Aednun
| Aednun
Akvnyn | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Elves |
| Affiliations | |
| Religion(s) | Mnvera |
| Language(s) | Vailic, Atherin |
The Aednun, or Akvnyn (Vailic: "Us, The Greater") are a race of elves native to Celadon. The areas of Celadon ruled by the Aednun are collectively referred to as Coronia. The Aednun are sometimes simply referred to as the Elves by foreign scholarship because they are by far the most common elven race, however this is a misnomer deeply resented by the Aednun, and one which they feel displays foreign ignorance of elvish culture and history.
The Aednun have a long, complicated, and mostly negative relationship with the Leoth and Thyrids, two races of men to their east and west respectively. The Leoth in particular share a mutual distaste for the Aednun, who they compete with for supremacy in Celadon by virtue of geography. In popular culture, the Aednun are typically stereotyped as haughty and close-minded, and are known for both their greed and distaste towards non-Elven foreigners. Although (as all stereotypes are) these traits are no doubt exaggerated when they are reported, Aednun culture has a notable supremacist streak, and as the last elven states on the mainland of Atheryin, a certain siege mentality colours their dealings with men and beasts.
Physiology
Like most elves, the Aednun can often be mistaken for men upon first glance by someone unfamiliar with elven physiology, however there are several marked differences between the Aednun and the races of man which allow them to be distinguished relatively easily. The Aednun have thick, dark, often wavy or curly hair, of which brown and black are the only natural colours. They also have pale eye colouring, which tends to be blue or green. Because of the ubiquity of pale eyes, brighter and more colourful eyes are often considered to be one of the primary indicators of beauty within Aednun society. The Aednun have extremely pale, milky white skin, which they prize as a symbol of their "purity", especially when compared to other elven races such as the Dramer. Like all elves, the Aednun are a slight race. Aednun women have petite and angularity defined heads, as well as small breasts and hips. Aednun men possess more muscular physiques and more robust heads, however they could still not be described as particularly physically imposing.
The Aednun lack the ability to digest meat and other animal products, a trait that they share with their island neighbours the Tallin, but not with the Dramer or Admáen, who include some meat in their diets. They are a herbivorous people, and they regard the meat consumption of most other races in Atheryin as an unclean and barbarous act. Their teeth are all built for consuming vegetables, fruits, and other plant materials, and the Aednun possess no canines or omnivorous teeth. Their stomachs will reject meats, which they lack the ability to process. Some Aednun may be able to consume animal products such as meat, however they look down on the practice and will not do so regardless.