Difference between revisions of "Elderling"

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== History ==
 
== 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’s physical and mental characteristics.
+
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’s 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.
 
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.
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== Civilization ==
 
== 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 jewel with unique properties, to provide light in their halls. Elderlings fostered the dragon eggs, constructing birthing halls where young dragons were hatched under the watchful eye of their parents and Elderling caretakers.
+
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.
 
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.
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== In the Farseer Trilogy ==
 
== 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 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.
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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 ==
 
== In the Liveship Traders ==
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'''The Elderling Queen'''
 
'''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]]’s uprising, leaving her with a similar crest. Reyn describes Malta as “crowned”, and the dragon Tintaglia later refers to Malta as “rewarded” with “the scarlet crest”.
+
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]]’s uprising, leaving her with a similar crest. Reyn describes Malta as “crowned”, and the dragon Tintaglia later refers to Malta as “rewarded” with “the scarlet crest."
  
 
== Known Elderlings ==
 
== Known Elderlings ==

Revision as of 01:24, 4 May 2009

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’s 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 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 (“wizardwood”) by the Rain Wild Traders. These planks were used to construct ships that eventually became sentient and were resistant to the acidic quality of the Rain Wild River, hence the existence of liveships.

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’s uprising, leaving her with a similar crest. Reyn describes Malta as “crowned”, and the dragon Tintaglia later refers to Malta as “rewarded” with “the scarlet crest."

Known Elderlings

Malta Vestrit

Selden Vestrit

Reyn Khuprus

Quotes

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