Who are you?

I am Talantheros Silverthorn, Lagos of the Northern Wildrunners.

Who are we?

We are of the Silverthorn clan, of the Qualinesti. Our clan has traditionally been warriors, once House Protector in the Old Land of Silvanesti. We have lived in these woods since the days of Kith-Kanan.

What makes us great?

We are elves, the Firstborn, People of the Morning. We were born from the love of E'Li and Quen. We know the harmonies of the world, we are skilled in the making of beauty and have done so since before the other races learnt to speak.

Where do we live?

The forest of Qualinesti is our home. We have many scattered settlements throughout the forest, but the centre of our realm is at Qualinost, the Garden of the Speaker of Suns. Here, the Sinthal-Elish meet to guide us and our land.

How do we live?

We understand the ways of nature, and of the magical world, and we can make them work for us. Our orchards always bear the sweetest of fruit, our gardens the most succulent vegetables and our hives the most delicate honey. When we cook, we seldom use fire to burn away the goodness of the food, but use spices to achieve subtle and varied effects. Our food is light, yet nutritious. We can make clothing that is as light as silk, and yet can withstand a sword blow and will never fade or tear. Our buildings are formed from natural phenomena, and grown to our desires. We never use the products of animals - these are thinking creatures too, and we can feel their pain if we abuse them.

What is important to us?

Light, laughter and song are important to us. We seek beauty in all things, yet the world can be ugly, thanks to Kinis and Takhis. To love and be loved, that is important.

Who rules us?

The Speaker of Suns rules us, and presides over the Sinthal-Elish, the Council of Lords. These Thalasan (Lords) are the wisest members of each of our clans. They meet to decide what is best for our people.

What makes a person great?

To create something that will endure forever, that makes a person great. A song, a great tower, a garden, a fine piece of silverwork. A person can become great by deeds, too, if those deeds are in the cause of freedom and justice. We still sing songs about Kith-Kanan's fight for his people even today.

What is evil?

That which seeks to destroy beauty, to shut out the light and to bring cruelty and hatred into people's hearts. Kinis and his demon bride Takhis brought evil into the world out of jealousy, and because of it the world can never be perfect.

What is my lot in life?

You will learn the songs that tell of our mythology, you will be taught in artistry, and you will be taught how to use a bow so that if you choose to join the Wildrunners like me, you will have the skills.

Unlike the Silvanesti, however, we do not demand that a person stick within his clan. If it is the calling of your heart, you may choose another profession. We all have a duty to destroy the damage done to the Middle Realm during the Great Cataclysm. We must start with our own lands.

How do we deal with others?

Outsiders can be brutal and ugly. They do not appreciate beauty as we do. Sometimes we trade with the humans to the North, but of recent times they have turned inward with their own troubles, and only come to us to take from us for what we possess. In times of old, we traded with the Dwarves of Thorbardin too, but they shut their doors after the Great Cataclysm. Only a few of them remain now, and they have little to do with us. Dwarves like beauty, but they desire only to keep it as a material thing.

Who are our enemies?

Within our forest, we have no enemies. We are too strong and wise for any to harm us. Outside the forest, you should beware of everyone. Humans and Dwarves can mean well, but they have an unpleasant side to their nature which they sometimes cannot control. Ogres and goblins are the offspring of Kinthalas and Takhisis, and so are evil by their very nature. They are our enemies.

Who are our gods?

Greatest of all is E'Li, the Lord of the Upper Realm. He placed the stars in the sky, and he shows his face to us as the sun, bringing warmth, rain and plenty to the Middle World. His wife Quen is Queen of the Middle Realm, that walked upon by mortals. From the union of her and E'Li comes life on the Middle World. The Lower World is a dry, terrible place ruled by the twisted Kinis. He desires Quen and always seeks the downfall of E'Li. His bride is a terrible demon known as Takhis, who brings the night. She was made by Kinis who planned to swap her for Quen, but she was too clever for him and now she rules him.

Astra is the son of E'Li and Quen. It was he who brought the stars to light the sky whilst E'Li was away fighting Takhis. He came down to the Middle World to teach the People of the Morning how to survive. Manthus was a lowly servant of Kinis who betrayed his master by warning Quen and E'li that Takhis was coming. He was killed by an angry Takhis, but reborn as a mantis.

Zivylin is the World Tree. It's branches are in the Upper World, it's trunk the Middle World and it's roots in the Lower World. All things are part of Zivilyn.