Haelfinan (ALE-fin-non) are very rare, appearing only in small pockets in the deep forests
and distant islands in
the World of San'Dora. Haelfinan have a dire sensitivity to
ferrous metal including steel, which encourages them to avoid proximity to the races of
Var and Men, who favor Iron based equipment. Smaller than Haelfinan that bear some Human ancestry, Haelfinan are also superbly graceful and exquisitely
beautiful as a rule.
Haelfinan have sharp senses and are naturally talented at archery. They also
have the propensity for the kind of magic known as
Aeldenaren
coursing through their very veins. Though not all Haelfinan chose to pursue
their Aeldenaren gifts to their fullest potential, it is the rare
pureblooded Haelfinan that doesn't have at least a few Aeldenaren abilities. Haelfinan users of
Aeldenaren are known as Willcrafters, and hold great authority among the
Haelfinan. Only a pureblooded Haelfinan is able to have all of the
Aeldenaren Gifts.
Pureblooded Haelfinan are generally slim and well formed. They range between
5' and 5' 8", and weigh between 120 and 150 lbs. Their skin is typically
pale; in some extreme cases their skin tone can even be so pale as to appear
to be alabaster white. Their hair is usually gold, copper, silver, or jet black. Their eyes are most often blue or green, but
some have silvery grey or purplish eyes, either of which is a trait
particularly associated with powerful Willcrafters.
In addition to their long pointy ears, Haelfinan have sharp features with
high cheekbones, a tapered jaw culminating in a pointy chin, and arched
eyebrows. Haelfinan grow hair only on their heads, and do not have facial
hair other than their eyebrows; most Haelfinan have a marked "widow's peak"
and tend to wear their hair long. Haelfinan generally are described as
looking stern and haughty by those Humans that have had contact with them.
The Haelfinan still living on the mainland usually wear simple but well made
clothes that are camouflaged to their individual environments. The Haelfinan
of Aelora favor leathers and dark green cloaks; they generally tend to have
copper hair and green eyes, but a minority of them have jet black or blonde hair. The
Haelfinan of Eerdrelin favor thick green tunics over leathers colored dark
green by Willcrafting; they generally are blonde and blue eyed but with a
minority that have copper hair and green eyes.
The Haelfinan of Aelonar tend towards comfortable but thick robes, of all
different colors as they like (but with a tendency towards blue and silver).
Their hair is usually silver or black, and their eyes run the gamut of Haelfinan
shades, but there is a heavy prevalence of Willcrafters and many of them
have silver or indigo eyes.
The Haelfinan of Eeandrial and Llishima dress and look similarly to the
Haelfinan of Aelonar, but their robes are lighter; some wear pastel colors.
The Haelfinan of Eeandrial do favor crimson and gold, and those of Llishima
favor purple and gold; their respective colors. Most citizens wear elaborate
and ornate jewelry of impressive manufacture, and in fact Llishima exports
some such items for great profit.
Many Haelfinan prefer to go unarmed, but those that do arm themselves favor
long slim blades made from Blaenarianodd (Haelfsilver), typically with
hand-guards, and / or bows.
GENERAL CHARACTER
Pureblooded Haelfinan are mercurial, inscrutable, and prone to extremes, but
at the same time they are subtle. They also tend to have a strange way of
looking at things that shorter lived races lack the perspective to truly
understand. Often times a Haelfinan will do things that are incomprehensible
to non-Haelfinan out of nothing more than a sense of boredom. They also have
a tendency to become obsessed or fascinated with various things that catch
their fancy for decades at a stretch.
Perhaps the most marked thing about Haelfinan from a Human perspective is
their propensity for extremely strong and pure emotions. They are capable of
loves, hates, compassions, and desires so strong that Humans are rarely
capable of matching them.
ORIGINS & ORGANIZATION
Very little is known of the Haelfinan by outsiders, due to their generally
xenophobic behavior. However a few groups of note have contact with
non-Haelfinan, mostly Humans.
A militant group of Haelfinan among the Eerdrelin are called the Nuwynamadd
Caleb (nu-we-NOM-ath CAW-leb; literally "Vengeance Hunt"). They constantly
fight against their Nordmanner neighbors, resisting any incursions (real or
perceived) into their lands. Aside from being a dedicated band of Aeldenaren
warriors and terrifyingly accurate archers, they also are responsible for
the creation of the Tarbhdynion (tarv-DEEN-eon; beast men), which they use
as foot troops in their endless war.
Visitors that brave the ports of Eeandrial find their every move watched and
their movements restricted by the Almarach Freycaedyn (awl-MORE-rach
fray-CAY-deen), crimson and gold clad armed guards. Though it is not
generally known, this is in fact the only equivalent to a standing military
for the nation of Eeandrial (save an equivalently sized naval force), and
though it is a relatively small force to represent the entire military
presence of a nation as it numbers less than a thousand each member is an
accomplished swordsman.
Similarly the open port near the capital of Llishima, Tabhdach (HOV-dock) is
protected by a force of several hundred Fendylagh (fen-DEAL-og) in
their fancy purple and gold tabards and Haelf-silver armor. To gain entry
into this organization, a Haelfinan must be a recognized blademaster;
additionally one must be adept at using Aeldenaren powers in a "practical"
fashion (i.e. in a fashion useful in combat). Each member of this extremely elite group is likely worth a platoon
of ordinary Human soldiers.
PACKAGE DEAL
Cost
Ability
15
Graceful: +5 DEX
10
Fluid: +2 SPD
5
Quick: Round Off Figured SPD
5
Quick-witted: +5 INT
5
Attractive: +10 COM
5
Alluring: +5
PRE
6
Archer's Strength: +12 STR;
Only to Draw Bows (-1)
8
Light of Foot: +4" Running
10
Tireless Running: Reduced Endurance (0 END;
+1/2) (10 Active Points) applied to Running
9
Haelfinan Senses: +3 PER All
Senses
5
Haelfinan Eyes: Nightvision
10
Haelfinan Mind: +20 Mental
Defense vs. Sleep & "Charm" Effects Only (-2)
3
Haelfinan Archery: +1 OCV w/
all Bows
2
Haelfinan Weapons Group: WF:
Blades, Spears, Bows
7
Longevity: LS: 2000 Years;
Immunity to Sleep
8
Aeldenari Gifts:
Choose 8 different Gifts. You may not choose more Advanced Gifts than your
character has Basic Gifts.
Value
Disadvantages
-20
Normal Characteristic Maxima
-5
Distinctive Feature: Haelfinan
(Concealable w/ Magic, Noticed, Not Distinctive in Some Cultures)
-20
Susceptibility: Iron &
Steel (Very Common; Instant and then Per Minute, 1d6)
-15
Vulnerability: Iron & Steel
(Very Common; x1.5 STUN)
-15
Vulnerability: Iron & Steel
(Very Common; x1.5 BODY)
