Pale elf

Glamfellen (pale/snow elves or Cythwod) are a sub-race of elves in Pillars of Eternity.

Origin and prevalence

Glamfellen (GLAHM-fel-len, "twilight dwellers") Pale Elves are known to live in the The White that Wends, a huge southern expanse of polar ice. They appear to be among the most stationary ethnic groups in the known world, migrating within the polar region but seldom venturing far north. They are rare in all northern lands and have minimal contact with outside world. Outside of Boreal Dwarves and some far-traveled Aumaua, very few people have any contact with Glamfellen, most consider them exotic (if they have seen one at all).^[1]^[2] Pale Elves are borderline albinos, slightly taller than Sceltrfolc (wood elves), and the males can (and often do) grow facial hair. Some have epicanthic folds, but it is not universally common.^[2]

Anthropologically (pre-history), most academics who care to theorize believe that pale elves (Glamfellen) left the northern hemisphere at least 12,000 years ago. Some theorize it happened even earlier, up to 50,000 years ago. Almost every theory about why they left and why they traveled all the way to the southern polar region is pure guesswork. Culturally, they bear almost no resemblance to the Sceltrfolc(wood elves) who live in Aedyr and they have no cultural similarities to the Sceltrfolc who live in Eir Glanfath. There are a few elements of Glamfellen grammar and vocabulary that have common roots with Eld Aedyran and are not found in other surrounding languages (e.g. the languages spoken by boreal dwarves), but the similarities end there.^[2]

Physiology

Pale Elves are borderline albinos, slightly taller than Sceltrfolc (wood elves), and the males can (and often do) grow facial hair. Some have epicanthic folds, but it is not universally common.^[2]

It is unclear exactly how long ago the pale elves (Glamfellen) came to the southern polar regions of the world, but they have lived there for at least 12,000 years based on their continuous contact with aumaua traders. They appear to be among the most stationary ethnic groups in the known world, migrating within the polar region but seldom venturing far north. They are rare in all northern lands and most people consider them exotic (if they have seen one at all).

Culture

Culturally, they bear almost no resemblance to the Sceltrfolc (wood elves) who live in Aedyr and they have no cultural similarities to the Sceltrfolc who live in Eir Glanfath. There are a few elements of Glamfellen grammar and vocabulary that have common roots with Eld Aedyran and are not found in other surrounding languages (e.g. the languages spoken by boreal dwarves), but the similarities end there. The reason is that the language of the Glamfellen has diverged greatly from the original tongue of their ancestors who originally settled the White that Wends. Though it may share common roots with Aedyran, Ordhjóma is incomprehensible to those who haven't studied it.^[2]

Although their structure evolved over the centuries, the Glamfellen are predominantly clan-based, with each acting both as a family and a nation. The clans raise children communally, passing on expertise from the old to the young, to equip them with the skills necessary for weathering the White that Wends. Children are children of the clans first and foremost, as a result. Paternity can be difficult to determine among the pale elves due to their communal style of living, but it's considered a least concern. This style of living has eroded over the last 400 years, as settlements founded on the coast started to trade with the outside world, dealing in culture and goods. Wealth eroded the unique Glamfellen way of life, although inland clans further south have managed to maintain their distinct culture.^[3]

Beyond the environment, Glamfellen culture is heavily rooted in the worship of Rymrgand, the god of entropy, and a belief in the incoming end of the world. Traditions are typically transmitted orally, as few pale elves are literate and what written word exists is jealously guarded by the elders. This body of sacred scripture is called jommydra and, according to some, it is a deliberate means of control over the tribes.^[4] Regardless of the reason, the priests lead the pale elves in navigating the Land, divining Rymrgand's will in the entrails of those slain in the defense of his holy sites and leading the nomadic clans across the snow. Other methods of venerating the death god include the usual prayer, song, dance, and sacrifice.

For one reason or another, Rymrgand has preserved their souls, protecting them against soul entropy over the twelve thousand years of their habitation in the White that Wends. Every pale elf was reborn intact as a pale elf, in an unbroken continuity of souls stretching back thousands of years. The Glamfellen were unaware of this until a Watcher visited one of the clans and revealed this to them upon examining their souls. The strain of the revelation prompted many of the elves to awaken, eventually leading to a pilgrimage to Twin Elms and Noonfrost, where the clan attempted to penetrate the Frost-Hewn Breach, in a bid to enter Rymrgand's domain and die permanently, with no chances of reincarnation.