make the food along with the help of any of the siblings. The fathers decorate the chosen venue or even their whole street. Everybody takes part be it making the clothes or helping set up the feast or even organising the gifts. A priest is obtained to wed the partners and then the party begins. Cele( )ations can last for an entire week if it can be afforded. After the cele( )ations are done it is custom for the lovers to return to their new home alone to begin their new lives.
Death and Funerals
Death is not a sorrowful thing for sun elves. While they do not believe in rebirth or heaven, they take peace in that their loved one is no longer suffering any longer. Death is treated like a prize one recieves at the end of their life and it is cele( )ated as much. The body of the deceased is burned within the day. Before hand the corpes is rubbed with scented oils and salts to make sure that the soul cannot attempt to return to it's earthly form. The ashes are gathered and placed in an urn to be kept at their lovers or parents home. If neither their lover, children, or parents are alive, the urn will be taken to a temple and placed there to be watched over by the holy peoples.
A feast is preapared and all people who knew the dead cele( )ate their life and praise all the good they have done as well as confess their sins of the dead in their place. Once the feast is over life continues as normal. |
