Elderling

2009-11-29T22:38:38Z

Kchan2401: /* In the Liveship Traders */

The '''Elderling''' race is the result of humans and dragons living closely with one another.

== Appearance ==

Although the descriptions are never consistent, Elderlings generally have long, slender limbs and unusually vibrant and colorful eyes. They develop iridescent scaling upon their skin, a side effect of sharing their lives with dragons.

The unpleasant growths the [[Rain Wild Traders]] experience may be a mutation of Elderling characteristics due to living close to, but not in harmony with dragons.

== History ==

The first Elderlings came into existence when primitive humans living in the [[Rain Wilds]] area began to mingle their society with that of the dragons. Those who developed bonds with dragons began to adopt some of the larger beast‚Äôs physical and mental characteristics.

Elderlings became assistants to the dragons, aiding in the care of dragon eggs and ensuring the survival of the dragon species. In return, they developed extended lifespans, and were able to cultivate an advanced civilization amongst the Rain Wilds.

At some point in time, a catastrophic earthquake known as The Great Quake destroyed the civilization of the Elderlings, killing them and the dragons and sealing away the remaining unhatched serpents in their cocoons beneath the ruins of [[Frengong]].

== Civilization ==

The Elderlings built their cities as large communal houses, with chambers and halls linking rooms like a catacomb or labyrinth. They relied on [[jizdin]], a glowing metal with unique properties, hammered into strips, to provide light in their halls. Elderlings fostered the dragon eggs, constructing birthing halls where young dragons were hatched under the watchful eyes of their parents and Elderling caretakers.

Little else is known about Elderling society, except that theirs was prosperous and highly advanced. They possessed a unique quality of magic with which they created their society. It is known they valued music, theatre and traditional arts.

== In the Farseer Trilogy ==

Elderlings are first introduced to the story in a tapestry in [[Fitz]]'s bedroom, which depicts King [[Wisdom]] greeting an Elderling. It is believed by the characters of the Farseer Trilogy that the Elderlings are the mammoth [[stone-dragon|stone beasts]] that come to the aid of the [[Six Duchies]] against the [[Red Ship Raiders]]. These stone creatures, sleeping in a vast garden hidden in the [[Mountain Kingdom]], are in fact a revered form of Elderling art. Elderlings discovered that by carving dragon forms out of memory stone and filling them with memory, they would eventually take flight for a brief period of time. The practice was seen as a way to honour dragons.

== In the Liveship Traders ==

Long after The Great Quake killed the Elderlings and buried their cities, the remaining cocoons of unborn dragons were sawn open and shaped into wooden planks (‚Äú[[wizardwood]]‚Äù) by the [[Rain Wild Traders]]. These planks were used to construct ships that eventually became sentient and were resistant to the corrosive quality of the [[Rain Wild River]], hence the existence of [[liveships]].

[[Malta Vestrit|Malta]] and [[Selden Vestrit]] freed [[Tintaglia]], the last dragon left alive within her cocoon. Through their association with her, they began to change into Elderlings. It is reasonable to assume that Malta, along with her beau [[Reyn Khuprus]] and younger brother Selden, will revive the Elderling race and restore the dragons and Elderlings to their former glory.

'''The Elderling Queen'''

A tapestry in the ruins of [[Frengong]] depicts a young Elderling queen with a large, scarlet scar upon her forehead. Malta Vestrit severely injures her head on the night of [[Bingtown]]‚Äôs uprising, leaving her with a similar crest. Reyn describes Malta as ‚Äúcrowned‚Äù, and the dragon Tintaglia later refers to Malta as ‚Äúrewarded‚Äù with ‚Äúthe scarlet crest."

== Known Elderlings ==

[[Malta Vestrit]]

[[Selden Vestrit]]

[[Reyn Khuprus]]

== Quotes ==

'''Tintaglia:'''
‚ÄúI see you have been well rewarded for your part in freeing me, young queen. A scarlet crest. You will take much pleasure from that.‚Äù

[[Category: Rain Wilds]]

Frengong

2009-11-29T22:37:18Z

Kchan2401: /* Main Features */

Frengong is the true name of the buried [[Elderling]] city under the [[Rain Wilds]] city [[Trehaug]].
Though for the most part referred to as the "buried Elderling city," it is [[Tintaglia]] the dragon who recalls it's true name, having visited the city in her memories.

The Elderlings did not build their cities in series' of houses on streets, like a regular city would be built. They built their cities like honeycombes, with all the rooms in the house (the chambers) connected by corridors. These chambers could then be connected by further corridors to other houses, forming large communal houses.

Frengong was destroyed by the Great Quake, and the Crowned Rooster Chamber was used to house the Dragon's coccoons during the cataclysm, so that they would not be destroyed.

== Main Features ==
Frengong would have had all the classic features of Elderling architecture, including wide and shallow steps, a large cleared space, extremely high ceilings, and wide streets, all to accomodate the [[Dragons]] that they shared their world with.

The main chamber in Frengong was the [[Crowned Rooster Chamber]]. It was an immense chamber with a high, glass dome atop. The chamber was used for gatherings, meetings, and for the carving of the memory stones. There were doors and mechanisms built to accomodate the large pieces of memory stone that would have been brought into the chamber for the carving of "Elderling Dragons."

There was also a large theatre, as the Elderlings were a cultured people. There were further corridors to allow for the actors to dress, rehearse, and write their performances. There was also doors and trapdoors for the actors to access the stage, unseen to the audience.

In [[Malta Vestrit]]'s 'memories' of Frengong, she recalled that there was a boat deck and a wide veranda at the back (or possibly to the side) of the theatre. When Frengong was still thriving, the river was not as corrosive as it is now, allowing for sturdy boats to float on the river.

After the destruction of Frengong, the deck was at ground level, suggesting that the land around Frengong rose after the Great Quake. There is further evidence of this, in the complete burial of the Crowned Rooster Chamber, including it's high dome.

[[Category: Places]]
[[Category: Rain Wilds]]
[[Category : Elderling]]

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Elderling

Frengong